New Devil of The Gremory House
Life 34: Of
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"Oh god baby! Yes! YEEESSSSSS!"
"You like that bitch!"
"Oh I love it!"
"Want me to fuck you harder?!"
"I want you to fuck me until I can't feel my legs!"
It was just another normal night for Issei Hyoudou. Matsuda and Motohama had informed him of a raunchy, delightful new porno on the internet that was worth his attention. Issei had typed the URL in, found the video, and could safely say they were not wrong. Beautiful woman. Alluring voice. Very little of the man in the shot. And her huge, probably fake breasts were bouncing up into her face with every thrust and rail into her body. It was great and Issei would have already strangled the rooster if the circumstances permitted it.
However earlier in the ORC club he and the other students found Azazel's rough draft of a sex novel he was writing. Issei's eyes immediately skimmed over everything that had been put to page and desperately searched for the acts of sex and pleasure. Fortunately Azazel was something of a sex fiend and had written quite a large portion of scenes like that to wet the whistle. It was quite a sight to see…
Unfortunately he wasn't the only one to see it, and now-
"I'm gonna cum you slut!"
"That's right Daddy! Cum in me! Pump me till I spew!"
"I-Issei-San, why does that woman call that man daddy? They aren't actually related like that, are they?"
"No, otherwise this would be under a very different tab and I'd probably throw up."
"So why does she call him that? They appear to be the same age." Asia leaned in and closely inspected the screen while the woman received a foot-long present into her core, "She might even be a little older if I'm guessing."
"Well it's just…a thing for some guys Asia." Issei gently squeezed her arm and pulled her away from the screen. He knew she was already watching it but somehow her being even closer to the depraved horror they were watching seemed worse for him. He noticed that her cheeks were bright red from embarrassment at watching the explicit scene in front of them. Even though she was watching this porn with him, she was still innocent and pure! It was the small blessings he was thankful for! Issei coughed into his hand and avoided Asia's eyes, "Some guys like it when girls call them things intimately. Some like being insulted to…um…stir them on, and some like being coddled. Some guys get turned on being called onii-chan or something, and some like being called daddy."
"W-What are your preferences, Issei-San?"
A beautiful, blonde bombshell was asking him his sexual preference in a cute voice while they watched porn. This should have been a highlight of his life and yet the awkwardness was just painful.
"I'm not sure, and even if I was I don't think I should say."
"Should I call you Daddy when we're alone? Would you like that?"
"…"
Wow, that had to be the fastest he's ever gotten an erection in his life. And unfortunately it was followed with an unprecedented amount of shame at letting her say that.
When Asia had knocked on his door and said she wanted to learn more about the stuff she had seen in Azazel's book, Issei nearly cried with joy. But now he was here, sitting beside Asia as they watched porn and he couldn't help but feel like he was corrupting the sweet nun to the dark side. Well at least he was doing his Devil duty and coercing others to sin.
[Yes that's a very healthy way of looking at this situation.]
"Here it comes! Take it bitch!"
"I'M CUMMMMMMIIIIIIIINNNNNNNGGGGGG!"
Asia gasped and covered her mouth as the woman screamed at the top of her lungs. She gulped and looked over at Issei, "A-Are the names he calls her having the same effect for her?"
"No, I think those are just for him as well. The name calling during sex is a very biased, one-sided system. Guys get called something tough and strong while the ladies are demeaned and insulted. Just the kind of industry the porn world is."
"UGGGRH!"
Issei's eyes widened and Asia looked mortified as the man pulled out his massive appendage and started rubbing it fiercely. Several more streams of cum shot out over the woman as she moaned before her hair was roughly grabbed and yanked up so his cock could go in her mouth to finish.
That was actually pretty hot. He was sure he would have finished right there if he was alone and Asia wasn't watching so intently by his side.
"I-Issei-San," Asia whispered meekly as she watched through her fingers as the pornstar swallowed the man's large rod so easily, "I-Is that normal?"
"The guy's size, the volume, or how easily she's handling it?"
"Y-Y-Yes." She nodded and failed to specify which she wanted.
Issei sighed, "Well no, most guys aren't that big. I think it's pretty rare for a guy to have equipment that big. I don't think all of that stuff is real, and if it is than he seriously needs to rehydrate. And I'm pretty sure she has experience so this might just be another Tuesday afternoon for her."
"W-Wow." The blonde [Bishop] took a deep steady breath to calm herself down after the porno had finished. She placed a hand on her chest and felt her heart hammer rapidly inside from the excitement, "O-Okay."
"You alright?"
"Y-Yes I think so." She nodded before looking up at Issei softly, "Thank you for showing me this. I-I think I finally have an idea of what sexual intercourse is really like now."
"Well Asia, this isn't really the best example of what real sex is like." Issei said, wanting to quell and correct any misunderstandings the nun might have from watching the video, "I mean people's stamina is different. What they like and don't like. How comfortable they are. If…" His and Asia's eyes met and they stared longingly at each other, "If they love each other."
"Issei-San…"
"Oh god I love when you slam me with that thick, fat cock." They looked down as the woman turned around and presented her ass to her lover, "So get in here big boy."
"Fuck baby you get me so horny."
"Oh yee-AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~!"
"And refractory periods." Issei quickly added on as Asia watched entranced as they began their second round with hardcore anal sex, "You can't ever forget about the nonexistent refractory periods in pornos. Maybe we should-"
Asia slapped his hand away before he could exit the window and put a stop to the madness. Her face was red and her eyes were slightly watering, but Asia was determined to watch the video until the end. So now Issei was sitting there, silently, watching porn beside his innocent young friend while he pitched a tent.
His phone rang.
[Oh good, some way to get out of this.]
Issei quickly reached over and grabbed his phone to break the terrible tension that had started building. He looked on the screen and saw a notice from Naruto. It looked pretty urgent from the way he had typed it, although that might just be because he did it too quickly.
getiovertouhotRlmowguckingimpoijrtnat
"Looks like he still needs to practice texting." Issei pocketed his phone and stood up with a groan. He readjusted himself before looking over, "Asia, we've gotta go." The [Bishop] didn't responded as she reached a particularly raunchy part of the video, "Asia!"
"H-Huh?"
"Come on, Naruto-senpai texted and we have to go to the hotel. It looks like something is going on and we need to be there."
"O-Okay!" Asia shut the laptop and jumped off the bed. She fixed her hair and clothes as Issei ran down the stairs.
"Issei!" The young Devil looked over and saw his father and mother watching the TV on the couch, "Are you going somewhere? We were going to get something to eat."
"Sorry guys, we got a message from one of our upperclassmen and they need us to drop by." Issei fixed his school jacket over himself, "I don't know when we'll get back."
"Okay sweetheart, just make sure to stay safe."
"We will." Issei stepped aside as Asia came down the stairs beside him, "Ready to go?"
"Yes." Asia nodded, glowing and brighter than ever as she smiled, "I feel so awake and full of energy. Watching that pornography with you really was a fulfilling experience, Issei-San." She ran ahead to the door before giggling and looking back at the object of her affections, "We don't want to keep them waiting, Daddy."
…
His father looked at him in disgust and disappointment as his mother slowly reached for the phone.
"DON'T CALL THE POLICE ON YOUR OWN – fuck it I'm leaving."
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"Issei-senpai!" Issei waved to Gasper as he and Asia met with the young freshman, Yuuto, and Irina on their way to Arashi Heights. The young Dhampir walked over to his upperclassmen, "Did you get the message as well?"
"Buchou contacted me by hologram." Yuuto answered, "She said it was urgent and I needed to get here quickly."
Gasper nodded,"I-I got a message from Koneko-chan. She said I had to come quickly or else I'd be in trouble."
"Xenovia called me." Irina held out her phone, "It sounded like trouble."
