Chapter Six - Moonlight Madness

* 19 Hyoto Lane, Kuoh Town *

Issei awoke Friday morning between both girls. Said young women made disheartened whines as Issei slipped out from between the sheets of the bed and made his way first to the bathroom and then onto the kitchen. He busied himself by preparing breakfast while his two new house mates showered and dressed themselves,he was painfully aware that for the past hours he had been firmly up against both the girl who were now presumably in various stages of undressed in his house.

Issei forced his mind to try and move on from the feel of their skin that he had awoken to as the group ate by bringing the discussion to the training and spar that they had been conducted the night before. Akeno whined teasingly at Issei that he was mean to hit her during the duel and she got the response she was looking for when he mumbled out an apology. The girls asked how heavy his armour had been as they could hardly lift the helmet and were unable to do more then shift the breastplate. Issei took a guess that the full suit would weight around the three hundred and fifty kilogram mark. The girls were dumbfounded by this omission on Issei's part. How could anyone, even a Saiyan carry that much weight around and seem as if they weren't affected by it. Issei had moved so fluidly in the armour that Rias was just unable to fathom the strength and endurance of his body. Issei went on the tell them how he would like to have weighted clothing available in the real world as well but it didn't exist and he wasn't able to manufacture it.

The girls laughed at his wishful request which caused the Saiyan to raise an eyebrow before Akeno reminded him that both she and Rias could manipulate fabric with their magic. A short time later the material of all Issei's clothes had been altered to weigh an excessive amount. As such he was forced to spread his clothing out in his bedroom lest he break his wardrobe and closet. To negate the weight of the clothing Issei wore from causing him to collapse through flooring or stairs as he walked around, Issei channeled Ki throughout his body. This taxed his Ki reserves steadily and required a part of his consciousness to focus on the maintaining the output of energy at a steady rate. This in turn pleased him greatly as the requirement would simply add another layer of training to his day and as such result in his power increasing at a greater rate.

With the three showered, dressed and fed they left for school. Issei was getting accustomed to the looks their group received from the strangers that they passed. It was even slightly flattering for people to be so flustered or annoyed that he was with Rias and Akeno. Upon reaching his class, the day took the same course it always did, school routine being rather inflexible. Geography, literacy, mathematics and then history in that order before lunch. Each subject seemed to be more dull then the last. By the time history had begun Issei was struggling with concentrating on the subject. It wasn't that he found the material itself overly boring but the Sensei's monotonous voice droning on added to his mind being split to keep the flow of Ki even and his Saiyan stomach complaining about the time rapidly approaching lunch resulted in him missing points that of course he was promptly asked about and had no answer for.

As a result of his lack of attentiveness, he was 'gifted' with extra homework to ensure he would remain alert next time. Lunch was a simple a fair with the group eating the sandwiches provided by the servants of the Gremory family. By now the members of Rias' peerage had gotten used to Issei's unique eating manners. They weren't particularly pleased to watch him eat a whole sandwich in one mouthful but no longer did it outright stun them.

Issei had a free period post lunch which he spent cross legged under a tree deep in his mindscape. Ddraig kept track of the time for him as he sated part of his Saiyan appetite for physical improvement. His blood was unsatisfied with only forty minutes of activity but it had helped him to focus on his Ki control. Returning to the outside world, Issei proceeded to the gym. He changed into his sporting attire and joined the class who were milling around in small groups waiting for the sensei.

There was a lot more people present than usual and Issei realised that not only was his class of 1C here but also another class, clearly a double lesson. Either 1A, 1B or 1D. His school had four classes of each grade. Issei was looking around the crowd of familiar and unfamiliar faces and a particular face stood out of the crowd. A short head with white hair in pony tails. Koneko stood with her back to Issei and was with a group of three other girls. The girls themselves were chatting at a million miles a minute and it seemed as if Koneko was trying her best to escape the conversation, only giving short answers to questions directly asked of her. Issei approached and overheard the words of the conversation.

"No one would ever like someone as small as you." a girl to her left said.

"Yeah, how could anyone be interested in you? I bet you will die a virgin." another responded.

The third girl just laughed at Koneko and it was apparent to Issei that these girls were bullying her. It was also apparent that despire her many strengths, Koneko was struggling to defend herself in this social situation. Her voice was soft as she mumbled in response. Issei got a better look at the three girls and the only words that came to mind were not good. The way they dressed themselves, put their uniform in such a way that left less to the imagination. Issei imagined that these girls probably worried more about their physical appearance and social standing then actually improving themselves.

Issei acted without caution, a vast difference to how he would have responded three weeks ago, stepping up next to Koneko and placed a hand on her right shoulder. She jumped slightly and looked up at the taller boy. She was surprised to see him. Issei spoke to the group before they could get the chance to get words in first.

"What are tramps like you doing picking on Koneko?" Issei started. "She's a better person then any of you three could ever hope to be in your whole lives."

Issei didn't stop there. He channeled in his Ki and unleashed a tiny burst below himself. Koneko smirked slightly at feeling the Ki. She knew what would happen. The Ki caused a burst of air that shot out at the girls, not enough to knock them over but enough to shift their clothes. The three girls screamed as their skirts flew up revealing the contents of their under clothing. One of the girls had actually had the decency to put on underwear that morning. The other two hadn't and as such showed the student body present everything they had to offer. Red faced and still screaming, the three girls ran for the gymnasium exit as roaring laughter burst out from the students. Opportunistic students had their phones recording in a flash while others mocked the retreating girls.

