Alright, so this is the longest chapter His Angel has had in a while, totaling 7,011 words on Google Docs. (Oddly enough, the total went down to 6,931 after I ported it to Fanfiction, so someone give me a heads-up if a whole section of the chapter is missing.)
It's a really emotional chapter, for a lot of different reasons. I hope you'll enjoy. But outside that, I'd like to say something else.
His Angel has just recently hit 1,000 Followers. That's insane. Seems like almost yesterday I just published the little 2.5k word chapter 1, and now here we are. I'd like to thank each and every one of you for sticking with the story, I know it's been bad at times. But anyway.
So, if any of you guys/gals are an artist, I'd love to have a nice fanart to put as this story's picture, instead of the lame one from the anime I have at the moment. I can't pay you, cus I'm on a college student's budget (which is to say I have a negative balance in my bank account) but if you're a big fan, I'd really appreciate it.
Last thing. A couple of people helped me proofread/edit/brainstorm this chapter, to make it the best I could, so I'll give them a shoutout.
Dragonare (he's a guest cus he's lame)
LanceSennin
Laserbr0
Big thanks to the three of them, they came up with a lot of the pieces of this. Alright, I'll get out of your way now.
I hope you enjoy, and don't forget to read and review.
"Rias, I'm telling you, this is a bad idea. It's not happening."
"It'll be fine."
"I beg to differ."
"Then beg."
"That doesn't even make sense."
"Look, Issei, it'll be fine. All you're doing is activate Balance Breaker. Ddraig even said you're ready!"
"Yeah, but-"
"No buts! Just say it! 'Balance Breaker!' See, it's easy! Come on, say it with me this time, 'Balance Breaker!'"
"I'm not gonna do it. If I have to, I'll activate it during the game. I don't want to risk being anywhere near Raynare when I let off that much power." Issei said, shaking his head.
He and Rias were standing outside, away from the mansion, with the rest of the group watching them from right next to it. Ever since Ddraig had revealed he was ready to Balance Break several days ago, Rias had stuck to him like glue, trying to get him to activate it. While he was initially excited and more than happy to evolve his Sacred Gear, his readiness quickly faded into apprehension once he realized he could potentially harm his unborn child just by being in the same area as Raynare when it happened.
"Then let's go somewhere else! Issei, please!"
"Why are you so adamant? It's not that big of a deal." Issei was starting to get tired of the King's constant pestering, and he'd told her more than a handful of time he wouldn't be using Balance Breaker until during or after the Rating Game. It didn't stop her from trying.
"Because I need to win this game, Issei." Rias was also starting to get mad; she wasn't used to being refused, and she'd rarely had to argue for anything. To be completely disregarded, and on something so important, was both unknown and annoying. The only time anyone had ever disagreed with her was when the engagement to Riser was first set up, so to have Issei completely ignore her wish was driving the King up a wall.
"I get that, but I think we'll be fine. Matsuda and I both have Longinus gears. We've got a whole team of semi-powerful members, minus Asia."
"Riser has fifteen; we have eight. Sorry, we have seven. Because you insist on Raynare not being in the game."
"Uh, no shit." Issei tossed out a casual curse, surprising Raynare, who was watching from the sidelines. She agreed with him, of course, but she would rather just dismiss the angry redhead entirely than have this constant verbal fight. "Why would I ever let the mother of my unborn child play in a gladiatorial deathmatch? I get that you don't want to marry Riser, but there's more going on here than just that. Not to mention, it's not like I'm gonna lose access to Balance Breaker by not using it now. I'll just activate it during the game. I'll even do it right at the start, if that's what your Highness would prefer."
The rest of the peerage rolled their eyes. They'd heard a million and one variations of this same argument for the past four days now, and they'd all stopping caring. The moment Issei had said Raynare wouldn't be participating, he and Rias had been at it, back and forth, nonstop. Nobody really disagreed with him, because of course he'd value his own flesh and blood child more than Rias' feud with the Phenex, but for some reason Rias felt the need to argue it anyway.
"You-...Alright, fine. Whatever. Let's have a spar." Rias said, rubbing her temples and trying to alleviate her headache.
Issei looked around, surprised. No one else seemed to be coming over. He'd never sparred against or even trained with Rias, as she was a purely magic fighter and he was the opposite. "You and me?"
"No, that wouldn't be much of a fight." Rias said, looking at the other group.
"Who, then?"
"Hmm...you've fought Kiba and Koneko, and something tells me Asia or Akeno wouldn't be great sparring partners for you. Something else tells me you wouldn't spar against Raynare…"
"Not on your life."