"And we were the only ones summoned with chicken scratch." Issei grumbled as they spotted the ostentatious building and made their way up the stairs, "If we were all called so late then it has to be something important, right?"
"It might have something to do with the Khaos Brigade?" Irina theorized, "They attacked you the other day, right Issei-kun?"
"Yeah, but do you think they would make another move so quickly?"
"I don't think so." Yuuto answered Issei as he narrowed his eyes in thought, "That seems like the actions of a desperate tactic that they wouldn't use so quickly after the original attack. I think this is something else entirely."
"W-What could it be?" Gasper fretted as Asia rested her hands on his shoulders to ease his worry, "I hope it isn't something scary."
"Well whatever it is," Issei reached for the doors and pushed them open, "Let's see what we're up against."
"-if that stupid crow is going to make me pay for my room then I'll want the full package." The old man in the eyepatch announced as he walked up to the front desk and pulled out his card, "I'll take the top floors of this crappy place and every room on them. As well as every drop of the most expense alcohol you've got. If you see the cost for any bottle and it leaves you reeling, I want it in my mouth right away."
"S-Sir, I'm sorry," The lady behind the desk slightly panicked at turning down the Chief God's request, "B-But the top levels of the hotel aren't actually for public use. They are just for the owners and proprietors of the hotel."
"Hey, if it's a matter of money then don't bother trying to sell me." Odin tapped his card impatiently, "I got enough on here to buy this hotel and the surrounding block a few dozen times over and make a metropolis."
"N-No sir, it's not that-"
"Do you want real money and not a piece of plastic?" Odin reached into his robe and pulled out a massive wad of cash, "What about this? This more up your alley?"
"O-Oh wow, s-sir I don't think-"
"Here you can have that." Odin casually handed the huge wad of money over to the clerk as if he was just handing over a stray wrapper he needed thrown away. The young lady's eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the money she held as Odin reached into his pocket and pulled out another wad, "What do you say people? Think I have enough to pay for a room?"
"YEEAAAHHH!"
"That's what I like to hear!" Odin cackled and started tossing wads up in the air until it was raining money. People in the lobby immediately started catching the bills or scrounging for them on the ground as the Chief God laughed, "Now now, there's more where that came from!"
The arriving ORC students watched the display of extravagant wealth and chauvinistic indulgence in silence. Asia whispered as she watched the chaos, "I think that might have something to do with it."
"Probably."
Gasper pulled on Issei's sleeve and pointed down. Everyone looked at the floor in time to see Rossweisse crawling on the tiles and snatching up as many bills as she could. She greedily swiped them away before anyone could approach until she arrived at their feet. The Valkyrie looked up and when she recognized the faces of Rias Gremory's peerage she went hysterical, "T-This isn't what it looks like! I-I'm not scrounging for Odin-sama's money as he continues to throw around his wealth without fear or concern. A-As someone who very regularly tries to get the most out of every cent, I-I know the value of a bill, a-and I know that this is bad! S-So I'm just collecting all the bills to give to Odin-sama later after-"
One second went by as Rossweisse just stared up at the students in silence. Slowly her eyes watered as she sniffled, "It's not fair, okay? It's just not fair."
"We get it. I mean this is weird and we have nothing to compare it to, but we totally understand what you're going through."
"Let it fly! Hahahaha! Suck on that you murder of asses!"
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"What did you expect from me?" Odin mumbled with a frown on his face, "I come to this crummy little shack looking for assistance since that snotty little crow was so adamant on connecting more frequently and working together. And when I come to him for help, he tells me I need to pay for a room. Put a little life into this crappy place. What the fuck?!" The old God exclaimed, "Does he not remember who I am?! I'm Odin! I'm a pretty big fucking deal! Do I need to bring unending suffering and hellfire upon this place so that he doesn't forget who I am? Because I am the vindictive type."
"N-No, Odin-sama!" Rossweisse nervously waved her arms and tried to quell the God's fury, "I-I'm sure Azazel-sama is very familiar with your wrath and punishments, s-so I doubt we need to bring them down upon this small Japanese town."
"Y-Yeah Odin-sama." Issei agreed as the others nodded in order to avoid an incident, "I think we would all really appreciate you not bringing down a horde of locusts or anything."
"Locusts? Pfft, that was your lord's tastes. I prefer eternal winters that destroy crops, freezing rivers and lakes, and leave unprepared folks frozen to death in their homes. Hahaha, man I was a little shit when I was younger."
The Devils and Angel looked at Rossweisse for an answer only for her to shake her head and sigh. The Valkyrie mumbled, "Well you gripe Odin-sama, but you were the one who was jumping at the chance to leave as quickly as possible."
"Don't use facts against me Rossweisse, those always come to bite me in the ass and I won't tolerate it." The old man groused and his loyal attendant nodded, "Man I hope things have settled by now."
"Uh...what do you want settled, Odin-sama?"
The old God sighed and pulled the handle to the door back, "Knowing our luck today...this."
"I-I'm sorry, alright! If I knew we were coming your way I would have called and warned you-"
"I didn't need a warning! I just need you not to be here!"
"I had no choice! It was Odin-sama's command that we come to see Azazel! And you were here too-"
"W-Why are you even working with Odin-sama in the first place?! How did you end up as a bodyguard to a Northern God?!"
"I offered my services for the benefit of our alliance. Helping a God of such standing like Odin-sama would do great work towards showing that we can work together! And if something were to happen to someone like Odin-sama, it would throw off the balance of power not just to our faction but for the entire world!"
"And someone so important is being watched over by you? Maybe he'd have more luck with someone who has a better record of watching out for others."
"Hey, don't talk to me like that young lady!"
"No, you don't have the right to talk to me like that!"
Daughter and father stood across from each other after their intense argument and caught their breath. The large, bearded Fallen Angel took several moments to collect his composure. He rubbed his eyes and sighed before looking up with guilt, "I'm sorry. I got carried away."
Akeno flinched and continued to glare at Baraqiel. Unlike normally the calm, composed, and teasing senior girl was disheveled, frantic, and looking more animated and emotional than she would usually be. Her shields and barriers had cracked in the presence of her father, and the uncertain girl behind them started to peek through.
The ponytailed [Queen] tried to catch her breath, her chest heaving and her cheeks slightly flushed from yelling before she looked around the room. Naruto and Rias were watching from the side, with Azazel witnessing the scene with a disappointed glint in his eyes and Xenovia and Koneko looking worried by what they had seen. On the other side Odin and Rossweisse had returned, with Issei, Asia, Irina, and Gasper looking shocked by what happened while Yuuto watched with sympathetic eyes.
With a shaky breath Akeno shook her head and walked away before she started another argument, "I'm taking a room."
Baraqiel looked like he wanted to reach out and stop her before it was too late, but his hand froze and then slowly lowered back as he realized he wasn't going to pacify his daughter's intense anger by pestering her.
"U-Um," It was Gasper of all people that broke the silence that stagnated the room, "I-Is Akeno-senpai going to be-"
"Give her some time." Rias stepped forward and didn't so much advise as order both her followers and the guests around her, "She just wants to catch her breath and cool down. We can give her that."
Naruto looked at Rias' back as she resolutely and firmly made her point clear. However he noticed her eyes shift towards where Akeno walked away before settling forward again. He nodded and stepped forward, "So before that all happened, I think we were trying to do some introductions?"
"That's right." Azazel stepped forward, easing the tension and awkwardness with his natural gift of grabbing peoples' attention, "So for those of you who didn't get to hear me finish and to those who just arrived, let me introduce you to my friend." The Governor-General stepped up and patted his larger friend's back in an effort to cheer him up, "This is Baraqiel, my comrade and a Cadre in the Grigori hierarchy of the Fallen Angels. He and I have been comrades and best friends for centuries." Azazel patted the large man's back, "I'd trust him with my life a billion times over, and I'm sure he would do the same. Ain't that right, Baraqiel?"
