Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!
helios darkus; They probably wouldn't, though Haruki will work hard, and gain his High Class status eventually. Yeah, he'd have achievements like that considering that he'll be apart of Serafall's peerage. Haha, I'm sure he'd enjoy having a squad quite like that~ He could have a nickname like that~ Absolute Demise will have some fun interactions with Haruki and the group. He will have an evolution with his Longinus, more so than his Balance Breaker.
Cboylan; Yeah, they'd definitely have quite the competitive stuff between them.
MDM11; Probably not that early, but the lesser ones of them possible. Katerea would be pretty fun. Him being friends with Crom could be cool yeah~
Clarent excalibur; That's a pretty cool peerage! Those sound like great ideas~ No worries~ Thanks for the vote!
Andrew123456; Thanks very much! Those could be cool~ Thanks for the votes!
Great Manda; Yup! They surely did! It's going to be quite fun to see where it goes~
Isao Gin; He could be yeah. Thanks very much! She probably wouldn't, that would bring a whole new meaning to rivalry~
Guest 1; Yeah, they're together~ I can imagine Isane and Haruki having quite fun interactions~
Morregan; Yeah, they've come together again~ Haruki definitely will be doing stuff this chapter, maybe his ice doll will appear~ I hope you enjoy the chapter!
raio10; Thanks very much! Yeah, his peerage is going to be quite fun to build~ It's going to be DxD characters only.
Dipsyy; Thanks!
OechsnerC; Thanks for the vote! It's going to be quite the battle~
Skull Flame; It seems that Riser might be~ Suou's a bit more layered huh. He did yeah, some secrets Suou doesn't want to be revealed. Glad to know you are~
Fairyfiction21; Thanks for the votes!
Jp18rc; Thanks for the vote!
Yuu-Alter; Thank you for the vote!
darkjason78; Issei will become Isane if fem Issei is the winner. Hope that clears it up a bit for you.
Crenin; Thanks for the vote! Yeah, it would be fun huh~?
Legend3881; There will be. I did consider them, but those Sacred Gears wouldn't work with Haruki and I'm not sure what kind of power that Sacred Gear would have.
ShadowUzumaki55; Yeah, seems that it won~ It's going to be rather difficult~ Riser does seem to hold some fear for Haruki now. Thanks for the vote! Yeah, if Isane was, Rias would be with Haruki also.
Guest 2; I'd have to brush up on Soul Eater, but I do like the series so thanks for the suggestion! Crona could be taken either way since it wasn't confirmed, and I do like Crona also.
Silver crow; Thanks for the vote! Suou has a few things going for him. Yeah, he's got conflicting feelings about his Father. Yeah, Haruki doesn't care about being a Fallen Angel. I guess it is, that's implied due to what he said to Akeno. Suzaku will appear. He enjoys Serafall quite a bit yeah~ He had some fun with Sona huh. Right now, Akeno wouldn't approach a Devil as Haruki said. That's Ravel for you~ Yeah, seems Riser is feeling a bit worried. It's to show the lengths Suou's willing to go to get what he desires. They will. Yup, they met one another again alright~ Yeah, even Suou knows Serafall is stronger than him. Suou will see a lot of things next chapter. He will gain more wings as he grows through the story. Absolute Demise will be appearing. He'll be making weapons out of all sorts of his powers. It's more of playing than mocking, all to do with his sadistic tendencies. He'll certainly be doing a good deal with Serafall yeah. I'm sure Serafall will drag him into her show eventually. We'll see what he can do with Absolute Demise. Thanks for the suggestions! I don't know if Lavinia would have that. Yeah perhaps~ He might fight Katerea for Serafall. He could do that yeah. Maybe his aura could be wild. Gabriel and Haruki's relationship is going to be fun. Maybe he might do.
Guest 3; Thanks for the vote!
DxDL; Thanks for the vote! He will be helping Kuroka.
Guest 4; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 5; He has Absolute Demise who might be causing some pain this chapter~
Guest 6; Yeah, I could do a story like that one day~
Guest 7; He would be yeah. Thanks for the vote! Yeah, it would be something different and fun~
ld9676112; It wont be huge.
Arondight888; Thanks! Thank you for voting! That looks like a pretty cool peerage!
Guest 8; Thanks for the vote!
123; Thanks for voting!
Kaiser Umbra; Thanks for the votes! That could be an ongoing joke yeah~
JUSTSOMEP3RSON; Thanks very much! Ingvild could be a cool one yeah, thanks for the suggestion!
Guest 9; Yeah, that could be a good way to distinguish between the pair of them. Haruki and Baraqiel's relationship is going to be rather interesting to explore as the story goes on.
Lightwave; Those stories will come one day, this one happened to win for now. I'm glad you like it~ Suzaku is yeah, she doesn't want either Haruki or Akeno to have to suffer. It's going to be interesting to explore their dynamics as the story goes. Ooh yeah, it will be something of a running gag with Riser. Thanks for the votes!
Guest 10; Haha, that would be pretty funny~
Guest 11; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 12; Thanks for the votes. Vali might be a peerage member.
Guest 13; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 14; That would be cool, a Saiyan raised by Namekians. Launch didn't deserve to be forgotten I agree, she was a fun character, I liked how she switched back and forth, both personalities had some interesting quirks to them. I could see Chichi doing stuff like that, thanks for the suggestion!
Guest 15; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 16; Thank you for the votes!
Hope; Thanks for the vote!
Nothing; Thanks for the votes!
Guest 17; That would be a cool concept. I probably will do a Harry Potter fanfic one day since I do like the series quite a bit. Yeah, he'd be with Luna. He could have Harry's back yeah, be there for a support for him. He could be in Ravenclaw.
Guest 18; Thanks for the vote!
Guest X; Thanks! Something like that yeah.
Well, with those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Reuniting siblings part two!
Roaming around the area that she lived, Suzaku found it odd that she couldn't find anyone really there.
She knew that there were some meetings that day, so she thought she'd see Suou around somewhere.
But nothing.
Becoming more curious, she searched around the area.
But couldn't find them.
Becoming worried that Suou might have found Akeno or Haruki, she desperately searched for any information on where they'd be...
That's when she found a letter within the sacred shrine.
It was addressed to her, and it was from Suou.
Reading the contents on the letter, she had mixed feelings of horror, and worry.
"Suou-sama...no..."
She bit her lower lip, sucked in her worries, and got ready to see if there was anything she could do.
Staring down Suou Himejima, Haruki and Akeno tightened their gaze on him.
Akeno glanced down at the small oni's that were frozen in fright due to what was going on.
She knew this was a desperate situation, a situation that they didn't have much hope of surviving.
"Children, I have thought for a long time about this, the best way to deal with this situation, and this is the only outcome that I can see. Shuri married a Fallen Angel, she brought blood such as yours within ours, it had to end this way. You gave me more trouble than I had ever imagined, Haruki."
Haruki shook his head.
"Well, then my plan worked then didn't it? I had you running rings for over a year, you never could track us down. We were able to evade you."
Suou didn't like the smile on Haruki's face.
In fact, he was nervous on what this child could do to him.