"Then, Matsuda? You guys haven't fought yet, right?"
Issei almost laughed out loud. They'd fought a couple more times than he'd care to remember. "We've definitely had a couple of...disagreements." Issei said, his voice low.
"What's the matter, scaly? Afraid I'll kick your ass?" Matsuda said, standing up with a grin on his face. He walked over to the two of them, looking at Rias.
"Yeah, I can't see this going bad." Kiba remarked, now at full attention. Raynare, too, had her eyes peeled. She might be on speaking terms with Matsuda, but that didn't mean she forgave him or trusted him. She and the rest of the peerage watched with bated breath from their places by the mansion.
Issei didn't say anything in reply, he just keenly watched Matsuda with a growing frown.
"Yes, I think this'll be a good way to measure your progress, both of you. Issei is a newly dragon-enhanced human, and Matsuda, you're a reincarnated devil with an athletic background. The two of you should be on relatively even terms, without introducing your sacred gears. Why don't you have a purely physical training match?" Rias suggested, walking a few feet away to referee.
"I'm game. Ready to re-live the good ol' days, buddy?" Matsuda said, smirking and pulling himself into a offensive stance. While he might have thought the remark was all in good fun, it only brought up bad memories for the other boy.
Issei grit his teeth and pulled his arms forward, ready to defend.
"Whenever you're ready." Rias said, nodding.
The two of them circled one other from a distance of a couple meters, each looking for an opening or opportunity. No one made a move for what seemed like several minutes.
Odd as it may seem, Issei had the physical advantage. His Draconian physiology granted him far superior natural strength to Matsuda's, the latter being only a newly reincarnated Low-Class devil. That being said, Matsuda held a significant edge in skill, having taken a couple years of martial arts before being reincarnated. They were almost evenly matched. But, Matsuda had one more ace up his sleeve, and he didn't even know it.
Deep down, in the back of Issei's mind, he was terrified.
Matsuda rushed in for a haymaker, tired of waiting. Issei's eyes widened, and in an instant, all the memories of being under his bully's heel came rushing back. He dropped his practiced guard and feebly attempted to block his face with his hands, fear flooding his psyche. Matsuda didn't stop, and his fist hit Issei's temple with force enough to break a normal human's bones, sending him reeling backwards.
Matsuda continued forward, his hands raised and ready for another attack
Issei had lost almost all sense of rational thought. He acted cordial with Matsuda, and they were forming a tentative relationship, but he'd never once forgotten what it was like to be dominated, no matter how hard he tried. When he saw Matsuda rushing forward, all of a sudden it was like he was back at his old school, completely powerless, being pushed around in the courtyard for everyone to see.
In that instant, when Matsuda's fist met his face, Issei was back to being helpless and alone. Ddraig, Raynare, everyone and everything and all of it, gone; nothing left but the fear of pain.
Matsuda closed the gap and grabbed Issei by the collar, pulling him into another swift punch. Issei stumbled backwards and fell on his rear, weakly attempting to scoot himself away.
The sheer cowardice of it infuriated his opponent. Matsuda looked down on Issei with utter contempt.
"You never could take a punch, could you? Sure you don't wanna bark again, for old times sake?" Matsuda said, approaching the terrified boy with a sneer.
Raynare flared her black wings, fully prepared to defend Issei and kill Matsuda, but an outstretched hand in front of her made the angel stop.
"Wait a second." Kiba said, lowering his arm. "Issei's not done yet."
Matsuda knelt down beside Issei, who refused to look him in the eyes. The Dragon of Domination lay on the ground, knees drawn back, hands in front of his face, whimpering. Matsuda grabbed his collar again, and went to pull Issei to his feet, but a voice stopped him.
[We are the Red Dragon of Domination, and if my partner is too afraid to stand up for himself, than I will! You'll disgrace us no longer, worm!] The Dragon within Issei's gauntlet roared with pure fury, and Issei's eyes turned bright crimson. Overwhelming power radiated from the fallen boy, and within a blink of an eye he was back on his feet, looking down at Matsuda.
Issei's Gauntlet formed on his hand, but it was wicked and twisted, seemingly formed of flesh and scale rather than metal.
"BOOST!"
Matsuda didn't even have time to react before Issei grabbed him by the throat and lifted him into the air.
"JET!"
Issei shot into the woods opposite the mansion faster than sound, carrying Matsuda by the neck. The shockwave from breaking the sound barrier shattered all the windows on the side of the mansion everyone had gathered under, and Akeno put up a barrier just in time to stop them all from being lacerated by falling glass.