The large man remained silent and continued to stare in the direction Akeno had taken. Azazel just looked up at him patiently before looking around at all the looks they were getting. He coughed into his hand and nudged Baraqiel's back, "Come on buddy, time to say something."
Baraqiel gave a heavy sigh before turning around and glaring down at his comrade and Governor-General, "Where the fuck have you been this whole time?"
"..." Azazel sweated, "Uh, beg pardon?"
"Shemhazai has seen neither head nor feather of you in ages. You're our Governor-General, but you have barely come back to the Grigori headquarters in months." Baraqiel turned to Azazel, and even though he held a higher position as the leader of the Fallen Angels, he cowered under the towering presence his comrade exuded, "So what have you been doing?"
Azazel gulped and looked everywhere but at his friend, "What are you talking about? I've been here trying to establish a base of operations for our alliance, as well as fighting off the encroaching forces of the Khaos Brigade and molding these young minds. And I have been keeping in contact with Shemhazai and the Grigori! What do you think I've been-"
"He's been blatantly talking about his sex life to minors!"
"He's been harassing and trying to advise us how to have sex!"
"He teases his students and mocks them for their failures!"
"He always makes inappropriate jokes, innuendoes, and esoteric cultural references that go over some of our heads!"
"He put a vibrator in his prosthetic mechanical arm!"
"He broke Naruto-senpai's mentality by mentioning he didn't have a large variety of different attacks!"
"He dropped me into Tannin-ossan's deadly training without any warning!"
"He built this hotel and invested in a ramen business because he was bored!"
"He made a children's show based around loving and poking breasts!"
"And he's also writing porn!"
...
Azazel stared ahead with blank, dead eyes as a judgmental Baraqiel, an interested Odin, and a blushing Rossweisse looked at him. The mixed-haired man lowered his head, chewed on his lip, and then chuckled lowly to himself. He shook his head and looked back at his students, "Heh, you little fuckers have been waiting for this moment, haven't you?"
"Damn straight we have!"
"You are some vindictive, monstrous little kids." Azazel smiled and wiped the tears from his eyes, "I'm so proud."
"We are going to have a long conversation about what you're doing and how you are influencing these children when we have the time."
"And I'd like to see this porn that was mentioned earlier. Just a curiosity."
"Odin-sama!"
"I'll let you read it afterwards."
"D-Don't think you can tempt me with amateur pornography!"
"Then why is there a line of goo seeping down your thigh?" Rossweisse panicked and immediately covered her legs and thighs only to realize there was nothing actually there. Odin cackled and stepped forward, "Okay, time to talk about the most important guy in the room - me!"
Naruto sighed, "Fuck, I forgot we had to deal with you."
"That's a sentiment shared by countless God, monsters, and mythical beings for eons, kid. I ain't going anywhere."
"Yeah, this is gonna be great."
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"So here's the long and short of it - my life is being threatened and if I get killed then shit's gonna go sideways." The God griped and ran a hand though his long stringy beard. He opened his eye when Asia approached the table in front of him and placed his tea down, "I might be old but I don't feel like dying just yet. So...I need help."
"Which is why I've been shadowing him along with Rossweisse-San." Baraqiel added as he looked between the couches and chairs brought around in a circle for them to discuss the matter at hand, "No harm can come to Odin-sama, or the balance of power in our world would be threatened."
"We've been guarding Odin-Sama for some time now, and we've thwarted some attempts on his life." Rossweisse placed her cup down and sat up in proper form, showing a more professional and capable side of her than most in the room had witnessed before, "There have been attempts that range from amateur to more collected and thought through."
"The attempts on Odin-sama are more severe, right?" Issei proposed, "Then the Khaos Brigade might be trying to make a move. We recently had a run-in with the Hero faction-"
"If it was a bunch of kids playing pretend I could handle that myself." Odin interrupted in a grouchy tirade before shaking his head, "No we aren't dealing with the Khaos Brigade. This time it's a little something closer to home."
Azazel raised his brow, "Meaning?"
"Loki."
That name caused several responses across the room. Gasps of shock and groans of recognition as Azazel cursed into his palms and Gasper cowered in fright. Naruto, being the person with the least amount of knowledge about this world and its legends, still faintly recognized the name, "Loki? Isn't...wasn't that the name of the guy from those movies?"
"Those were all characters and interpretations, but this one is the original. Loki, Norse God of mischief, chaos, and trickery. Someone who has had grievances and battles with multiple figures from Norse mythology." Rias answered as she rubbed her forehead in agitation, "He was always one of the more recognizable and well-known deities but due to a surge in popularity in recent years he's become one of the most popular Gods on Earth."
"And with that surge in popularity comes a rise in power, a sense of entitlement, and an urge to see his dreams fulfilled." With a bit of venom and spite in his voice, Odin glared ahead blankly as he clicked his tongue, "That little upstart shit has gotten a little too big for his britches and decided he's going to go after my life."
"And how do you know that?"
"Because the fucker is always trying to mess with us; the Aesir, the Vanir, the giants - all of 'em! He lives to create and spread chaos wherever he goes!"
Issei raised his hand, "Um, isn't he your son?"
"No! That was a lie spread from movies and comics! He is not my son! We're barely even related! He's just a messed up little fucking offshoot that wants to destroy everything!"
"Okay, sorry, don't bite my head off."
"Well why?" Naruto inquired of the God, "Why does he want to kill you?"
"Weren't you listening kid? If I die, things will take a turn for the fucked." Odin gripped his staff tightly as he stared ahead farther than any of them could see, "Loki's life and desires revolve around causing the greatest amount of chaos possible, and with me being the symbol of leadership and control for my pantheon, he's my nemesis. As long as he gets around to killing me, for no reason whatsoever, he'll be satisfied with what he's done."
"Odin-sama," Rossweisse lowly mumbled as she pouted and stared at her leader accusingly, "You know it isn't as one-sided as that."
Odin rolled his one eye exhaustively before shaking his head, "Fine, I guess there's blame on both sides. He tried to kill me, I bring a storm down on his head. He destroys the lives of some people I'm interested in, I send his daughter to Hel. I-" Odin started to chuckle under his breath as he shook his head, "T-There was this one time w-when I - kehehehe - s-so there's this horse we had to deal with," Odin doubled over and smacked his knee, "Oh fuck me it was so funny!"
The students who didn't understand what the old man was saying looked between each other. Finally they looked towards Azazel for some clarification. The Fallen Angel sighed and shrugged, "Google 'Norse Loki horse' and you'll see what's happening."
Phones were immediately pulled out and those keywords entered. They waited for the pages to load-
"OH FUCK!"
"GROSS!"
"HENTAIGAMI, WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"What? It wasn't deliberate!" He attempted to defend himself as the room quickly turned on him, "Oh what suddenly I'm the bad guy?! You little shits were on my side a second ago! Typical of this generation to take one little thing that happened years ago and use it to vilify me."
"I mean...I kinda understand why he feels like killing you."
"Fine! Okay! You win! I'm not the great big super good God we all painted me to be! There are few real heroes or villains! The world is filled with shades of grey! Great discussion on the banal senses of morality we haven't all had shoved down our throats over the years! But here's something; if I do something bad he gets raped by a horse! If he does something bad, it's the end of the world! Fimbulwinter! Dying lands! Ragnarök! End of the world! So before you go lighting a candle effigy for the guy, remember what he aims to do!"
Azazel hissed but nodded, "That is true. Loki lives to destroy and disrupt, and if he gets his way then things will take a turn for the worse. We gotta take care of the geezer and make sure no harm comes to him."
"We were always going to do that." Rias assured, "Just...shocked to see what the past had in store for us."
"Do we not all have darkness in our past!"