Forgetting about the power Haruki had, the knowledge he had come bring down Himejima.
"Listen child, the information you have, you're going to tell me where it is. Any copies you have, then I'll give you a peaceful death."
Haruki huffed.
"Yeah right, the insurance for me and Onee-sama means that I'll be keeping it to myself, and any copies that I have out there. As I said, you kill us, Himejima ends with us. Be wise and think before making a move."
Akeno listened to what Haruki said.
He had planned to be the one that got attacked.
The lengths that he had gone too,
Suou's hand waved forward, and he created a Chinese firebird within the air, while Haruki summoned his Holy Lightning.
"Then child, it's time to show you the power of Himejima!"
Suou placed one of his hands outwards, and called forth the powers of the firebird to increase. Haruki saw that the bird was increasing in size. The heat coming off it was burning the ground below, and even causing the air to heat up to extreme levels.
Akeno was beginning to feel it deep within her, the air that she breathed in was burning for her.
Haruki also felt it, but he didn't allow himself to be ruled by the pain that he felt.
He embraced it, and was willing to fight through it to the point that he'd be able to fight even while in extreme pain from just breathing.
"Be burnt to an inch of your life with these flames, boy."
Haruki knew that if he went down, Akeno would soon follow.
He wouldn't allow that after all of the time he had spent looking for her.
He wouldn't let her die.
"Akeno-nee-sama, I need you to run as far as you can. Get to the edge of this barrier, I'll try my best to bring it down. Then run, and find Serafall Leviathan-san. She'll protect you...I know that she will. We might've known one another for a short amount of time...but she's a good person Onee-sama."
Akeno gasped.
It was like that night.
The first time that they had been separated was like this.
Suou was there, with his flames.
Haruki was there, with his Holy Lightning.
Members of the Himejima clan were there along with some outside magicians, ready to attack.
She couldn't abandon her brother.
"No Haruki! I'm your Onee-sama! It's my job to make sure you're safe!"
Akeno said with a strong look on her face.
Haruki glanced towards her, and gently smiled.
"Onee-sama...always worrying about me. Even when we were young, you worried about me. When I hurt my knee, Onee-sama, and Kaa-chan were always there to make sure I was okay...always making sure I was safe Onee-sama...it's a reason why I truly do love you Onee-sama. The kind and gentle, yet cool sadistic Onee-sama that I'm proud to have."
Akeno felt touched by his words.
It was one of the reasons she couldn't go, she refused to leave.
"Haruki, you always were too adventurous. Always wanting to explore, and see new things. If you die here, then you wont be able to see new things."
Haruki gave a hollow laugh.
"And if I don't stop them here, then you'll die Onee-sama. You wont be able to live happily."
"I wont live happily if I'm not with you, Haruki!"
"...You will Onee-sama, because you're strong...stronger than you know. This year has been hell Onee-sama...without you, Kaa-chan...it was horrible. Nearly everyone I came across, hated my existence...but, I always knew that I had my Onee-sama out there, waiting for me to find her. So, I'll do what I can to protect Onee-sama now. You say that its your job to make sure I'm safe...but, I know Kaa-chan would want me to make sure you're safe too. So please...just run now."
Akeno was bewildered with his dedication to keep her safe, even at the cost of his own life.
It only made her love him more.
She then saw him charging Suou, and shoot off a heavy dense Holy Lightning.
The Holy Lightning wasn't something to laugh at.
Even Suou looked shocked at the output.
"Damn...the size of the power...still, I wont go down."
But he moved his firebird in the way, and tanked the shot, creating an explosion. The firebird had a huge hole in it from Haruki's attack, but the flames reformed as the magicians fired their magic towards Haruki's body.
Haruki coated his body in Holy Lightning, and burst it forward, creating an all direction wave of it, to take down the magic's being sent at him. Mostly, they were elemental magic's, but Haruki's lightning smashed through them and continued to the enemies bodies.
"S-Shit!"
"This kids power is stronger than we had expected…!"
"Don't lose composure! Defend!"
The magicians threw up a barrier, and blocked off the lightning. But there were heavy cracks within the barriers the magicians formed, immensely surprising Akeno.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Gathering a dense Holy Lightning within his hand, he shot it for Suou who allowed his firebird to unleash a wave of destructive flames. The flames scorched the earth, and caused Akeno to feel the intense flames from where she was.
But still, Haruki took on the destructive flames, and allowed his lightning to erupt inside of the flames, dispersing them a good deal, but they still came for him, so Akeno saw him sticking out his hand, and summoning defensive magical circle.
She was shocked.
She didn't know that he knew some magic.
The circle however was encompassed by the flames, and broke through, but by that small amount of time, it allowed Haruki to concentrate Holy Lightning into his hands, and shoot it like an arrow for Suou Himejima.
Suou growled, and forced the firebird to become a shield for him, generating another explosion, that pushed Suou back a little bit.
As it did, Haruki turned to Akeno, who wasn't moving.
"Onee-sama! Please, run now! While I can hold him off! He's still stronger than the current me! You need to go!"
Akeno, hearing that...didn't move.
Instead, she walked closer to Haruki, standing beside him.
"Onee-sama...why?"
"Because, I lost you once Haruki...I wont lose you again. You're not forcing my hand this time Haruki...I will stand together with you."
Preferably, Akeno wished that they could go together, and live happily.
But if they didn't have a chance, then she wanted to stand with her little brother.
Uniting their hands together, Haruki looked between their connected hands, then towards Akeno's face.
"Onee-sama...honestly, you're always making brash decisions..."
He said with teary eyes.
"Fufu, don't cry Haruki. It's too adorable~"
Haruki chortled.
"Ara ara...Onee-sama, you're being a bad girl right now."
"So, you're using ara ara now, are you?"
Haruki blushed a little bit with embarrassment.
"...Saying it, made me feel closer to you...it just kind of stuck..."
At his admission, she found it adorable.
"The bond between you is strong, that's why I shall cut those ties now."
Suou's flames increased more and more, and soon turned into a vortex of fire. Even the firebird was being absorbed into the vortex. The other magicians around had to back away from Suou's power, showing that he wasn't to be messed with.
However, the moment he was going to do something, the oni's that helped Akeno rushed towards Suou.
Akeno gasped, and called out "No!" but they didn't listen to her.
Suou sighed at the sight, and directed his hand towards the small oni's, ready to incinerate them out of existence.
But using that, Haruki gathered the strongest Holy Lightning that he could, and shot it for the distracted Suou.
Suou's eyes caught the strong burst of Holy Lightning, and moved his flames towards them, causing a clashing of their powers to occur. The flames and lightning fought one another. The clashing of elements were causing the area to begin splitting apart.
Even the ground was being split with the intense power that was being released.
Akeno was stunned by how Haruki was even managing to fight against Suou.
Despite Suou having the clear stronger power, Haruki's wasn't anything to laugh at either, and was even managing to push the enemy's flames back enough for Akeno to retrieve the oni's and made sure they'd be safe, while Haruki could feel the flames forcing back his attack.
"Shit...Suou..."
Gritting his teeth, he wasn't sure how he was going to push Suou backwards.