Within seconds, the two boys were miles away.
Raynare flew into the woods after them, as fast as she could go.
Matsuda was thrown into a clearing with enough force to shatter his spine, but his Sacred Gear, the Canis Lykaon, protected him, taking the form of a Wolf and dampening his impact with it's own body.
Issei landed soon after, the ground rumbling on contact. The light and color faded from his eyes, and he fell to one knee. Looking at his dragon-flesh arm, he had confusion written all over his face.
Matsuda rolled over onto his hands and knees, trying to pick himself up. The Canis Lykaon bared it's teeth at Issei, growling ferociously.
"You're...so...pathetic!" Matsuda spat, raising himself up to his knees.
Issei narrowed his eyes at the boy, his fear forgotten and replaced with anger. Even in overwhelming defeat, he dripped with hate.
"Seems to me like you're the one on the ground." Issei replied, standing up. He flexed the clawed fingers on his left hand, making sure it was usable.
"Not because of you...you couldn't do a thing but watch! You did nothing while I made you into a punching bag!"
Issei ground his teeth. He attempted to silently Boost himself, but received only a mental block in place of extra power.
'Ddraig? What's happening? Why can't I boost?'
[You've soiled the name of the Red Dragon. Until you conquer your fear and defeat him yourself, you'll get no help from me. Consider yourself grounded.] After his last word, Ddraig's connection was blocked, and Issei felt the Dragon retreat into a dark corner of his mind.
"Just then, if your dragon hadn't been there to save you, I'd have knocked your ass out without so much as a slap from you!" Matsuda yelled, standing up.
Issei struggled to find words to say back, but he knew Matsuda was right. Fury boiled inside him, rage directed at both himself and the bully.
"You never changed. You were never sorry." Issei said in a low voice, grinding his teeth.
"You're goddamn right. Without that gauntlet, you'd be nothing. What am I supposed to be sorry about, that you can't stand up for yourself? Weakling." Matsuda said, and spat on the ground.
"Shut up."
"Or what? Gonna go get your girlfriend? How about you Boost again? Why don't you fuckin' make me, Hyoudou?" Matsuda said, walking forward. His dog disappeared, and started flowing onto his hands.
"I said shut up!" Issei roared, lunging forward. He threw a wild right hook at Matsuda, who dodged and followed up with a left jeb in Issei's abdomen, assisted by his newly-formed black knuckles.
"You're nothing! You've always been nothing!" Matsuda said, kicking him away.
"And I'm still better than you!" Issei replied, rushing at him again with his Dragon hand raised for an attack.
"Of course you are. Of course you are! You rich asshats always look down at me! You're not better than me, Hyoudou! You're not!" Matsuda yelled, sounding oddly desperate. He deflected Issei's Draconic punch, grabbed him by the collar, and threw him into a tree at the edge of the clearing.
Issei hit the tree with a massive crack, though he couldn't tell if it was his back or the wood, and frankly, he was too mad to care. He stood up again, just in time to see Matsuda hit him with two quick jabs in the face and then roundhouse him back into the tree.
"You spent your whole life up there in that cushy house, wiping your ass with money! No wonder you can't take a little pain, you don't know what it feels like!" Matsuda roared, flinging Issei across the clearing.
Issei hit the dirt and rolled on his side, using his momentum as an advantage to get back on his feet. His face was bloody, and he was covered in dirt and grass, but he stood straight, with his fists raised. There wasn't a glimmer of fear anywhere on him.
"I don't know pain, huh? I've never felt it? Is that what you think?!" Issei screamed out. This time, Matsuda rushed him, and Issei used his own moves against him. He grabbed both of Matsuda's hands, pulled him forward and knocking him off balance, then kicked Matsuda square in the chest, sending him flying backwards.
"My life was nothing but pain, for years! You think just because your daddy hit you, you have an excuse to do whatever you want? Get real! You use your past as an excuse to hurt people because you're just an angry little brat, mad at the world and everyone in it!" Issei said, fury raging in his eyes.
Matsuda staggered backwards, coming to a standstill. He and Issei glared at each other from across the clearing, both of them dripping blood and exhausted.
"You have no idea what it's like. Not knowing when your next meal is coming, living on the street, always worried that your dad will come back to kill you and finish the job. You don't know what pain is. You've never had to struggle in your life." Matsuda said, unmoving. Blood dripped from his nose and right ear, his breathing was labored, and at least one of his ribs was broken, but he kept his fists raised.