Issei smirked as the bullies left and Koneko looked up at him with her normal neutral face. The awkward and sad expression she had worn whilst being harassed had vanished in an instant. Issei much preferred for her to be looking at him with features of no expression then to see her sad and upset. Both stood in silence for a few minutes before Koneko spoke.

"Thank you Issei." she said in a soft but warm voice.

Issei simply smiled a small smile to her and replied, "You're welcome. Any time."

The two didn't say anything else as the sensei entered the combined class and addressed them all. They would be having a knock out style tennis competition. Class 1B against class 1C. Issei looked to Koneko and she looked back at him. Both wore challenging smirks. Issei may have just helped her out from an uncomfortable situation but that didn't mean she would let the Saiyan get one up on her.

The classes split off to either side of the court and collected the gear that was found in lockers for their use. Matches began immediately and didn't last too long. Simple one set matches. As such the losing students were whittled down quickly. Issei and Koneko won their matches swiftly. Both utilised their beyond human abilities to bring victory within their grips easily. Neither went so far as to seem inhuman though. Predictably the last pair to class for the lesson was Koneko and Issei. The rivals took to the court maintaining eye contact. Ever since their spar they had accepted a budding rivalry between each other.

The match started with Koneko serving. Issei returned her shot with a powerful back stroke. Not to be outdone she drove the ball back with a swift left cross. The ball flew back and forth with increasing power before Koneko took the first point.

"Fifteen love." the sensei scored from the sideline.

Students watched happily as the two duked it out. Koneko took the second point but Issei wasn't going down that easily and soon evened the score with two consecutive points of his own. Both competitors wanted nothing more then to exceed human capability but knew that to do so was a terrible idea. Issei took the lead with a cheeky backhand that dropped the ball too short for even Koneko to reach and she glared at him with a fierce expression that reminded Issei of a tiger looking down on its prey. Koneko wouldn't be outdone and the deuce was called as she tied the game.

For the next twenty five minutes the student body was kept on the edge of their seats so to speak as the score bounced from advantage to one competitor and then back to a tie. Neither was able to take the two consecutive points required to win. If left to their own devices, they would have remained until a victor was declared but the school bell rang out and the day was over.

Koneko held the ball about to serve and her eyes spelt everything out clearly for Issei. This would be resolved later.

Issei changed happily. The competition had got his blood going and he was excitedly waiting to train that night. The weighted clothing had added a layer of complexity to the match that he enjoyed immensely. It was like a free training session. He finished dressing and left the main school building. Akeno and Rias stood by the gates waiting for him.

Hordes of young men ogled the two beauties as they walked by. Both girls made it clear by their posture that they had no interest in any of them. Issei approached and the girls shot happy smiles at him that enraged the collective body of those young men. The trio chatted about their days as they went home. As Issei explained the tennis match both girls laughed. Their laughter grew louder at his description of her glare as a tiger.

"Well that makes perfect sense." Akeno said still giggling. To which Rias agreed.

"Why's that?" Issei asked with genuine interest.

"She's a nekomata." Rias explained. At seeing Issei's complete lack of comprehension she continued.

"The nekomata are a type of youki. A cross spirit between a human and an animal. Specifically felines. That is why she has so many cat like traits."

Issei was surprised but not overly so. He had met enough inhuman people to be able to easily understand how Koneko could be one and now that he thought of it, her actions were very feline at times.

Arriving home Issei bee lined directly to the fridge and was amazed to find it brimming with food. He looked in the pantry and found it stocked to capacity as well. He opened his mouth turning to Rias but she explained before he could even ask.

"My family is paying for our food. Sirzechs agreed to deliveries twice a week. He knows how much you consume and so now you no longer need to worry about paying for food. I told you that I would solve the issue of you needing a job." Her voice soft as she spoke to Issei.

Issei was touched by the fact that she remembered his plan to get a job and had found a way to avoid him needing to find employment to feed himself.

The routine of the trio of new room mates was very much the same as it had been the night before. Tonight however Akeno cooked and Issei was happy to try her food. She cooked with a lot of spices but the food was seasoned perfectly and delicious. Rias felt a touch outdone by her friend and was in a slightly sour mood until Issei mentioned how much he had enjoyed her food previously as well.

Once again Issei couldn't claim to be an expert of the heart or relationships but knew enough about girls to know when they were acting jealously. He also wasn't dense enough to not notice how both girls enjoyed his affection and time. Being honest with himself, he enjoyed both of their company as much as well and could feel the pleasant pressure in his chest and stomach at being around them. Although perhaps the feelings in his stomach was his Saiyan biology demanding more nourishment.

After cleaning up, completing homework and showering the three went to bed. Issei began practicing his control over his Ki. He expected that Rias and Akeno would invite themselves but he spent the night alone. It allowed him to focus on flaring his aura and attempting to master flight. If he was being honest then he was glad the girls hadn't come tonight. He crashed far more often then he was happy to admit, even with the guidance of Ddraig. Whilst the great dragon flew under the motion of his vast wingspan, the concepts of flow, positioning and direction were still just as relevant for him as they were for his young host. Of course he still wore his weighted armour throughout all the training. If he could master flight under the extra pressures it offered then surely he would glide gracefully without it.

Time flowed quickly for Issei as he shot into the air and attempted to maintain a level altitude. After half the night he was able to lift off, circle a few laps around the island he had chosen to practice at and land. Ddraig's advice changed over the course of his progress into more complex components regarding the management of wind, up and down drafts, lift off and landing, hovering and finally maneuvering. In no way was Issei smooth by the end of the night but he had come leaps and bounds.