Akeno however stuck her finger up to the sky, and then gathered clouds in the air. Sparkles within the clouds soon became heavier, and denser, allowing her finger to shoot downwards her attack clashed together with the others, and caused a large explosion between them.
Haruki was momentarily surprised, but then he felt Akeno's hand grabbing his own, so he grabbed it back, and ran as fast as they could.
Suou ground his teeth as the explosion disappeared.
Seeing that Akeno and Haruki had gone, his eyes narrowed angrily.
"...Find them, they can't escape this barrier. They couldn't have gotten too far."
The people he brought with him did as Suou asked, and they ran in different directions.
Meanwhile, Serafall was searching for Akeno a fair distance away.
She could feel Sona and Rias close by, glad that they were safe, and willing to help out.
But as time went by, she felt some sickening feeling deep inside.
She hoped that Haruki was alright, but when her senses of him disappeared, worry took over.
She rushed to that location, but couldn't find him.
So she tried to contact him…
But it didn't go through.
Worry came over her, and she quickly checked on Sona and Rias.
Thankfully, they answered.
[Onee-sama, what's wrong?]
Sona asked, Serafall was relieved to hear her voice.
"You aren't with Haru-chan, right? I can't contact him, and I can't sense him either. The last location he was...I can't seem to find anything."
[No, we haven't talked to him in a while. It's strange...maybe he's in trouble.]
"Stay where you are, I'm coming to meet you. Then we'll search for Haru-chan."
She hoped that Suou hadn't got his hands on Haruki.
[Okay Onee-sama, Rias and I shall wait here.]
Serafall said "Alright." then she continued forward.
With worried thoughts in her mind, she dashed forward to make sure that Haruki wasn't in danger right now.
Eventually she did meet back up with Sona and Rias, along with their guards.
She was glad that they were okay.
That's why, they knew that Haruki was probably going to be in danger if he wasn't responding.
If they couldn't find him…
Was he going to die?
Serafall didn't want to think like that.
She wanted to make sure that she kept her promise.
That she'd keep him safe and sound.
Back with Haruki and Akeno, they ran through the area, and delve into an area filled with trees with Haruki using some lightning to create walls, going all the way around the area, and continued for a good distance.
Akeno was surprised, seeing that he was seeing traps up for Suou and the others should they follow them.
"It seems in this year, you've grown quite a bit, Otouto."
She smiled out proudly as they continued to move quickly.
Haruki lightly smiled.
"Had to..."
"What was said before, was it true?"
"About what?"
Haruki asked, almost knowing what she was speaking about but wanted some clarity either way.
"For this year...you've been drawing them towards you, haven't you?"
"Yes, to make sure that you were safe Onee-sama."
"What about...him?"
Akeno said with some disgust.
Haruki knew that she meant their Father.
The way that she spoke, it was clear that Akeno wasn't thrilled to bring him up.
Yet at the same time she held some hope that perhaps Baraqiel helped out Haruki.
If nothing else, that's what she wanted.
"He hasn't attempted to contact me. I guess it's the same for you."
"That person has abandoned us for a year now, I doubt he even thought about us. When Kaa-chan died, he didn't do a thing."
Haruki didn't know what to say about their Father, but there was something he did want to say to Akeno if he wasn't going to get the chance ever again.
"Kaa-chan...Akeno-nee-sama...I'm sorry..."
He said with a regretful look, Akeno raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry for what?"
Trying to control his emotions, he pushed down the sadness he felt, and kept his eyes locked upon his elder sisters.
"I...I wish I could have saved Kaa-chan that day...from them. I wish...I was strong enough to protect you...and her...but, I couldn't. I hated it...I hated that I couldn't protect those that I love dearly...so, I did the only thing I could...and made sure that you'd be able to travel relatively free of danger from Himejima… Did I...accomplish that much Onee-sama? During this year...did you ever see Suou before today?"
Haruki hoped that at least, he did one good thing for his big sister, and kept her safe.
Akeno confirmed it with a small nod of her head.
"No. I haven't seen Suou since the day that Kaa-chan was killed...Haruki, taking on such burdens by yourself...you didn't have to do all of it just for me."
Haruki chortled lightly.
"I did...because you're my family Onee-sama, you're the person I care for dearly, and would die to keep safe. Even now...if Suou comes for us, and we end up fighting...I know that you probably wont...but please run away...make sure you live Onee-sama..."
"Dummy." Akeno lightly tapped him on the top of the head. "You said it yourself, I wont be going anywhere. I lost contact with you for so long...so many days, I thought maybe you were dead. I wanted to cry...because I couldn't do anything other than that. I couldn't keep you safe as your Onee-sama...I couldn't save you, and you in turn ended up protecting me."
"It's because of you Onee-sama, that I could be so strong...I thought about you, and did what I needed to do."
She smiled.
She was glad that even if these were their last moments, then they'd be able to have some good times together.
They'd be able to express their happiness to one another.
Just then though, they felt a large amount of heat above them.
Looking, they saw that Suou was on top of his giant firebird.
Haruki also saw that his trap had been sprung, and lightning wrapped around five magicians, shocking them to the point that they dropped down to the ground with their bodies numb, unable to move even a little bit.
Suou's disgusted eyes fell upon Haruki and Akeno.
The former didn't waste time, and shot off his Holy Lightning…
But Suou pulled out a staff, and aimed it downwards.
"Not this time, boy."
His Holy Lightning burst into nothingness with his staff releasing some kind of purifying magical power. Haruki guessed it increased his power due to how he felt different from the Suou that he was fighting beforehand.
Still, Haruki didn't give up, seeing a few magicians coming.
"You magicians, this is not your business. Leave, or I will be forced to fight you also."
The magicians thought it was funny what he said, and began laughing a little.
"This kid threatening us..."
"Who does he think he is?"
"Lets finish him off in a strong burst of magic!"
The magicians aimed their hands towards Haruki, and shot off powerful magic's.
Fire, ice, lightning, wind, light and darkness attacks. Each had different shapes, and sizes. Some came in sphere form, some came as arrows, some came as just blocks of power, each was different and unique.
"That's a good burst...but, it wont be enough for me."
Haruki placed a lightning aura around Akeno, defending her, as he weaved through the attacks.
"He's dodging them at close range?!"
"This kid...he's fast..."
"His Holy Lightning could even kill us..."
The magicians showed slight fear.
Haruki didn't have any fear in his eyes, or on his face.
Weaving through them as if he was dancing, Akeno was continuing to be astonished by the levels of power Haruki had grown within the year.
The fact that he could face down so many attacks, and even deliver counter attacks amazed her.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"Nooooooooooooooo!"
Haruki, in the middle of avoiding attacks, shot off Holy Lightning blasts through them, and slammed into the magicians. Because they weren't expecting it, they couldn't raise barriers in time, and received the full power of Haruki's Holy Lightning, managing to take them out with a single blast.
Suou bit his lower lip, seeing Haruki managing to fight against the magicians all while dodging attacks as well.
"I got him!"
One of the magical arrows pierced Haruki's shoulder.
"Yeah right."
