"Ara ara. Still asleep I see. It's morning you know, I wonder what it will take to wa-" The alarm's snooze button was now in its 10th day of abuse at the hands of one Hyoudou Issei. 'Fuck my everything hurts.' He thought to himself.

"You are too reckless," a feminine voice he recognized came from behind him, "thanks to Asia you were healed. I told you that I would not let you die." The voice said with clear concern. Issei then felt his body being turned around by the person. Lying in his bed was a naked Raynare in her Yuuma disguise. 'Why are you so willing to sacrifice everything for people who don't remember you, I do not get it' Raynare thought to herself. "What do you need I can offer you... What of me would get you to consider your actions and well-being?" The next part came as a whisper. "Tell me." She pleaded.

"Raynare..."

"I can't stand it... This feeling." She cupped his cheeks. She felt the pain coming from him or was it herself. In the next moment their lips were locked together, but something was off. Issei did not return the kiss like before. Raynare's heart sank as her thoughts raced. 'No no no... You can't.' Raynare felt a hand brushing her cheek. Tears she did not know she was shading were wiped away. "Is it her." A small voice escaped.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't, don't..." Issei was blown from the bed, and in the next moment Raynare stood in front of him a pure white Katana in her hand centimeters from his throat. She saw his eyes widen. Raynare had her six wings unfurled and two front horns in her disguised state. After seeing his face, the despair in it, her resolve went away she dropped to her knees grabbing a pair off his discarded clothes before running out of the room.

"..."

Before he knew it he was chasing after her. "Yuuma wait." no answer came from the girl now in just his favorite hoodie. She rounded the corner and down the stairs with Issei right on her tail. They ran past a blonde girl sporting long twin tails that Issei did not recognize in Kuoh Academy's uniform. As they were in front of the front door, Raynare's katana reappeared before hers and Issei's turned a pale blue when right before his eyes she disappeared in static. "Shit." Issei yelled to no one. 'Petra' Issei thought inwardly.

'Yes, master.' Issei heard a voice inside his head. 'Can you find Raynare for me and look after her for a while.' Thinking this, Petra appeared from his shadow in her lion form. 'And what of yourself, Issei-sama?' Issei paused for a minute before answering. 'Make sure she is okay, and after that come back to me with her preferably.'

'Understood.' Petra then moves towards the door phasing through it.

"Is there an issue? Issei-sama." The girl came from behind him, but when she finished a blade was at her chest. "Wait Issei-sama it's me. It's Mittelt."

Mittelt had a fearful expression, Issei seeing this dematerialized the sword relaxing a bit. "What are you doing here? And why are you in a Kuoh uniform?"

(...)

"Have something on your mind, Hyoudou?"

Issei looked over to his club advisor who was leading him through the home of her 'master'. She had been quiet until then, but he could feel her seemingly keeping an eye on him even when she hadn't given hints on the opposite. Deciding to answer her inquiry he spoke. "It's nothing, I feel as if this person isn't in the welcoming mood. I'm nervous about meeting them."

Elisabeth turned back matching his pace, before she placed a hand on his back in the effort to comfort him. "Don't worry, he is just a big teddy bear once you get to know him. Especially if he likes you." She said with a confident smile. "Plus you are one of my students and my kouhai now. So I wouldn't put you in a situation you couldn't handle."

'So it's him huh, I wonder what he wants. I was not on his radar until that whole incident with Riser and Rias' engagement.'

[Do you think it has to do with your new familiar?]

'I don't think so.' Issei thought about trying to figure out what his master's brother, one of the four great kings, would want with him. 'It is too early. I just made Petra mine, though it is not totally impossible. I doubt it though.'

[Whatever the case might be, keep your guard up. We are now in uncharted waters here]

'Right.'

"So Hyoudou, which do you like?"

"Excuse me." Issei was taken aback by the question posed, not really paying attention to the change in subject.

Elisabeth giggled before explaining further. "Hyoudou, which do you have feelings for Sugiyama or Yamamoto? I'm sure you have realised that they both have feelings for you." she stopped midway to their destination. "You can tell me... I won't say a word." She said with a sly smile and wink.