"I've been close friends with pain since the day my parents died. You're right, I never struggled for money. I had different problems, but they were just as real. We all struggle. We're all human. Where you messed up, is when you took out your anger on the people around you." Issei said with a steady voice, ready to defend himself. Blood leaked from his mouth, and his right eye was bloody and swollen.
"You think I wanted to? You think I like seeing people look at me with hate and fear in their eyes?! I hated it! I hated you! And, more than anything, I hate myself! Every morning, I looked in the mirror and said I'd apologize and do better, that I'd stop hurting people, and I never could! I always saw you, sitting pretty with plenty of money and not a care in the world, and I couldn't stand it! And now, you live in a penthouse apartment with your dream girl and a kid on the way, and here I am, alone and with nothing! I died, man! Your friend fucking killed me, without even a goddamn reason! I don't have anything, or anyone...I don't even have a soul, anymore."
Matsuda dropped to the ground, all the fight leaving his body. He sat on the dirt, his head hung low, legs drawn up, and draped his arms over his knees. His black knuckles disappeared, taking the shape of a fuzzy puppy, who crawled up on his stomach.
"All I wanted was to stop hurting people...and now, I'm a goddamn demon with a magic dog that does nothing but cause pain. There's nothing left for me but hurting others. I don't want this. I never wanted this. All I...I just...I miss my mom, man..." Matsuda choked out, his voice cracking. "And now look at me. Here I am, crying in front of someone I was just ripping apart. Ha, what a piece of shit." Tears slowly dripped out of his eyes.
Issei said nothing. His brain had slowed to a crawl. At first, he'd thought the boy was lying. Matsuda, not wanting to hurt people? Not possible. He'd literally just got through calling Issei pathetic.
But, as he kept talking, Issei could see he was sincere, and what's worse, he understood. Not having anyone in the world is the most awful thing that can happen to someone, and Issei personally knew that. Not to mention, being too poor to afford food or a place to stay, and having to worry about his own father killing him.
For the first time in his life, he felt genuine pity for Matsuda.
Matsuda looked up from the ground at Issei, who hadn't said a word.
The fallen boy shook his head, a sad smile on his face.
"Tell Rias you killed me on accident, or I wouldn't stop and I forced you to kill me, or something like that. Go home. Marry Raynare, raise your kid, raise 'em right, and have a good life. It's not too late for you, yet. I'm just gonna...sit here, for a bit." Matsuda said, wiping his face. He took the puppy in his hands, and it whimpered.
"I know, I know, but just do me this last favor, okay?" Matsuda said quietly, talking to the puppy. He lifted it to his face, and it licked his cheek and under his eyes, wiping away some tears.
Matsuda lowered the puppy back down, and it whimpered one last time before taking the form of his vicious black sword.
Issei had a choice.
Could he leave, and let his former bully take his own life?
Yes.
And it was tempting, too. He almost did. Issei almost turned away, and let Matsuda end himself.
But he couldn't.
No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't sit by and let it happen.
Raynare had given Issei a chance to live. Lisa Lisa had given him a chance to restart. Azazel had given him a chance to save Kalawarner, and to hear from his mother again.
All these people, all thinking of him and not themselves, all giving him a chance.
What kind of man would Issei be if he didn't do the same?
"Matsuda, stop." Issei said firmly, making his choice.
"What? Why? Why should I? There's nothing left for me but being a monster. There's nothing here but pain." Matsuda said, holding the sword so tight his knuckles turned white.
"You're wrong. You've got plenty left, and you have people there for you. You just don't see it." Issei said, shaking his head.
"How the hell would you know?" Matsuda asked, his grip tightening even more.
Issei walked over to where Matsuda was and sat down behind him, back-to-back.
"Because I've been where you are. It seems like forever ago, almost. The day after I met Raynare, I was going to kill myself. I had nothing and nobody, and I didn't see an out. I was going to take the sword off our mantle and gut myself, right there on the floor." Issei said solemnly.
Matsuda didn't say anything in reply, he just stared at the blade in his hand and listened.
"But then, Raynare showed me there was more to live for than just myself. I fell in love, I really did. I fell hard, and all my problems faded into the background."
"Oh gee, I'm happy for you-"
"No, let me finish. You think that no one cares about you, and they'd be better off with you dead."
"Am I wrong?"
"So wrong it hurts."
Issei could sense the confusion and disbelief in Matsuda, without even facing him. So, he kept going.
"That night Rias tried to sleep with you, do you know why she did it? It wasn't just because she needed out of the marriage, even though that was a big part of it. She chose you because she trusted you, and cares about you."