"We'll need to start planning how we'll guard and protect this old skeleton while Loki is gunning for him." Azazel stood up with Odin as they walked out to another room, "We'll try to iron out some of the details so you kids just try to prepare for anything. This might be more of a challenge than we were expecting at this level."
And with Azazel's warning he left the room so they could discuss their next objective.
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"Fuck. Oh my...are you kidding?" Naruto kept giving slight, unfinished exclamations as he read his screen and was shocked by what he saw, "These aren't all real stories, right? The Gods of this world didn't actually do all these things, did they?"
"No." Yuuto shook his head, "Many of the stories of these mythologies have been translated and interpreted in ways that have muddied the original stories. Some of these stories are exaggerations of the Gods and their actions." The Gremory [Knight] then looked down at his own phone and grimaced, "That being said, not everything is made up either."
"But...that horse thing was pretty fucked up, right?"
Koneko nodded from her spot in his lap, "Yeah. That's seriously fucked up. I can't imagine what it must have felt like getting something like that from a horse." The young freshman then paused and looked over her shoulder at her whiskered senior. He noticed her gaze as she whispered, "You don't have something that-"
"No and if you ask that again I'm throwing you off."
Issei looked at Naruto and Koneko oddly as they eyed each other challengingly before he coughed and looked to the large Fallen Angel they had been left with, "Uh, you're Baraqiel-San, right? Akeno-San's father and Azazel-sensei's comrade, correct?" The [Pawn] respectfully held out his hand, "I'm Issei Hyoudou and I'm Akeno-San's kouhai. We owe a lot to Akeno-San and her guidance."
"I know who you are, Hyoudou-kun." Baraqiel took his hand and shook it while still looking at the young man suspiciously, "I've heard about the Oppai Dragon show Azazel has been producing and your part in it. Is...is it true you awakened your connection as the Red Dragon Emperor by devouring breasts and adding a little salt on top for the flavor?"
"W-WHERE THE DID THAT RUMOR COME FROM?!" Issei exclaimed and furiously shook his head, "No I don't eat breasts! T-That would mean hurting and leaving a boob deformed which I would never do! A-And where does the salt for flavoring thing even come from? I-I mean I've always wanted to lick and kiss breasts before, s-so the adding of some seasoning on them-" A small drop of blood came down Issei's nose before he wiped it away, "It's baseless slander!"
"I need you to answer me honestly..." Baraqiel's tone was clear and focused as he glared down at the young man, "You weren't planning to eat Akeno's breasts for a power-up, were you?"
"I-I don't even eat breasts in the first place! And it wasn't eating breasts that gave me power - it was remembering that Asia's breasts were still growing!" The embarrassed nun squeaked from the kitchenette and covered her chest defensively as Issei continued, "The reminder that those beautiful mounds could continue to grow and get bigger was something that gave me a religious experience! And then remembering that other wonderful breasts can grow too made it better! And no, I didn't eat Akeno-San's breasts, but the thought that her massive, glorious sweater puppies could actually become even better, and that I still want to see them, and maybe add some whipped cream for flavor-"
"Enough!" Baraqiel roared and ended Issei's unstoppable tirade as the Fallen Angel stood up while lighting jumped off his body, "I will not allow these insults against my daughter!"
"I-I didn't mean any kind of insult!" Issei said while wiping his mouth and bloody nose, "I meant everything I said in only the most respectable way!"
"I-Issei-kun, you're only throwing oil on the fire!" Irina called over, fretting at the sight of the lightning arcing off Baraqiel's body.
"What does oil do to lightning?" Xenovia asked, "I imagine it only makes things worse than fire-"
"Xenovia, not now! B-Baraqiel-San, please don't-"
"Enough." Rias grabbed Issei's shoulder and pushed him back down into his spot on the couch. As the crimson-haired beauty stepped around and faced the Fallen Angel, he reeled back his lighting until it disappeared, "Baraqiel-San, I'm glad to see you again. I understand your unease at the situation, but please don't threaten my servants like that."
"I...apologize, Gremory-San." Baraqiel quickly changed his demeanor and respectfully nodded to the younger lady. Unlike his wariness with Issei and his anxiety with Akeno, he showed nothing but respect to the Gremory heiress, "To be honest I'm...surprised that you are willing to speak with me so frankly. I was sure with Akeno...with my daughter's opinions of me you wouldn't want to speak at all."
"I understand Akeno's feelings and frustrations towards you, but I also know that she wouldn't be here right now without you." What Rias left in the air was both the positive and negative of what that entailed. This was Rias acting as a diplomat, a leader, and Akeno's dearest friend, "I'm not sure how successful your attempts to speak with her will be while you are staying here, but please make sure to be mindful of her emotions when you approach her."
"Yes...I will do my best."
The heavy air over the room slowly subsided as the large Fallen Angel and the shorter Devil lady walked away. Rossweisse coughed into her hand and fixed her position in her seat to look up at Rias, "U-Um, Gremory-San, I think we need to start considering what we need to do for Odin-sama's protection. Do we have a plan o-or have we given it any thought-"
"Well Odin-sama will need protection, and it would be useful to have at least two or more people watching him at any time. Baraqiel-San and Rossweisse-San, since that's your job can we leave daytime guard duty to you?" The large Fallen Angel gave a low hum in agreement as the Valkyrie nodded her head, "Alright. I don't want to leave it just to you two during the day when we're off at school and his protection is at its lowest. Fortunately we have someone to counteract that." Rias turned, crossing her arms under her chest and eyeing her boyfriend who deflated once he had her attention, "Naruto can create a clone to join you, and if anything were to happen to that clone the full account of what it had been doing up to that point would return to him, giving us the warning to come and join you."
"You're making me spend all my time with that geezer?" It would be a clone having to do the work, but when it disappeared he'd be left with a full day's worth of things they had done. And he had a sinking suspicion it would leave him traumatized, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, that's just what you get for being useful." Rias teased affectionately while giggling at his frowning face. She ran her thumb over his whiskers and smiled, "Will you please do it for me?"
Of course he was going to do it. What was he going to do, say no?
[I think this is the part where I make the whip cracking sound, right?]
The blond grumbled angrily under his breath as Rias turned to the rest of her peerage, "After school we will come here, as our base of operations while we are guarding Odin-sama, and relieve guard duty from Baraqiel-San and Rossweisse-San. We will take it in turns, with well-rounded groups of three guarding Odin-same through the night until morning."
"Sounds like a few of us aren't going to be getting much sleep." Yuuto smiled before looking up at his [King], "I'll offer my services for guarding the first night."
"Thank you Yuuto." Appreciating how studious her first [Knight] was as ever, she looked around again, "We'll be pairing up to try and make groups that cover all our bases for protection. So be prepared for long nights when it's your turn."
"Understood!"
"Good." Rias nodded, "Now let's get a record of our battle power. Issei should be able to cover for most of his group with the power of the Red Dragon Emperor. Xenovia and Yuuto each have a powerful blade at their side."
"Plus we got our secret weapons now on our side, right?" Naruto said with a knowing grin as he looked down at Koneko in his lap. She nodded in return and he looked across from him at the silver-haired woman, "Right Rossweisse?"
"H-Huh?"
"Our secret weapon, remember?"
"I don't-" The Valkyrie realized all eyes in the room were turned to her and she started to shuffle uneasily in place, "I-I'm not sure what you mean."
"Battle power. Secret weapon." Naruto egged her on but Rossweisse still looked at him blankly. He rolled his eyes, nudged for Koneko to get off him, and stood up to face her, "Come on, show everyone what we got to see down in that place a few days ago."
The others looked around in confusion as clarity finally came to the Valkyrie. As well as a rush of red and pink over her face as she stuttered, "B-But I can't do that here!"
"Everyone will be thrilled!"
"N-Not everyone is like that! I-I'm certainly not like that!"