Pausing, Issei blinked at Elisabeth before answering. "I'm sorry to burst your bubble sensei, but I have a girlfriend. So..." In all honesty he did not know how he felt about Makoto and Mei. He liked them both, but would not call any feelings towards them romantic.

"Interesting, kind of unexpected. Buuuut not really something that I had ruled out." Elisabeth said with a thoughtful glance. "So who is the lucky lady... Let me guess it's Akeno isn't it?" Issei stopped dead in his tracks, Elisabeth seeing this made her smile grow larger. He took several moments to process what he heard. His face was bright red as he tried to come up with a retort. Failing, Issei remained silent. "I knew it... Her scent is all over you." Elisabeth said, putting her arm around him in a half hug. "I bet Lady Rias doesn't know. Isn't that right?" A nod came from the boy. "Like I said your secret is safe with me." She finished punctuating her statement with a mischievous grin.

The two came to a set of double doors in the current residence of Sirzechs Lucifer. Before opening Elisabeth looked at Issei with an apologetic expression. "We have to part ways for just a moment Hyoudou, I will not be long. I have other things to attend to, but I will be back soon." She said quickly, making an exit.

The doors open to reveal a large office, where Sirzechs was sitting at a desk on the other side of the room enjoying some tea. There were two other people with him, one standing behind him that Issei recognised as Sirzechs' wife Grayfia Lucifuge, but the other person surprised him. It was one Himejima Akeno in a shrine maiden outfit and her hair was down. Akeno when her red eyes met with Issei smiled, before he could say anything she closed the distance giving him a strong embrace, burying her face in the crook of his neck she greeted him. "Hi!" Not wanting to let go, Akeno only tightened her hold on him.

"I have read the reports on you and legends about the past dragon emperors luck with the opposite sex, but I did not expect you to have a hold on Himejima." Sirzechs said well, making his way to Issei, putting out a hand for him to shake. "I am Sirzechs Lucifer, you might be wondering why I summoned you here."

"That, and other things." He threw a side eye glance at Akeno who was now at his right side when Issei shook the man's hand, only now noticing that she had her hair down with her bow tied near its end right at her lower back.

Sirzechs made his way back to his desk motioning the two to follow him. "To make things simple I have summoned you here, because I have heard a lot of things about you. A pawn from my family's house who has two at minimum Longinus level sacred gear one being the Red Dragon Emperor's boosted gear. And not to mention the taming of the first king's familiar after millennia." Retaking a seat at his desk he continued. "You see why I would be wary of your involvement with the heir to my family."

"That is understandable, but why is Akeno-chan here?" Issei wondered.

"You just answered your own question..." Sirzechs replied, leaning forward in his chair. "One thing that I have issues comprehending is what the relationship between you is... I sense something other than camaraderie or romantic attachment connecting you together." He then turned to Akeno. "And why does a daughter of an angel and a human have Vlad Tepes' blood?"

Neither Issei or Akeno answered but had dark expressions on their faces. Taking the hint Sirzechs dropped the subject for now, that was when Elisabeth entered the room now dressed as a maid. Issei raised an eyebrow at her which she just waved at him before taking her spot at the opposite side of Grayfia behind the desk.

Akeno then took more pleasant features when she began speaking. "I have said before Issei got here, My history is none of your business." She said taking Issei's hand to the near inaudible squeal of the newcomer. "Neither is Issei's for that matter. But if you want to test our loyalties then go ahead."

Sirzechs rubbed his chin in thought before responding. "Your loyalty is not in question, but I do want to test Hyoudou's abilities to their fullest." Getting up from his seat he looked at Elisabeth. "Elisabeth I want you to have a sparring match with Hyoudou here, and you have my permission to promote yourself if necessary."

Licking her lips she looks at Issei with a sort of hunger and excitement. "It's been a while since I got a chance to cut loose." She continued to eye Issei. "From one pawn to another, do not hold back if you know what is good for you. I may not have sacred gear, but that does not mean I am any weaker."

