5 - Grief

I don't feel like I showed as much of Takeda's grief as I should have in the original story, so we're adding in this chapter to show more of that. Also, I've decided to say F it and add in some more women. A total of six now. 4 from Highschool DxD itself, one from another anime, and another OC of mine. If you've seen enough of my stories, you'd know how often I change this type of stuff, but I'm hoping to keep it this way now. With that said, let's get started!

DISCLAIMER

The following is a fan-based story of Fiction

Highschool DxD, New, BorN, Hero and other products related to the DxD series are all owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo and TNK

Please support the official release

NOTE! This Story is recommended for those over the age of 18+ as this story involves actions such as violence, blood, nudity, etc.

NOTE! Any Original Characters (OC's) added into the story were all created by me and are owned by me

Enjoy!


Grief.

Definition: deep sorrow, especially that caused by someone's death.

Hollow eyes. More hollow than they had ever been before. He stared out at the town with a straight look on his face. Face passive, yet his eyes still held great amounts of sadness. His legs were held to his chest, as he sat on the cliffside. Just behind him, three large stones could be seen. Tombstones to be exact. The names...Mizo...Houji...Kalawarner.

Even as the wind blew quickly around him, he didn't move a muscle, staring at nothing in particular. Even as he heard footsteps behind him, he didn't budge.

"Takeda?" He heard the voice of Akeno behind him. From the blowing of the wind, he could even smell the velvet shampoo coming from her. Still, he didn't respond nor show any signs of acknowledging her presence.

Akeno kept silent for a moment. It had been a day since the attack on the abandoned church. Afterwards, Takeda had been nothing but silent. No matter how much they tried to talk to him, he wouldn't respond. Akeno had essentially placed it on herself to watch over him. More than just as the Queen of the group, or his upperclassmen, but because she cared for him. In this type of situation, she knew what he was going through. She experienced a very similar situation in her own past, and now here was a friend of hers dealing with that same issue.

Slowly, she walked closer, sitting herself next to him. Being able to see his eyes, she could see the great amounts of sorrow within them. Eventually, she wrapped an arm around her, pulling his head to rest against her shoulder. She slowly rubbed circles against his back.

"Rias is getting in contact with her father to have a new home made for you, so you'll be staying with me for the time being." She stated, yet he still didn't respond. Nor did his eyes move from the same spot they had been staring at. "We can come back to this spot every day if you'd like."

For the first time, Takeda gave a response, giving a slow yet barely noticable nod of the head. Akeno smiled, knowing she got at least something out of him. Slowly, she helped him up to his feet as the two began to leave the area. Takeda came to a stop however, his eyes landing on the graves. Akeno stopped to give him a few more moments.

With a deep breath of air, he began to walk off, leaving Akeno to catch up to him.

Thankfully it was the weekend, so they were able to head straight for Akeno's home, which happened to be a shinto shrine in town. Apparently, a deal had been struck with the shinto gods and goddesses to allow the shrine to be used. Thus, Akeno was able to use it as a home.

The two walked up the long flight of stairs, the shrine slowly coming into view. Akeno allowed Takeda to enter first, before taking him down one of the halls. Sliding the door open, revealed a simple bedroom, a nice sized bed, two bedside drawers, a nice dresser with an attached mirror.

Before Akeno could speak, Takeda closed the sliding door, making her sigh.

In the end, Akeno knew better than to push him. Sometimes some would need to cope in their own ways. For now, she'd leave him be and check on him in the morning.

Back in the room, Takeda had surrounded himself in darkness, before laying in bed, staring at the cieling. Suddenly, a portal of flames appeared above him, before she appeared.

"How are you feeling...Nakamura Takeda." Her wicked smile was enough to enrage him, as hellfire appeared in his hand. With his blood pumping, he allowed to the flames to clash against the cieling."You almost had me there...almost." Takeda turned to the mirror, seeing her standing there with a smirk, mocking him. He launched himself, smashing his fist into the mirror. Blood started to leak from his hand, as glass shards pierced back side of his hand.

He pulled away slowly, before the door opened, revealing Akeno there with a worried look on her face.