Haruki didn't even wince, pulling it out, and coated it with his Holy Lightning before launching it back towards the enemy, stabbing him through the chest, then unleashed the Holy Lightning stored within it, shocking him until he was deceased.
Haruki then rushed closer, getting up close and personal with a few Himejima and magicians.
They weren't used to fighting up close, and tried to fire off close ranged attacks, but Haruki dodged the first burst of fire magic, then grabbed one man by the head, using his Holy Lightning to kill him, before destroying two more with bursts of his power.
"K-Keep away child!"
One person tried to cast a sealing spell on Haruki's form, but Akeno from a distance unleashed her lightning attack, hitting him in the face, allowing Haruki to deliver a good number of attacks to his upper body, before sending him flying away with a final punch.
"Don't worry Haruki! I've got your back!"
Haruki glanced at his sister, who dispelled the aura around her, the one that Haruki used to keep her safe.
He smirked, nodding slowly.
"Ara, it seems that the sadistic siblings are about to unite for the first time~"
"Ufufu, my Otouto is so cute. Go ahead Haruki, show them your feelings. I'll show them mine also."
Haruki and Akeno giggled sadistically as lightning ran around their bodies.
Holy lightning for Haruki.
Ordinary lightning for Akeno.
The pair then unleashed their attacks together.
The magicians and Himejima's coated themselves in barriers, but the siblings power naturally grew together, combining to the point that half of the forest was beginning to be blown apart with the amount of lightning they were releasing together.
The magicians defences weren't able to keep together.
If it was just Akeno's or Haruki's, their defences might have kept up.
But together, the siblings power was beyond what they could defend against, and ended up blowing them away, and shocking them to the point that they were dying before Suou's eyes, who was beyond shocked.
He saw as Haruki took out more and more of the people he brought.
Though they also caused wounds on Haruki, causing him to bleed, he fought through all of the pain, and continued on, and wouldn't allow anyone near Akeno, even if it meant he ended up getting injured as a result.
"This kind of power...these children are Baraqiel's after all. More than that...they increase their power together. It's more than a simple addition of their power, their willingness to fight for one another is allowing them to output more and more power. That boy...he's willing to die for Akeno, it really is too bad...that you had the blood of a Fallen Angel inside. You really could have been...a great asset."
Though they were children, they were defeating adults together.
Even some members of the Himejima family were being blown away by their combined attack.
"Enough of this insolence."
Suou's hand shot downwards, and unleashed a torrent of flames.
Akeno grimaced, and shot her own power upwards to protect Haruki.
But her power was destroyed by Suou's flames, looking to be like a giant flame thrower.
Haruki saw that the flames might try and kill Akeno, so he got before them, unleashing all of the power he could.
Haruki's Holy Lightning burst upwards, putting a good deal of power into it.
Akeno could see that it was the size of a house by the time that it clashed with Suou's flames.
Clashing violently together, the surrounding area was blown away. The trees were broken, burned and erased from existence. Haruki felt more and more wounds appear on him during their clash, Suou's power was getting through, leaving deep burns on his skin, but he still kept Akeno from suffering even a little bit, that's all he could do now.
Haruki felt his power dwindling, he felt that if he let go right now...Akeno would die.
More so than himself, his precious sister that he had wanted to save all of this time...would cease to exist.
Looking at the fearful expression on Akeno's face...he wanted to erase it, and cause her to smile once more.
One last thing he wanted, was for his elder sister to have a better life now.
But he knew he'd lose this struggle in power.
Suou was still too strong for him.
Even with all of the power he could muster, Haruki was still a child, and this was the leader of the clan.
He wasn't a weak willed person.
He was convinced he was doing the right thing.
That's why Suou wouldn't back down in his ways.
He'd end up killing Haruki and Akeno.
Haruki began shedding a few tears.
It felt like the same as it was back when his Mother died.
He couldn't do anything to save her then.
He couldn't save Akeno now.
There was no way for him to win this fight.
"Kaa-chan...I'm sorry...I can't protect...Akeno-nee-sama..."
His regret at being unable to save his Mother, and now his sister weighed heavily on his mind.
He wished he had the power to change their circumstances.
How they'd be able to live peacefully.
But the reality was that they couldn't.
Suou wasn't going to stop until they died.
And now that was a reality.
That was their reality.
While feeling regretful...something strange began to happen.
Akeno noticed it first.
Spreading around Haruki, was a thin layer of ice.
Even Haruki didn't seem to realize what was going on.
As seconds passed, more and more ice was forming around him. As well as spreading out, the parts that had already been frozen were becoming thicker sheets of ice. Becoming stronger, sturdier, and looked more and more dangerous.
Akeno could feel the coldness reaching her.
When the ice came close to her however, it simply spread around her, without touching her.
The remaining magicians around, had their feet frozen to the ground, and the ice continued to travel up their bodies. The ice was beginning to freeze them, so they used fire magic to dispel the ice away from them.
But even then, the ice continued to spread, and encase them in a thin layer of ice, as they used fire magic to break out of it…
But again, it was continuing to freeze them.
"What the hell is this ice?!"
"It isn't natural!"
The magicians didn't quite understand what was going on.
"Is this magic…? But, Haruki doesn't seem to be aware...what's going on?"
Akeno tried to figure it out within her mind, but she just couldn't.
However, she then saw behind him, something was forming.
The form of an elegant dress, that seemed to be made out of ice. The striking design of a dress that looked to be like that of a ball gown.
But the face was something she didn't expect.
The left hand side of her face looked like wild roses producing from it. On the other side of her face, was six eyes that ran downwards. Two arms were on the right hand side, and two on the left, all four arms looking very thin, but strong at the same time.
The woman moved her four arms around, and a massive wave of cold spread forward. The wave of cold froze everything that it touched, apart from Haruki, and Akeno who were safe from the effects.
The flames of Suou's froze immediately. All of the flames he produced, even the firebird he was riding on froze. Even the barrier that was surrounding them, froze to the point that it made a dome of ice.
"S-Shit...the ice that froze my bird...it's not natural...this has to be...that doll of ice...yes, he's wielding one..."
Suou didn't want to admit to it.
But he believed he understood what was going on right now.
Because of the ice that froze the firebird, Haruki's lightning shot right through the flames that were frozen, breaking through them, along with Suou's fire, now ice, familiar, and shattered it, Suou gasped and fell to the earth, while watching the lightning continue upwards.
The lightning hit the frozen barrier, and he pushed more and more power into the attack, managing to break through the ice and brought down the barrier all together, Suou's face turned more and more worried as he murmured "He froze even magic..." and then created a wind below him to catch him before he hit the ground.
His eyes cast to the other magicians he brought with him...and saw that they all had frozen.
Their bodies encased in ice…
His face fell as Haruki's eyes shot for him, igniting worry within him.
As that happened, Serafall and the others were continuing the search for Haruki.
They weren't having much luck in finding him. Even their top sensors weren't having any luck in finding him either, it was like he disappeared off the face of the earth.
"Onee-sama, what kind of thing could have happened for Haruki-san to not be sensed?"
"I don't know, but this feels too scary...most likely, I'm guessing that Haru-chan found Suou, and now is probably combatting him."