Whilst Issei had been refining his aerial capabilities, Rias and Akeno had climbed into the bed they shared just as they had the night before. Rias watched Akeno drop off to sleep and considered visiting Issei to be alone with him but as she went to climb out of bed, the act felt wrong. She looked across at the beautiful sleeping form of Akeno and felt as if she was betraying her friend to take extra time with Issei. If the two were to compete for him then she didn't want an unfair playing field. But that wasn't the only reason. She looked at the soft curves and smooth skin that Akeno exposed out of her nightgown and found herself enjoying the sight. She almost wanted to touch her friend. Rias panicked slightly at the thought, was she beginning to develop deeper feelings for her Queen, was her flirting really just playful flirting any more? These thoughts flashed through her mind as she traced the outline of Akeno's body with her eyes. Without being able to resolve these thoughts or feelings, she averted her gaze, rolling over away from Akeno, closing her eyes as she did so. A soft seductive smile crossed Akeno's lips as she felt Rias gaze leave her that widened cheekily as her friend remained in the bed.

Rias opened her eyes as sunlight filled the room. She could feel something pressing up against her. She twisted and looked to her side. Akeno lay beside her still asleep but almost spooning the heiress of house Gremory. Rias blushed immediately, Akeno was so close. She slipped back and out of the bed. She enjoyed laying there next to her queen but didn't want to indulge in thoughts that had entered her mind last night lest they flood back in again. She grabbed some clothes quietly and slipped from the room.

Once inside the bathroom she dressed herself and went to take her night clothes to the laundry. A sizzling sounded through the air and Rias followed the sound to the kitchen. Issei was cooking bacon, eggs, sausages, hash browns and a wide array of extras for breakfast. She watched silently from the doorway as he moved around the room shirtless. The taut and toned muscles of his body contracted and expanded as he lifted and moved items. His tail swished around behind him and once again Rias found herself blushing profusely. She observed Issei for a few more minutes before he saw her. Both blushed at the eye contact and Issei spoke with a slight break to his voice.

"Good morning Rias." his words almost without the hint of embarrassment.

"Good morning to you as well." Rias' voice was yet again sweet and soft in the air.

She joined Issei and began helping him plate all the food. She was forced to put her hair up in a quick ponytail to avoid it getting in the way. With breakfast ready she was going to wake Akeno when said girl entered the room. She still wore her nightgown with her hair a mess. That didn't take away from her appearance though and Rias followed her movements as she took a seat at the table. Taking a deep breathe to close a string of lewd thoughts from her mind, she took a seat beside Akeno with Issei opposite them. The group chatted happily about their plans for the day as while ate. Rias had a report due for the Sirzechs on the state of her jurisdiction and was expected to include all the information she could on any sightings of rogue devils and fallen angels. The report should have been done sooner but Rias had neglected to it so far.

Akeno had a job for a client that would take most of her day. Issei had no real plans and was going to spend the day training as best he could in the physical world. Rias checked her phone for jobs for him to do but found none. Each went about their day and Issei left the house to find somewhere he could let loose without attracting any untoward attention.

The day passed quickly and Issei found himself loving every minute he spent training in the woods. He lifted large tree trunks and sparred against boulders and trees. He resisted the urge to practice flying in case he was spotted. By the time he returned home he was feeling sore, fatigued and hungry. As he approached the front door however he could hear the sound of irritated and angered voices coming from inside his home. The door opened slightly on its hinges and Issei slipped inside his home. In the living room stood Rias and Grayfia. Akeno was sat on a couch not far from the two. It was clear that the two Gremory women were having a disagreement of some kind and Issei listened from the darkened hallway.

"I don't care what deals my brother had to make. He never had the right to trade me away like property." Rias spoke fiercely to the older woman.

Grayfia's expression softened momentarily in sympathy before hardening again, "You have no idea what Sirzechs had to sacrifice for peace. If you must make a sacrifice now then that is your part to play." her words direct and absolute.

"I won't do it." Rias almost shouted back defiantly. "You can't trade me away."

Both women stared each other down as Akeno watched silently from her position. She had no interest in stepping into this match. Eventually Grayfia broke the stand off.

"I see." she said simply before the Gremory symbol appeared before her and she vanished under the hard gaze of Rias.

Rias flopped down next to Akeno with a weary expression. Arguing took a lot of energy out of her especially over something she constantly had to argue against.

Issei entered the room and both girls jumped slightly at his unexpected intrusion. Rias calmed down realising it was him but then worried about how much he had scene. It was written across Issei's face that he was worried and before he could ask Rias shook him off with a wave of her hand. She just didn't want to talk about it and left for her room. Issei sat next to Akeno and the pair worried for Rias. Issei looked to Akeno and she knew he was curious. She also knew that Rias didn't want him to know the full story but he would need some context for what had just occurred.

"Before any of us were born there was a civil war in the underworld. Sirzechs and the three other great Satans won the war but many devils died and the peace was very fragile. To make sure that peace lasted, Sirzechs had to promise a lot of different families many things. One involved Rias and now she isn't too pleased about it." Akeno explained. She gave the main situation without breaking Rias trust in her. Issei realised that a lot of information was being left out but he could read between the lines enough to know that Akeno did it for Rias.

"Thanks Akeno." Issei said simply and she smiled back in response.

The smile was more innocent than her usual and with the lack of flirtatious remarks designed to make him uneasy Issei smiled back at her. The innocence was short lived though as she spoke up.

"So are we going to make something for dinner or I am going to take something else tonight?" she said with her seductive tone and smile back on her face.