"We're in for a big fight in the future, and seeing you like that will put them at ease. Trust me."
The young lady sputtered and failed to form a sentence as she looked around at all the people patiently waiting to see what they were talking about. W-Would it really help them? Would she actually be able to ease them for the fight ahead? I-If there was even a small chance of it, then she had to d-do it.
She nodded and stood up as Naruto clapped victoriously. Everyone turned to Rossweisse and waited for her to show them this secret.
It started when she grabbed the top button of her suit and undid it. Slowly, with her face red as a beet, Rossweisse started to undo every button on her top until she reached the bottom. Once she did she pulled back her jacket and did the same for the undershirt beneath it. After she had finished with the final button, she slowly pulled it back to reveal her stomach, chest, and her pink-brassiere covered breasts.
The people present had already gathered that Rossweisse had a good body, as even the suit she wore complimented her hourglass figure and curves very well. But everyone was still shocked at just how lean her stomach was, how clear her skin appeared, and just how big her breasts were until they bounced in their tight confinement.
With a burning red face and small tears in her eyes, she reached down for her pants next. She slid her thumbs by her waist and pulled down her trousers until they could spot the strings of her thong-
"What...what are you doing?"
Rossweisse looked up at Naruto's shocked, horrified, stunned, amazed, and red face as he was just staring at her strip. Everyone else had wide eyes and blushes as well, with Issei nearly doubling over by the sheer loss of blood he was suffering. Rossweisse hiccuped, "Y-You wanted me to show everyone what you saw. I-It was supposed to put their minds at ease-"
"I meant that I wanted you to show everyone your connection to Isobu."
...
...
...
Confusion was the first thing that hit her. Then contemplation. Realization. Connection. And then revision. Revulsion. Regret. Shame. Disgust. Horror. Embarrassment. Loads of embarrassment. More than she could cope.
Her hair shifted over one of her eyes and her other eye looked more akin to the three-tailed turtle she was bonded with, "U-Umuuuuuuuu-"
"No wait wait wait-"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Rossweisse cried, and with it came a highly concentrated and pressurized beam of water out of her eye that hit Naruto square in his chest and sent him flying across the top of a couch. The Valkyrie turned slightly and dragged the water beam across the room, hitting several people directly in the face and drowning them for a moment. Once Rossweisse had finished spraying everyone in sight, she dropped to her knees and cried upwards to send the water stream into the ceiling and crashing down like rain across the room.
After a few minutes she calmed down, rescinding Isobu's influence until she returned to normal. She was still kneeling on the ground, clutching her clothes to her chest and lying in two inches of water that had formed over the carpet.
Every member of the ORC as well as Baraqiel were completely soaked to the bone. Naruto lifted himself up with the back of the couch and spat out the liter of liquid that had seeped into his lung, "Y-Yeah, okay, so she can do that."
"Wow." Baraqiel had weathered the water that rushed over him and was still seated calmly except for a blush on his face. The Fallen Angel took a deep breath and pulled on his collar, "Forcing a strip and actually complying. Haven't seen a play like that in years. Man...takes me back to the good old days."
Several people were confused and disturbed by what the man had mumbled, but Rias had walked over to Naruto while she was soaked to her underwear. She looked oddly different with her long crimson hair matted to her head and back, but she silently glared down at her boyfriend, "You saw her naked?"
[Someone's in the dog house~.]
"Koneko-chan, I cant believe you stayed dry."
"Good control of fire, Gya-kun."
No one felt the need to point out the couch she had been sitting on was now burnt to a crisp.
||||||||Devil||||||||
It was now the first day of guard duty with Odin. The students were away at school as Baraqiel, Rossweisse, and Naruto's clone guarded the leader of the Norse Gods. Azazel had taken a day off as well to guide the old man and show him around. Apparently he was going to have a meeting with several Japanese Gods about joining the alliance and signing treaties. The fact he was here on a diplomatic mission for the future was actually quite comforting.
"YEAH! DANCE BABY!"
The fact they were at a strip joint watching the old God toss bills in the air at half-naked women was just disappointing. He had offered to let Naruto, Baraqiel, Azazel, and Rossweisse have some money to join. But Naruto grabbed Azazel and dragged him to an empty seat while Rossweisse desperately followed. That left Baraqiel to sit and try not to stare as women shook their blessings in his face.
"We shouldn't be here."
"I know." Azazel agreed and shrugged, "This isn't a very secure position and it can be infiltrated by who knows how many people-"
"No you idiot. We shouldn't be at a fucking strip club."
"I-I have to agree." Rossweisse nodded, "I'd rather not be here either."
"Really? From what I heard yesterday you might have a knack for it." The Valkyrie blushed and Naruto punched his shoulder in response. The Fallen Angel gave a reserved chuckle, "Relax, I'm joking. Actually we're lucky to have this opportunity, because I wanted to ask you about what it's like being bonded to that turtle. How did it happen?"
"O-Oh," She flinched and was surprised the conversation was actually going in a more productive and professional direction, "U-Um, well Isobu-San and Odin-sama were talking about him sharing his power with someone, and he just suddenly picked me. He touched my head and I felt overwhelmed for a moment until it faded. Suddenly I could create water and make waves from my hands and everything."
"Just like that?" Naruto grumbled petulantly, "Lazy turtle."
"To be fair, Matatabi made a connection with Koneko on accident." The blond conceded with a shrug as Azazel continued, "So what can you tell me about it?"
"I don't really know how to explain it actually. It's very odd. There's a connection to Isobu-San, one I am very much aware of. But it's more of a string on the edge of my consciousness that leads me to him instead of our mind overlapping." Rossweisse said cautiously in case she screwed up her explanation, "I try to reach out and contact him sometimes, but he doesn't really seem that interested. I might get a meandering groan or a yawn and he just disappears." She frowned before sitting up, "Oh, but sometimes he does make a connection and tells me he spotted a fish but then he's gone just as fast."
[That...that's just sad.]
"I'm sorry." Naruto felt the need to apologize. Not just because of Isobu's absence of presence, but because he really didn't want to be connected to any more sadness or misfortune this poor, unlucky woman seemed to always find herself in, "I'll try to contact him so he doesn't do that kind of crap anymore."
She seemed surprised by his offer, and gently nodded her head in gratitude, "Thank you, Naruto-kun."
"Yeah, kid's a sweetheart when he isn't making you strip for his friends." This time Azazel raised his prosthetic arm and blocked Naruto's punch, causing the blond to reel back and shake his knuckles for a minute, "Now about this water production, have you tested it out yet? Your tears are super amplified and you can make enough water to soak a room, this we know for sure."
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"Do you salivate more?"
"Huh?"
"What about sweat? Are your shirts stained from a waterfall under your arms?"
"I-I don't-"
"What about your pee? Overflowing the toilet?"
"H-How could I-"
"How about other secretions? Have you had to switch to a more absorbent patch-"
"Hey! Dance! Can I get a dance for this guy please!" Naruto yanked Azazel off his seat and pulled out some money Odin had forced into his hand, "Private dance! Public dance! 1 dance! 2 dance! Happy endings! Sad endings! Anything to shut this fucker up, what do you say?!"
"Man, you're like the cat in the hat of getting me horny."
"And more drinks to get him hammered please!" Someone thankfully took the bait and pulled Azazel aside as Naruto rolled his eyes and joined back with Rossweisse. The young lady had a furious blush on her face as he sat beside her, "I'm sorry about him."
"I-It's fine."
"I'm not sure if he was just messing with you but it seemed like he was genuinely interested, which can be just as bad-"
"I-It's fine, Naruto-kun." Rossweisse reached out and touched his arm to stop him before she smiled, "Thank you."
"No problem."
"I don't by the way."
"What?"
"I don't make extra liquid when I pee or-" She struggled to actually say the words but gestured to her nether region, "Do that. I-I just want you to know that."