"And I pushed her away. I wouldn't let her."
"She doesn't care about that. The first thing Rias told Raynare when she asked about it, was how sorry she was that she upset you."
Was he stretching the truth a bit? Absolutely, but what he was saying was true.
"...Really?"
"Yeah, really. And, not only her. What about Asia? You saved her life, and I'm positive she cares for you. Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko, even if she doesn't show it. They all care about you. If you can't take living for yourself any longer, then live for them." Issei said. He stood up, and walked around in front of Matsuda.
Issei reached out his hand.
Matsuda looked up at him, then looked down at his sword, still unsure.
"And...I forgive you." Issei said, looking Matsuda in the eyes. The other boy's mouth slowly opened and closed, like he didn't know what to say. Issei kept waiting, with his hand outstretched.
"...Thank you." Matsuda said, finally. He laid his sword down on the ground, and took Issei's hand. He pulled himself up and went to let go, but Issei kept a firm grip. He looked Matsuda in the eyes.
"Even if you decide they'd be better off without you, stick around for me. I'll need someone to fight with every now and then, blow off steam, you know." Issei said, smiling. He let go, and pat Matsuda on the shoulder. The boy copied his smile, and shook his head.
"You know, that day, when you kicked my ass and threw me into a tree...I swore I'd kill you. I did. I swore on everything I had that I'd end your life." Matsuda said, serious.
"Well, hey. You said it yourself; you have nothing. So, swearing on everything doesn't really count. I'd say you're good." Issei said, nodding.
Matsuda laughed and shook his head. "You're a candle." The boy blurted out, realizing he'd said it out loud just a moment too late.
Issei looked confused. "A candle?"
"Ah...yeah. Something my mom used to say, don't worry about it. It's not bad." Matsuda assured, shaking his hands.
"Alright...thanks, then. We should head back. I'm sure they're worried about us." Issei said, looking around. He suddenly realized he didn't know where 'back' was.
"Weren't you paying attention when you brought us here?"
"Uh, I didn't bring us here. Ddraig did."
"Oh. Well, we could fly back."
"I'm way too weak to fly."
"That makes two of us."
"Guess we should start walking, then."
"Guess so."
The two of them started walking out of the center of the clearing, walking in a random direction. They hadn't taken more than a few steps, when Matsuda stopped, and turned to Issei.
"What is it?" Issei asked, hoping he wasn't still thinking of killing himself.
"Just...uh...thanks, I guess. I'll make it up to you, some day. I swear it." Matsuda said, holding his fist over his heart. Issei clasped him on the shoulder, and the two stood close to each other.
From a distance, it looked like they were at each other's throats.
"I appreciate-" "Get away from him!" "-it. No, Raynare! Move!"
Matsuda had only a second to be confused about Issei's words before the boy violently shoved him.
"Oh man, what the...hell?" Matsuda asked, stumbling forward. He turned around.
And there was Issei...
...with a light spear in his chest.
"NO!"
Matsuda looked up at the sky and saw Raynare yell, before rocketing towards the ground. She flared her wings just before she made impact, then ran to Issei, who fell forward in her arms. She dispersed the spear as fast as she could, but the damage was done. Issei had a gaping hole in his torso.
Raynare had saw the two boys together, and in her defense, it absolutely looked like they were killing each other. She'd thrown a spear at Matsuda, trying to defend Issei, but of course, Issei pushed him out of the way. She could barely keep herself together.
Issei barely registered what happened, and he didn't feel any pain. All he felt was Raynare's embrace. He fell to the ground, and she fell with him. He looked up at the sky, and saw her worried face looking down at him.
"When I said...your light has a special place...in my heart...I didn't mean...literally…" Issei said, laughing. He coughed up blood, taking care not to cough on her.
"No~...Issei, please, stay with me, please! Oh God, I'm so sorry, Issei!" Raynare screamed, sobbing.
Matsuda didn't know what to do. Raynare had obviously been aiming for him; she must've thought they were still fighting. But, why would Issei take the spear for him? He had so much to live for…
Matsuda fell to his knees, watching. He could do nothing, but watch. Unless…
No. He could do something; he had to. He wouldn't let Issei die, only having hurt him. He'd do something good, even if it took everything he had.
"H-hey...don't cry...stop all that...nonsense. You...saved my life, a long time ago...it was yours to take...whenever you wanted it." Issei murmured, stroking Raynare's hair.
"But I don't want to take it! I didn't mean to...Please, Issei, don't...don't leave me here alone...please, Issei!" Raynare buried her head in Issei's chest frantically sobbing.
