DxD: Яe-birth

by Houki Minami

"It all started with a girl with long red hair calling me the new host of a thing called Boosted Gear and the heir of the legacy left by Issei Hyoudou. And, since then, things went downhill... Pretty fast". Future/All-OC story(Four arc: Fear and Loathing in Kyoto)

62. Home, family and other disasters!

Hey there, fanon. It has been a while since I last wrote a chapter this long. So much my own computer crashed a few times and I had to put the later-half in another file, for what's worth. But that aside, it started now the mini underworld arc. New development and characters. I hope you all like it, but don't expect too much. I'll doing my best, thgough! So please root for me!

as always, dxd doesn't belong to me~!

---

"Ooooooh~, so this is the place Berolina-san lives~. It's so big, it's scary~..."

"As expected from Gremory-dono! Generations of such prestige and name can only reflect in one's home! Yours truly might say, it's even intimidating."

"Umuh, big house indeed."

"Tch, this is nothing compared to the Jade palace where milady and I used to live. Those expectations are still betraying me."

"Oh shut up, Dynasty Warriors! Put the Seiryuutou in an alternative dimensional instead of up to your ass."

That comment to that little stuck-up aside, here we are, at the Gremory mansion, in the underworld, which is hell somehow. I never ventured besides the innards of it, so seeing the actual size of this mansion by this angle is, I must say, very impressive. Sure, the damages are still bigger and broader from this side, but this is a really big mansion, way bigger than my own. I was told that the Gremory, despite taking major attacks during the Dark Ages, still retains part of its territories, which are the size of Honshu. I feel like an idiot for not noticing that big of a house, but at least I have the excuse that the place Rina's family owns is FREAKING HUGE!

However, for whatever reason, our little hostess stayed quiet for the entirety of our way down to this place, which was kinda odd. Sure, there was some problems regarding Rina and her family, not to mention her father which is one of the current demon lords now, but the way she fiddles with her skirt and avoids looking at the big house in front of us is telling me she looks hesitant...

"Poke."

"Kyah!" And of course, the one to snap her out of her stupor was the purple witch, who had the opportunity to poke one of Rina's breasts, Making her react with a cute gasp and a jump. Once out of her blues, she turned to her assaulter. "Mooh~! What was that for, Tasha?"

"Chill, don't need to worry about it." The witch simply said with a wink and a ghost of a smile, which made Rina's pout turn into a surprised expression, for then draw an awkward and trembling smile on her face, scratching one of her cheeks with a finger. Again, Natalia's bluntness save us from the usual monologue.

"O-Oh... So you noticed. Ahah... Ahahahah. Sorry 'bout it, guys! But... Yes, I'm kinda nervous being here, after all I've been through..." I rolled my eyes, remembering everything that happened between us, Nemesis-san and even some of the Gremories. Must be hard for her to come here and face all of her problems that she left in the air for maybe two or three months while she was in the human world. "... I mean, yeah, they're my family, but after everything that happened... I don't think either my mom or dad will be thrilled to know that I'm back... Not that it matters much, but... This is my home."

"Oh... That's sad."

"..." I said nothing, only did what I thought I could do and patted her on the head. What to say now? Before anything else could come to my head, I saw Rina's eyes turning to a side, where a certain someone was pulling her sleeve.

"A-Ano... Berolina-san, you're family might not accept you anymore but... But I guess we can be your new family." Whiswain, shyly as always, hid behind her bangs while saying those words, her luminescent blush even passing through her disguise. This made Rina wide her eyes, the grim reaper now holding one of her hands. "I-I mean... We're not nobles, or rich, b-but if that's okay for you..."

"Whis-San..."

"Right, Gremory-chin." And then it was Tasha's turn to call for the redhead's attention, pulling one of her cheeks. "Don't forget about us. Even if your family doesn't accept you, we will. It's literally in our lives, now. Oh, kinky."

"T-Tasha..."

"Now my life belongs to you, Gremory-dono. The family that you need is right here, with us!" Ryuubi-sensei also entered and hugged the redhead from behind, making the lancer by my side blush in an envious purple. However, the same pinkerette turned for us and sharpened her gaze for her. "Isn't that right, Guan Yu?"

"If milady thinks is the best, I shall also accompany her." Was all Kan'u-san could say for that, taking her side by the redhead and crossing her arms. She might be in denial, but I could see from here that she was blushing and, I gotta admit, even with her being a bitch, that was kind of cute. The central Gremory, on the other hand, surrounded by her pieces, was on the verge of tears.

"A-Ah... Thank you, guys... I love you all too." She said with a trembling voice, closing her eyes and letting wet salty trails leave her eyes. However, she blinked once more again, and turned her gaze towards me, followed by the others. Oh crap, me what now? "Ichijou...?"

"Uhh... Huuuuh~... Damn it..." I sighed, also taking my side beside the girls and putting my hands on my hips, looking away so that they wouldn't notice my blushing and sweating face. Shit, why the hell do they need me for that?! The moment died long ago! Sigh, I got no choice. This is so lame! "Okay, fine. Y'know what, Gremory? Sorry to say this, but even if they accept you back, even if we're practically forced to... You can always turn back and have us as your family, because, well... I care about you. So... Don't forget that you'll always have a home... With us."

"Oooooh~..."

*LOCK!*

"Stop using complicated words, you damned Mongrel! Just trying to look appealing will only drag you faster to hell!"

"And I thought the likes of you were more poetic than that! Guess I was wrong, you damn gorilla!" And in a flash that three kingdom bitch locked me in a headlock and we began to struggle with each other! Holy shit, can't I take a break from all of this nonsense?! And here we all causing so much commotion and we're not even in the house! "Let me go, bitch!"

*DON!*

"Hush, you two." And in another swift move from her fist, Ryuubi-sensei simply subdued us with a punch, and soon enough Kan'u-san let go of me. After that, the pinkerette then turned to her oath sister and began her little lecture, in a uncharacteristic harsher tone. Huh, so that's why she didn't want to talk about her back then. Kan'u Unchou is a pain in the ass even for her. "Now, we're about to enter an environment that requires class, Guan Yu. Even if you don't agree, please cease your violent behavior once, and look presentable for our hosts. Honestly."

"U-Umuh. Please, forgive me, Milady." And once on the floor, the general could only moan in pain and hit her forehead on it, seeking forgiveness, which only earned a sigh of tiredness from her 'lady'. I feel you, Ryuubi-sensei, I feel you deeply. Anyway, with that out of the way, they looked back at me, and again I sighed.

"So... Yeah, no place like home, with us. Take what you will, but I won't be going anywhere. And neither will you, Rina." I finished. Gosh, did senpai have to come up with those on the daily basis for his harem? And why the hell am I implying that I have a harem to have those kind of thoughts in the first place? Ugh, what the hell~! In the end, the redhead simply smiled, wiping the tears away from her face.

"Heheh... Thanks Ichijou. I love you too." She said, and hearing such strong words... I feel weird! What the hell!

"S-Shut up, Rina."

"Hahah... Hey, Ichijou."

"What...?!"

*PECK!*

"...!" Shit! And again with the kisses! Just just pecked me in the cheek and jumped away before I could bite her head off! Everyone else just 'oooh'ed in awe. What!

"Huhuh... And that's for... Staying with me. Thanks." She said with a smile, and I returned the gaze. Maybe... Maybe being with her is not that bad. Granted, I knew that from the start, but everyday she and the others are giving me reasons to repeat that over and over again...

And that's not that bad, at all.

"Rina..."

"Yeah~?"

"You know very well that you'll have to kiss everyone in here, right?" I said with a hand up, and for my bluntness, she went wall-eyed for a second. Yeah, I'm not falling for that.

"E-Eh~...?"

"What I said was NOT any different from what everybody sdaid. My was even the weakest of them all. Be a good leader and give a share to everybody as well." I frowned at her; and she began to sweat cold, fumbling on her words. Yeah, I mean, what I did isn't any different from anyone else's, I was just the one to pull the end of the stick, and that's that. What? Just because I'm a guy? Now that's some sexism right there, and this is the youngest and the only son of five talking.

"A-Ah... Ahahah... W-Well, you see... Ichijou is... Ichijou is..."

"Tsukino-chin is right, y'know." And again snapping her for the worst, Tasha went behind her back and hugged her from there, using then her arms to pick her by the chin and turn her head to a side, which was now facing the witch's. And that's... Kinda hot. "Now, pucker it up."

"H-Hiiiih~...!" And she didn't do it. In the last moment, Rina simply slipped away from Tasha's grasp and returned her mighty and all pose in front of all of us, facing the door to the Gremory mansion. "A-A-Anyway! I'm feeling better now! Hahahah! R-Ready or not, Here I come! Whatever it takes! C'mon now, maximum effort!"

Rina took a deep sigh for both of her situations, and murmured something under her breath while reaching for the knob and gripping it tightly. Now everything went quiet, we all waiting for something to happen, specially to her, after she turn that golden knob around. With one final gasp of faith, she turned the knob around and as ready to face her destiny from now o-...

*CLICK!*

"..."

"...?"

...

"Oh, right. I forgot to unlock the door."

"Gahoow!" And like a Showa-era anime, that moment-killer made us all fall on our back in frustration with a loud *BAM!*! What the hell! I was doing a mental speech here, and she goes ahead and murders her moment of glory! I stood up and picked her by the cheeks that are so elastic to pinch~! "Why, you...! That was your moment, your time to shine... And you go ahead and blows it! Think about the flow of the storytelling for a moment, will ya?!"