"But if he was...why aren't we feeling it? Forgetting the magical aspect to it...why can't we even hear any explosions? Or anything like fighting? I doubt that Haruki-san would go down without a fight, and he'd fight with his Holy Lightning. That ability's sound can be incredible when turned up high..."
Rias thought like that, Serafall hummed as a response.
"Hmmmm...to be honest, Suou would probably hide their presence while trying to kill them."
As she said it, she felt a presence from up above.
She looked, and saw Suzaku looking down.
She was riding on top of a giant flaming bird.
"So you're the Maou that took in Haruki?"
"Yes, you are?"
Serafall scrunched her eyebrows at Suzaku, attempting to figure her out.
Though she could tell that she was a Himejima based on a few things, like her appearance and her general feel.
"Forgive me, my name is Suzaku Himejima, I wish to stop this madness quickly. Suou-sama's actions...I have found out where they are. Please follow me, so we can save them together. Akeno and Haruki...they don't deserve to die."
Serafall was surprised.
She didn't feel any negative feelings from Suzaku, so her words were genuine.
She nodded slowly, and followed Suzaku with the others.
Back with Haruki, from the remains of the shattering ice dome that was the former barrier, it rained down like hail. Hitting the ground, shattering like glass, Haruki's eyes went towards the old man's eyes who looked distraught.
"That power...so, you, who is half human, and came from Shuri's blood, possesses the famed ability of the Longinus…?!"
"Longinus…?"
Haruki murmured, then suddenly felt a hand touching his shoulder.
He turned quickly, and saw that the ice woman was looking towards him.
Her six eyes were on his form, her thin arms were slowly wrapping around him.
Akeno bit her lip, worried about her brother.
But Haruki...seemed at ease.
"You've been with me...haven't you? Even when I was all alone...you were there..."
He felt...unthreatened by this woman.
In fact, she felt like she was always meant to meet him, and he meet her.
The ice doll allowed all four arms to drape around him, his hand went to her face, and she smiled as he ran his fingers across the ice rose that was one half of her face.
"You're so cute, my ice Princess~"
Haruki smiled while the ice doll placed one of her hands on his face.
Though she didn't speak, her hand grabbed his own, and she pulled him alone with her. Moving in a circle formation, to Akeno it looked as if they were dancing with one another. Haruki's face curled upwards as they did.
Suou didn't know what to make of it.
He summoned flames, and tried to attack Haruki with them.
But the moment the flames came close, the ice doll placed out her hand, and the flames froze within the air, inches from Haruki's face, then fell down to the earth, shattering upon impact.
Haruki's eyes shot for Suou, as his ice doll stood beside him, her arms swaying side to side.
"Suou Himejima, I'm going to have to fight you now. Together with this ice woman."
"Do you even know what power you wield boy? To think that Shuri's child would have a Longinus. If I'm not mistaken, Absolute Demise."
"Absolute Demise..." His eyes went towards the ice doll, and he smiled up towards her. "Perfect name. Lets cause absolute destruction, Absolute Demise-chan!"
Absolute Demise thrust her arms upwards, and caused spires of ice to rise out of the ground.
Suou looked on, and summoned flames around his form, forming them into protective forcefields, stacking layers upon each other.
The spires penetrates the flames, and clash with one another, cancelling the other out, as Haruki thrust his finger forward, shooting off a Holy Lightning blast, Suou's face paled as he didn't have time to raise a barrier, smashing into his shoulder, and blasted him away through the frozen wonderland.
Smashing several times into the ice, Suou used some protective magic's to stop the damage from reaching his frail body. But the Holy Lightning managed to cause damage to his body, he was bleeding from his shoulder.
Akeno was amazed.
Haruki had injured Suou's body.
Suou stood up, seeing his bleeding shoulder, and growled.
"Thinking you can injure me!"
Suou's anger grew, and his flames came out in a giant firebird.
The firebird shot forward, and unleashed a large pillar of flames from its mouth.
"I'm not thinking about injuring you, I'm coming after you. For what you did to Kaa-chan, I hope you feel pain that triples the pain she felt that night you took her life!"
Responding to that, the ice doll flings her arms forward, and unleashes a wave of ice towards the flames. The ice around Haruki even grew in response to the intense feelings that Haruki had felt, showing the incredible power that Haruki had buried deep inside of him.
Suou knew that with ice around him, there was no way the current him was going to be able to reach him without truly unleashing his full power, and even then, the ice doll wasn't going to stand around and watch her master get killed.
Forming an ice pillar in the air at the same time, clashing together with the flames, and caused the flames to begin freezing.
"Impossible!"
"Ara ara, what's wrong Suou? Worried now that my ice girl is freezing your flames?!"
Even Suou was stunned, as Haruki slammed his hands together, Holy Lightning gathering, then shot forward through the ice, then entered the fire, and caused it to disperse with their combined powers, and continued on.
The Holy Lightning wrapped around the ice spires, Suou's face turning more and more worried by the moment.
Feeling the worry and fear of Haruki's combined attack, Suou took his staff, increasing his power, then unleashed a massive wave of fire. Akeno could tell that Suou was getting serious right now, he was increasing his power all the more.
Their clashing elements created a massive explosion of power, but Haruki didn't even bat an eye, despite feeling tired, he turned to Absolute Demise who bowed her head, and elegantly waved her arms up and down, creating spears of ice within the air, and shot them off towards Suou, as Haruki jumped onto one of them, riding it towards Suou.
"You insolent boy! Longinus or not, I have to end your existence!"
Suou's flames shot for Haruki's body, but he jumped onto another ice spear that Absolute Demise was releasing.
She even released more and more, bombarding Suou with the spears that he had to destroy out of existence as they reached him.
"If these flames weren't ones that were hotter than normal fire magic...then I'd be losing this battle. The power of freezing is too much for normal fire magic... Even my flames, that are blessed by the Shinto God aren't able to stop from being frozen. This ice doll...it truly lives up to the name of Absolute Demise...and with his Holy Lightning...this boys potential seemingly is high...he could become the strongest Fallen Angel in existence. Stronger than his Otou-san, stronger than Azazel...I feel it deep within my heart, this child's potential is something that many would fear..."
Suou was beginning to fall into despair as Haruki was coming in closer.
Even when he tried to shoot him down, he'd jump to another ice pillar for him to ride on.
It was so fluid that he, if he didn't witness it before him, would believe that Haruki and the ice doll had practiced this beforehand, but it was clear that this was the first time that Haruki had summoned her, at least had been aware that he had summoned her.
When he got in close, Haruki directed his hands upwards, gathering a mass of electricity, Suou's eyes shot upwards, and his staff went to move…
When his hand felt cold.
He looked down, seeing that ice was growing across his staff, and towards his body also.
"N-No!"
"Thanks Princess!"
Haruki yelled, then thrust his arms downwards.
His lightning shot down like a genuine bolt of electricity from the sky, and landed upon Suou.
Suou had used his flames to offset the ice that had encroached around him, but that didn't stop the Holy Lightning. He tried to defend, but he couldn't block all of the attack in time, raising a barrier after some lightning passed by it, embedding into his cheek, and caused the Holy Lightning to slice through his skin, drawing out a good deal of blood.