"I...don't plan on it. But, just...in case. Let me tell you something…" Issei said. He cupped her cheek, and made her look him in the eyes.
"This has been...the greatest time of my life...being with you. You made it worth living...and I love you...God, I love you...so, so much. So much I can barely stand it. And, I'll never...leave you...I'm always...right here." Issei pointed at her necklace, the one he'd given her all that time ago.
"And...don't forget...a part of me is with you...right here." Issei said, pointing to her belly, where their child grew.
Raynare put her hand over her mouth and choked back sobs. Tears poured from her eyes like a faucet, and she could barely think straight.
"Issei, please. Don't you go! Don't you dare! I won't forgive you if you die! You have to live! You have to stay...with me…"
"Raynare...my angel. I love you." Issei said.
He stopped breathing, and fell limp in her arms.
"No...no, no, no, no no no NO!"
Raynare screamed, louder than she ever had before. Her heart tore itself in half. Not only was the love of her life, her heart and soul, gone, but she had been the one to kill him.
Raynare sat there, sobbing into his chest, not registering anything going on with the world outside her, so she never noticed Matsuda approach.
Matsuda had gone to retrieve his Sacred Gear. He didn't know what the extent of his power was, as he'd only ever used it as a weapon before, but he had to try. Matsuda nodded to the sword, issuing it a mental command. and it turned into a puddle of goo in his fist. He knelt beside Issei, not hesitating for a second, and dumped the goo into his chest wound.
Raynare finally realized what was happening, and she snarled with pure hatred. She brutally slapped Matsuda away, sending him into a tree with enough power to kill him.
"What did you do?! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" She screamed, looking at the black liquid swirling around in Issei's chest.
Matsuda, from the ground, weakly raised his head. "I stopped the bleeding and...restarted his pulse. Take him to Asia...she might still be able to save him." With that, he passed out, his head hitting the dirt.
Raynare looked back and forth between the two boys. Without a word, she picked up Issei and flew back towards the mansion.
Issei opened his eyes all at once, immediately conscious. He sat up, looking at his body. He was clothed in a white robe, softer than silk; a quick look under it revealed more than he needed to see.
The whole in his chest was pulsing and red, and it was filled with some nasty black slime. Issei went to touch it, to see what in the world it was, but his finger passed through like it wasn't even there. On his left hand, the dragonflesh was gone, replaced by his own arm.
"Oh...so that's how it is." Issei said to nobody in particular, laying back down.
"That's how what is?" Said a familiar voice.
Issei nearly jumped out of his bed. On his right, was Lisa Lisa, sitting in a doctor's chair.
"Oh, it's just you. I guess I'm dead, then?" Issei asked, cutting right to the chase. He looked around, and saw that they were in an all-white hospital room, with the walls, ceiling, and floor made out of pristine marble.
"Not quite, but almost. We'll get to that in a minute. I want to ask you a few questions." Lisa Lisa said, talking without her trademark speed or cheer. She was slow, solemn, and serious.
"Looks like I've got nothing to do but answer. Whenever you're ready, I guess." Issei said, laying back down on the bed.
"Why did you take the spear for Matsuda?" Lisa Lisa asked, straightforward.
"That, huh? I don't really know, to be honest with you. I saw it coming, and I just couldn't let him die. Maybe I could've dodged, or maybe I could've deflected it, but then there was no guarantee that he wouldn't have been hit, and light is poisonous to Devils, so I couldn't let that happen." Issei explained.
"He would've died, yes, I get that. But that's not what I'm asking. You could've let him die; and you'd be with Raynare, and your child. Instead, you gave your life for a devil, and one you personally hated for quite some time. I'll ask again. Why did you take the spear for him?"
Issei looked down at his chest. The hole was still there. He looked back up at Lisa Lisa.
"Everyone deserves a second chance. Raynare gave me mine, and I got to feel happiness. Devil or bully or whatever, I figured the least I could do was make sure Matsuda gets his." Issei said, looking her in the eyes.
"Hmm...I see." Lisa Lisa scribbled something on a notepad. "And, what about Raynare? Do you blame her? You do know she was trying to kill him, right?"
"I do know that, yes, but I don't blame her at all. Absolutely not. She's my angel. She made my life something worth living, and she's carrying my child. Even if it was in her own misguided way, she was trying to protect me; I can't fault her for that. Even if she hadn't been, and she really was trying to kill me, I would've let it happen and not held it against her. She's the one who saved me in the first place. It's the least I owe her. If anything, I'm the one that should be guilty. I left her all alone to raise our child."