"Takeda, are you okay?" She rushed into the room, taking a hold of his hand. While doing so, Takeda himself was still looking around the room, as if looking for something, or someone. "Come with me!" Akeno took Takeda out of the room, keeping pressure on the wound. As they got to the kitchen, Akeno took out the shards one by one, as Takeda continued to look around frantically.

After each shard was out, Akeno brought his hand under the water of the sink.

[You don't need to do anymore, Queen of Rias Gremory.]

Akeno stared in shock, seeing the wounds from the glass closing and healing on their own.

[Being the wielder of my powers, it's only natural he would now possess my healing abilities.]

The voice of Erebus spoke up again. Akeno tried to look Takeda in the eyes, but he was still searching, eyes wandering.

[Illusions, I'm afriad, Queen of Rias Gremory. He's seeing things.]

Akeno's eyes turned somber, as she placed her hands on the sides of his face, forcing him to face her. She held him there, as his chest continued to heave in and out. It didn't take much for Akeno to know who the illusions were of. Anyone could realize it if they knew the situation.

"She's gone, Takeda. She can't hurt you anymore. I promise you." She told him slowly, yet he wasn't calming down. Slowly, she brought her hand to the back of his head, before bringing him close, his head falling against her chest. Her fingers ran through his hair, as his breathing slowly relaxed. Almost as an immediate response, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She smiled at the showing of affection, bringing her other hand to rub his back.

"...I...I..." His voice came out raspy and dry.

"Don't worry, I'm here for you Takeda. I'll always be here for you."


Her eyes slowly opened, hearing loud noises coming from outside. Akeno sat up, letting out a yawn as she stretched. Running a hand through her beautiful raven black locks, before she moved the blanket off of her body. Still hearing the sounds from outside, she stood and took a simple white bathrobe out from her closet, before heading outside. The moon was still in the sky, yet from the looks of it, the sun would begin to rise soon, in an hour or two.

When she reached the front door, the only thing she heard was a loud yell, along with a harsh crash. She slid the door open, her eyes widening in shock. There stood Takeda, breathing heavily, covered in sweat, only wearing a simple pair of shorts and shoes.

"Takeda?" His head slowly turned her way, seeing her standing there in the moonlight. Her raven black hair out of it's usual ponytail, now left to flow down her back. The white bathrobe that hugged her voluptuous figure like it was made for her only. "What are you doing out here? It's 4 in the morning." She wondered, as Takeda wiped away sweat.

"...I...I couldn't sleep..." He muttered. "T-Thought I'd get some training in." He added on, as Akeno smiled. She walked back into the house, before coming back with a towel and a bottle of water. Takeda was a bit confused, as she handed the bottle to him.

"If you're going to train, then you need to stay hydrated. How long have you been out here?" Akeno asked, as she began to wipe away the sweat.

"An...hour and a half." He stated, as Akeno flicked his forehead. "G-Gah...!"

"All that time with no water? You're a devil now, yes, but you need to stay hydrated. Keep that in mind, okay?" Akeno urged, as Takeda slowly nodded in agreement. That put a smile on Akeno's face, as she continued to wipe away the sweat from his upper body. "So, what have you been working on?"

"My Sacred Gear...I still barely know anything about it, or what I could do with it. Training's the only way to increase my abilities with it."

"But what you were able to accomplish at the abandoned church..." Akeno retorted, before The Elder Dragon spoke up.

[The brat was only able to possess those abilities because of his rage. Only having those abilities during moments of rage, it doesn't allow the user to use those powers at their full capacity. Sure, using them during those moments helps with experience, but it still wouldn't be near full power.]

"I see..." Akeno muttered, before offering a smile. "Well then...as the Queen of our group and as your friend, I'll do whatever I can to help in your training." Akeno stated. Takeda looked at her in shock, before a small smile appeared on his face. "For now, you need to try and get some rest. Training is good, but it's not going to do much if you don't let your body rest."

"Yeah...goodnight, Akeno." He said, before moving back towards the house.