The group made their way through the halls until they were in a large training facility runes and magic circles were scattered on the walls. Issei not wasting time produced the Boosted Gear. Akeno was the first to noticed thick gold circles around the green gems and for the first time she saw it white flakes decorated them. Waiting for the start of their bout the two pawns took their respective stances. Grayfia acting as the referee of the spar came to the middle of the room as Akeno and Sirzechs teleported to a room that overlooked the training facility. Sirzechs took a seat in one of the chairs as Akeno did the same. "This should be a bout to remember. This generation's Red Dragon against the underworld's regarded strongest pawn. What do you think Himejima? You obviously know him better then any of us here. Does my sisters newest piece have a chance in this contest?"

Thinking it over, Akeno answered. " I don't know what his current abilities in combat are, but I have learned that underestimating Issei is the worst thing you could do." She said, taking a brief pause. "If your pawn is going to do just that then he has already won."

"To have such faith in him is kind of refreshing. Especially when it comes from you." Replied Sirzechs with an amused tone. "I for one believe the inverse to be true."

"Then I guess Issei will surprise you."

Back in the training facility Grayfia looked at the two opponents before signaling for them to start. Issei had barely any time to react as he blocked a right aimed at his chest with the boosted gear. The punch sent him back a few meters.

[Boost!]

Not giving Issei any reprieve Elisabeth was on top of him again raining down blow after blow not giving any room for a counter attack. When Issei saw the opportunity he tried to gain some distance, but was quickly disappointed to find Elisabeth's left shin digging into his left side. The pain only came after he was sent flying, tumbling to the ground he grimaced, rubbing the point of impact.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

Issei slowly got up shaking off the pain and got back into his fight stance. Elisabeth taking this as a hint to continue again came into Issei's personal space with a left roundhouse aimed at his head, but to her surprise he had ducked it.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

Taking the chance he had made, Issei moved closer, the boosted gear making contact right at her side below the chest creating a magic circle on her outfit before it disappeared. Moving quicker now he got out of Elisabeth's striking range.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

"If you are just going to run. This will be super easy for me." Elisabeth was growing impatient with him not fighting back. "How about this if you are able to beat me today." Her voice becoming sultry in nature, fangs became more prominent. "I will give you a prize for your hard work, Issei." She said his name in a sing-song voice, giving him a wink with glowing red eyes.

[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!]

"[Promotion!]"

Issei got an image of an older Koneko in his head as the word 'Authority' came to him. He gave a grin, when he did he held the Boosted Gear up in a fist towards her. The symbol of a rook was glowing on the largest gem. "You are going to regret that sensei." he said, firing a blast.

[Final Dragon Wave!]

A large green beam hit Elisabeth hard. If she hadn't reacted by blocking she would have been in a lot of trouble. There were burns on her arms and the sleeves of her dress were mostly gone with what was left having evidence of being exposed to extreme heat. To everyone's surprise but Issei and Akeno the sound of Issei breaking the sound barrier could be heard. Not having the time to dodge Elisabeth parried a right hook centimeters from her face. She laughed at Issei's attempts, grinning at what she thought of him finally taking her seriously. "That's more like it. Shall we continue Issei." She happily said, her wounds healing.

"What?" A dumbfound Sirzechs looked down at Issei from the viewing area.

Akeno giggled. "I told you that if you underestimate him, that was the last thing you want to do."

Back to the fight the two were currently in a stare down. Elisabeth's fingers twitched, Issei seeing this went on offence again. This time Elisabeth was ready moving her head out of the way countering by hooking his right arm with hers sweeping his leg. Losing his balance Issei used his momentum to flip out of it, then using this he grappled his way out and fired off a point blank Final Dragon Wave at her side.

Elisabeth gasped for air as the large chunk missing from her side healed. When it did, Issei was on top of her, throwing quick strikes and trading blows with her. Although their battle was back and forth, the fact that Elisabeth was healing from her injuries and Issei wasn't was a deciding factor. Issei was now on the back foot, slowing down from his wounds. 'I didn't want to do this but I need to do something.' Issei got enough room to put what he had planned into action. The magic circle returned, and Issei snapped his boosted gear clad fingers.

[Dress Break!]