"Iffifyou, iff hurffs~!" She said with her face pulled until the utmost limit, and after a while, I sighed in defeat and let go of her rosy cheeks, which she proceeded to massage. Whatever, hopefully nothing weird happens again in this meantime. And I jinxed it again! Ugh~! She picked the key to open the door and, without the previous tension and hesitation, pushed it without second thoughts. "Sigh... Cut! Can we redo this scene again? You're right, I blew that part. Can we... Can we start over?"

"Just go, Rina." Huuuh~, this is so frustrating. But whatever, at least she's more confident now, and that's good. And as much I won't say out loud, Yeah, she's free to come home anytime, whatever happens. I'm her queen, after all. She pushed that massive door further, and in the end gave us space to get in.

"H-Hello~! Is anyone there? It's me, Berolin-..."

*ZING!*

"Intruder, prepare to be eliminated."

"Wait, wh-...?"

*ZOOOOOM!*

"Aiyaaaaaaah~!" What the hell?! Why all of my visits to the underworld end in disaster?! Rina barely entered the house, and out of nowhere a shadow with bright orange eyes began to throw Crimson arrows at us! Aaaaah! Whiswain and Guan Yu are down, and it hit me right on the knee! "Rina, what the hell is happening?!"

"Aaaaah~! I dunno~!" She screamed back as we, Tasha and Ryuubi-sensei were dodging the deadly arrows that wouldn't stop coming! After a while, she gasped in realization, and snapped her fingers before they being arrowed! "Wait, I think I know! Hey Lucrezia-san, please stop! It's me, Berolina Gremory!"

"...!" Suddenly, the arrow stopped, and after that fletched nightmare, I could finally land on both my feet and gasp for air, seeing those red arrows now dissolving in air like dust. An inherited ability? I turned my eyes to the door for the Gremory mansion, and behind the shadows, I saw a new figure: a tall; beautiful and fair-skinned woman with bespectacled orange eyes and short azure hair wrapped In a high-tail, who was wearing a sexy maid outfit. She was wide-eyed, taking a few steps in our direction to look closer to my King, adjusting her glasses. "Berolina-sama, is that you?"

"Y-Yeah, that's me, Lucrezia-san. Please, no more poison arrows. Eheh..." Said the Crimson King with an awkward smile and a pat on the other's, Lucrezia I think, shoulder. Everyone who has been stuck by the said arrows were now waking up, too bad that Kan'u-san couldn't stay out of commission longer, as the maid opened a big smile, and cupped Rina's cheeks. "A-Ah, Lucrezia-san..."

"I've been waiting for you, Berolina-sama. I'm so glad that you're okay. It brings me joy that you're so healthy even without my care." And to top it all, Lucrezia-san brought Rina's face closer to herself's and rub them in a very intimate way. Wow, Aria-san said something about Gremories and their love for their servants, but that's a little too much. I think this kind of affection is creeping Rina as well, as she blushed and jumped away from that... Display of affection.

"Wowow~. Okay, thank you for your care, Lucrezia-san but... You're embarrassing me." Rina cutely pouted and pushed an arm of a distance between the maid and herself, which didn't faze the former in any way. I felt a pull in my shirt, and Whiswain was looking at the duo in front of us by my shoulder, dangerously too close.

"Ooh~, that must be the Gremory affection that other Devils always talk about." Wondered the hybrid grim Reaper, and I gotta say, she may not be wrong, but by Rina's reaction; maybe this time is probably one-sided. Tasha as always came closer by the two and lifted one of her hands.

"May I ask who you're suppose to be; missy?" She said. The maid blinked away from her mistress and smiled towards us, nodding while walking for us. Whiswain again hid behind my back, while the others joined beside me to face Lucrezia-san.

"Oh, yes indeed. Where are my manners? You must be Berolina-sama's peerage, if I'm correct. Nemesis-sama talks a lot about you all." Nemesis-san talks about us to her maid? Weird, but what do I know? Like a proper lady, Lucrezia-san held the edges of her dress and both leaned and bowed towards us, which make me blush a little. "My name is Lucrezia Onoskelis, and I'm the chief maid of the Gremory family, together with Faust-san. It's a pleasure to meet you all, and I appreciate your care for my dear mistress."

"Hihih~, maid-san is complimenting us~! I feel weird." And so dreamy our newest bishop blushed and hid her smiley face behind her hands. Even I'm a little embarrassed by Lucrezia-san. A real maid, so polite and pretty, and she seems so calm as well, it's kinda soothing...

[And she got big boobs too!]

And she got big boobs t-... YAGURA!

[Hahahah...]

"I have a question for Thyself, miss Lucrezia!" And guess who comes storming up! As always, Kan'u pulled Rina away from Lucrezia-san and, getting too close, clashed bosoms with the maid, the soothing expression of the latter not even a little altered by the sudden movements and even the monkey girl in front of her! What now! "What was thou thinking when lifted arms against thy mistress?! If you call yourself a loyal maid, then you'd known better that you almost harmed the mistress of my mistress!"

"Yes, I'm aware that I almost attacked my mistress in the crossfire, and for that, I apologize, for all of you." The maid-san sighed with one hand cupping her pretty face, but then blinked back at us, and tilted her head to a side. "However, I wasn't expecting a visit from her. Milady didn't even inform Alice-sama. Really, it was an unexpected visit."

"What...?"

"Hah...!"

"..." And again, after those words, I stopped dead on my track, and stiff as a rock, I walked my way towards the Gremory girl, who just like me has frozen in place. Those news... Are good to know: I wonder if they're true. *PAFT!*, I landed one of my hands on her shoulder. "Gremory-san..."

"A-Ah... Ichijou..." And again, so stiff I could hear her neck hinging like an old rusty clock, she turned to me with that half-assed smile of hers. Oh, she won't escape me this time. "W-Well..."

"Answer me, Gremory-san. What Lucrezia-san said... Is true?"

"W-Well, you see..."

"Gremory, answer me."

"Y-Yes... Yes."

"Good to know."

"P-Please, be gentl-..."

*KICK!*

"Kyaaaaaaaah~...!"

"You stupid... DEVIL LADY!"

And after we just politely discussed and solved matters at hand, Lucrezia-san let us venture inside the Gremory mansion, as a bunch of other maids and butlers was there to receive us. Wow, some many of them, apparently they weren't joking about the Gremory's prestige. Again here I am walking this long corridor with a long red carpet, lamps hanging from fancy chandeliers and a great view outside from the pretty mosaics.

"Hiiih~, so many butlers and maids, and they're all looking at me~. So scary." And Whiswain whined behind the witch Tasha, who as ever was eyeing everyone in there. Rina was taking the lead with Lucrezia-san following soon after, leaving us for ourselves.

"I gotta admit, I'm feeling a bit icky, too." I said, looking around the maids and butlers making me feel uneasy. What can I say? Being around people usually gets me into trouble. "When I was around, there wasn't that number of maids and butlers. I thought only the Gremories and the demon Lord lived here."

"Surely, those times weren't worth the trouble for those servants." Kan'u-san observed, also looking around and again giving me that contemptuous look. I know she's doing this just to piss me off, but eh, back then I wasn't that flash either. "With us around, milady specially, all the minor care is ridiculous. Not to mention, the return of the lost Member must've trigger this event. Read the mood, Red dragon."

"Sigh. Yeah, can't argue with that." I said, shrugging in my own misery. She got me in a tight spot, that's for sure, so there's no way for me to refute that. However, instead of any sign of victory over me, she stayed quiet, still with that same contemptuous look in her eyes, and walked over to give me a slap on the back of my head! "Hey...!"

"Self-depreciation won't get your anywhere, Tsukino Ichijou." She simply said, without even looking at me and going ahead to match Rina and Lucrezia-san, but not before saying something else to me. "Keep your heads up, dragon. You have big shoes to fill before being miserable."

"..." Okay... What was that? Was that encouragement words from the lass? It's really, really freaky coming from her! The rest of our group soon followed suit, and I turned to the eldest member of our team, who was carrying Whiswain around because apparently Grim Reapers can also have low blood pressure. "Uuuh~... Sensei, what the hell was that about? Was that... Encouragement or passive-aggressive behavior?"

"You'll get used to it, Hong Long. Guan Yu is... A complicated person. Even I don't understand her sometimes." Said the pinkerette, surprisingly calmer than her usual outspoken self, scratching one of her cheeks with her fingers. "She might not like a whole lot of people, but she doesn't want anyone on their knees so easily either. I guess it's because of her position."

"Huuuh~, makes sense." I observed, while Kan'u-san again turned around to give me a side glance, and I responded equally. Despite this, after our ocular match, I saw some shine into her orbs as she turned back to face forward. "She still hates me, though."

"Might be the case, Hong Long. But at least yours truly believes in you!" She said, returning to her usual boastful self.

"That's your chance now, Tsukino-chin. Pick her by the heart, make her yours." Tasha again reached for to push me closer and unfold her little plan. For that, I rolled my eyes and flicked the tip of her nose. Yeah, right, like that will be a thing. 'Ichikan'? Not in a million years, and I'll live long enough to prove that. "Meh, killjoy, Tsukino-chin."