"Yes, sweet dreams Takeda." Akeno returned the gesture, as Takeda disappeared into the house. As soon as he was gone from sight, Akeno heard a rumble behind her. She turned, before seeing a tree begin to fall over. She looked closer at it, to see it hda been cut into several times, causing one end to falter and tilt.

She gave a small sigh, shaking her head before heading back into the house.

'Thankfully no one visits this shrine any longer.' She thought to herself, heading for her own room. Though, she thought to check on Takeda first. When she got to his room, she heard silence. She slit the door open, seeing Takeda laid out on the bed. She walked over to the bed, leaning down before planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Sleep well." She smiled as she left the room, not before noticing the small smile that appeared on Takeda's face.


Meanwhile, Takeda's eyes opened to reveal a large mountain range, skies dark and cloudy. There even seemed to be bones of dead creatures and beasts around the area.

"Where...am I?"

[This will be the first time we meet face to face, brat]

Takeda searched for the owner of the voice, before the ground began to rumble. He turned to where it was the loudest, before seeing a shadow growing over the mountains. Slowly, blood red eyes opened, peering down at Takeka with a calculated gaze. The clouds parted due to its wingspan, torn black wings attached to a black scaled dragon, a crown of horns shaping it's head, four of those horns being longer than the rest. Two were curved upwards, while the other two were curled, pointed to the sides.

It's mouth opened several times, revealing rows upon rows of sword length sized teeth. Each tooth almost looked like a broadsword. Eyes made of blood, and wings that looked like they were made of shadows themselves.

"Erebus..." Takeda muttered the Elder Dragons name. The female dragon came downwards, landing before him, causing the grounds around them to shake. To the point Takeda nearly fell over. Her long neck stretched to allow her to get a closer look at him, as what looked like a smirk grew on her face.

[You don't show fear? Good, I like that.]

The dragons head moved away, as it took a seated position.

[I thought it best we meet eye to eye, since we'll be working together for quite some time.]

"...You say that is you know I'll live long." Takeda stated. Of course he knew he'd live long as devil now. However, there also came the fact that he was a devil under the younger sister of the current Lucifer. Not only that, there would be those who would know of Erebus, and would come after her wielder.

[Of course, there is the possibility you'll die young, but I don't believe it. Yes, I told the Queen of Rias Gremory you only possessed the power you did due to rage. What I didn't say was that you used them at a higher level than others before you.]

"What?"

[There have been plenty of others before you who held my power. Some lost themselves to rage and grew drunk on my power. Others could handle the power, but could barely use any of it. While others were only able to access 5 percent, you were able to wield 15. It may not appear that much of a difference, but that's only until you bring in the amount of power I possess. Beyond that, I brought you into your mindscape to explain things to you.]

"Explain what?" Takeda asked, before a rock formed out from the shadows, more so in the form of a seat.

[Sit down. This may take some time.]

Erebus advised, as Takeda slowly sat on the rock. Suprisingly, it wasn't uncomfortable, it even had a bit of comfort in it. Perhaps it was because it was made of Erebus' power, a power he could use.

[To start things off, you have heard me referred to as an Elder Dragon, have you not?]

"Yeah, back when I first became a Devil, Rias called you one of the Elder Dragons of Japan. So there are more?" Takeda questioned.

[That's correct. In total, there are five Elder Dragons of Japan. There's myself, the Elder Dragon of the Moon. Though, among the rest, the one you need to know of is the Holy Dragon. My counterpart.]

"The Holy Dragon...she said something about that then..." Takeda muttered.

"The Holy Dragon has already awaken, best to rid the world of the Shadow Dragon now rather than let one obtain and combine the powers."

The voice of Amelie spoke in his mind.

"She had said something about obtaining and combining the powers."

[I'll explain it as simple as I can. While I represent the moon, the other Erebus represents the sun, and thus the light, as a counterpart to my darkness. Throughout history, much like the Red and White Dragon Emperors, our wielders have battled through history, killing the other and taking the power of the sun and moon for themselves. Combining light and darkness, bringing the sun and moon together, to create the Eclipse. Obtaining both powers would then earn that wielder the title of Nisshoku.]