Issei blushed and moved away to the kitchen. Akeno knew he would respond like that and didn't let his withdrawal at her advance phase her. She had seen and felt the way both her house mates looked and spoke to her and knew that things were becoming more interesting slowly. She was a patient girl and enjoyed the chase and flirtation as much as any prize she could claim.

Issei cooked up a mix of left overs for dinner and the two ate together. Rias didn't join them although Akeno did tell her that dinner had been made. Rias was either asleep or pretending to be and Akeno didn't want to intrude or pressure her. As they ate their conversation ranged from what they had done that day through to getting to know each other better. Akeno threw in a suggestive comment here or there however Issei was becoming more accustomed to them and they washed over him easier and easier. Not that he wasn't flattered but he realised that dirty comments and lewd speech was just part of the way Akeno spoke although he wasn't sure if he was the only one she spoke to that way.

The pair turned in for the night early and Akeno sat at the edge of the bed next opposite Rias. Rias was fast asleep and Akeno watched her body rise and fall with her breathing. Akeno had always found Rias beautiful to look at and knew that she had harboured feelings for her friend for a very long time, they had grown from the overwhelming gratitude she had felt for Rias as a young girl. She also knew that those same feelings were blossoming for Issei. The young Saiyan was the first guy her age who saw her as something other then a sexual object and that meant a lot to her. Not that she would tell him yet. She moved around the bed and looked at Rias' sleeping form. Akeno hoped that in her dreams at least the troubles of the world didn't follow. She bent down and let her lips graze Rias forehead before leaving the room and silently climbing into bed beside Issei.

* Storm clouds, Issei's mindscape *

Perhaps it had been folly to try a training manoeuvre like this so early into learning flight but Issei was driven to improve himself at as fast a pace as he could achieve. He floated between storm clouds almost thirty thousand feet above the ground and darted from side to side as lightning arced at his metal armour. The bolts of electricity were drawn to him and Issei loved it. Each bolt drove at him with such speed and precision that he just knew his skills at aerial movement would go far beyond where they had been by the nights end. Ddraig soared around him occasionally unleashing a torrent of fire at Issei to mix up his movements. For hours Issei flew around and he would have continued if not for a sultry voice and a few extra bolts of lightning that came his way.

"I thought I could join in the fun."

Issei spun and dived toward the source of the voice. Akeno was floating in the air. Her bat like wings fully expanded and beating gently to keep her hovering in place. Lightning speared at her but she simply absorbed the electrical energy and used it to enhance her own lightning spells which she promptly threw at Issei. Issei smiled deeply at the enhanced challenge and fired a small Ki blast toward her as he shot toward her. She darted aside and took off with Issei giving chase. The game was on and soon the pair darted from side to side, up and down. Through the rain, lightning and clouds. Constantly a torrent of energy attacks flowed between the two. None were all that powerful, designed simply to slow down or knock the other off course more then to harm. Ddraig assisted Akeno by swooping at Issei as he got near to the devil girl and causing his partner to deviate from his course of interception.

This lasted for hours, simple banter being thrown about as much as energy and wind. As early morning approached the three landed on soft white sands of a beach that Issei conjured from memory. He smiled happily as he pulled his helmet from his head and placed it carefully beside himself. A true warrior respected his equipment and never let it become damaged. His smile widened at the happy expression on Akeno's face as he looked at her.

"Thanks for that. It was amazing training. Loads of fun too." he said to her in an energized voice.

"You're welcome." she replied happily, "I had lot of fun too. You have really gotten good at flying with your Ki so fast. It's quite amazing really."

Issei laughed off her praise and explained how his constant use of Ki to avoid causing damage with his weighted clothing in the real world was greatly enhancing his reserves through constant use and in return that allowed him to maintain and control his flight so much easier. Akeno nodded at his explanation and lay on her back. The warm sun he had created was nice and she enjoyed this beach as much as she would enjoy one in the outside world. Although here she was not dressed as she would for a beach day. She watched as Issei took to his feet and approached the waters edge. He then took a steady stance with his hands cupped to his side and began to mumble words that she couldn't make out. She approached and could hear sounds as she felt his Ki pooling into his hands. He concentrated on directing the flow of his power into his palms as he tried different syllables over and over yet they simply failed to produce a result. After twenty minutes of practicing and with daytime approaching in the real world Issei stopped. He could feel the energy collecting but their was an enhancement created by the correct phonetics that he just couldn't yet produce. The words geld power within the Ki.

Watching as worked, Akeno knew he was trying to reproduce the powerful attack he had described seeing the Saiyan boy perform in the memory. As Issei finished with his attempts, he released his control on his mindscape and the two returned to the world.

Issei opened his eyes to a vision of blackness but with plenty of sensory response to tell him that he was in fact awake. Black fuzzy stuff was covering his eyes and a weight was across most of his body. Akeno leaned up and her hair shifted from his vision. Issei's cheeks instantly burnt red as he realised she had slept on his chest. Now she had pushed herself up so that her face was above his. He desperately fought against the urge to look down knowing that if her nightgown was as loose as he remembered then her modesty would be less then intact. Struggling to maintain his willpower, he maintained eye contact with her as she smiled and greeted him. He returned the greeting and the pair remained as they were. Akeno waited a few minutes before hopping off of Issei and she left his room. She smiled to herself as she did. The whole time she was above him his eyes had remained on hers and not strayed to her body despite it being on display. That made her happy.