In an instant all of Elisabeth's clothes disintegrated, Issei capitalizing on the confusion, mimicking the takedown he had done on Mei the other day, a naked Elisabeth was pinned to the ground. Elisabeth had an amused toothy grin before shifting her weight grabbing a tight hold on the boosted gear wrapping her legs around his neck in a triangle choke. "Well that was unexpected yet not surprising at all. You are as much of the pervert that I thought you were." She said to the barely conscious Issei. The fading boy hadn't given up yet.

[Balance Breaker!]

Issei's eyes glowed as his body was covered in full red dragon-scale armor. Unfurling white wings he began lifting Elisabeth off the ground, one armed with some effort on his part before slamming her on her back. The impact caused the protections in the room to flickered in and out of existence, a layer of Ice forming in the crater left behind. Elisabeth's hold only began to tighten further. Issei's armor began to show cracks on its surface. Issei tried again and repeated his action this time having the effect of the impact taking out all of the protections and destroying half the room, but Elisabeth's grip did not loosen. In the next second the boosted gear's balance breaker completely shattered. Issei not seeing a way out of it materialized Sarinna's blade stabbing his opponent in the shoulder.

The two separated after a sharp cry of pain from Elisabeth quickly healing from the wound. Issei envisioned a blue-haired woman with blonde highlights as his hand tightened around his katana. Elisabeth for her part threw a quick glance at Grayfia as bat wings sprouted from her back, as lighting danced around her. Grayfia, deciding the situation was getting too dangerous , spoke up. "That's enough, you two. If I let this go any further one of you might regret your actions." She said, returning Elizabeth's glance.

At that Issei dropped laying on his back breathing heavily a white mist being produced with every breath. Elisabeth came up to Issei offering a hand in his formally discarded uniform blazer, he took her hand getting pulled as he stood a bit taller then she was. Taking one look at her his face became flash at her state of dress. Tilting her head, she then questioned his sudden embarrassment. "You just made me naked and now you are acting like it bothers you?... Fine, give me your shirt."

"Uh excuse me?"

"Your shirt now."

Taking off his surprisingly intact uniform shirt he handed it to Elisabeth when she offered him a sweet smile. "You know you caught me off guard there, Issei. I have never had someone who would keep up with me like you had. Let alone destroy multiple spells that Grayfia has casted." Grayfia was indifferent. She walked over to Grayfia now in Issei's uniform shirt. "What do you think Gray, he has earned his prize, don't you think?"

Grayfia just scoffed and then walked away. Moments later Sirzechs and Akeno teleport into the room. Akeno rushed over and checked on Issei. He had cuts and bruises littered around his body, but found no serious external injury. Sirzechs got the group's attention before speaking. "I have satisfied some of my inquiries about you." He paused. "But I do have a request I want to ask you in return for my silence and my support."

"And that is?" Akeno asked.

"Keep my sister in mind, and support her. She trusts you Himejima, and as for you Hyoudou I can trust you will keep her safe." Sirzechs requested in a serious and stern tone. The two in question nodded in return. "Good, that concludes my business with the both of you." Say their goodbyes Issei and Akeno teleported out via magic circle leaving the adult in the partially destroyed room.

"Well I have assignments to grade. I should probably get on top of that." Elisabeth yarn making. Her way out.

"Wait." Sirzechs said, turning to face Elisabeth. "You were holding, why?"

Elisabeth looked mock offended but took an inquisitorial expression. "He was too, besides it's not like I was trying to kill him, Zechs."

"And his power is more destructive than it first appeared to be. If it had gone on this whole area might have been nothing but a memory." Grayfia added while looking at Elisabeth irritated at the events of the fight. "His power seems to still be developing, he is only going to get stronger from here."

"He will be a great asset in the future for Rias, Elisabeth?"

"Yes sir."

"Keep an eye on him, Riser's insistence for Rias' hand is going to only grow bolder and I doubt mother and father are going to continue blocking his advances once the possible union is in the open."

(...)

'How is it that I keep getting myself in these situations?' Issei asked himself. He was currently in a booth of a local diner looking at a confused Asia Argento. She was currently staring at a hamburger and fries unsure on how to tackle the meal. Issei, taking the hint, picked up his hamburger and took a bite.

Seeing how Issei ate his, Asia took her very own burger and took a bite for herself. She had a large smile plastered on her face as she took another bite. "It's delicious."

