BOLD - Issei Speaking

Chapter 8 - Ideal and The Real

The door slammed open. "Issei! You're ok! Thank Azazel you're ok!" The tiled light blue infirmary walls shook from the force of the door being slammed open. Issei was sitting upright in his infirmary bed with hospital clothes on.

"What… why are you here? What happened to me-" Issei exclaimed when the fallen angel interjected, "I ran here with you. You suddenly passed out, and… and... I felt like I needed to take you. Issei. All I want is for you to be safe and happy. Just please, go out with me once!"

"I… I just don't know. Am I just supposed to forget my parents abandoning me, leaving me at a hospital without a goodbye? Am I just supposed to forget those years of suffering without a single person to turn to, just because you want to go out with me?!" Issei vigorously roared.

"I'm not asking you to forget anything. All I'm asking for is a chance. I… went through the same pain you did." The black-haired girl got up and closed the door. "I want to show you, and tell you who I really am."

"All you want is a chance? Why go through all of this just for me? You didn't want me to harm myself, you took care of me when I passed out, why? Nobody has ever been that kind to me.." Issei cried out, hoping for a genuine response.

Silence emanated in the room for a couple of minutes.

"Hey, do you believe in Angels? If I were just a normal human, there would be Angels protecting me right? How come… How come there isn't an Angel protecting me?" Issei asked. The girl's eyes widened, 'does he know?' she thought. She then realized that Issei's expression was a genuine one, and wasn't a ploy to get her to reveal herself.

Her face became light red, as her eyes narrowed in surprise. A gust blew in from the open window on Issei's left side, pushing the girl's hair over her face. 'This kid is absolutely adorable. He couldn't be closer to the truth.'

"Well, I think there is. I think her name might be… hm… Raynare." The black hair girl sarcastically retorted to Issei.

"Well… I don't know too much about Angels or Devils, but all I know is that… Well… I was abandoned. My parents abandoned me when I was 5 years old. I was treated as a monster at my school, nobody caring about my well-being at all. Not even the teachers." Issei reasoned.

This was obviously a lie so the girl wouldn't know he's supernatural.

"If I'm going to be honest with you, I don't really know what to do. I want to be with someone I trust, someone that I care about, and that person would care about and trust me the same. That's my ideal. I've pushed this ideal away, in order to keep myself safe from the loss. I don't want that happening again... It's a simple, small wish, but it's taken my life from me. But you. You've watched me, cared about me, and even saved me. I just… don't understand. Why?"

"It's because…" She didn't want to reveal her identity, but she had no choice. If she wanted to convince Issei that she genuinely cared about him, she couldn't afford to lie to him.

8 fallen angel wings sprouted from the girl's back, as her voice slightly matured. Her jawline and general demeanor matured a bit too, almost as if this was her unmasked self.

"This… this me. This is what being abandoned did to me. Left me with black wings, and a black heart. I… saw you crying, and it reminded me of how horrible and terrible I felt when my wings turned from golden to black. But anyway, I'm… well… your angel. You probably hate me, knowing that I'm a Fallen Angel..." the black-haired girl stated, in her matured glory.

Issei was in awe. Eyes widened, jaw dropped, cheeks narrowed. Issei was in awe of the beauty of the glimmering black wings.

"So pretty…" Issei murmured softly. Raynare's face turned completely crimson. Whenever someone saw her wings, they would be terrified, but no… this boy was different. He thought they were pretty. Raynare's world completely flipped.

They were absolutely beautiful to him, but there was something else that Raynare said that triggered his response. Issei couldn't withhold the tears that welled upon his face. They rolled and rolled, not dissimilar to a flood. Not because she was a fallen angel. Not because of her changed appearance. Because she was the same as him. She was abandoned by God.

"Raynare… you really were abandoned by God? Weren't there other Angels that would've… you know… helped you?" Issei asked, attempting to completely drive off any sensation of ulterior motive. The reality was, Issei wanted to be with Raynare, but his past chained him like a metal weight drowning him in the ocean.

"Really? That's what you're surprised at? For a human who knows magic, I can only expect as much" Raynare retorted, followed by a chuckle. Of course, she was incorrect in assuming Issei was human, but it worked in his favor, so Issei didn't interject. He just pretended like he didn't hear that part.

"To answer your question, none. As soon as my wings changed color, all of the angels hissed at me in disgust. In fact, many even tried to kill me. I couldn't even bond with other fallen angels, as I fell with 8 wings, making me stronger than all of them, except Azazel. That guy somehow got 12 wings, but I'm a high-ranking Fallen Angel. Everyone resented me. All ranks did. To them, I was just some slutty whore who came down from heaven while bragging about my power. All I wanted was someone who understood how much that hurt. So yeah. On the inside, I'm a total mess. The only reason I'm not in tears right now is because of you." Raynare attentively responded.

Issei began to realize what she meant. They were both abandoned, with nobody that understood them. "Raynare... I'm sorry for rejecting you. I would love to be with you." Issei said aloud. He regained some of his social confidence towards Raynare at least.

Issei had this quality that, whenever he was reminded he was accountable for something, he would apologize, wearing a genuinely sorry expression.