Lisa Lisa scribbled something else on her notepad, then looked back up at him. There wasn't a single trace of her normal smile.
"One final question, dearest. Please answer honestly."
"Sure."
"Do you want to die?"
Issei inhaled slowly. He exhaled. He looked down at himself. He clenched his fingers. He touched his face. He touched his lips. He closed his eyes.
"...No."
All he could think about was one person.
"No, I don't."
Raynare.
"I want to go back."
His Angel.
"I want to see Raynare."
She saved his life.
"I want to hold her close and tell her that it wasn't her fault, and that I don't blame her."
She was his reason for living.
"I want to be there when she has our child."
She was the sunshine in his world of darkness.
"I want to be at the altar when she walks down it."
She was his everything.
"I want to grow old with her, no matter how long it takes."
He couldn't stand to be apart from her.
"So, no. I don't want to die. I want to live. I want to live, and I want to see Raynare again. I want to hold her hand. I want to touch her cheek. I want to kiss her. I want to sleep beside her and hear her heartbeat."
Nothing could ever take away his feelings for her, not even death.
"I want Raynare."
Lisa Lisa started to write something, then stopped and put down the notepad. She looked Issei in the eyes, her kind smile back in full force.
"Dear, you've made me the third happiest woman in the universe. I'm so glad those were your answers."
"Third?"
"Third."
"Who's first and second?"
"Well, first is Raynare, once I send you back there in a moment, and second is her." Lisa Lisa said with a grin, then pointed to the other side of Issei's bed.
"Send me back…? Wait, who's 'her'?" He looked over to where Lisa Lisa pointed, not realizing anyone else had been in the room with them, or even that there was another side of the room.
"Hi, baby."
Issei's eyes went wide. His jaw dropped, and his heart jumped into his throat.
"Mom?"
"Mhmm. It's good to see you, Issei. I've missed you so much." Doctor Elsa Hyoudou said, standing from her chair beside his bed. She was dressed in a flowing white gown, and had upon her back two glowing golden wings.
Elsa stood beside his bed, and he nearly lept out of it, hugging her with everything he had. Elsa laughed, and hugged him back.
"I'm sure you want to hurry and get back, so I'll keep this quick. Issei, I'm so proud of the person you've become. 'Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'"
"Mom, I...I miss you."
"I know baby, I know. I miss you too. But, it's not your moment yet. We'll meet again when the time is right, count on it. For now, you have to go back."
"I...I...I love you, mom. I never got to say it, but I do."
"You didn't have to. I knew. I always knew. Goodbye, Issei."
Elsa pulled away from Issei as he started to shimmer, before he disappeared entirely. Elsa sighed, and sat down on the bed he'd been in.
"Are you okay, darling?" Lisa Lisa asked her, worried.
Elsa smiled. "I'm fine. What greater joy is there for a mother, than to have raised such an amazing son?" A tear fell from her eye, despite the words she said.
Lisa Lisa stood up and walked over to her, wrapping the younger woman in a hug.
"Oh, dear, I know. I know exactly how you feel. I'm proud of him too. If it makes you feel any better, that boy is one-in-a-million. He's going to do great things, just watch."
"I know. I know he is. He and Raynare...my baby boy and his angel."
Elsa broke down in tears, clutching at the sheets he'd been lying in. She put on a brave face, but the reality was that she missed him more than he could ever know. What good mother wouldn't?
"He'll be fine, I promise. Alright, dear. Let's go get you something to eat, hm? Gabriel's made a great soup today."
Consciousness came back to Issei in waves.
The first time he felt sensation, he couldn't even open his eyes. All he could feel was the hole in his chest slowly closing up before he fell unconscious again.
The second time, he just barely lifted one eyelid. He saw flashes of several worried faces, and a flurry of doctors and nurses. There was one face that stuck out above the rest, though.
Raynare. He saw her looking down at him, with worry and fear written all over.
He fought to stay awake, so he could hold her hand and tell her everything would be alright, but one of the doctors plucked him with something, and he went back under.
The third time, he woke up all the way. He opened his eyes, and looked around. White and blue walls, all around. He was on a comfortable hospital bed, and there was a significant weight on his right arm. He tried as hard as he could, and was just barely able to tilt his head far enough to see what it was. A messy mop of silken black hair, attached to a sleeping girl. He struggled, forcing himself to turn even farther, but his neck didn't want to cooperate.
After what seemed like an eternity of pain, he was able to tilt his head to the right far enough to blow on the hair. He blew a steady stream of air into it, trying to wake it's owner up.