Takeda took in the words she spoke, before peering up at the Elder Dragon.

"Is this something you and the other Erebus want. To combine and become one?"

[Once, we were one, before the Elder Dragon of Space seperated us, and gave us each our own domains. The Erebus of light watched over the sun, while I, the Erebus of Darkness, watched over the moon. The one to learn we were one, was my first wielder. I did not reveal it to him, to this day I do not know how he knew. He released the information to the other Sacred Treasure wielders, and so the cycle began. Whether you wish to find your counterpart, and take their power as your own, is up to you. I hold no control over your motives. My only purpose is to help you learn how to wield my power.]

"And has anyone ever reached the point of wielding all 100 percent of your power?"

[I'm afraid not. Once it was known another power could be gained, they all aimed for that alone. So...what is your plan?]

"To earn power through killing someone else...it's wrong." Takeda said, remembering the newest member of the group, Asia. "I'd rather learn my own power and perfect it, before I would ever kill for anothers. Can you help me do that?" Takeda met Erebus' slit eyes, before a small smirk grew on her scaly mouth.

[That I can, Nakamura Takeda. That I can.]

"Great, though I have to ask. That night..." Takeda began. "I don't know what it was, but after my parents...something happened, something I felt in my eyes. I don't know what it was, but it felt powerful. It definitely wasn't the Sacred Treasure, I can feel when I'm using that power. Being an Elder Dragon, would you know anything about it?"

[Power that stems from the eyes., aside from my own, hmm...I may have to think back into history a bit, but if something comes up, I'll inform you.]

"Thank you. Well...other than your counterpart, is there anything you needed to tell me?"

[There was, actually. You see, I obversed how much training you did, and I can see you have a ways to go before achieving near fifty percent of my power. Thus, I thought it'd work if we trained here in your mindscape. You'll be able to sleep, and once you do, I'll bring you here so we can train together. Of course, when you awaken you will feel the overall fatigue from that session, but it'll help nonetheless. Add that training onto real time training, and you'll see growth in no time.]

"I see..." Takeda looked up with a small smile. "Then I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you, Erebus."

[It's as I said before, it is my duty to help you control my power as my wielder. This comes as part of the job. So...you ready to start?]

Takeda stood from the stone made seat, allowing the Sacred Treasure to appear within his right eye.

"Do you really need to ask?"


"Do we really need to do this?"

"Of course we do. Most of your clothing were destroyed in the fire, so we need to get some new clothing for you." Akeno explained, recieving a sigh from Takeda. Though she was right. Seeing as the entire house had been caught in the fire, all of Takeda's clothing had burnt to a crisp.

The two had went downtown to the only mall in town, before searching for the mens clothing store. As they walked, Takeda couldn't help but admire Akeno's outfit. Some would call it simply, but she made it look like it was made for a model. She was wearing a simple white long sleeved top, matched with a pair of black jeans and simple black shoes. Her hair was once again up in it's usual ponytail.

Eventually the two found the right store, walking in as some music played throughout the room.

"Hello, welcome. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask." One of the store workers said to them when they came in. Akeno turned to them, offering a smile.

"Thank you very much." Takeda simply nodded in thanks as the two continued further into the store. "Well, go ahead and look around and find what you like. At most, maybe get outfits for at least a week and a half."

"Got it." Takeda muttered, as he walked off. If there was one thing Takeda hated, it was shopping for clothes. For the most part, his dad would simply get him clothing whenever he thought he needed some, knowing how much his son had hated the idea of shopping altogether.

As he looked around, he noticed the variety the store held when it came to styles. He looked over a few shirts, before he released a heavy sigh.

'It's only been a minute in, and I'm already bored out of my mind." He muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Don't say that, this'll be fun." He nearly jumped when he heard Akeno behind him, a cute smile on her face.

"Don't mean to sound sexist, but buying and shopping for clothes seems more like something a girl would like." He retorted, turning back to the shirts. He picked up one, which was a simple black top, a small design on the right hip side that lined up that entire half. It was text in the shape of a animal skull, specifically a wolf. He shrugged, deciding he'd try it out. It was simple enough, not to outgoing or over the top. Just the type of clothing he liked.