"B-But Ichijou-san and miss Guan Yu should really learn to like each other." Whiswain said, and I returned to walk forward. I can respect her, but eh? 'Like' is strong enough for me regarding that gorilla.

"Someday... Someday..." I said with a sigh. As always, I shall learn how to live with that, with my life as the red dragon emperor, the sekiryuutei...

"I'll say, Lady Raven, shounen mangas are superior because they can become popular without the appeal seinen mangas have!"

"And I say shounen manga are just cheap ways of enterteniment with nothing to offer but cheap bucks! Seinen Mangas are more fleshed out and artistic, not to mention Shounen Jump that...!"

"Eh...?" And those voices, together with loud stomps on the floor, made me hold my gaze forward, where from here I could see a very-known blonde walking besides a tall, dark-skinned man with an epic beard and black hair, wearing a grey suit. Oh, it's... "Rei-chan...!"

"Huh...? Ah! Ikk-...!" I called her attention, and after a quick blink, she opened the biggest smile and lifted one of her hands to wave at me, but for some reason she halt her movements and instead closed her mouth with it. Still sealing herself, she walked all the way towards us and stop right in front of me, arms crossed and eyes closed, now speaking loud enough for everyone to hear . "Ichijou Tsukino from the Gremory house, mind your words when talking to me, Raven Phenex from the Marquis Phenex house! Such disrespect, Gremories sure need to learn to be harsher with their servants!"

"A-Ah... Right. Sorry, lady Raven Phenex." I said with a sigh and a bow, and she opened one of her eyes, looking around with it with no one looking anymore. In the end Rei-chan censored her mouth by the sides and came closer to whisper.

"Ikkun, not here. You'll ruin my image among the servants of Gremory, not to mention the implications! Let us speak later." She said, a small blush tinting her cheeks. I nodded for that, and then she pulled herself away and look at us all. "And that be engraved in your mind, servants of Gremory!"

"Huuuuuh~? What was that, Phenex-chin~?"

"A-Ah! Stay away from me~. Know your place, servant of Gremory!" And Tasha advanced against the Yakitori, who jumped away from her and blocked any advance with a still hand. Didn't stop the witch from touching her with in it.

"Tasha, stop. This is not our turf." I said standing between the two, and the witch simply shrugged, while Whiswain was poking her head out by the witch's shoulder, taking her place beside her and bowing to the Phenex girl.

"A-Ah! I-It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady P-Phenex! I'm Whiswain, Berolina Gremory's newest Bishop!" The grim reaper bowed more than she should, and as always, a grin creeped on her lips.

"Eh~, at least one of you knows your place. I guess there's always the good exception. Hohohoh~!" And what's with old lady's laugh? Maybe she got caught in a cliche shoujo stream now. Whiswain bowed one last time, and soon enough took her way to hide behind my back.

"P-Phenex-san is scary~. So the sayings about Riser Phenex are true~." She whined, now avoiding contact with the Yakitori, who was now talking with the other peerage members, and apparently again entering a quarrel with Kan'u-san. I pat the grim reaper on the head.

"You just caught her in a bad mood. Just wait until we're with her without anyone around." I assured her with a wink, and Tasha did the same, but the ever scared Whiswain was still holding to my sleeve like a lost child. Now, it was the dark-skinned one, who smelled like ash, to approach us and pat me on the back.

"Oh-hoh~! Good to see you again, Ddraig! And with Berolina-dongsaeng as well with her peerage! It has been a while!" The figure said with the biggest smile and those teeth that look like fangs. Wow, who's that now? I'd recognize someone as hunky as this guy, but no one comes to mind, at all. Before I could ask from where this guy knows me, a bright emerald spot shined from my left hand.

[INDEED IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, HWAN JIN-YOUNG. GLAD TO SEE YOU WELL.]

"Wait... Hwan Jin-Yong?!" What the hell?! This... Hunky guy is my Korean Dragon master?! I knew dragons could morph into humanoid forms, but this is too much for my brain! But wait... Now that Ddraig has awakened, was he referring to him... Or me? "You mean... Nemesis-san's Rook... The grey dragon...!"

"Yes, indeed, current sekiryuutei Ichijou Tsukino! The one who with thou speaks is yours truly Hwan Jin-young, who finally learned how to morph into a human-like being to finally buy his beloved hent-... Debatable content without relying on his king!" The man... Dragon... Thing! Said in a strong voice that only now I could recognize as Hwan Jin-young's! Plus this bombastic speech, I can now see the shadow of a certain manga-loving grey Korean dragon. "I assume this form in order to wander around the Gremory mansion! I'd rather be in my true form back at Mt. issei, though."

"Because it feels like walking on high-heels and wearing full make-up for several hours, right?" I paraphrased that random-ass quote a certain someone told me once, and human!Hwan Jin-young shot me with his hand gun, as saying I hit a jackpot. I grinned for that spot-on, but then Snapped to something quite unique now. "Wait, Hyung... What did you call me?"

"Tsukino Ichijou. It's your name, right? Now, you're worth your own title, little dragon." He winked at me with a shrug, and for that, I tilted my head to a side in confusion. What's that now? I thought he was the one confusing me with the welsh dragon! "From my eyes, I can see the volatile energy the current host of the welsh dragon now emanates! When I first met you, it was little to nothing. Now that you've come so far, I can only give you that: your own title, Tsukino Ichijou. You've... Finally grow beyond your Boosted Gear..."

"..."

"...?"

...

"Man, handwaving like that must be tiring."

"Come again?"

[KAHAHAHAH! IT'S HIS WAY OF THANKING YOU, HWAN JIN-YOUNG! YOU SHOULD'VE KNOW THIS BY NOW.]

"No, I'm not." I said to the shine in my left hand. Shit, I wish I could hide the blush in my face because, no matter how dangerously cheesy that line was, I let myself be caught by it. Kuh~, compliments are a thing I'm still not used to. "But thanks, Hyung. That means a lot to me... In a way. Still, I need some ham and bread for that."

"Hahahah~! At your service, fellow servant of Gremory!" He laughed.

"Hey, Ichijou-san, who's he?" I turned around to see the rest of my peerage minus Gremory looking at the dragon-turned-man in front of me, with eyes of admiration and curiosity. Even Raven ceased to chit-chat with Kan'u-san to walk beside us.

"Ah! That's Hwan Jin-Young! He was my combat mentor back in Spring. Remember the dragon? That's him." I said with my thumb point at the dragon behind me, and everyone wet starry-eyes for him. So I'm not the only one going new for this new form. Maybe he won't need his hentai so soon. "But, seriously, why would you be here of all places, Hyung? I thought Mt. Issei was your turf."

"And right you are, Tsukino Ichijou. However, currently the demon lords are having a reunion in the Gremory manor, so I was ask to babysit lady Phenex while her parents and granduncles are in it with lord Belphegor." He said with a grin, while said Phenex girl elbowed him right on stomach with an annoyed face. Wow, a reunion between the strongest Devils in the underworld, happening right on the corner. What a thing!

"I was planning to just wander around with this shounen-maniac until Rhea-otou-sama and Ruval-jii-sama are dismissed by Lord Belphegor, but seeing this much people, I guess I have no choice but to offer some cakes and tea for the guests as a good hostess. Be grateful, lowly servants!" Raven said loud enough for everyone around to hear, but then she came closer, censoring her mouth by the sides again, and whispered for us: "Drajeena-okaa-sama gave some pastries for me to eat while in the Gremory manor in case I get bored. We can share some back in the living room."

"Sounds g-... I appreciate your infinite kindness, Raven-sama." I said with a bow, and she blushed a little, avoiding eye contact and saying something like 'You're going too far now, idiot'. Cake in my first day in the underworld, maybe this visit won't be that bad. I felt someone poking my cheek, and noticed it was Kan'u-san.

"So, the infamous charm of the red dragon emperor already made another victim. Such hideous power." She said in that tone of now heavy hatred and despise. And now they're implying me and Raven, we're just good friends, although she is pretty... And rich. And Pretty rich. I poked her cheek in return, and also clicked with my tongue.

"Watch out, or else you might fall for me as well." I said with a wink only an asshole would be able to, and with that, a blush spread all over her face, as her furious frown tightened even more, removing her assaulting finger and stepping backwards.

"As if. Don't tempt me to destroy you, red dragon. Last warning," she said with a furious growl, and turned away from me. Peace at last. The only thing that remotely made me roll my eyes was Tasha's thumbs up and Ryuubi-sensei's smile.

"So, shall we be going? Don't make me wait, red dragon and peerage." And Raven said, despite her tone not a single trace of malice in her voice. She then turned around and, followed by Hwan Jin-Young, was ready to take her way. "The living room is in this way. The kitchen is right next to it, so don't worry abou-... Ah."

"H-Hello, Raven." But before Rei-chan could give the first step, someone who up until now was quiet in front of us simply take a step forward to greet the Phenex girl. Out of the sudden, Rei-chan's eyes lost their shine, and they turned... Dull, like they lost all respect for the creature in front of it. Rina was, on the other hand, hesitant. It's like looking at a rat facing a lion. After seconds that looked like hours, Rei-chan blinked one more time, and finally spoke in a voice harsh as sandpaper.

"Oh-hoh. Berolina Gremory, it has been long enough." The Phenex said in a voice so cold it sent chills down my spine, and Rina visibly dryly gulped.