Issei released him breathe, lunges emptying before taking a further few deep breathes to calm himself and left his room as well. Upon reaching the dining room though he found Akeno and Rias sat at the table with a glorious spread of food across it. He took his seat and Rias spoke up.

"This is my way of saying I'm sorry for shutting myself off last night." she said sweetly.

Both Issei and Akeno were surprised and neither felt that she had to apologies for being sad and frustrated.

"There was no need to apologies." Issei replied in a sympathetic voice.

"Yeah," Akeno added. "We were simply worried about you. Not annoyed with you at all though."

Rias was touched by the pairs concern for her and picked her mood up. She wanted to enjoy the day with them and not worry about things that may come in the future. By mid morning the group had made their way to the club house to start their Sunday group activities. Upon entering the grounds of the old building and with the magical wards in place they found Koneko and Kiba waiting for them. The two other devils were stretching and warming up their bodies. As Koneko saw Issei, a confident smirk shot across both fighters' faces and they shot at each other with their fists colliding. Akeno and Rias moved to Kiba who explained the sudden duel. Both older girls laughed at the idea of the two warriors taking a tennis match so far as to become a duel. The two beauties went inside whilst Kiba watched the intense fight between his friends.

Issei ducked under a right hook and pivoted to strike forward with a left jab. Koneko pushed her hands down against his arm and thrust herself over him. She struck a leg out but met air as Issei dodged around and threw an uppercut at her. Koneko crossed her arms and withstood the power of his strike. She grimaced at the increased power of his hit. His speed rivaled hers now as well. She landed and took to the offensive, throwing multiple strikes and elbows at him. Issei ducked, weaved and blocked the strikes. He was looking for an opening but Koneko kept her defence intact whilst she attacked him. She fainted a low kick and instead delivered a snap kick to his jaw that Issei was unable to block.

He crashed into the ground and Koneko continued her assault. Unlike their last duel she wasn't going to allow him the opportunity to regain his footing. She delivered a straight punch down toward him which he dodged with a roll to his left. He rolled back with an elbow strike but she bounced away to clear his attack. This gave him the opportunity he needed to flip up and regain his footing. As he leapt to his feet however she renewed her assault and struck him with a quick combination of jabs, knees and elbows to his ribs, abdomen and torso. Issei's defence was broken by the ferocious assault as he was staggered backward. Koneko jumped forward to deliver the finishing blow but Issei leant back and struck her upward sending her over him and toward the dirt. Koneko landed gracefully on her hands and feet.

She straightened up and paused. Issei was pulling his blazer off. She watched as he released it and was shocked when the ground shook as the blazer touched down. He did the same with his shoes, socks and shirt. Each time an item struck it shook the area around them. Koneko hazarded a glance to Kiba and saw how intensely he was now watching the situation. In just his pants with his tail still wrapped around his waist Issei began moving before he leapt high into the sky, landed behind Koneko and dashed around to the front of her so fast that if she hadn't known he had moved then she would have sworn he remained there the whole time. Koneko wasn't sure how but Issei's speed had increased immensely and now the real duel was to begin.

Issei smiled as he shot himself toward the small girl. Without his weighted clothing on his body felt as if it were made of feathers. He landed a left chop against her before she even knew he was their and followed it up with a hard strike from his right knee. The strike sent Koneko sailing threw the air and she crashed to the ground. Issei sprinted forward to prepare a finishing blow but was forced to leap back as a sword intersected his path. He skidded to a stop and watched as Kiba stepped between them with a sword at the ready. Koneko climbed shakily to her feet.

"Sorry to interrupt." Kiba began in a polite voice, "But with you increasing your power it seems only fair that I even the playing field for Koneko." he said with a confident smile as he eyed Issei.

Issei grinned broadly. Two on one, the odds were still in his favour. He threw himself forward once more against his new opponent. He prepared a left cross but it was simply a feint and launched a right knee. Kiba deftly blocked the blow with his sword. The metal vibrating against the force of Issei's knee. Lucky for Kiba the magic in the blade kept it from breaking easily or he would have lost his weapon. Issei spun and followed up with a series of jabs against Kiba. The knight was forced to back peddle as he parried Issei's speeding fists. He was used to fast pace combat but the speed Issei was able to put out exceeded anything he had ever experienced.

Issei went to go on the offensive again but was put on the back foot as Koneko struck toward him from the left side. Kiba took full advantage and swung his sword with expert precision against Issei. The Saiyan was forced on the defensive as he dealt with the two devils. This lasted a minute before his smile widened greatly. Issei took a breath and grounded himself, leaning back to avoid blows from both adversaries. As he straightened up and released his breath, immediately power emanated through him as his Ki rose. His aura flared and he struck against the two. With a quick succession of hits both Kiba and Koneko flew across the dirt patch and into the side of the club building.

Both groaned in pain as Issei released the control on his power. The devils slowly moved to a seating position. Neither had been ready for the mountainous growth in his Ki and as such had been unable to defend themselves. Koneko stayed were she was thoroughly beaten. Kiba tried shakily to regain his feet and Issei approached with a hand out. Kiba took the gesture and Issei helped him up.

"Are you quite done thrashing my peerage?" Rias asked and Issei turned to see her watching in amusement from the doorway.