"Well I suppose I'll help then. What would you be looking for?" Akeno asked.

"Simple, nothing over the top. Dark colors." Takeda said, earning a giggle from Akeno.

"Dark colors, huh? Sure, I'll see what I can find." Akeno said, beginning to walk off.

"And I don't like wearing pants that much. Sweatpants if you can." He called out, only to hear the giggling of Akeno, making him sigh. He turned back to the shirts, before picking a few out. Anything that others wouldn't look into that much. He searched the store, also picking out a few shoes, sweatpants, some packs of socks, underwear, tanktops. The essentials of clothing. He also made sure to get some things to wear for training.

"You know, you didn't hava to pay for all of this." Takeda stated, the two now headed back for Akeno's home. It took some time, but they found enough clothing for Takeda. In total, there were 8 bags to carry. Since Akeno had payed, Takeda took to carrying them all, four in each hand. In total, he had gotten 10 shirts, 10 pairs of sweatpants, 3 packs of socks, 4 pairs of shoes, along with plenty of training attire.

"No, but I wanted to. I told you I'd help you in any way I could, and something like this is rather small, I must admit." Akeno stated, giving Takeda a warm smile. Takeda looked up towards the sky, as Akeno brought him down an alley. Once they were far enough in, she activated a magic circle, transporting them both straight to the shrine. "Go ahead and set everything in your room, I'll get dinner started." With a simple nod, Takeda walked off.

Takeda stayed in his room until dinner was done, now sitting across from Akeno who had laid out the food for them. They ate in silence, before Takeda looked up at Akeno.

"Can I ask you something?" He questioned. Akeno set her utensils down, looking up with a smile.

"You just did, but sure."

"Why are you so insistent on helping me so much. I get we're apart of the same group, but even then, we barely know a thing about one another. You have no reason to help me, so why do you?" He asked, as Akeno's eyes turned somber.

"You're right, we barely know one another. The reason I help you isn't because we're of the same group under Rias. It's because I understand the pain you're going through." She stated, causing Takeda to raise an eyebrow in question. "I usually don't talk about this, as much as I'd like to forget it."

"You don't have to speak about it if you don't want to-"

"No, it's fine." Akeno interupted him. "My mother, was a shrine maiden and a regular human of the Himejima clan. One day, she happened upon a wounded man in front of her shrine. She nursed him back to health, and overtime, they fell in love. With time, he revealed to her that he was a fallen angel, but...she didn't mind it. She loved him far more than to betray his trust of her. Eventually, they married and had a child...me." Akeno paused. "However, the rest of her clan didn't agree with her in her beliefs, and grew to hate my mother and I. To the point the other kids would bully me and attempt to bring harm to me. Even then, I didn't care, because I had parents that loved me. Unfortunately..."

Akeno took a big pause, taking in a deep breath of air.

"One day when my father was gone on a mission, the rest of the clan had attacked my mother and I, and she died protecting me, right before my very eyes." She finished.

"I'm sorry to hear."

"It's alright...It was at that time my father returned, and killed the rest of the attackers. At the time, I couldn't find anything or anyone else to put the blame on, so I did so on him. I was a child at the time, not really understanding who or what to blame, and I suppose a part of me regrets doing what I did. Pushing my father away. I ran from him, but I didn't know where I was going. Eventually, I came upon Rias, and she helped me out. I agreed to go to the Underworld with her, and eventually, I joined her peerage as her first member and only Queen. At the time, I joined hoping it would rid me of my fallen angel blood and wings, but it turned into what you possess. A hybrid of the two, between a devil and a fallen angel."

Takeda was speechless. He couldn't think of anything to say, nor anything to give some form of comfort.

"All those years ago, Rias was there to comfort me and tell me everything would be alright. That I would make my mother proud in the future." Akeno said, before she stood up and walked to Takeda's end of the table. Takeda watched her, before her arms wrapped over his shoulder, Akeno pulling him into her embrace. "Now, I want to be that someone for you, as someone who know's the feelings you have within you. I'll be here to tell you that everything will be alright. No matter what, your parents, adoptive or not, are going to be proud of you. They're not just words for words, but my most sincere belief."