"L-Look Raven, I know that you're upset, bu-...!"

*KICK!*

"Gahoow~!" But then the blond devil went ahead and kneeled Gremory in the stomach! Such a rapid move we all went speechless for that, as Rina bent down to spit either saliva or some bile. However, she didn't seem enraged, but quite sad. "R-Raven..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Since this harlot didn't say anything bad about my honorable grandfather or clan, I thought a good hit might've fix it. Oh well." And Rei-chan didn't bat a second a look at the fallen Rina, and walked past her towards the kitchen, but not before calling us one last time, as it nothing ever happened. "Hurry up, servants of gremory."

"H-Huh, right."

"Hiiiih~, B-Berolina-san~!" The rest of the peerage then went to help our fallen King, who was having some difficulties to get up after that one. She didn't seem too affected by the hit, instead the words from Rei-chan. "A-Are you okay?! Does it hurt anywhere?!"

"I... I certainly deserve this..."

"What do you mean, Rina?" I asked her while serving as a small crutch, and the response I got was a cough. Well, those two have history, that's for sure, and something tells me her previous personality has something to do with it. I turned then to the only one who knows Rina better than me... In this group! I mean in our current arrangement! "Lucrezia-san...?"

"Oh, that. Don't be mad at lady Phenex. She and Lady Berolina... Don't have the pleasantest of memories together, at least not after some events." The maid-san sighed and bowed to me. Yeah, I figured that out that much...

Those phantoms are now coming to haunt the new Rina. As expected from that...

.

~~x~~

.

"And now, the Judgement of the moon calls upon the guilty, Akabane Yoko-dono!"

"Really? Judgement of the Moon?"

"It's a pun, Yoko-chan. Don't take it too seriously. Not my idea, though." And the eldest of the siblings said to me, wearing nothing but a towel to cover her shames since the so-called 'judgement of the Moon' for some reason is taking place in our underground hot springs.

After being rudely taken away from my... 'Me' moment of the day, I was dragged and immerse into the waters of the underground Springs, where now the four bitch sisters of my dear husband were gazing at my figure with sharp eyes. I'm not ashamed to admit that I touch myself thinking of Ichijou, but to be mutely judge by those women. The second youngest, Minatsu-san, then began to knock on the wooden stool on her lap.

"Very well, those who are here present at the eyes of our Lord, we shall bring the wicked one down and punish it such as our divine rules command!" Said the blonde with big boobs with a straight face, which made me and everyone around cringe a little. The youngest one, Futaba-san, slapped her older sister on the back of her head.

"Speak Japanese for once, Mii-nee!" Said the delinquent wannabe, adjusting now the bandana-towel on her head and now looking at me, body curved in a way she looked like a typical yakuza, and now speaking between her teeth. "Oe, yoooou~! Ya hearin' me, Yooooou~! 'The hell ya thinking, yoooo-...!"

*SPLASH!*

*SPLASH!*

"Man, how not-classy are my sisters, no? What a shame." And defending me without a single care and still with that face smile of her, the second older, Shion-san, came closer and buried both of her youngest onto the waters. That's insane! What the hell is wrong with this family~! Satsuki-san then came closer after nodding at her younger one.

"Now that we don't have any more interruptions, we can start with our... Judgement of the moon." Said the eldest of the Tsukino siblings, pulling her hair away from her face and sighing looking at me. I'm not afraid of her! "Akabane Yoko-dono, our guilty one, I shall ask you the following... Are you and brother a thing?"

"What if we are?" I questioned her again, and for a secknd, I saw her clench her fists and frown a little before signing and returning to her usual firm self. She wants an answer. "I can't really say that... We are a thing... I really like him, I really want us to be a thing, but I can't say for sure... If we are a thing."

"I see. Well, I already have a welcome gift in mind once he comes back, that's for sure." My blood boiled the moment I saw the eldest one clench her fists and crack her knuckles just by doing it so. She wants to hurt my Ichijou again! After everything that she did to him, she still wants to hurt him more!

"Why can't you girls just leave him alone?! Ichijou did nothing wrong! For what I know, you guys are the ones who're the worst!" I said back. Satsuki-san blinked back at me, and for a second, that second narrowed again. I know everything since I shared sake with mommy snake and entered her memories. "Yes, he told me! Back when he lost both of his childhood friends and you all started to bully him for shits and giggles! He can't even crack his fingers because of what you all did to him! Why can't you guys just leave him alone?! Do you guys hate him that much?!"

"..." The eldest said nothing, only crossed her arms under her bosom and snapped her fingers to sign her younger sister to release the other two. Minatsu and Futaba emerged from it and started bickering with each other. "You're wrong, Yoko-chan. We don't hate Ichijou, in the slightest, nor he hates us, in the slightest. We're family, we can't hate each other... Except maybe that shitty dad of ours."

"Hah...?!" What does she mean?! Of course he hates them! I would! Before I could say anything, Shion-san half-hugged the other youngest ones and turned back to me.

"Don't take precipitated judgements, Yoko-chan. We might bicker and fight with each other, but that doesn't mean we hate each other." Said the dark-haired beauty of a sister, both sisters at hand, turning to them with her usual falsetto. "Isn't that right, Sisters?"

"I don't have any idea what thou speaks of, Sister of mine, but the feeling of hate is nonexistent between us, the daughters and son of Tsukino!"

"Shut up... I hate you all, you idiots."

"Ichijou so happens to be the most distant of our group, and thus the most dangerous one as well." Finished the eldest one. What? What does she mean by 'needy'?! That's ridiculous!

"Why's that? Just because he's distant... He's the dangerous one?! Isn't that just sexist? What are you talking about?!" I said with poison in my voice. Satsuki-san didn't even seem fazed by my choice of words or implications, but she did come closer to cup both of my cheeks with her hands!

"Tell me, you who's been around him since the beginning: have him ever, even in the slightest, said to you, or Rina or any girl for that matters, anything like 'I like or I love you'?" She let go of me, still looking at me dead in the eyes, while the other sisters went quiet after the question. I was about to say something for that, but then, the words died on my mouth as I realized something...

No, he never said it.

He never said 'I like you' or 'I love you' to any of us, even if we said those on the regular basis for him. The best we got so far was a 'I care about you'. I love when he says it, but this doesn't disprove what Satsuki-san said. No, not even close to anything like that, and he doesn't even take what we said seriously... He just laughs and waves it as a joke. I gulped hard, and turned my gaze from my navel to the eldest daughter, who blinked with a judgmental stare.

"Right? Right. You may not know, but I don't blame you, and here's why: Ichijou used to be emotionally dead." Satsuki-san said with a cough, and for that I gasped. What now? Emotional dead... What does she mean by that? "After uncle Henry took Nina-chan and Julia-chan away from Japan, how can I say, Ichijou just... Stopped. He wouldn't laugh, he wouldn't cry, he wouldn't talk or even live, he was just... There, breathing and walking."

"That little punk wouldn't react to shit. we tried to take him to a psychologist, but he wouldn't open up to it." Futaba said, coming closer and scratching her neck, blushing a little. "Ever lived near a zombie? Creepy as fuck, it must be. We tried to cheer him up, but it was worthless. So we started punching him for giggles."

"...!" H-How?! What kind of response was that?! They couldn't cheer him up, so they end up beating him?! What kind of logic is there in it?! "And how you girls hoped to help him by bullying him?! I don't understand!"

"That brother of mine only then began to understand and let people into his heart~! Like a herd, we're close enough of his soul, but too distant to interact with him~!" The third oldest said with a hand-heart and a smile, despite the gloomy atmosphere that surrounded us. Satsuki-san sighed and shoved Minatsu-san away.

"What she tried to say is that Ichijou began to show emotions after a while. He started to react with Futaba's beating, Minatsu's humiliation and both my and Shion's treatment, so I guess it was a start. Doing anything else wouldn't help. We were literally beating the trauma out of him." The eldest one said, coming closer again to reach my chest where my heart should be with a finger. "When mother found out about us bullying him, she cried, and for the first time ever, he showed some emotion and told everything. I guess it worked back then."

"That's preposterous! You want me to believe you bullied him for his whole life, up to not long ago, because you care about him?! How fucking stupid you girls think I am?!" I screamed. I don't even care if I'm cursing and ruining my image of a perfect wife candidate, those women are just... Devilish! I don't care if they're right about him, trying to justify everything so far is... Is! "He was emotionally broken! But instead of saying that everything's gonna be okay, that he could still move on and have friends, you bullied him and told him that he was worthless and would never have anyone! Why?! I don't understand! Why couldn't you said that you guys love him or something?!"

"Ohohoh~! Yoko-chan is so naive~! She thinks love will cure our little brother, as if she knows about him more than we do~!" Shion-san laughed, appearing besides her sisters and crossing her arms, giving me that kind of look, that shit-eating grin. Before I could say anything, however, she opened her eyes and spoke again. "Let me give you a challenge: think for a second. Think how many marriages and affairs our shitty father has in his back, how many of us are, and how that separation fucked Ichijou's perspective about love up to this point. Think about this, and ask that question again."

"...!"

"I dare you... To be that cruel, Yoko-chan."