After a minute or two of gently puffing, the girl stirred. She slowly raised her head, a strand of her black hair stuck to her lip. She pulled the strand off her mouth, then remembered where she was.
Raynare's face was etched with worry within seconds as she looked down on Issei's body.
"...Hey...gorgeous…" Issei managed to croak, his throat dry as a desert.
Raynare's eyes widened in shock as she heard the voice, and noticed Issei's open eyes. Her heart did a backflip in her chest, and she could barely stop herself from flattening him in a hug. But, then she remembered why he was there, and her happiness made way for crushing guilt.
"Issei, I-"
"Stop...I don't want to hear it." Issei groaned, forcing a smile.
Raynare's heart plummeted. Of course he didn't want to hear it. She'd nearly killed him.
"Listen...Raynare…Rachiel. My angel."
Raynare was confused, but she listened.
"Come...closer."
She put her face nearly on his chest, as close as she could get without touching him.
"Closer."
"But, your chest-"
"Closer."
"Issei, I-"
"Do...it."
Raynare looked beside herself with worry, but she put her head on his chest, right under his head. He held up his hand, using every ounce of strength he had, and she took it in hers.
"Will you...marry me?" Issei croaked, a smile on his face.
Raynare shot backward, nearly falling over the chair she'd been sitting in. She covered her mouth with her face, and didn't dare breathe.
"I'm...serious. You almost took...my life...and the only way...I can make sure...you don't feel guilty...is to give you the rest of it."
"Issei...Issei!" Raynare couldn't hold back any longer. At first, she'd thought he was joking. Who would ever propose after nearly being killed by their significant other? But, of course, Issei would.
She practically jumped on him, pulling him into a tight hug. Issei raised one arm and hugged her back, the best he could.
"I don't have...a ring. But give me some time...and I'll get you the best one...money can buy." Issei said, his throat literally starting to bleed from how much he was talking despite it being so dry.
"Oh my God, Issei. You…yes. Yes! A million times, yes!" Raynare started laughing. She laughed, and then she cried, and then she laughed some more. Issei was right there with her, smiling the whole time.
When a nurse finally came in to see what the commotion was all about, she found the patient in bed, as expected, but with his girlfriend lying next to him.
"Mr. Hyoudou? Are you...awake?" The nurse, Sofia, asked, looking at the two of them. She would tell the girl to get off the bed, but she was a six winged Fallen Angel, and she'd nearly killed three Devils when they wouldn't let her in the room with him. Sofia wasn't eager to invite the girl's wrath, top-of-the-line Sitri Medical Facility or not.
"...Shhh. She's...asleep." The patient replied, opening his eyes.
Sofia looked extremely confused. The patient was apparently more concerned for his girlfriend's wellbeing than his own, despite the fact that he had been more dead than alive not a few hours ago.
Sofia approached Issei's side of the bed, as quiet as possible.
"Do you need anything, Mr. Hyoudou?" Sofia asked, whispering.
"Water." Issei replied. His throat was on fire. He knew better than to talk so much earlier, but he couldn't help it.
"Sure thing." Sofia said, quickly leaving the room.
Raynare cracked a eye after she heard the door close. "Is she gone?" She whispered into Issei's ear.
"Mhmm."
Raynare giggled. She wrapped her arms around Issei's neck, and pulled him even closer to her.
Married.
They were going to be married, and have a child. If you'd have told Raynare a year ago that she'd be a wife and mother, she would've either laughed, or killed you.
"Oh, hey. Issei."
"Hm?"
"You missed the Rating game."
"What? Did...we win?"
"Nope."
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
"So, Rias has to...marry that douche?"
"Nope."
"I don't understand."
"Riser won with a really dirty tactic, so Matsuda challenged him to a one-on-one after the game, and Riser lost. So, Rias is free."
Issei sighed. "That's great."
There was a silence, and Issei nuzzled his cheek against Raynare's.
"Raynare?"
"I'm here."
"I had...a dream."
"What was it about?"
"I was...in Heaven."
"And then?"
"I can't remember...much, but...I remember, the one thing...I thought about...was you. I missed you, more than anything. I love you."
Raynare pulled herself closer to him. If there was any less space between then, he'd be wearing her.
"I love you too, Issei."
"The best people are like candles; they burn themselves to give others light."
I freakin love this chapter. I hope you love it too, cus that'll be all I publish for a bit. I'm in for a really busy December, so I guess I'll write when possible, but don't count on it. If you have any questions about this chapter or any before it, just PM me.
Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review.