"That...really ruined the mood."
"She does that!" Odin smacked Naruto's back as he came wobbling over with a drink in hand, "What's with the long face kid?! Live a little! Those two are middle-aged farts but they're living it up!" The God referred to Azazel, who was currently getting a lap dance from three pretty ladies at once, and Baraqiel, who tried to keep a stone-faced expression while a woman rubbed up in his lap. Honestly it was amazing that he was holding back his obvious desire and attraction like that.
One of the main characteristics of Fallen Angels was that they didn't shy away from their desires.
"You're still young kid! Get in there and pop a stiffer!"
"No thanks," Naruto shirked the old man's hand off his shoulder, "I think I should be focused on staying alert here with Rossweisse. Because at least two people should be on duty when protecting your life!"
"Gah, how you ever got a girl's interest confounds me." The leathery geezer clicked his tongue, "I don't see why you're wasting time either. We're just gonna be scrambling around in a panic when Loki shows up."
"Not if we're prepared."
"Even if we're prepared." Odin looked all too happy to pop the bubble as he snickered, "Loki isn't called a God for kicks, boy. It might just sound like a word but it's like an entirely different realm of beings compared to humans, Devils, and the like. We garnered the admiration, faith, and belief of countless people over millennia. That doesn't come to people with just any normal power or skill. If your little dragon buddy had most of his power back we could be at ease, but at his current level I'm not confident. And considering how you currently are, I think you have some reservations as well."
Rossweisse attempted to mediate things preemptively but Naruto didn't see her warnings, "What does that mean?"
"I had a talk with that big turtle bastard living at the bottom of our sea." Odin chugged his glass, "He told me a little about your last battle back in your own world. It sounded impressive, with a lot at stake and a lot of power being thrown around. And by the sounds of it, it looks like you don't have any of that power inside you anymore."
His fists clenched tightly as he kept eye contact with Odin, "I lost my power a long time ago, and I've only recently started to get it back. I have a chance to get it back if I find Kurama's body and chakra-"
"But can you do that in the next few days? Will you regain that power before Loki can make his move and attack me and your friends?" Odin's question lingered in the air, drowned out by the repeated tones of the music and answered with Naruto's sharp glare, "Ah, see it doesn't matter if you have a plan to get it back or have an idea to do so. Right now you don't have it at a time when you need it most. What is it going to matter if all your little friends die because you still haven't gotten that power of yours back yet?"
Naruto jumped out of his chair fast enough that it toppled over as Rossweisse's flinched back and Odin just stared up at him. The blond only glared down at the short God as his anger started to reach a broiling point.
[Naruto, calm down. I know it pisses you off but he isn't wrong. We need to get some of our power back as quickly as we can.]
He knew that! Of course he knew that! He didn't need anyone else telling him that, especially some old bastard that was just doing it to push his buttons. The thought of him failing to fight because he was too weak was plaguing him, and the idea that his friends and the people he cherished might get hurt because of that sickened him. With a growl he answered the Elder God, "I know all of that already dammit. If you're so eager to point this crap out and mock me for it, do you have any advice to add to help me – or are you just laughing at me like a prick?"
"Oh I'm definitely laughing like a prick," Odin chuckled, "But I'm also willing to pass on some advice to you. You can't wait for that power to come and for everything to go back to normal. Until you reclaim what was yours, you need to strive for something new. Something to make up for that weakness and fill the hole that your enemies will be more than willing to exploit. In my experience you can't just rely on one technique or one power to serve and save you in a time of crisis. It's better to have a variety to choose from in a time of need. You might want to think about how you can make up for that with what you can do now."
Naruto stared at the one-eyed man intently before looking down at his own hands.
Despite how much he hated to admit it, the old man was right. He was going to find Kurama's one day and reclaim his power, but he couldn't just wait idly by until that chance presented itself. Until he found that strength again, he'd have to make an alternative.
"Hey, don't look so dour! The youth needs to lighten up!"
Odin smacked him on the back hoping to elicit some kind of reaction from the blond.
Unfortunately he hit him a little too hard.
||||||||Devil||||||||
"Ugh, fuck."
"You seem annoyed, Uzumaki-kun."
The whiskered [Pawn] looked up at Sona as a flood of new memories filled his head, "That drunk moron hit me harder than needed and popped my clone. I gotta send another one to join them again."
"Is that so bad?"
"They're at a strip club getting drunk."
"Oh." Sona paused and nodded before humming, "Okay, I'm glad it was Rias that got saddled with this and we're just the backup. I don't think any of my servants would be able to stand being in a place like that. Except maybe Saji, but I don't think he'd be proud going there."
"Glad to see you're concerned for us." He dryly replied as the bespectacled girl softly whistled and avoided his gaze. With a grunt he lifted himself out of his chair and prepared to make another clone to fill the space his first one left. However before he did he looked over at Akeno's chair and noticed she had left after the class ended and their lunch break started. He looked around, "Where did Akeno go?"
"She left as quickly as she could." Sona informed as he nodded towards the door, "She went that way while you were rubbing your head. I noticed that she was still acting a little…off."
On the surface there was virtually no difference in the ponytailed woman's actions or behavior. She still had a constant smile on her face around people and greeted them with the same warm, soothing tone. The way she carried herself was still like that of a distinguished, older woman who many dreamed could be their doting older sister. To those who were looking on from the outside it was all just normal.
But for those that knew Akeno better, they realized something was a little off with her. After her argument with her father she retreated to her room and didn't emerge for the rest of the night. When she did it was with that fake smile plastered on her face and intentionally ignoring any questions that were aimed at her about how she might be feeling.
When she was in the same room as her father for the guard meetings she didn't look his way and didn't interact with him. It wasn't a stretch to think she refused to even acknowledge that her father existed in the same place as her. They had attempted to speak with her about how she was feeling, but only Rias had gotten any leeway in that matter. And even then she hadn't broached the topic of how she was feeling and what she thought of her father. If anyone knew her thoughts about that and what she felt, it would be Rias.
Following Sona's directions he walked out of the classroom and headed through the hall. Some people nervously watched him walk by but most of them just treated him neutrally and without note. The days where he was the biggest delinquent and unwanted factor in the school were gone but not forgotten. Now he would only really get the occasional disdainful glare his way because he regularly talked with the four most popular girls in school and appeared to have some kind of relationship with Rias Gremory.
He didn't feel like sharing all the details to the general public about what they had done together.
Thankfully he met Abe Kiyome along the way, the beast tamer and tennis captain having something of a friendlier relationship with him than most, and told him where she saw Akeno go. Rounding a few corners and then walking outside he spotted the ponytailed girl walking along the trees and forest. There were no people around so it allowed her the freedom of letting the smile fade from her face.
"Needed some air?"
She flinched and looked back in surprise but eased when she saw it was him. Even though she wasn't keeping up the act around him, she didn't look particularly happy or pleased to see him either, "Did you really find it necessary to follow me outside?"
"Don't flatter yourself." He droned in response as he crossed his fingers and summoned a clone, "I just needed to be outside for this." The clone nodded and extended his wings before flying away, "My last clone got popped by Hentaigami and I needed to make a replacement."
Akeno watched the clone fly off into the sky as she leaned back against a tree and crossed her arms gently under her chest, "And, pray tell, how did your clone end up getting dispelled like that?"
"The old bastard is a little too drunk and little too excited." Naruto said, hands in pockets as he walked over to join her in the shade of the trees, "Azazel took them to a strip club and things are getting a little too rowdy." Akeno's expression looked a bit pinched for only an instant before she forced it down to one of ambivalence and neutrality, "Your father isn't going crazy or anything."
"I don't remember asking."
"If anything he's the most restrained and controlled one there."