And silence befell us once more. I gulped, and looked down on the waters, small ripples echoing through them as the tears coming from me wouldn't stop. How broken Ichijou is... But also how distorted his world is. Three marriages and an affair, three sisters from different mothers and a friendship ruined in an instant. Of course he wouldn't understand, and even if he does, how would he see it as? Something so ephemeral, fragile? I was mute for this whole time, when I heard a cough. There she was, Satsuki-san, clearing her throat.

"Well, all in all, think what you want, Yoko-chan, but I'll tell you this: Ichijou's a mess ever since that day. He only now began to relearn what emotions are, so he doesn't know how to react with anyone or anything, and that's why... He's so dramatic when he snaps." Satsuki-san said with a melancholic tone, then shrugged still with her crossed arms, looking again at me. "That's also why we taught him to avoid getting closer to any random stranger . He's unstable, so he can be easily manipulated and get attached to them. And then we'll have another Nina/Julia incident, and a broken Ichijou or worse, a worsened Ichijou and a future Tsukino Hajime..."

"..." I gulped hard one more time, and then they relaxed on the springs, I think completely forgetting about the trial. That's... A new perspective about them. I just entered and read Mama Kyou's memories, so the best I can get from those histories are from theirs truly, but I don't think they're lying. I went quiet for a while, and only snapped back with a bucket of hot water on my face! "Kyah~! What the hell~!"

"Chills, don't think about to much. At least he's showing some emotions nowadays, so it's all good. If we continue like this, he might break away and become at least a shadow of he used to be." Satsuki-san sighed on the waters after splashing some on me, shaking me off my groove. "But of course, if he snaps again, I can say he won't be coming back... Like ever."

"Still, what you guys did was wrong!" I said back, and all of them narrowed their eyes for me. Yeah, excuse what an excuse might be, but I'm not letting him be around them anymore! He needs... Something more than them! I know I'm one of those 'manipulative bitches' they wanted him to avoid, but... But in the end, I'm his cute, responsible and foxy wife, and I'll treat him better!

"Ohohoh~! What, really? You think you can 'help' him your way? That's so adorably fucking stupid!" Laughed the second eldest, coming closer to me and cup my face and press my cheeks between her fingers! "Remember, Yoko-chan~: Ichijou is now a hollow shell of his former self, and everything you know about him he learnt from us. And after seeing how much of a mess he is, and how he faces your relationship and the concept of love, you still want to move on with him? This isn't a light novel, or an anime, or even a fanfiction, Yoko-chan~! There is no 'happy ever after' or 'eternal love', there's only how much any of you can take until you get bored of the other and move on~!"

"Don't compare what we have with your own experiences, Shion-san!"

"What...?!"

"Aw shit, sis! Ya just got ROASTED!"(Futaba)

"Are we doing Macbeth again, sisters? Because we just witnessed a MURDER!" (Minatsu)

"Sharp tongue, I like that." (Satsuki)

"Ara, ara? Remembering that dad taught me how to break some legs with a kick? Are you guys really that eager to die~?"(Shion)

"AND!" I interrupted the little quarrel that broke between the four, and crossed my arms, narrowing my own eyes in order to not falter! I'm the great leader of the Youkai faction of the whole Kanto region, daughter of one of the three fox leaders and the Ichijou's cutest girlfriend, so nothing is too big for me! "That's right! Whatever you think it's good or not, That doesn't faze me in the slightest! I love MY Ichijou with a burning passion of the Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, and won't ever stop loving him, and I'm sure he feels the same! And with it, I shall break that emotional barrier he put on around himself, and prove to all of you that LOVE can be more than you guys give credit for!"

"..."

"..."

...

"Pfff... Ahah... Ahahahah... Ahahahah! Y-You're... You're funny, Yoko-chan." The rest of the sisters said nothing, but Satsuki-san was the one who came closer to look at me. This time... She was smiling. "Think you can help him your way? Can't say that you'll make it, and what lies beyond that 'barrier' you said might not be of your liking. Moreover, Yoko-chan, Ichijou might be confused about what he feels, but there's the possibility that he might not love you, at all. 'You want to take that risk?"

"..." I bit my lips. What if he... Doesn't love me? No, no, that's... That's being selfish, Kurama. Of course there's that chance, but that isn't about you, but him. I want him to be happy, and even if he's happy without me, I'll be... I'll be... "Yes. Because... This isn't about me, it's about him. I want him to be happy, and be able to laugh, and even if he doesn't love me the way I do, just knowing that I'm by his side, it'd bring immense joy for me. He has already many problems on his back. If I can hold his hand and comfort him, it'd be... It'd be enough for m-..."

*PUNCH!*

*SPLASH!*

...

...

...

"Gasp! Gasp! Gasp! By the heavens, what was that?!" I said after Futaba-san appeared out of nowhere and punched me so hard I splashed water all over the place! What was that about?! I stood up in the waters, massaging my cheek, and turned my gaze to the assaulting sister! "What was that about, Futaba-san?! Did you lose your mind?!"

"Don't give me that crap, you lousy fox! You won't get anywhere with him with that attitude!" She said in a angry voice. Is she... Is she angry at me? For what?! "Three out of four, Yoko-chan! You really think you'll be able to reach Ichijou like that?! 'Boohoo, he's too good for me, but I'm okay in being his bitch just because'! Fuck off!"

"That's my line, Futaba-san!" I said back to her, and pushed her away from me. What's wrong with this family? Bullying for help, unable to understand love, such a distant but needy relationship! I really want to know! "But, seriously, what Ichijou is to you all?!"

"Isn't that obvious?" Shrugged the eldest one. "He's one of those troublemakers I care for so much."

"He's my useless, good-for-nothing, lousy cute little half-brother."

"He's the empty warrior! The one who carries the sorrows and pain of separation, and yet after countless trials and by the Tears of his progenitors could break a little out of his former hollow self, and yours truly's younger brother."

"He's a tough cookie."

"In short, he's OUR Ichijou." Said the eldest one again posing in a battle stance and looking at me deep in the eye. "My cute little half-brother that is more broken that Greece. And we won't let any random girl with such small will take him just to break him again even further. Prove to us that you can be his so-called 'help' or just forget about him."

"...!" What the hell?! Now they're protective about him?! What kind of twist-brocon bullshit is this?! No... Kurama, you're also his wife! You want to treat him better than those bitches, break away from his shell and make him love you! Yes, that's my... Determination! "Bring it on, sisters of Tsukino! I don't swallow that story even for a bit! You're all harlots you treated him like that with such excuse! I shall take him away from you all and give what he deserves, because HE IS MY HUSBAND!"

And I won't let anyone hurt him ever again, not even me, or his sisters! It's game time!

.

~~x~~

.

"Atchoo!"

"Ew, gross! Clean up your nose, Ikkun!"

"My bad, Rei-chan. Someone's probably talking about me right now." I said with a sigh, and Lucrezia-san picked a handkerchief to give it to me. Ugh, don't tell me I'll catch a cold even here on the underworld.

Currently, all of my peerage, Rei-chan, Lucrezia-san and Hwan Jin-Young were again at the big, luxurious living room, the first place I met back in the Rating Game, sitting on the couch and eating the delicious pastries(pastries! I said pastries!) lady Phenex sent us with Raven...

Except Rina, who was sitting on the corner on a baby table set and eating her minimal share with imaginary tea...

"Well, I deserve this, this is the least I was expecting going back home, to be honest..." Said the youngest child of Gremory, so miserably picking her part with a pink plastic fork and chewing the cake mixed with her melancholic tears.

"Hang in there, Berolina-dongsaeng. Phenex-dongsaeng can't be mad at your forever!" The dragon... Humanoid... Thing that is actually Hwan Jin-young Hyung said with a hopeful tone to the forgotten Gremory on the corner, turning back to us scratching the back on his... Head, which had still some horns in it. "Am I... Am I right, Phenex-suiseng?"

"Humph, she can rot there for what I care." Rei-chan spoke in a really spiteful tone and not San bothering looking at the Gremory one. I forked one of the pieces of cake, and ate it up. Oh, wow! This cake is delicious! Better than mom's! Not just that, it's just so fluffy and yummy I feel like dying a little.

"Awawah~, Phenex-san's cake are delicious~!" Said the little grim reaper sitting next to me and tastin her own share, with an expression that says that, if this was a cooking manga, her clothes would be bursting up! By the look in Hyung's face, he's probably thinking the same think, that otaku dragon. The compliments were followed by the others as well.

"Delicious, indeed."

"Such a powerful flavour, I wonder if there's something akin to the flavour of Gods in a devilish recipe!"

"It's... It's not bad."

"Huhuhuh~, well, my dear mother, Drajeena Phenex, former member of the house of Oriax, wouldn't be part of the Phenex clan if she wasn't a terrific specialist! In fact, she's he one who rules the most popular cooking show besides lord Granzboa Astaroth!" She said puffing her chest in pride. If I had those skills in culinary, no doubt I'd be doing the same. It's that good. Cooking show, eh? Maybe I can learn a thing or two with that. "But of course, those are custom made from my mother, with her special ingredient only she can provide."

"Really? What that would be?"

"Oriax's breast milk."

"..."

...

...

*BITE!*, well, I'm already in hell, might as well say hi to Satan. I bit that piece of sin one more time and enjoyed every second of that delicious cake, while everyone had the same reaction, and Rei-chan look terrified...