Haruki then saw his Holy Lightning explode around him and the barrier.
Haruki jumped back, landing on the ground, feeling his energies leaving him from the fight with the other magicians, and now Suou, he was feeling tired.
But he could also see that Suou was also exhausting himself.
Maybe due to his older age, Haruki knew his power was still great.
While Suou ran his finger over the injuries he received, he stared into the eyes of Haruki, and became worried.
"Princess...make me a weapon."
Haruki then stuck his hand out to the side, and had the ice doll form a sword.
The ice sword within his hands became surrounded with Holy Lightning, then he pointed it at Suou.
"This is it...my power! Suou Himejima! The last bit of my power! I'll release it upon you!"
Haruki dashed forward, putting all of his power into the sword.
Suou summoned his staff, and increased the power of his flame around the staff.
The flame and ice sword came up to one another, then clashed together violently.
The ice doll behind Haruki poured out more ice, and froze the flames as Haruki's sword of ice and Holy Lightning pushed more and more.
Even ice spires rose around him, and he had to fight them off with his flames, splitting his focus.
Suou pushed his power, and his flames tried to melt the ice, but was having difficulty in doing it.
Suou locked eyes with Haruki, who stared back at him, and said "You didn't have to do this..." Suou's brows lowered, and didn't answer a child's words of pain.
In a moments hesitation, Haruki's power managed to push through Suou's, but Suou had one last trick.
His staff turned into a blade, and pierced through Haruki's stomach, Akeno's face becoming more and more terrified.
"HARUKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Her cries caused Haruki's eyes to go towards her.
He smiled towards her, grabbing Suou's hand, the man looking surprised.
"You're...fighting me are you...?"
Haruki's hand continued to clutch the hand that Suou had, and tried desperately to pull it out.
But Suou wouldn't move.
Even then, Haruki tried his hardest to take the sword out of him.
"I...I wont give up...even if I die...you wont hurt her...anymore..."
Suou stared deeply into his eyes, seeing his unyielding determination.
"You did well child, but you still are young, my power exceeds your current power."
"Maybe...Maybe you are...stronger...but, I wont...let you hurt her...I couldn't stop you...from killing Kaa-chan...I'll stop you from killing Onee-sama..."
Suou's eyes lowered.
Hearing the words of a pained child...Suou remembered what Suzaku had told him.
What she thought about how Haruki and Akeno's lives were...
"Haru-chan!"
Serafall yelled, as she came flying down together with Suzaku, Rias, Sona and some guards.
"Suou-sama...no...what have you done...?"
Suzaku gasped, while Rias and Sona looked horrified.
Suou was stunned as Serafall saw Haruki's condition, and she became enraged at the sight.
Her ice grew around her, and she directed her terrifying power towards him.
Suou looked worried as Haruki clutched his ice sword tightly.
Despite being stabbed...he wouldn't give up now.
"Strike me down...and your world of Devils shall suffer."
"Right now, all I can see is an old man trying to kill innocent children! You hurt my adorable Haru-chan! I can't forgive you at all!"
Sona could feel it.
Serafall was ready to end Suou's entire existence for what happened to Haruki.
Suou, despite his injured body, began laughing.
"I never imagined...that Haruki would get the Maou Leviathan on his side...I never thought that this would be so difficult...still, this is a Himejima incident, leave before you get truly involved."
"Because you've stabbed Haru-chan, I wont be able to keep quiet anymore! That's unforgivable! I wont let you get away with it!"
As she said it, she saw Haruki's eyes focusing in on Suou.
"Serafall-san...you can't..."
"Haru-chan..."
"Suou's...right...this is...a Himejima...problem...so I'll...finish this...for Kaa-chan, and Onee-sama!"
Serafall was shocked, she saw the wounds he had.
She didn't believe he was still capable of moving.
But he proved her wrong by clutching his sword.
He brought it up, Suou became worried, and tried to use his powers to burn Haruki.
But the ice doll froze the flames, and even the magic's that Suou was summoning.
Suou already had drained a good deal of power fighting them before, and now it was becoming increasingly difficult to stop him.
"C-Child, stop this!"
"...You didn't stop...when Kaa-chan begged you...to spare my...and Akeno-nee-sama's life...I wont stop until you're gone...so you can't hurt us...anymore."
Suou's body felt an emotional impact.
His words weren't cold, they were filled to the brim with emotions.
"My duty...is to my clan, Haruki. It was never personal. I did what I had to do for our clan, to secure its future."
"My duty...is to my Onee-sama, Suou. It's completely personal for me. You took away...our Kaa-chan...you stole our future with her...you took her life in cold blood...how can you ever justify doing such an act?"
Suou bit his lower lip at the words Haruki used.
Using the ice made by the ice doll, Haruki made sure that Suou was frozen in place.
Suou tried to dispel the ice, but he couldn't in the end, all he could do was make sure he wasn't frozen soild, the flames he wielded were weaker now due to his age, and the fact that he had fought Haruki.
He saw Haruki's blade coming up, and he tried to stop it...
But the ice doll froze his hands from moving.
"..."
Suou didn't have any words as Haruki's sword managed to pierce right through Suou's torso, and released Holy Lightning within him, running through his system painfully.
Suzaku's eyes closed, as Akeno looked bewildered.
"Gaaah!"
Suou spat out blood as he dropped towards the ground.
Haruki also landed on the ground, as Akeno rushed towards him.
"Haruki! Haruki!"
Akeno got to his side, as Rias, and Sona also did the same thing.
Serafall's eyes went towards Suou who was bewildered.
"...You hunted him down relentlessly, you caused this child to suffer more than you probably even realize. Haru-chan managed to fight you this long...he fought you with everything he had...maybe you forgot that he doesn't give up, even if he has a single bit of energy, he will continue fighting, especially for his Onee-sama. You might have more power...but he has more resolve, Suou. In the end...you lost to Haru-chan's resolve to protect his Onee-sama."
Suou felt the lightning inside of him, his body had become numb, yet it was painful at the same time.
He could barely move.
Each movement was painful.
Even just moving his fingers, he felt like needles were stinging from inside.
Suzaku looked towards Suou, then walked closer.
"Suou-sama...this is...I didn't want this to happen...this shouldn't have happened in the first place."
Suou closed his eyes, his blood leaking everywhere as Serafall tried to help Haruki with his own wounds, with the ice doll freezing Haruki's wounds so he didn't bleed out. But still was in a bad condition.
"Suzaku...you read my note?"
"Yes...I've read it."
"...Make sure those wishes...come true."
Suzaku exhaled slowly.
"Suou-sama...I understand."
Suou gave a single nod, his near lifeless eyes went towards Haruki, and Akeno.
His voice was quiet, and full of pain, but at the same time...he didn't hold regret on his face.
"...Child, my death...would that...satisfy you...? Would...Himejima still stand...after my death...?"
"...All I wanted...was Onee-sama...to be safe...the clan...don't let them come after Akeno-nee-sama or myself again...if they do, I'll share every little bit of information I've got on Himejima, with all of your enemies. Himejima will fall if the clan make even a single move against us."