He hadn't been paying the greatest amount of attention to anything other then the fight so he couldn't say how much she had seen. Either way he could see how she was now looking at him standing sweaty and topless before her. Issei turned to face her and the blush deepened across her cheeks. Issei made to make a confident remark yet only a pained gasp left his lips as shooting pain shot through his lower body. Issei turned back and saw Koneko biting sharply into the end of his tail. Her fists had catlike claws which dug into the base of his sensitive appendage. Issei groaned and dropped to his knees. He fought the urge to cry out as the sound of laughing caught his attention. Rias, Akeno and Kiba were all beside themselves at the mighty Saiyan's sudden downfall. Issei himself even smirked at the situation. It seemed Koneko had indeed won their second duel. Issei fought back against the pain for close to a minute before swallowing his pride,

"You win Koneko, you win." he released between pained gritted teeth.

This admission of defeat gained more laughter from the crowd and as Koneko released her hold to laugh herself, Issei climbed to his feet. He would need to find a way to strengthen his tail and remove the debilitating pain that he suffered so easily from it.

The group concluded the days training with the usual spread of lunch. Issei's pain was quickly forgotten as he proceeded to consume a small villages worth of food. The group chatted about inconsequential things and Issei listened as Kiba talked about the new manga he wanted to buy. Issei himself had a short list of reading material he would like to get himself.

* Comic store, Kuoh town *
Kiba and Issei browsed the various isles of literature available for perusal. Issei looked for volume seventy two of Naruto. It had been out for a while but he was yet to read it. He found it as Kiba approached with a thick stack of material he intended to buy. They made their purchases and left the store. Kiba moved through the door first and Issei watched as he collided with someone walking by. The comics toppled over and spread out across the ground as Kiba and the stranger tumbled to the side walk.

Issei exited and helped his friend to his feet. Both boys looked down at the mass of blonde hair and dark clothing. Kiba extended his hand and helped the stranger up. The stranger looked up and both boys saw a pretty girl between the ages of both. She had long blonde hair and sparkling green eyes. A shy smile played across her face as she straightened out the black full length dress she wore. The dress was that of a nun. Issei found it strange to see a nun wondering around town in this day and age but he supposed they must still exist.

"I'm sorry." the girl said softly with a nervous fidget.

Issei waved his hands. "No need to apologies. It was just an accident" he said simply.

He looked across at Kiba and saw his friend just staring at the girl. He wore a blank expression as if his brain had been shut off. Issei looked back to the girl and held out his hand,

"I'm Issei" he said casually.

She took his hand and replied, "Asia Argento. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She then turned to Kiba but he was still statue still. Issei knew from the expression on Kiba's face that he was rather smitten with the pretty blonde. Issei nudged Kiba subtly under the pretext of picking up the mangas and Kiba successfully rebooted. He thrust his hand out to her and in a voice that broke stammered out to her,

"I'm Kiba Yuuto. It's really nice to meet you too." A blush crept on Kiba's face as he spoke to Asia.

Issei found the situation humorous as he watched the exchange from the sidelines. He also found the fact that Kiba was flustered amusing. Kiba was always such the composed and proper gentleman, a true chivalric knight. The sudden change was something he smirked at. It would be a good source for him to playfully taunt the knight with later.
"Likewise." Asia responded with a smile and blush of her own.

The group picked up their belongings and began chatting. Asia explained how she was new to Kuoh and rather lost trying to find her way to the parish she was to be staying at. Kiba seemed to be torn between helping the girl and avoiding a blessed location. Issei understood that being too close to a holy site was physically unpleasant for devils and knew that it would hurt him.

Kiba's inner turmoil seemed to vanish quickly and he took the address that Asia had presented. He smiled to the girl and began leading the way. Issei took his leave and allowed his friend to head off with his new crush. He had barely walked three blocks back toward his home when he felt an instinctual pull to look upward. The clouds were thick and grey, building toward an afternoon storm but Issei could see the outline of a figure among the dark swirling masses. His enhanced eyesight helped him make out enough features to know who he was looking at. Raynare.

Hatred flooded his veins as Issei watched the young woman who had attempted to kill him, multiple times now, begin to fly off. He paused for a second and considered his options but there was only one he would do. He slipped into an alleyway and pushed the manga into the inside pocket of his blazer. His aura flared up around him as he drew his Ki out and Issei took to the sky. This was his first flight in the physical world and Issei smiled at that fact, despite his situation. He glided back and watched Raynare fly. The dark clouds covered both of their movements both from any observation from the humans below and also for him from Raynare noticing him from within her peripheries. Issei became aware that they were travelling in the direction that Kiba had taken Asia.

Time seemed to go slowly as Issei stalked his foe, eventually he noticed that Raynare was slowing down and had come to float above a small park near a run down looking parish. Issei glanced down through the soft clouds toward the park as he saw Raynare lower herself closer to the ground yet still within the cover afforded by the thickening rain clouds.

Below the filthy fallen angel he could see Kiba standing with Asia below them. It was clear that Kiba was oblivious to anything around him as he spoke with the pretty nun. A spear of light appeared in Raynare's hand. The purple light emanating from the object as she took aim on Kiba. Issei wasn't going to allow Raynare to ambush his friend or escape him again.

In a blitz of power he shot forward and drove his fist into Raynare. The fallen angel was projected into the distance as she had been completely oblivious to his presence. The surprise caused her spear to wink out of existence before she could even posture to utilise it. She shot a few hundred metres before halting herself and looking toward her assailant with a mixture of shock and rage. Issei floated cockily less the fifty metres from her. Raynare's expression turned to outright incredulity at the sight of the floating Saiyan.

"Yeah I can fly now. There is no escape for you bitch." he spat at her with venom dripping from his words.