"I was just joking! What the hell is wrong with you guys?!" She said out loud, Hyung laughing at our expenses while the Phenex girl would recover herself and cough her nervousness away, back to eat her fake with a frown on her pretty face. "Honestly, I don't know if you all are messing with me or seriously don't mind eating breast milk, but that had a bad taste in my mouth."

"You're the one who began with the joke, Rei-chan." I said with another delicious bite from that delicious cake. "All in all, jokes aside, is good to see you again, Rei-chan."

"O-Of course it is! We're frien-Acquaintances, aren't we? It's only natural for you to miss me. Haha... Ahahaha!" She began to nervously laugh with a tone of an old lady, but seeing that no one was buying that, she blushed again, and sank her face on the cake, again looking elsewhere. "I missed you too, Ikkun. Gosh, it looks it has been a year since we last met."

Hah, I get it.

"Friend of yours?" Whiswain said with a blink of curiosity. Now that Rei-chan wasn't scary and (un)holier-than-thou anymore, she could try to approach the Phenex. I pointed at Rei-chan.

"More or less, she helped in some issues back a few months ago, and because of that, she gave me new ideas for my Boosted Gear. She also the one who showed me around." I said, another bite on the back, while Ryuubi-sensei and Tasha turned and nodded to their other partners. "But hey, Rei-chan, how about Irene-san? Is she also in the meeting? Her parents are two of the Demon Lords, after all."

"Ai-cha-... *CAHAM!*, Irene Dantalion from the Dantalion and Purson clans is currently busy with her own Rating Games." Oh, so Irene-san is also in those Rating Games. "She wouldn't stop talking about you, though. You should visit the Phenex household one of these days, she's around there most of the time, anyway."

"Eeeeh~. Are you trying to seduce our Red Dragon Emperor, miss Phenex?" Tasha said, coming closer to the Phenex girl and blinking a few times with her purple orbs. *POKE!*, I felt something also assaulting me, and I saw it was now Rina-San who was poking me, a small grin creeping on her face.

"Eeeeh~? Aren't you close to Raven-san and the daughter of Beelzebub-sama and Belphegor-sama? I had no idea. Good to see you getting more social with girls."

"Both of you have no right to talk back at us like that! Specially you, Berolina!" Rei-chan raised her voice at both of our pieces, and both hid behind me together with Whiswain as she saw two flaming wings unfold behind her back. Ryuubi and Kan'u-san were standing up to fight anything that might come, but then Hyung and Lucrezia-san came closer to hold the flaming Phenex and telling her to calm down. In the end, Rei-chan calmed down, but in a fit of rage she picked the fork and tossed against Rina! *STAB!* "payback!"

"Gyaaaaaaaoooooooh~?!"

"You two, shut u-...!"

"EXCUSE ME, THE DEMON LORDS ARE TRYING TO HAVE A REUNION!" *BAM!* The door leading to this very room abruptly opened, and by the other side, we were already expecting someone with this snappy personality. There she was, headmistress Nemesis Gremory, her hair back in being the bright Crimson but her attire reminiscent of her Morimoto Shizuka persona. She blinked once, and her frown turned back into being a confused neutral face. Some members of her peerage is here, too! Unfortunately, those I can't remember well. "Oh? Rina, you're back!"

"H-Hey, sister. I can say the same, apparently." Said the youngest of the sisters, removing the fork that was deep buried into her forehead and then causing a fountain of blood to shower the room. Lucrezia-san put a bandaged there, finally stopping it. "Although our 'return' has different contexts. Eheheh..."

"Oh, are you being smart with me, Rina?"

"None of that! None of that! I'm just... Glad to be back." Rina smiled with trembling lips and tired eyes, while Nemesis-san blushed and, in a typical tsundere move, turned her face around to scratch her cheek. "Can't say that mother and father will be the same."

"..."

"Ahahah... Yeah."

"Rina..."

"Huuuuh~, maybe it's my old age, but you seemed to have grow quite a bit, red dragon emperor." I blinked trying to reach Rina and maybe comfort her and then this tall, elderly man with grizzling spiky hair and epic mustache, wearing a suit smiled at me, teleporting right in front of me to scan every corner of me with his full grey eyes. Oh, I know him back from the Rating Game: Nemesis-san's butler! "It has been a while as well, but even an old fox such as myself has a good eye for everything."

"Y-Yeah, thank you... Mister..." I back-stepped a few times to gain some space for myself back, and he only chuckled and scratched his chin in a very gentleman way, whatever you take from that.

"Michaelis. Faust Michaelis, the chief butler of the Gremory household and Lady Nemesis's trustful Rook. I see that Lucrezia-kun also introduced herself, that's good." He said, now side-stepping to look at the other members of my peerage, beginning with the other Rook, now facing each other. "And Miss Liu Bei. Good to see you as well. You look healthy and energetic as ever, couldn't expect less."

"Yours truly also notes that your wounds from our previous encounter have healed just fine! I praise thou for that, Faust Michaelis, fellow Gremory servant!" Ryuubi-sensei smiled and extended a hand for Faust-san, which he happily reached his own. Ah, they're getting along. "I'm glad to have your cooperation and I hope we can fight agai-...!"

*VUPT!*

*GROPE!*

"H-Hyah...!"

"Indeed, indeed very healthy indeed."

"Fiend!" And it all happened to fast for us to see, but Faust-San slipped his hand away from Ryuubi-sensei's and instead reached for one of her breasts! The pinkerette just laughed a little, but Kan'u-san was livid about it! So much she draw her Seiryuutou and began to try to stab the surprisingly agile bishop! "Bastard! BASTARD! I'll send you to the depths of the Naraka for your insolence against my mistress!"

"Ohohoh! So full of life, the Peerage of mistress Berolina is! Life shall be never boring with them!" The butler were barely moving out of his initial stance, but he was completely dodging the deadly blade of Kan'u-san's guandao like it was nothing! In another moment of carelessness, Faust-san rapidly teleported to behind Kan'u-san to squeeze her boobs! "This one has first-class material as well. Such is youth, apparently they won't even sag against the cruel lord that is time."

"Why you... Kyah~." And again our so called 'newest Knight' fell for 'THE HAND' and lost her balance after another squeeze on her funbuns. With the two pieces unarmed and defeated, he soon shifted his attention to the others. Oh, you don't mean...!

*ZOOOOM!*

"Hyaaaaaah~...!"

"Huh..."

"So elasticity in the Grim reaper's bosom, and the witch is wearing such a daring underwear. Such is youth, such is youth." The butler suddenly appeared right on my back after traveling around the speed of light to grope Whiswain and flip Tasha's skirt! What a speed demon! I turned around to try to face him, but before I could say anything, he landed a hand on my shoulder, give me a thumbs up and a smile with a bleeding nose, and proudly declared. "Sekiryuutei... Red dragon emperor... You have a good material in your hands."

"..."

"...?"

*ZING!*

"Just die!" I summoned Rhongomiant and tried to reach that perverted old man with it for touching my gir-... Touching my group! But he was too fast, and jumped away with an amused face. He's making fun of me!

"Oh! Jealous, aren't we? Don't worry, it was just a routine exam. My verdict is they're all nice girls." He laughed, trying to escape my blade since I was the one chasing him! "Your reflexes and movements have also increased, lord Red Dragon, but don't get cocky. You still have years to come to even try match with the ultimate butl-...!"

"You, shut up!" And I couldn't even finish him off, as nemesis-san appeared out of nowhere and axe-kicked the perverted butler to the floor, causing a small tremor around. And so Faust-san's terror had an end, and Nemesis-san could only sigh. "Now stay down and think what you did, perverted butler! It's not because they're your juniors that you can go around and harass them!"

"Y-Yes, milady. I'm sorry, milady."

"Hah! And that's why I stick with 2-D chicks, Faust, you perverted old man!" The Korean dragon said now lightly stomping on the butler's body in a playful way. The butler; on the other hand, lifted his head and laughed a littls, only nodding for both of his fellow peerage members. Huh, they do care...

"S-Sorry for Mr. Faust's behavior. He's not that bad of a guy, and he's pretty helpful, but sometimes he needs a pull." Said a certain dark-skinned, blond young woman covered in tattoos approaching us with an awkward smile and a head-scratch. The other bishop of Nemesis-san, Nadja Sustrai if I remember correctly. "Ah! Where's my manners? Sorry, my name is Nadja Sustrai, and I'm lady Nemesis's bishop! Pleased to meet you."

Yeah, I know this, but that doesn't mean others do. Multifaceted understandings of the world is one of the basics of storytelling...

*ZING!*

"Now listen here, bishop of Nemesis, don't you even dare touch my mistress like your fellow peerage member! As Lady Berolina's knight and milady's guardian, I won't show mercy! Take this as warning!" And trigger-happy went ahead to point her Seiryuutou on Nadja-san's neck, who almost went blue for the shock and was now sweating buckets!

"A-Ah...! N-No! I'd never! Please don't kill me!"

"Kan'u-san, please don't do this! She didn't do anything~!" And our newest bishop went ahead before I could break Kan'u-san's blade on the stick and pushed it away. Now bowing towards the other bishop, her face as red as a tomato... Or Gremory's hair(there's other things in the world besides the Gremory hair, I can't keep using this comparison every time.). "I'm so sorry, Nadja-san! Kan'u-san is really snappy, but she's a good person! She just want to protect us, so please forgive her behavior!"