"Stop giving me a playback." Akeno commanded as her eyes narrowed ahead, "I don't need to hear about how he's getting treated by other women or enjoying himself on the job."
"Are you sure?" Her frown in his direction told him she wasn't in the mood for his prying or continued pestering. Naruto and Akeno stood together in silence, letting a soft wind run by and shake the leaves off the branches around them before he asked, "So what is it? What did he do that has you so on edge around him?"
"He left my mother to die and me to wander alone by myself."
Her answer was enough to leave him silent and for a quiet lull to form between them. After a few moments Akeno shuffled around uncomfortably before elaborating, "Otou-same lived with Okaa-sama and I in a small home away from others. My mother's family had basically disowned her for having a child with a Fallen Angel so basically the only people I ever knew were my parents. Otou-sama would leave for long periods of time before he came back. Okaa-sama told me that it was because of work that he left, but he would always come back to us and see me if I wanted him to. Looking back I felt like we were...happy. Content with what we had."
He knew what was coming next. He dreaded to hear how it happened...but knew she had to say it.
"One day father's enemies got word of where we lived and made their way there. He was away on a mission, again, and told us he would come back soon. But they broke in, and chased Okaa-sama and I around the house." Her shoulders grew stiff and she was clutching her sleeves as tightly as she could manage, "We had nowhere else left to go. I called for Otou-sama to come back and help us. I begged him to come and help us. I begged him to save us. I know it would be childish to think he would just appear when I called...but that's what I hoped of him. Okaa-sama pushed me away, somewhere safe and isolated...and faced them down herself. I...I heard it all."
Akeno closed her eyes and shuddered before taking a deep breath and composing herself. She looked up and saw a sympathetic gaze coming from the whiskered blond. For an instant an outrage filled Akeno as she didn't want his pity or charity for her life. But instead she squashed those ugly feelings and controlled herself, remembering that he had only asked probably knowing what she was going to say. And she had still told him, feeling like she had to get this weight off her chest somehow. A small tear threatened to fall from her eye but she crushed it with her eyelid and shook her head, "I've told this all to Rias. I've told it to some others as well. They've all tried to help me. They've all talked to me and made me feel better. They've tried to tell me that hating Otou-sama for what he couldn't control or fix wasn't going to help me. Hating him and blaming him for this would never let me move on."
"So why are you still doing it?"
"Because I don't want to move on." Akeno admitted. She knew how weak and pathetic and petty it made her sound, but sadly that was her honest truth. Her eyes narrowed, "The people I should hate for this are the ones who killed her. And they're dead now." She was glad for that. If there was any relief she could take, no matter how awful it might sound, it was that the people that had attacked their house and killed her mother no longer walked this world, "Maybe if I was rational then that would be enough. The fact that they were gone meant my mother's death had been avenged and I can take peace in that. But that feels...too simple. Almost insulting."
Naruto remained silent as Akeno stepped away from the tree and looked up at the sky, "If I was just to accept that it was over and she was gone, I'd feel like I was letting her slip away. The very idea of a woman named Shuri Himejima, who loved me and cherished me with her whole heart, who was wrongfully killed for something she didn't deserve, would just fade away into obscurity. The people who killed her are gone, but the people who caused her death can't just be allowed forgiveness. My father, who left us when we needed him and can't bother to face the shame. Her family, that disowned her for having me and refused to even acknowledge that she died."
"And you?" Akeno paused as he spoke, watching her body remain still as he said, "Is that what this is? Punishing yourself and your father for what happened to your mother? Not letting him ever forget and not letting yourself a chance to be content?"
She didn't answer. She didn't speak at all.
"My friend Sasuke, the one I talk about sometimes, lost his entire family. They were killed by his older brother. That loss, guilt, anger, and hatred pretty much changed him entirely from who he used to be." Thinking back, the bright-eyed, cocky, excited little boy in the first few months of the academy seemed like a totally different person compared to the image he last had of his friend, "Finding his brother. Killing his brother. Making him pay. Avenging his family. That was his entire life. He had actually forsaken having a happy, peaceful life for the chance to pursue his brother and kill him. He was going to do it no matter who he hurt...or how much it hurt the people that cared about him most to see him walk away."
He stepped forward a little so he was only a few feet away from Akeno's back, "When he finally found his brother, he killed him. But then he found out his brother didn't kill his family because he wanted to. It was an order. When Sasuke found that out he lost himself again. He dug himself deeper into that pit of anger and hate. He was ready to kill everyone and everything that had a hand in it, and he didn't care what happened to himself in order to fulfill it. He was ready to surrender himself to that hatred once and for all."
Hatred. Anger. Disdain. All of those feelings were so terrible, yet they were so strong and meant so much to people that it could take them over sometimes.
"I wish I could have told him to stop. I wish I could have found some way or some words to use that could reach him. That I understood why he felt the way he did...and that I knew he felt like he needed to do this...but that I wish he didn't turn away from everything." Akeno turned and looked back at him quietly as he continued, "When we fought when we were younger, he screamed at me that I would never understand what it was like to lose people precious to me since I was alone from the beginning."
"Your friend doesn't really sound like much of a friend."
"Heh, yeah Rias felt the same way." He chuckled knowingly, sending a little smile Akeno's way that caused her to frown deeper, "But I did lose my family. I met the man who took them from me the day I was born. When I did I felt more anger and spite and other terrible things than I had ever felt before. But even then, at the time and in the battle we were fighting, I was ready to offer my hand and forgive him. If only to end a terrible cycle of hatred that I wanted nothing more than to stop."
"Hatred isn't something so simple. Just wanting to forgive and forget would never make that feeling truly disappear. It would just be pushed down, to repress and fester down in the depths of your mind." Akeno looked up at him, "Have you forgiven him? Truly?"
If it was still in that battle all that time ago, he would say yes. If he did it with Jiraiya in mind, the old pervert telling him to push down hatred and instead promote peace for the sake of the world, then he would say absolutely. But now? After nearly two years stranded from everything he knew and with time to think to himself? Despite his efforts...despite the deep desire in his heart to forgive...
"No." He thought back to Obito and even though he could sympathize, empathize, and even pity the former Leaf ninja that had lost his way, he could not doubt the hate he also felt, "I can't do it. I hate him. I hate him for what he did, and what he took from me."
"I understand-"
"But I can't blame everyone who didn't act to help them. I can't blame myself for not being able to help in a situation I could do nothing about." He made these points firmly and pointedly, looking at Akeno directly as the [Queen] averted her eyes from his, "It happened, and it was terrible, but I'm still here. I recovered. I lived. I'm still going on. And so are you...but you can't let your mother's death be the factor that destroys your relationship with your father and condemns you to live and act like this forever."
"I can't just let it go. I won't let her fade away like that."
"She isn't fading away!" He yelled to stress his point, causing her eyes to narrow in spite towards him when he pressed on, "You'll never forget her. We both know your father hasn't let her leave his head. She's still with you at every moment. So knowing her like you do...do you think she'd want the people she cared about the most to be angry and hate each other? Do you think you're mother would be happy seeing you like this?"
Akeno remained silent as Naruto question hung in the air. After a moment she finally showed a reaction to his words. Her smile was gone, but all vibrancy and life in her eyes faded as well until they were just empty simple purple puddles. She spoke softly and emotionless, "I don't know. I don't know what she wants. She's gone now. She doesn't get to want anything anymore. I have her memories...I have her image in my head...but I don't want that." Something returned to her eyes, but it was sad and lonely as tears filled her eyes, "I want her. Is that so wrong?"
"Akeno."
She turned and walked, rubbing her eyes and stopping the conversation entirely as she walked back inside. All Naruto could do was sigh and scratch his head as he kept walking outside. The memories and love for someone who was gone were wonderful and fulfilling.
But it didn't compare to the real thing. It didn't compare to wanting to have your lost one back with you again.