Panic shot across Raynare's face and Issei relished in her fear. He focused his Ki and fired himself at her again. She hastily summoned and fired another spear of light at him which Issei spun to avoid as he charged through the air toward her. He drew back his fist and struck at her again. Raynare dodged to the side and began forming a spear of light in her left hand as she channeled more energy in her right. Issei struck out again and she twisted to avoid his strike. His fist grazed her ribs and pain flared from the force of his strike. Despite it only being a glancing blow, the impact still drove the wind from her lungs causing her to gasp harshly. She grimaced as she projected both bursts of energy at Issei. The first was the spear of light that shot wide and went no where near him. The next grew and exploded in front of him. It amplified the sun's light and created such a blinding burst that Issei was forced to cover his eyes as his retinas burnt.

Issei lowered his arms as the light faded and cursed loudly. Raynare had slipped away while he was blinded. Once again he had been unable to finish off his would be murderer. At least he stopped her from interfering with Kiba. Issei turned and flew back to the park near the parish that his friend had been in. He looked around and saw that no one was there any more. Issei landed in the empty park and made his way back home. On his way back he took his phone out and called Kiba. Kiba picked up and Issei told the boy about what had happened and how he found Raynare following both him and Asia. Kiba became concerned about their enemy potentially stalking them and agreed to meet at Issei's house to discuss the issue with Rias.

Issei arrived home to find Rias' whole peerage present. The group sat in the living room and the two boys explained their afternoon from each of their perspectives. Kiba went first. He had walked Asia the whole way to the park opposite the small parish that she would be staying at. Red tinged his face as he spoke of Asia and Issei could tell that he was hoping Rias wouldn't oppose to him spending time with the young nun. Rias made no comments in regards to his association and instead simply asked for Issei's side of the days events. Issei relayed them and Kiba thanked him again for stepping in to stop Raynare's ambush of him. Rias took on a solemn expression and thought hard before speaking.

"It seems like she was either stalking you or the nun." she said after a moments thought.

"Did the nun say anything that would indicate involvement with a faction of fallen angels?" she asked as she continued.

Kiba thought briefly before shaking his head.

"Not at all, she seemed to be just a kind person. A person with pleasant heart. A young woman with a passion for helping those in need." he elaborated in earnest.

"Then we have to surmise that our enemy was following you." Rias concluded.

The group nodded in agreement and began thinking up a strategy to combat the problem. Rias' main concern was the welfare of her peerage. Herself, Akeno and Issei were safe due to numbers and Raynare's fear of open combat with Issei. Koneko and Kiba were the weak point though by living alone. Issei's house couldn't take more occupants and the two didn't have the room to live together. That left only one option.

"I have a solution," the heiress of Gremory began,

"Firstly from now on we go everywhere as a peerage. Safety in numbers and all that. Secondly I would like you both to move into the Gremory mansion in hell." she directed the final statement to Koneko and Kiba.

Both looked as if they hadn't been ready for that eventuality but accepted their King's request. Neither wanted to wake up with murderous fallen angels in their homes. First they would have to speak with Sirzechs or Rias parents though as Rias couldn't just move people into her family's home without first gaining approval. She expected that they would be more then happy to have the guests. Most of the rooms in the mansion were empty after all and Rias knew that both her parents and Sirzechs were fond of company but still it was the simple courtesy of asking. Rias summoned the Gremory symbol and the group collected inside it before vanishing from the mortal realm.

The group appeared in the entrance hall of Rias' home and waited as she sort out her brother, parents or someone who could direct them to them. Before long Rias found Grayfia who suggested that she try the southern gardens. Sirzechs and Ajuka were last seen out there having a sparring session in the moonlight, her parents still not back from their tour of house Gremory businesses. Rias returned to collect her peerage and led them out of the grand doors into the front courtyard. The group made their way outside and into the gardens. Many exotic plants filled the area and the sounds of clashing steel filled the dark air. The cycle of day and night in hell lined up perfectly with the cycle on earth and the full moon had now rose high into the night sky.

Issei found it interesting to see the nature of hell as during his previous visit he had remained entirely inside. As the group approached the sparring pair Issei looked up at the night sky, he was curious to see what the sky of hell would offer. Stars shone here along with a full moon. A moon that held a reddish tinge but otherwise was the same silvery orb as on earth. Issei stared at the moon and felt a pull. A tug at his inside that was both intriguing and mesmerizing. He stopped walking and stared at the reddish silvery orb silhouetted against the dark sky.

Akeno noticed Issei's sudden stop and turned to look at him. She saw him enraptured with the moon but what caught her attention was his eyes. They were turning red. "Rias." she called out and the group turned and looked at her.

They followed her gaze and looked at the transfixed Saiyan. Rias went to approach Issei but stopped when she heard the sound that escaped his lips. They all stopped. Issei let out a growl, a guttural feral growl that spoke of violence and danger.

* Whiteness, Issei's Mindscape *

Ddraig had spent his time lazing around Issei's mindscape. When the young Saiyan wasn't present training, the red dragon emperor often slept or day dreamed. He had very little to do otherwise. He could watch the events taking part in the outside world through Issei's eyes but he felt this was a violation of his partner. As if he was taking away something private from Issei. The two always spoke of the events of the day and he offered his advice to Issei.

He had just decided to roll onto his side to get at an itch behind his right hind leg when he felt a presence around him. It was a terrifying ancient presence that the great dragon had never felt before. The dragon could feel the presence seizing control of Issei and summoned his magic to repel it. It was for naught though as his magic seemed to achieve nothing. He tried again and again until he felt the ground of his mindscape shake and his vision was drawn toward the source.