Takeda's eyes cast downwards, before he felt his eyes began to grow wet from the growing tears. Akeno could hear the soft whimpers, so she held him tighter, rocking him slowly from side to side. She made this promise to herself and to Takeda himself, and she'd be damned if she broke it.


The next day, he found himself back on that exact cliff, staring down at the three graves. In his hands were three different sets of flowers. Blue lilies, set down on Mizo's grave. Daffodils, set down on Houji's grave. Lilacs, set down on Kalawarner's grave. He sat down before them, his face straight.

He had left early in the morning, leaving a note for Akeno to tell where he would be.

With a heavy sigh, Takeda looked over the three graves, before his mouth opened.

"Hey, mom...dad...Kala..." He started. "I suppose if I'm going to do this, I'll speak to each of you individually." Takeda wiped away the sweat across his forehead. "This is difficult, I won't lie to you three. A part of me didn't even want to come, but...if I'm going to move on and push forward, then...this needs to be done."

Takeda allowed his hand to graze Mizo's grave.

"Mom...calling you an adopted mother wouldn't do justice to the things you've done for me. All 8 years, and you've taught me so much. Doing what a mother would do, pushing me when no one else would. Believing in me even when I fell down, picking me up and dusting me off. I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for you. I'll never forget you, no matter how long I live. Even if I live another hundred years from now, you'll still be in my mind and in my heart. No matter what, it is your love that'll help me sleep at night. Thank you for all you've done. Nakamura Mizo."

Takeda turned to the grave on the right, Houji's grave.

"Father...words alone can express the gratitude I have for you. When I wanted to learn martial arts, you were the first to push me on. You made sure I had the equipment I needed, that I took the lessons I wanted to take, and that I learned all I could. You even went and took your own classes, just to be there with me. Whenever I felt like quitting, you told me 'Hell no, quitting ain't gonna change a thing. The more you quit, the more it becomes a habit.' You told me that, didn't you? Even noww I've taken those words to heart, and they'll forever stay with me. Whenever I feel like quitting, or tapping out, I'll always think of you before anyone else.. Thank you for all you've done. Nakamura Houji."

Finally, with a deep sigh, his eyes turned to the middle grave. Kalawarner.

"Well...overall, our time together was short, that much is true, and yet...you still did so much for me. For years now, I turned away from love and the thought of it. Even when you asked me out that day, be it some mission or not, I still found some form of hope. That date, it was simple, but yet...it felt so true and natural. My feelings for you grew, and I felt actual love. At the end of that date, you tried to protect, to keep me safe. I couldn't see it, but I could hear and feel it...You cried for me, showed care for me. They called us enemies once I became a devil, yet you still cared for me. Tried to keep me away just so they wouldn't come for me again. Perhaps, because of you, I can find love once again, and can protect it. That...is a mistake I will never make again. Thank you for all you've done...Ayumi...Kala."

Half way through his speech, Takeda's eyes had begun to tear up, as he furiously wiped them away.

Slowly, he got to his feet, taking in a deep breath of air as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I'll miss you all, but...I need to move forward, and keep my life going. I've made plenty of friends, people I consider family, and I know I'll protect them. That...is a mistake I will never make again." With a final look, Takeda walked off, placing his own magic circle around the area, as a means to keep the area as beautiful as it was at this moment.

A part of his life may have ended, but...his life was far from over, and Takeda knew that for sure.


And thus chapter 5 is complete!

A good portion of this was to help bring Akeno and Takeda closer, with them dealing with certain hurtful moments in their lives. This chapter could also be seen as a way for Takeda to find his new goals, such as to protect those close to him, to learn all he can of Erebus' power, and another high end goal, to find out who his true parents are. This was a text heavy chapter, as a way to calm down from the fight of the last chapter.

Next time, we get to the familiars, which I'm hoping turns out well. With nothing left to say, until next time...

Stay safe...

Stay Healthy...

Have a good one!