"...I understand. Tell me...will you say nothing? If I can promise that...will Himejima still stand?"
"...If those are agreed, then I wont say a thing. Leave us...alone, and I'll leave...Himejima alone."
Suou hated it.
But he didn't have a choice right now.
There was no win for him now.
Most likely, the Devils would take Haruki and Akeno with them, and then they'd make sure that they'd be safe.
"...Check mate, Haruki, you win."
"Check mate." Suou stayed silent. "Also, we'll be keeping the name of Himejima, there's plenty of people that carry that name. We don't...have much left of Kaa-chan...but we have her name."
"I have...no problem with that...as long as your ties to our clan have been severed now..."
Suou said, finding it more and more difficult to speak, the pain he felt inside was something he didn't expect.
"Yes, the ties have been severed."
Akeno spoke with anger, surprising Haruki that she did speak like that.
Suou breathed deeply, and his eyes looked between Serafall, and the other Devils.
Then towards Akeno and Haruki.
Haruki's voice then reached his ears.
"Suou...this could have been...with Kaa-chan...she didn't have to die...this...didn't have to happen...we could've...lived peacefully..."
Suou didn't say a thing.
His life slowly slid from his face, and his eyes.
Haruki watched the man as he writhed on the ground in pain, taking in sharper and sharper breaths.
Then ultimately, he took in his final breath...and he died.
Suzaku went towards Suou, bent down, looking at the old man before her.
"Suou-sama, I will respect your wishes."
She whispered, Serafall heard her, and moved closer.
"What did he wish?"
Suzaku looked towards Haruki and Akeno, before taking Serafall a good distance away.
"Suou-sama...he did an awful act...he knew that until the end. He wrote me a letter...and it said in the event of his death...that the cycle has to end, and he'd leave it to me to find the best solution. He...He had to do what he thought was right...but, his heart was conflicting. Serafall-sama...may I request, those two...Haruki and Akeno...are taken care of by you Devils? Suou-sama agreed to let them go from the clan then...I'll keep that end of the bargain...and one day, when the time is right, I'll try my best to have Akeno and Haruki rejoin the clan, when I'm fully accepted as the next head of the clan. Until then, I'll do what I can to soften the ties between Himejima and others. I know...it's been painful...but I'll do my best to make up for the past mistakes of Himejima, and bring forward new changes."
Serafall understood.
Though she couldn't excuse what Suou had tried to do to Haruki or Akeno.
Serafall bowed her head.
"Suzaku-chan, you have my word that we'll take care of those two children from now on. I wish it didn't come to this."
"Neither do I. But you have my word, I'll change Himejima, and make sure those two can rejoin one day. Until then...please take care of them. It is my only wish."
"Leave it to me Suzaku-chan. Though he was your clan head..."
When Serafall tried to speak, Suzaku held up her hand.
"Yes...he was my relative, and I do care for him...but, his actions...they weren't right, those children didn't have to suffer. I wish Suou-sama could have stopped before this all happened. And thank you, Serafall-sama."
"No...thank you, Suzaku-chan. One day...Haru-chan and Akeno-chan might be able to be with family again, for now we'll take care of them."
"Then I'll leave them to you. I'll calm down any remaining Himejima present, and make preparations for Suou-sama's body to be retrieved."
Serafall nodded, and left Suzaku to do what was necessary.
She returned to Haruki, and bent down towards him.
"You did it Haru-chan...he's gone now, he can't hurt you, or Akeno-chan again. Himejima...they'll leave you alone now. Suzaku-chan promised."
Haruki smiled.
Despite the pain he felt...he was happy.
"Finally...I...managed to...save...Onee...sa...ma..."
As he spoke, his eyes began to close.
Due to the amount of energy it took to summon his Longinus for the first time, fight with her immediately, and fight beforehand against the enemies, along with being pierced through his stomach adding onto the injuries he suffered before that event, his energies left him, and he fell on his face, passing out.
Akeno became worried, while Rias moved closer.
"Haruki! Haruki! Wake up! Don't die!"
Akeno said desperately, Rias placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of him."
"But...why? He isn't a Devil...why would you..."
"Because, hearing the circumstances of his life, and how we got along, isn't it only natural? We haven't known one another long...but, it's the least we can do. Please trust in us, we'll care for your Otouto, and you now, Akeno-san. May I call you that?" Akeno only nodded. "Then leave it to us, it seems that Haruki-san managed to do something that many might believe to be impossible. I'm glad, you both could be together now."
Akeno wasn't sure what to think.
But she remembered what Haruki said about Devils helping him.
She decided to follow her brothers judgement and follow after them also.
Serafall held Haruki, as Suzaku locked eyes with Akeno.
She gave a sad smile.
"I'm sorry...Akeno. I truly am. For everything that happened..."
Akeno shook her head.
"Suzaku...it's okay, as long as I have Haruki...I'll be okay."
Suzaku's sad smile turned to a happy one.
"Yes, you'll have one another one. One day...we'll meet again, under better circumstances. Until then...enjoy your life. The same for Haruki...both of you, find happiness."
Akeno slowly nods while shedding a few tears.
Suzaku turned away, and dealt with the finer details with Serafall while getting Haruki some immediate care.
Days later, Haruki's eyes slowly opened, and looked to the ceiling of his room.
He was back in the Underworld, and he saw that laying beside him, was Akeno who was hugging him tightly.
He smiled, glad that Akeno was okay.
He then caught the sight of something moving, so he turned to see Serafall sat beside him.
"Hey…"
"Hehe, hey Haru-chan, how are you feeling?"
"Tired..."
"Geez, you sleep for ages Haru-chan! And you're tired!"
Haruki stuck out his tongue in a playful manner.
"Fufu, seems like you're acting adorable again Serafall-san."
Serafall giggled cheerfully.
"Haru-chan, do you remember what happened?"
Haruki nodded.
"Yes...I remember."
"Well, he's gone now Haru-chan. But, I'm sorry Haru-chan, the clan...you're not apart of it anymore..."
Haruki lightly chortled.
"It's okay. I...avenged Kaa-chan. He...can't hurt Onee-sama anymore."
Serafall giggled sweetly.
"Yes, he can't hurt either of you Haru-chan."
"I...I finally did something that I couldn't a year ago...I saved Akeno-nee-sama. It was hard...and I tried my best...but Onee-sama...gets to smile again...and I can...finally relax..."
Serafall gently smiled.
She realized more and more how mentally stressing it must have been for Haruki.
To always outthink his opponents.
To find ways to defeat the enemies.
To protect himself, and his elder sister.
How he always had to be on alert.
Being able to finally relax must be a load off his mind.
"Yes...it shows that you've grown strong Haru-chan. You know Haru-chan...he might've had power., and numbers over you...but your determination is amazing. To...go through so much pain...for your Onee-sama. Those wounds you had would have easily made a number of people pass out from the sheer pain of it...You lost a good deal of blood...yet, you still hung on. Even through all that pain...you hung on, and did your best."
"...Yes, that's why, I'm going to...become very strong...so Onee-sama...doesn't have to suffer anymore...or anyone that I care for...Himejima is flawed...one day, I'm sure Suzaku-chan is...going to make great changes to it...I believe in her. I know...she'll do it. If they accepted Onee-sama alone and not me back...that would be okay with me..."