"O-Of course, I understand! I should be the one saying sorry." Said the now calmer shaman, also bowing to the grim reaper. "Sorry for Mr. Faust's behavior! If he haven't did it, Miss Guan Yu wouldn't have to react that way!"

"N-No, Nadja-san! I should be apologizing!"

"No, I insist! It's our fault!"

"No, I'm sorry, but it's also our fault!"

"Glad for your understanding, but the fault is also ours!"

"But it's our fault as well! Please forgive me and her!"

"Don't apologize, but please I'm sorry!"

"I'm sorry...!"

"Please forgive us..."

"I know but..."

"It's also my...!"

*PAFT! PAFT!*

""...?!""

"Thank you for the backup, Tasha Campbell. I was this close to snap." And before any of us could snap in this Canadian circle of apologies, nemesis-san and Tasha went ahead to shut both the bishops up, the witch giving a thumbs up for the compliment. In the end, both bishop only nodded at each other, and walked away. Nemesis-san scanned around, and landed her eyes on Rei-chan and Lucrezia-san. "And it seems that you met the youngest offspring of Rhea Phenex and... Lucrezia."

"Hey, Nemesis. How's going?" The maid said with an upbeat tone, waving a hand in such casual way and pecking her cheek and for my surprise, Nemesis-san's response for that was a faint but calm smile. Everybody from my group except Rina also reacted the same surprise way as me! Wow, that's a first! I knew abo the affection the Gremories have for their servants, but this, again, is too much!

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking, Lukky." What! Nemesis-san called Lucrezia-san by a cutesy nickname! Nemesis-san called Lucrezia-san by a cutesy nickname! Not even Aria-san has that kind of treatment! Apparently, she noticed her abnormal behavior for us, and for that, she hid her mouth away and blushed a little. "Sorry for that indecent show of affection. It wasn't my intention."

"N-No, that doesn't matter for us. Don't worry about it." I said with a sigh and a handwave, everybody mimicking my own movements, and Lucrezia-san returned to her position by my side. Well, wasn't that freaky? "I mean, what do I know? Childhood friends? I had those two back in the days, so I can say you don't have to worry about being intimat-..."

"Uh... Not exactly. She was suppose to be my husband."

"Oh, okay." Right, husband. That makes sense too, I guess.

...

...

...

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT~?!

"But unfortunately, she was born a girl, so the Onoskelis had to pay their debts with the Gremory offering her as a servant."

"FOR FUCK'S SAKE, AT LEAST KNOW HOW TO DROP THOSE INFORMATIONS IN THE RIGHT ORDER!" I practically threw myself on the floor to crash into something back to reality before I could kill someone. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind Devils being that progressive, but that bomb was such a surprise and the comeback was such an avoidable misunderstand, I could help but almost lose control and hit Nemesis-san! After a little moment to cool down, I turned back to the said duo, and I saw Nemesis-san... Smiling. Chuckling a little.

"Huhuh, Aria was right: Messing with you is a little funny."

"Aryah, Nemesis-san has a dark side too." But I can't complain. I like when she smile. It's a pretty smile. Don't want her to bully me for it, though...

"Ara, ara? My ears are picking some swearing and a very known voice~. Let me guess: the sekiryuutei came here to visit us." A new voice entered the place, and turning to that same direction, yes, there she was, the current head of the Gremory house and mother of the two most known redheads around here, Alice Gremory. As always sporting that smile that only screams 'danger' and making everyone around flinch at her power with such charisma. She approached us, and crossed her arms, while by the mere sign of her, Rina hid behind my back. "And I was right, and he brought the rest of his peerage with him. Are you having a tea party with Nemesis's peerage?"

"A-Ah! Good afternoon, auntie Alice. Good to.. See you well." I said with a bow, with everyone doing the same for the big lady, who just giggle a little like a cute girl, and pat me on the head.

"And it's good to see you well, Ichijou~! Your peerage also seems to be very healthy and kicking, as expected From someone like..." She was about to finish her sentence, but I saw her orbs turn and gaze to a point beyond me, around my back, and for a second, her smile soured, and her eyes turned dull and half-lit. Is she... Is she getting that reaction from Rina? Her smile returned once she turned to another direction, and again she crossed her arms. "Anyway, the meeting between My husband and the rest of the demon lords had finally come to an end, so I'm here to inform Raven Phenex that her father and granduncle will be waiting her at the entrance!"

"Oh, right! I almost forgot! Then, I'll be going, servants of Gremory!" Rei-chan jumped from her seat and walked away passing through us, not even bothering to give individual goodbyes, not that anyone minded much. However, went she passed around me, The blond Phenex turned around and gave a small piece of paper with the Phenex emblem on it. "Here, Ikk-... Sekiryuutei. This is a special pass for the Phenex mansion. Show it to the guards and they'll let you in. S-So that you know, demon lord Mary Beelzebub and Irene Dantalion is also calling you for our house, so don't get any funny ideas, I'm just doing them a favor!"

"Okay." I said, picking said piece of paper and neatly putting in my pocket. She handwaved at me to get closer, and then spoke in a lower tone.

"You can invite anyone home, except you-know-who. Just don't go with a unkept look, otou-sama doesn't like even servants without some appeal." She said with a quick wink and then her typical lady-like frown came back, as she walked away from us to the said door, passing through lady Gremory. In the end, silence reigned again on us, and after a while, the older redhead called for our attention with a clap of her hands, her smile creepy and uneasy as ever.

"So... Since everybody's here, I think I'll go make some tea and coffee! I think Drajeena left some sweets around too. I'll be brewing some." She said with a smile, and I gulped hard with the uneasy aura. Not coming from her, mind you, but from the other redhead by my back, who would peek on my shoulder the older one from time to time. No one bat an eye on that. "So... Does anyone have a preference in anything? I like to maintain a large number of types of coffee and tea, so if anyone has one in particular, feel free to ask!"

"Uh, mother..." Nemesis-san said with a hand lifted, and the elder Gremory turned her smiley face to her daughter. Nemesis-san's eyes scanned around and landed on Rina, who was hesitant, again peeking at Auntie Alice with a trembling figure. After that, she said nothing, gulping hard as I did.

"Yes, my dear Nemis? Any preference?" Auntie Alice asked, and again nemesis-san's eyes landed on Rina. The Gremory by my shoulder shook her head negatively, and sank even further by my back. Her older sister could only sigh, and wave a hand at their mother for that.

"No, it's nothing. But... But I want a cappuccino."

"Sure thing, sweetheart. Anyone else?" She said, scanning around, but I could noticed she rapidly missed the spot on my back, the place Rina was, tightly holding my shirt by it. In the end, the head of the Gremory house turned around and walked towards the door, without even batting an eye back. I turned to Rina, and she was almost out of breath. Maybe next time. "Okay, then! I'll bring some green tea and black coffee for the rest... And a latte! Plus the sweets. Don't go anywhere, I'll be back soon."

"Err... Auntie Alice...!"

"Huuuh~? Yes, Sekiryuutei...?"

"Uh... Uh... Nothing."

"Okay~! Just wait there~!" And with that, she was gone. No other word, observation or handpick, she just left. I turned around to face my King, and as expected, she was sobbing a little, gulping down hard and fighting her tears. Because of that, everyone was quiet. Lucrezia-san was the first to manifest herself, patting Rina on the head and touching cheeks with her.

"There, there, Lady Berolina. Maybe next time, take yours and decide which is better." She said, and yet the redhead wouldn't be quiet or calm down in the slightest. I sighed, and also reached her to half-hug and caress her pretty trembling face. I don't know how to deal with it, but mother used to do this when I was upset.

"Don't sweat, Rina. Lucrezia-san is right, those things take time. C'mon, you're better than this." I said in a whisper, and she seemed to calm down a little. I wonder why she just listened to me, but at least she's calming down. "Calm down. Okay, Rina? Calm down and try again later..."

"..."

"Rina...?" She didn't respond to that. In a surprise attack, however, still not saying a word, she pushed both me and Lucrezia-san and walked towards the door in rapid steps. Whiswain and Nadja-san tried to stop her, but Nemesis-san was faster and stopped them first, Leaving space for Rina. Now what?! Is she... Is she...?! "Rina!"

"...!" Still not saying nothing, she faltered a little on her walk, and in the end, stopped right in the middle of the room, hugging herself and sniffing every second. I saw small drops wet the carpet, and little by little, I heard hiccups. She was so close, both ways. Rina was deeply breathing, so much I could hear it from here, and them she stomped hard on the floor, tossed her head forward and opened her mouth...! "M-...!"

"Oh, by the way, Rina."

"...!"

"Ah...!"

The world stopped. Or I think it stopped. I dunno why, but suddenly, I felt the world rotating slowly as Rina's screamed died in her throat, and instead I heard a gasp coming from her. The moment that single slender finger appeared from the frame of that door, and Auntie Alice's smiley face popped next to it, everybody stopped, so either we have a vampire here or the shock was too much. Can't blame us, after all... Auntie Alice said it, and she continued...

"Would you like your latte with sugar or sweetener?" She completed, and that sentence blew in our face once again. I turned to Rina, and by her back, she was trembling no more. Instead, she was also frozen in time, and took her a few minutes to snap out of it, moaning a confused 'H-Huh?' With it. What's going on?! "Sweetheart, I know everybody's waiting, but those things are the ones that bug me the most, you know that. So, sugar or sweetener?"