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"Ughhhhhh, I can't anymore~."
"You okay Rossweisse?"
"It's never been this bad before!" The Valkyrie complained as she laid across the couch and rubbed her head, "Odin-sama has always been one to indulge and enjoy himself but this is ridiculous! Soap lands! Hostess clubs! Strip joints! I'm his sworn guard and protector but I'm still a lady! I can't be seen going to places like that! W-Who would want to marry a lady who goes to establishments like that during the day?!"
"Well a lot of the guys there were definitely eyeing you up."
"T-That doesn't mean as much as you think it does!" Still she couldn't hide the undeniable blush that formed on her cheeks. She sighed as she dropped into the pillows, "At least the women there were understanding and considerate of me. They were so nice."
Yes. Nice. Offering her cheaper drinks she didn't accept and talking with her a lot. Resting a hand on her knees a couple of times and leaning in to sit with her closer.
[Maybe she'll cheer up if you inform her that she was actually catching the interest of some people?]
'I don't know if she swings that way.'
[Maybe not, but it'll probably boost her confidence.]
Naruto decided against it, not wishing to incite another panic attack in the poor woman. Walking over to the kitchenette he saw most of the ORC was exhausting from guarding Odin for days and accommodating his wants and needs. Nothing had happened so far and the only thing they had to show for all this effort was repressed memories and sexual harassment.
There was a sinking suspicion that there wasn't actually any tangible threat at all and the old man just came out to party. Of course no one voiced those doubts.
They just thought it. Very, very loudly.
[Yeah can you lower the volume a little please? My ears are very sensitive to your wails and screams.]
Tonight it was Issei, Yuuto, Baraqiel, and Gasper's turn guarding the old man while the others rested. And it was a rest they all took full advantage of, napping in rooms and relaxing while they didn't have to complete their Devil jobs during this period.
Did they all just move in here when he didn't notice? It was him and Rias first, then suddenly Xenovia and Koneko had taken up rooms, and now everyone was lounging around like they lived here.
[Are you complaining?]
"No, just curious." He walked around a table while Koneko was resting her eyes, "I mean the more the merri-"
"Wake up! You gotta wake up now!"
Everyone jolted up in a start as Azazel ran into the room yelling. Rias was quick to follow behind him and was speaking into a magic circle by her ear, "We need to get together and get ready!"
"W-What's going on?"
"Loki's here! He just showed up by the old man and they need our help!"
It was a moment of complete shock before they reacted and quickly started to get their things ready. Xenovia and Irina were dressed in their battle attire. Koneko fixed her gloves on and extended her ears and tail. Rossweisse quickly adorned her Valkyrie armor and shambled up to her feet. Naruto had made a clone and when the magic circle was finished he popped it, sending the natural energy rushing into his body.
They were overwhelmed with light before they all appeared in a empty street, unnaturally void of all people or night life. The car transporting the old man had swerved to the side, with Odin standing out looking up at the sky. Yuuto, Baraqiel, and Issei had gotten out with the pervert already wearing his Scale Mail. And Gasper was panicking inside the car as he anxiously looked up at the man in the sky.
The man floating in the air had a presence about him that demanded their attention. The aura he released by just floating there smiling smugly at them was on a completely different level than everyone else they had faced before. It'd be almost crushing if they hadn't prepared themselves for the worst. The floating God snickered, his white robes swaying in the air as he looked down at his Chief God, "I see your little entourage has finally arrived. You're going to outside help for this? Not sure if I should be honored that I scare you that much, or insulted that you resorted to people this pathetic."
"Can you be insulted?" Odin chuckled, "I'd rather any choice I can make that hurts you deep, deep down."
"Well while I'm crushing these little ants beneath my feet and tearing you limb from limb, I'll consider if my feelings were hurt."
"Loki!" Azazel stepped forward and engaged the God above them, "Nice to meet you. I'm Azazel, Governor-General of the Fallen Angels. I know you've got a grudge with this old basted. We've heard some of the stories, particularly the horse one." Loki's smile dropped and everyone looked uncomfortable except for Odin who was biting his lip and smacking the top of the car, "But this is the territory the Angels, Fallen Angels, and Devils have decided as their common ground. If you come charging in here to attack, you will be upsetting a lot of people."
"I've never really bothered thinking about what my actions would mean to chaff and expendable waste." Loki argued, "If you wish this execution not to happen on your turf, you shouldn't have offered sanctuary to this man in the first place."
"Well no matter what you say, just know you getting to Odin-sama isn't going to be easy." Everyone present took a stance and prepared for battle, "We're ready to head you off."
"Yes, throwing the lives of aspiring young soldiers and warriors away again. Sounds like Odin." His eyes surveyed the gathered Devils, Angel, and Fallen Angels before his sights landed on the red armor-clad boy, "I see you've recruited the Sekiryuutei. Impressive, but it's clear from the air he's giving off that he isn't quite ready for a fight like this. Although if you're so keen on using a monster to fight for you..."
He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
"Let me answer in kind."
A portal opened beneath his feet as something looked to be coming through. A paw slowly emerged out of the portal-
A tense air and fear gripped the hearts of everyone present and settled an icy cold in their guts.
Another paw, and then a snout to follow. Finally the wolf-like creature emerged, the large beast staring the people across from it down as its tail slowly lowered behind it. It didn't seem wary or even enthralled at the idea that these people would be its opponents.
That sentiment was not shared by them.
Many of them had started to shake as even Odin gulped, "Damn, should have figured you'd pull him out."
[Naruto-]
"I know." He didn't need to resort to Kurama's ability to sense and categorize beings around him to understand what was stood in front of him. The sheer power the wolf released just standing there was staggering. Naruto had to clench his fists just to calm himself down, "What the hell is that thing?"
"Fenrir." Rias answered by his side, taking a deep breath and gulping as the beast eyed them down, "A monster from Norse mythology. Said to have claws and fangs strong enough to even kill Gods with ease."
[And one of the strongest beings in the entire world. This...is a very unfortunate meeting.]
"Don't sound too shaky there, Ddraig." Issei muttered, "It's gonna hear you."
"That's what I like to see. Cocksureness and bravado all waning from your systems at the sight of my spawn." Loki gave a quick chortle before focusing himself again and looking down at his son, "Fenrir's been raring for a chance to finally dig into you and tear the meat from your bones. It's a sight I cannot wait to behold-"
"Why?"
Loki paused and tilted his head at the question posed to him. He looked around before looking down and spotting the one that came forward; a blond man with strange markings on his cheeks and an aura that blended with his surroundings, "Oh, one of the chaff? I've never seen someone brave enough to step up and question me before their imminent demise."
"Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to kill Hentaigami and start chaos? Is it because of your past together?"
"Is that really important?" Loki questioned almost innocuously, "I wish him dead."
"But why?! Why do you want him dead?! Why would you want that when you know what happens if he dies?!"
"It's because of what happens when he dies that I want him dead." Naruto balked in horror at the blasé way his question was answered as Loki smiled, "I hate him. I want him dead. There's a voice in my head telling me that I won't be happy until I see him dead and everything he's built crashes to the dirt." He scoffed and looked down at the blond Devil, "What other reason do I need?"
"You're..." Naruto grit his teeth and glared up at the God, "This can't be real."
"It is very real, child. And I'm starting now."
"Naruto!"
The ninja instantly reacted when he felt the gargantuan wolf move, and the beast covered the distance between its initial spot and them in an instant. The others were just barely reacting but Naruto's hands were already moving. He couldn't just make clones because they would get hit by the attack, which would leave Rias and the others vulnerable to take the brunt of it.
He had to protect them.
He had to stop it from moving.
Wielding a massive amount of wind and shaping it into an orb, he created the prison around the beast that had stopped the rampaging Freed Sellzen, "WIND CAG-"
The paw swung down, and the claws tore through.
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