"Thank you, Issei! I promise I will protect you!" Raynare exclaimed throughout the room, retracting her fallen angel wings. "Also, you're wings are really pretty. They're so sharp, yet have this elegance that makes me want to hug 'em." Issei said to Raynare, in an attempt to compliment her after making her go through her past. Raynare's face was red. She had no clue how to handle this.

'He is so adorable!' Raynare was shouting in her mind.

"Well, for now, I should probably get home. Thank you… so much Raynare. You saved me." Issei politely remarked. The one thing Issei didn't tell her was that if she hadn't interjected like that, he would have hung himself. Raynare literally saved his life.

"Well, I'll walk you home now. You just got up from the hospital, of course, I'll be with you. From now on, we'll be together." This comforted Issei. He felt feelings he hadn't felt… ever. It was… well… love. Of course, he couldn't admit this to himself, so it'd take some time before he'd confess.

Raynare had a spare school uniform from her school ready. It was a men's outfit she had materialized while she waited for Issei's recovery. Raynare didn't mention it, but she waited in the lobby the whole time Issei was out. The whole time.

Raynare helped the groggy Issei up and escorted him to the restroom along with handing him the outfit. After walking down winding and twisting hallways, with people being carried around on stretchers, they finally reached the restroom. The door was pitch white, with a blue circle and an imprint of a man marked on it.

"Be quick, ok Issei?" Raynare asked Issei as Issei began to shut the restroom door. "I-um yeah I'll be right out." 'Well, I can't complain. She saved my life, so I guess I owe her… I owe her my life.' Issei thought, not regretting his choice to be with Raynare.

Issei walked out of the restroom. He was clad in a red uniform, with the "Shyujin Academy" crest embroidered in gold on the chest. He also wore long brown skinny jeans that really emphasized his ripped legs and big ass.

Raynare, greeted by Issei, with his medium-length brown hair, golden eyes, ripped baud that protruded through the uniform, began to blush. She had no clue he was this… fine.

"You ok?" Issei worriedly asked Raynare, tilting his head to his right. "I'm fine. You just look really… really cute with that outfit," Raynare responded.

"Wow… thanks! I haven't really gotten compliments on my looks directly from anyone, so thanks!" Issei blushed as he remarked. Issei was extremely oblivious to the fact that nearly every girl at his school wanted him for his body.

'He's soo cute! I can't wait to see him embarrassed. I'm going to drive him nuts, just for that look.' Raynare thought to herself, fitting of a Fallen Angel.

"Well, let's take you home. You know magic right? I sensed you using it the other day when you took a magic circle home." Raynare responded. 'Wait, does she know that I'm a dragon? I sure as fuck hope not! Whatever, can't do anything about it now.' Issei thought to himself, drifting off.

"Wake up, silly. Stop daydreaming. I was gonna say 'let's take a magic circle home', but if you want to spend a little more time together…" Raynare began to state as Issei interjected, "What's a little walk gonna hurt? Sure, I'm hungry and thirsty from not eating or drinking for 5 whole days, but I'm fine. I'll grab a bag of chips and some water on our way out." Raynare smiled, happy that his feelings were mutual.

Issei and Raynare waited in line for some bottled water and chips. Dying for some small talk, Issei asked, "Do you want me to call you Raynare-san? Raynare~chan? Raynare? Or Ray?" Raynare returned a blush. Nobody had asked her these kinds of questions. Then she thought, 'Ray… that sounds cute.' After Issei looked at her, concerned for her long response time, she responded, "Ray's cute! Call me Ray!" Issei felt warm inside. He had someone he could call intimate in his life, knowing her for only 30 minutes. It was a literal miracle as if an angel had planned it all.

All they had were Lays Pickle Flavor and Sweet Chilli Fritos, which they had in surplus. Obviously, it was a snack nobody liked, but Issei never tried either. That's a hospital for you, always out of good snacks.

Ray snarled at the horrendous selection of snacks and ultimately told Issei, who was torn on which to get, to take the Sweet Chilli Fritos. She then asked for a bottle of water, when the lady working at the cafeteria put a bottle of Dasani water on the counter. "Dasani? That's all? What company in their right mind buys Dasani water!? You could literally get sewer water and it'd taste better!" Raynare snarled at the old attendee.

"Ma'am, I'm not a fan of Dasani either. I just work here. Your total will be 807.5 Yen (7 USD) please." The attendee responded. "800 yen? For this? You're out of your mind? This should cost 400 tops!" She snarled. The attendee responded, "I hate it as much as you do, deary. Could you pay up, you're holding up the line." There were 15 people behind them in line. Issei stood completely quiet and still thinking, 'She's gonna kill me someday.

"Ugh fine, I'll pay the money. Only because Issei's pretty much dying. Ugh!" Raynare snarled as she pulled 810 Yen from her pocket. She got her change back, grabbed Issei by the arm, and attempted to walk off.

Unfortunately for her, Issei's draconic instincts immediately ripped his arm out of Ray's grip, leaving her confused. "Issei… let's go." Issei began to get worried as he is making all of the wrong indicators, and is practically telling her he is a dragon.