"A-Ah..." And she spoke. The first one here to do anything was Berolina Gremory, and those were her first words. After a while, I heard a loud gulp, and stoic and confused as before, she spoke a sentence this time. "S-S-Sugar, please."

"Understood. Ah, and glad to have you back, honey." Said the Gremory with a smiley face and an ok sign with her hands, before disappearing again from the doorframe. "Just remember to warn me beforehand next time, so the maids can arrange things better."

"..."

"Uh...?"

...

*DON!*

"Rina...!" Again, the sounds returned to this place when Rina, out of nowhere yet again, fell on her butt, her legs in a W-bend, and after that, nothing else. Nemesis-san reacted immediately, and went to the rescue of her little sister. "Rina?! Rina! What's going on?! Respond!"

"Uh~... *HIC!*... Uuuuuh~...! *HIC!* Uuuuuh~...! *HIC!* U-U-U-Waaaaaaaaaaah~! WAAAAAAAAH~!" And she finally gave in. Bawling on top of her lungs and letting a river down her eyes, Berolina Gremory just turned into a lost little girl, trembling on her feet and being consoled by her big sister. But of course she would, unlike her queen, she has a place to return to. This time, Nemesis-san hugged her tight, and Lucrezia-san, Nadja-san, Whiswain, Ryuubi-sensei and even Tasha went ahead to try to comfort her. "Uuuh~...! Uuuuh~...!"

"It's okay, sis, you can cry. You're... You're home, Berolina. Nothing else matters." Was all nemesis-san could say to the unconsoled redhead on her arms, who was now hiccuping and trying to remain strong in front of all of us, failing miserably. I sighed, and joined the group. When I was close enough, I reached for her head and lightly pat her there. She stopped her crying, and looked at me with those big purple eyes.

"I-Ichijou...?"

"Guess someone's finally home, eh Rina?" I said. Rina pouted, and jumped on me, hugging me tightly. I dunno why's that, but... It feels good. However, the worst part about this is everyone staring at us. Kinda uneasy feeling there. But whatever, I patted her on the back of her head, and she continued to sob on my shoulder, holding me for dear life.

"I'm... I'm home."

"You never left, Rina." Man, those cheesy lines are rubbing on me, eh? But if this makes her feel good, then I'll do it, even if it makes me look like a cheap harem protagonist. At least she's fine for now, and that's all that matters.

That's all that matters...

"Ichijou Tsukino..." I heard a hoarse voice call for me, so I turned around, Rina still hanging from my neck, and saw the human!Hwan Jin-Youg crossing his arms and giving me a grin. "I'm sorry to break the mood, but I can't feel but to notice the absence of our dear Knight who was spending her time on your house. Mind to tell us where she is?"

"Hah? Ginko-san?" I said with my eyebrows crossed. What is talking about? "Hyung, she's right here with us. Right, Ginko-sa-...?"

I turned to my group, and froze in place when a notice the absence of someone. Wait, Ginko-san isn't here! Wait, I thought... But then...!

...

...

Oh, my God! We forgot Ginko-san back home!

.

~~x~~

.

How... How is she still up? I hit her with a dose of energy strong enough to stop an oni, yet Satsuki-san's still going!

"You can do it, ya stupid sis!"

"Sister of the moon, show that foxy girl the true power of the moon primogeniture!"

"We believe in you, Gou-nee~!"

"Tch... Not bad, Satsuki-san. As expected from my dear's eldest sister." I said stretching myself with my newly swimsuit, cracking a few bones the eldest sister dislocated, while she was cleaning her mouth from the blood, and adjusting her swimsuit as well. The others sisters were easy cake, so much they're cheering now on the floor, immobile, but their big sister is stronger. No wonder Ichijou's strong the way he is, having a sister like that.

"You don't have any siblings, right? Then you're eight years and four siblings too early to challenge me, Yoko-chan." And now the eldest sister observed while cracking her fingers, and getting closer to me at slow steps. "I've been living with those troublemakers and their shenanigans since day one. If you think you can stop me with mere punches and Martial arts, you're seriously mistaken!"

"Same goes for you, eldest Sister of Tsukino!"

And so, *BAM!*, we again clashed fists! I can't let them see my true nature, but the amount of sage arts I used in them was enough to knock some of them down with easy. However, Satsuki-san was the strongest of them all!

No wonder She's the eldest yet retains full control of all of them! Our match continue for a while, with us trading punches, kicks, drops and wrestling moves in high speed, and she taking all of my senjutsu-enhanced tricks at face-values, while I had to take those punches which were stronger than being hit by a truck! In the end, we both fell on the cold ground, looking up to the ceiling, and almost losing ourselves to the steam of the hot springs. Satsuki-san is... Too strong.

"You're... You're not bad, Yoko-chan." She said to me, sighing while putting herself on sit on the floor. I couldn't even lift a finger for that.

"You're... Strong, human. I should really practice more." I sighed, rolling myself to the direction of the springs, and letting myself sink on the waters. *SPLASH!*, I emerged not much later, splashing some water on my face. When I knew better, Satsuki-san was now sitting on the edge of the springs, looking at me with those chestnut eyes. Oh, here comes the complains. "Look, Satsuki-san..."

"Spare me, I don't want hear anything from you, Yoko-chan." She said with a lifted finger. Her stare suddenly mellowed out a little, and instead of anything else, she patted me on the head. Huh? What was that? "But I'll give you this: yes, I'm now trusting Ichijou for you, Akabane Yoko."

"...!"

"Hey, what's the idea, sis?!"

"She's right, sister of mine! Trust Ichijou for that cute, but still unknown foxy girl...!"

"Have you lost your mind, Gou-nee?"

"Enough." And before any of the sisters could retaliate back, the eldest one lifted one of her fingers in a silence gesture, and soon enough all of them stopped. After that, Satsuki-san turned to me, sighed, and flicked my nose! What's with the Tsukino and nose flicks?! "Now for you, Yoko-chan. While he's under the same roof as us, we'll still discipline him when we have the chance. However, since all of our schedules are full nowadays, I want you to take care of him during such meantimes."

"Humph...!" I puffed my cheeks. What, Ichijou is not some kind of dog! But I said nothing, only continued to stare back at her. The eldest one then jumped up and landed next to me on the springs.

"Take care of him, and try not to have your heart crushed. Believe it or not, Ichijou is very gullible. So try not to take some stuff he says into heart, he just doesn't understand sometimes. Feel free to hit him if he goes too far, though." She continued. She's not wrong about that part, I know this that much, but still, he's the one who hits me sometimes. So yeah, no problem there, I'm Happy to be accepted. However, in the end, she closed her eyes, and let herself sink into the waters. "Oh, and by the way, like I said before, he's unstable, so you can leave him whenever you want. If he starts to love you, and you decide to abandon him... I can only say he probably won't be the same, or anyone else, for the rest of his life, and we'll cease to have a brother. You still want to be part of his life?"

"..." I gulped down. I also know about this. But I want to part of his world, I want Ichijou to love me, even if a little, and I know he won't disappoint me. After all... I'm only his guardian spirit, and he'll love me... For only this. I sighed, and nodded. "Yes. Because... I love him very much, and I know that he loves me too. To abandon someone like him... I rather die."

"'Until death torn us apart'." Shion-san said sitting next to me, followed by the rest of her sisters. What's that? "That's... A western marriage vow, according to Mii-chan. In a way, our shitty father said those three times, and for the last two, he's still pretty alive. So words means nothing, Yoko-chan."

"Shut it, Shion-san." I said, and again the second eldest pouted, being teased by the other two. In the end, Satsuki-san patted me on the head, and helped me on the waters.

"Ah-ah... If you're willing to fight us, them we can trust you, Yoko-chan. Those others we scare away back when Ichijou was a brat have nothing on you. You're something else, indeed." She said. I dunno why, but that made me smile a little. "The only other problem here is Ichijou. Maybe he won't be as faithful..."

"Don't say that! I know Ichijou is very faithful and-...!"

"Nyaaaahoh, Ichijou-nyan! I felt you around here, so let's bath togeth-... Ah!"

"Eh...?"

"Hah...?"

"Arah...?"

"What in the world...?"

"Dah hell...?"

And then... Freeze. We all stopped to turn around and see of whom that new voice belonged to. And, for the love of the mother of the worst timings, there she was: the descendant of the previous white dragon emperor and the super black Nekoshou, wearing nothing but the layers on her skin and with the biggest smile on her face, only freezing In an awkward one once she noticed the rest of the sister back here. Her tail and ears soon buried back into her body, but the bigger damage was already done: she called for Ichijou... I slowly turned around for them, and as expected, a dark aura was surrounding them! Oh, the youkai humanity!

"Uuuuh~... Good afternoon, nyan... Ahahah..."

...

"When Ichijou comes back, I'll break his legs."

"And I'll dislocate his arms~!"

"Leave the punch in the face for me!"

"And the rest, I'll beat up."

"No! I won't allowed it! Leave him alone~!"

It looks like that, just like Ichijou, I don't have four housemates...

... I have four enemies!

---

Gosh, such a long chapter for it to be just filler, but at least I droped a new character and had fun with it. Things start to get more plot-relevant next chapter, so I hope you had fun with this and expect new turns of events! until then, stay golden~!