Serafall liked that.
Even now, he was thinking about Akeno, and shouldering all of the burdens.
It was quite selfless in her eyes.
"Yup, I'm sure that you're right Haru-chan! But remember Haru-chan...you don't have to do it all alone anymore, because you have me. I'll always be here for you, Haru-chan."
Haruki's cheeks turned slightly red at her words.
"Thank you...Serafall-san. I'm sure...you made some deals...with Suzaku-chan...so Devils would...watch over us?"
"That's right Haru-chan, it's an agreement between us. Staying with the Devils now, it's the best we could come too for you two. Other Himejima wouldn't have it any other way, Suzaku-chan had to do it like this. Akeno-chan also agreed with it."
Haruki suspected as much.
It would be the only way to currently satisfy the remaining Himejima that wasn't Suzaku or some other good ones.
"That's fine...I like you Devils anyway, and I love teasing you Serafall-san~"
Serafall stuck out her tongue.
"Hehe, I'm glad Haru-chan's still here because now I can cuddle you~ Well, I mean I could if she didn't stop me..."
Haruki raised an eyebrow.
"Who? Onee-sama?"
He was in doubt, but Serafall shook her head.
"Your cute ice doll. She's really...mean." Serafall began to his bewilderment, and he saw that her face became more pouty with each passing moment. "Every time I tried to hug Haru-chan when he was sleeping, she came out, and stopped me! She froze me to the ground! She was cruel! She only let Akeno-chan and Sona-chan for some reason close! She stopped me, Ravel-chan, and Rias-chan!"
"Hehe...my Princess was like that huh?"
Haruki said with a teasing smile.
Serafall puffed out her cheeks, and then tried to move closer.
But Absolute Demise manifested, placing out her hands in a stop like sign.
"Absolute Demise! Let me get to Haru-chan!"
She tried to go left, but the ice doll stopped her by moving in the way.
She tried right, but the same result with the ice doll stopping her.
"Mouuuuuuuuuu! Come on! Let me through please!"
The ice doll didn't move, so Serafall tried to fly over the ice doll.
But the ice doll froze Serafall to the ground before she could take off.
"What are you doing Absolute Demise?! Let me get to Haru-chan right now!"
Serafall scolded, but Absolute Demise wouldn't unfreeze her.
Haruki chortled.
"Ara ara, it seems that my Princess doesn't want other girls near me~ What a naughty girl she is~"
As he laughed, Akeno opened her eyes, and saw Haruki awake.
"Haruki..."
Without uttering another word, she came closer, and with her arms already around him, rested her head on top of his own.
Serafall gained a tick mark by her head.
"You don't freeze her do you ice Princess?" The ice doll just stared at Serafall who gained tears by her eyes. "D-Don't stare at me like that...I'm getting Sona-chan!"
Serafall broke out of the ice, and ran away.
Haruki gave a small laugh to Serafall's antics, before looking to Akeno.
"Akeno-nee-sama..."
Akeno smiled at her little brother.
"Haruki, it seems your life is different to how I thought it would be."
"I've only been here for a few weeks, but those weeks have been different and interesting..."
"Haruki." Akeno said sweetly. "You...managed to stop him Haruki. We can live peacefully...I get to be with you...and Kaa-chan...she might be gone...but, we're together now...I wont leave you again."
"Yes..."
Akeno giggled sweetly, poking his blushing cheek.
"Ara, it seems that my Otouto has become a naughty one since I've been gone~"
Haruki lightly blushed as Akeno teased him.
"Honestly Onee-sama..."
"So, I've been hearing of a few things you've been doing while being here. Befriending Devils, protecting girls from naughty boys, and making friends~"
"It was thanks to making friends, that I was able to find you, Onee-sama."
"Is that so?"
Akeno mused, Haruki inclined his neck.
"That red headed girl, Rias Gremory-chan, her family was the one that noticed your presence. If she didn't tell me when she did...then you could have been gone. Rias-chan is an odd one, she's a bit obsessed with Japanese people. But she's good deep down."
Akeno lightly smiled.
"I'll have to thank Gremory-chan then huh?"
Haruki slowly nods, as he embraces her tightly.
Akeno looked down to see that he was crying.
Happy tears flowed from his eyes as he embraced the big sister he loved so much.
"I missed you...Onee-sama...so much...I truly did miss you..."
Akeno smiles, as tears formed in her eyes.
Happy tears at that.
"I missed you...Haruki. I love you, thank you...for protecting me for this long...I'll always be with you, from now on...my Haruki..."
The siblings embraced one another for a long time.
Serafall and the others didn't bother them.
Giving them the time they needed to finally relax with one another.
To finally live a little more peacefully.
To be together, after such a long time.
End chapter!
So this chapter dealt with Haruki fighting against Suou! Using what knowledge he had, and how to fight, he took down a good number of opponents, and protected his sister, though Akeno also wouldn't leave Haruki, and stood together with him, fighting back the opponents. Then, as Haruki fought, he finally awakened Absolute Demise! Freezing the entire area, and even freezing the flames of Suou's, it was difficult for him to even fight after that. But eventually, after Haruki got stabbed, he mustered up enough strength to stab and kill Suou! Getting revenge for what he did to Shuri, though it seems Suou at the end had some conscience as hinted in the last chapter, and though he still is a monster for doing what he did, he still had some humanity within him as in the event of his death, he allowed them to go free, with Suzaku promising to help bring Haruki and Akeno back to Himejima one day when she becomes in charge fully, and change the ways of their clan and how they interact with others along with making a deal with Serafall so the Devils will watch over Haruki and Akeno, satisfying the Himejima for the moment. Also, why Suou died here as opposed to canon is going to play into some plot points later on.
Also, thanks to everyone who voted! It seems mostly positive for Vali and Issei being girls, and with Haruki. So thanks to everyone who voted It seemed a bit split on Isane being in Haruki's peerage though so I'll leave that for a little bit to see the general thoughts of everyone, since for me, it could work either way, if she's on Rias' or Haruki's peerage, and if she is on Haruki's, I do have a few ideas on who is going to replace her so Rias' still has strong members.
If she's not in this story, I will do a story with Isane and perhaps most of if not all the others in canon Issei's peerage in Oc's peerage, maybe in a half Angel turned into a Devils peerage, their dynamic would be cool with innocent Angel and a pervy girl like Isane, or in a Devil/Dragon hybrid story, or another Devil story.
So yeah, I'm still accepting peerage members for Haruki, I've had some great suggestions already like Ingvild, Elmen, Fem Gasper, Le Fay, Irina, Asia and some others, so thanks for them. The only ones confirmed right now are Ravel, Koneko, Xenovia, Kuroka, and perhaps Vali depending on if Isane is on Haruki's peerage or not.
Well until next time, please send suggestions if you wish and thanks for reading!
Haruki; Serafall, Sona, Ravel, Koneko, Kuroka, Gabriel, Akeno, Vali (fem), Isane, Xenovia, Rias, Irina, Asia, Rossweisse,