The action brought a smile to Issei's face. Deciding to strike up a conversation, Issei asked her a question. "By the way, why were you at that park?"

Asia seemed taken aback by the question but answered. "Well, I was on my way back from doing grocery shopping and decided to take a break." She said with a sad smile. "Um, then I saw you, so..."

Issei didn't like the look on her face. 'We're supposed to confront that sicko priest today if I remember right, did something happen,' he thought.

[Keep in mind you did not have a Familiar yet, and the Occult Research Club wasn't working directly with the Student Council either.]

'You think us being here changed that or something'

[That could be a possibility, or we just got swept up in the natural order of things.]

'That means our knowledge is good for nothing... Great.' He turned to Asia, her solemn expression pressed on, and he didn't like it. "Asia."

Startled Asia replied. "Uh...Yes."

Raising his fist in the a with an excited smile he said. "Let's play to our hearts' content today!"

Looking shocked for a moment she looked down at her food with a flushed face and returned the smile. "Sure." She said nervously.

Quickly finishing their food Issei grabbed Asia by the hand, picking up more than his fair share of her grocery bags, and took off to the arcade he and his friends usually frequent. Spending a couple hours there Issei emptied his wallet on the games, both of them seemingly having fun. Asia near the end saw a mouse-like pocket monster in the claw machine. It had yellow fur and had red ears with plus symbols on both of it's cheeks inside red patches and had a companion creature who was similar, but blue features instead of red and minus where the pluses are. She gave Issei a pleading look, and Issei not wanting to disappoint gave it his best shot. After several tries and begging bystanders for money he was able to get the mice for Asia, she gave him the minus one to keep despite his protest.

Returning to the park they met Issei sat down at a bench exhaustion clear on his face. He was still in his school uniform but now wearing the P.E top. He was still feeling the after effects of his 'spar' with Elisabeth. Akeno healed most of the damage he took but not all of it. So when he moved to get comfortable he winced from the pain. Asia noticed and decided to ask. "You're hurt, aren't you." She noticed how he was favoring his ribs since they met up.

Issei chuckled trying to dismiss her concern. "It is nothing, I just got into an accident at school. The nurse said I should be fine after resting." But Asia was not buying it.

"Let me take care of it."

"Y-yeah."

Both making sure no one was around, Issei took off his shirt revealing a huge bruise where Elisabeth had kicked him; he had several broken ribs. Asia sat next to him on the bench and started healing his wounds. After she was done she let out a small smile. "There, that wasn't that hard...and if you ever need..." Her face turned a tint of red. "Me again. Don't be a stranger. What are friends for right?!" After she finished Asia noticed the similar change in color, and was overjoyed that he felt the same way.

[Issei, head's up]

"I have been looking all over for you, Asia." Raynare stood in front them arms crossed, taking a moment to admire Issei's shirtless physique.

"Raynare-sama!"

Issei stiffened up and gave Raynare a disapproving look. Only to relax when she winked at him, turning her attention to Asia she spoke again. "You weren't home so I came looking for you."

Asia nervously looked in between the two. When she spoke her voice was small. "I went to buy some food so I can make supper for you as thank you for inviting me to your home. And I lost track of time."

Raynare came up and hugged her. Asia sank into the embrace. "Thank you, but you didn't have to. I wouldn't want you to stay with that idiot of a priest any longer than you had to." She said, pretending to just see Issei, she made an effort to acknowledge him. "And who is this?"

"This is Issei Hyoudou... The boy that showed me to the church the other day..." Turning to Issei she introduced Raynare. "This is Yuuma Amano. I am going to be living with her from now on."

"It's a pleasure, Hyoudou." Raynare greeted Issei not letting go of Asia.

"Likewise." Issei said with a nod.

"I know, why don't you join us for dinner. I'm sure Asia is willing to make enough for the three of us." Raynare said with an embarrassed Asia nodding in her embrace. Issei apologised and declined. Raynare let go of the young blonde, picking up the grocery bags with Asia picking up the stuffed animal Issei won for her. "Final call, are you sure you don't want to come?"

A/N: Edit 2021-08-21: Typos