Fortunately, she hadn't caught on yet. The two walked outside and began walking to Issei's house. While walking, Issei took the first bite of the Fritos and was immediately repulsed by the taste. "Who thought it was a good idea to make this!" Issei roared with a disgusted look on his face. "You see why I was mad? I paid 800 fuckin' yen for that garbage." "Oh well. Surely the water couldn't be bad. It's water for fucks sakes." Issei then ripped the top off of the bottle and took a sip of the water. "Who the fuck makes this shit!?" Issei roared with a tense, disgusting face. He could literally taste the plastic.

"800 yen," Raynare responded. "Yeah, I see the fuss. But I feel bad for the lady, not like she was in charge of the place." Issei responded, hoping to get an apology out of Ray. "Yeah, my fault. I have a short temper," Ray responded.

Issei finished off the Fritos and the water, the only saving grace of the situation being the fact that Ray was so cute.

Whenever Issei would look into her eyes, he would blush. He would stare at her, like a deer in the headlights. Issei just thought she was so… pretty. Obviously, his draconic instincts were telling him to... get down with her, but he suppressed those feelings in order to savor the moment.

Issei and Raynare walked side by side, talking about supernatural stuff, and became close. About an hour and a half passed, as the sun finished setting and the sky was dark. Issei and Ray approached Issei's house, as Ray began to say her goodbyes. But, due to their enhanced hearing, they heard something they wouldn't expect.

"Our worthless 'son' of ours. He's just gotten worse and worse. When we took him in, I thought he would be useful to the name Hyodou. Not, besmirch it with his always depressed wishy-washy attitude. I'm this close to pulling the plug on him, and making him homeless," what sounded like Issei's mother spoke.

The looks on Raynare's face was of surprise. Her jaw dropped, seemingly down to the underworld. Her eyes widened, as she was blown completely away. She knew that the boy had nobody but his parents, but now… his parents were abandoning him a second time.

Issei on the other hand was completely in shock. He maintained a steady face, but it cracked. His eyes began to twitch, changing between a desperate cry and a face of pure rage. Blood vessels began to pop. Issei was about to blow. He was done. He gave up. He had no clue how to feel, so he fell to his knees, trying to think up reasons they would say that.

"Now ma, don't you think you're being a bit harsh on the boy? I mean, he's a mess. A real big mess. I see where you're coming from, but I think it's time we confront him. Depending on his answer, we'll let him stay or kick him out. Actually, I take that back. He's not only been a thorn in my side, but he passed out and slept for days because of depression. What failure we've raised."

Raynare's look of confusion dissolved, as a look of pure anger surfaced. 'How… How could they do this… To my beloved! The sweetest man to meet the Earth. He lost his real parents, and now his foster parents do this!?' She roared internally. Raynare's face snapped. Blood vessels popped. Her thin eyebrows began forcing their way into her sightline, due to the furious expression on her face. She was about to go in a frenzy.

Issei, on the other hand, relinquished all control. A barrier went up around the house, removing all people within it, Raynare and Issei's parents aside. The barrier went on in a 10-mile radius, leaving many people confused as to why they were on the street. That was the last shred of sanity Issei had, before deciding to lose it. He was about to destroy everything.

CHAPTER END

Wow, that was a dark ending. WOW! Sorry, these dark chapters are expository in nature but are meant to be exciting. I know this chapter was kind of long, but that's because I included bits like the whole Dasani and Fritos thing. I'll talk about that later.

2 Chapters within 24 Hours. I've had nothing to do today, so why not write some more! I don't really care about popularity, just read at your own pace, and enjoy :)

Next Time on Issei: The Pureblooded Hot Dude - Ray will find out Issei's secret, and come to her senses. She will do everything in her power to stop Issei from destroying everything, but will that be enough? Find out next time on Issei: The sexy dragon.

Seriously though, that was a dark fucking chapter. That ending spooked the shit out of me when I came up with it when writing the previous chapter. All the burden is on Raynare to overcome Issei in a contest of emotion. Love vs. Hate.

Aside from the next chapter, which will be Raynare stopping Issei from… well destroying everything in a 10-mile radius (within the barrier), no more dark chapters (abt Issei of course. Rias' story with Riser counts as dark, and that's getting included, soooo, idk what to tell you)

Ok, the fritos and dasani. I was trying to think of ways to build Ray and Issei's relationships up in such a short time, before this emotional catalyst for destruction. What better way to bond over something that pissed me off the other day. I went to an AM PM, while on my way home from Skiing with my friends (a 2-hour drive). (AM PM is a gas station minimart) They were out of literally every beverage except Dasani water. And as for chips, they were out of every chip flavor other than Lays Pickle Flavor (what kind of sick bastard would make this) and Fritos Sweet Chilli. What's wrong with these stores man.

Well, thanks for reading this chapter. Hope it wasn't too dark for you, but I think this darkness is pivotal to Issei's "rehabilitation", and it will end soon, don't worry.

Thanks for sticking with me, and I appreciate the amount of support you guys have been giving me! Of course, lots of sexy sex scenes are coming, so don't count those out! Aight, thanks for reading, and see you next time!