Ddraig was not one to feel fear but even he felt apprehension at the beast that approached him. A massive ape, covered in thick brown fur with blood red eyes. The beast stood at over sixty feet tall and rivaled Ddraig in size but that wasn't what worried him. It was the immense Ki that the creature possessed. It was the same Ki as Issei, the same exact signature but feral, wild and untapped. As if his very potential had taken form and seized control in the form of this great beast.

The beast roared and charged at Ddraig. The dragon reared up and roared in return. His wings spread out and he arched his back before unleashing a great torrent of fire down on the powerful ape. It was for nothing though as the beast ploughed through the flames and barreled head long into the dragon bringing them together in a melee of two colossal beasts.

* Gremory Mansion, Hell *

Rias watched as the vibrant and almost violent red colour in Issei's pupils filled his whole eyes. He repeated the growl, this time much louder and began emanating a powerful pressure from his body that drove the whole peerage back.

"What's going on?" Akeno asked, her words croaking, worry clear in her voice.

Rias shook her head in reply. She had never seen anything like this before. It was only the beginning though as she watched Issei's body expand rapidly. His clothes disintegrated as his mass exploded out in every direction. Muscles bulged and grew. His height rapidly increased and thick brown fur began to cover his body. His face elongated and fangs grew in his open mouth as he roared.

Sirzechs and Ajuka landed next to the group. They had been distracted from their spar at the feeling of the pressure the young Saiyan was releasing.

"What in all that is unholy is happening?" Sirzechs nearly shouted in disbelief as Issei grew.

No one responded and the group watched as he grew to thirty feet and showed no signs of slowing down. He soon reached fifty and still kept growing. His power amplified as he grew. Finally Issei let out an almighty roar as he stopped growing. The group stared at the monstrous sixty five foot tall beast in front of them. He was taller then the Gremory mansion and upon reaching his apex, the roar he unleashed caused window panes to shake and vibrate. Rias stepped forward.

"Issei," she called out wearily.

The beast looked down on her before raising its left foot and driving it down at the group. They all darted away and looked up at their friend. Or the monster who used to be the person that was their friend.

"Why?" Rias asked to no one in particular. She would be lying if she didn't feel pain in her heart at the aggressive action he just took against her.

"I don't think he is in control." Ajuka responded before dodging another stamp by the beast. Each time the great hairy foot struck the ground, it caused a violent shake as powerful as any earthquake.

The monster that had previously been Issei became infuriated at being unable to squash the bugs around him and unleashed his fury against the building striking his fists into it. Great chunks of the Gremory mansion crumbled under his power and Sirzechs watched helplessly as his family's home was damaged.

"We have to stop him. Only way I can think of is to subdue him with force." Sirzechs yelled to Ajuka. His best friend and fellow Satan nodded in reply and the two flew toward the rampaging ape.

Rias watched as Ajuka and Sirzechs summoned their weapons of choice, a long sword of destruction energy for Sirzechs and a battleaxe of energy for Ajuka, they then charged at Issei and began unleashing heavy blows against him. Neither wanted to kill the Saiyan but both knew that unless they dealt a series of devastating strikes on him then he would not be quelled. Despite the power of their blows the monster was not even slightly fazed and struck back against them. His strikes lacked finesse or skill, showing once again that Issei was definitely not in control at all, however the strikes and blows more then made up for it with raw power, speed and aggression.

Ajuka managed to dodge a fist whilst Sirzechs was less lucky, being struck to the side of his body by a wild swipe, and was sent speeding into the ground.

"We have to get out of here." Koneko said in a firm voice.

The group looked at her and she continued,

"We are in their way. It is clear that none of us can fight against what Issei has become and if we stay under foot so to speak then lords Sirzechs and Ajuka will have to worry about us as well as fighting him."

Her reasoning was sound and despite the gnawing feeling in their chests Akeno and Rias joined Koneko and Kiba in withdrawing from the scene. They ran out of the garden and around the building. A stream of Gremory servants and maids were flooding from the building in panic. Grayfia stood at the front ushering people out. Her usually composed nature was less so as Rias approached her.

"What the heck is going on?" she asked Rias. "Where did that monster come from?" her voice was high pitched, clearly she was in shock as much as anyone else.

"It's Issei. I don't know how but it is and he isn't in control." Rias replied.

Grayfia looked at her before choosing to accept her words. She had no idea how Rias' new peerage member had become such a beast but it hardly mattered in the present moment. With the last of the people out of the mansion Grayfia addressed the peerage directly.

"Go with everyone away from here. I will help Sirzechs and Ajuka and we will let you know when it is safe to return." her voice let them know that there was no room to argue on the matter.

The group followed the evacuating members of the Gremory household along the driveway and out of the property. The roars of the great beast echoed through the sky and the shouts of Ajuka, Sirzechs and Grayfia could be heard as well but to a much fainter degree. Rias stopped running as the driveway met the main road. Members of neighbouring households had come out to witness the destruction and commotion. Some of the more unpleasant aristocratic families didn't understand why the servants had been sent to safety whilst two of the Lords of Hell fought but Rias ignored their comments. The house of Gremory was known for their compassion to not only their peerages but also their employees as well.

The group looked back toward the mansion as a shattering crash foretold the destruction of yet more of the building. Parts of the great raging ape could be seen as it thrashed around, legs and arms mostly. The occasional glimpse of its ferocious maw.

Sirzechs clutched his side as blood flowed from his ribs. He had taken a flying swipe from Issei's sharp claws. He pulled back as Ajuka and Grayfia attacked the berserk Saiyan. No matter how hard the trio struck him, Issei seemed completely unconcerned and only attacked with more ferocity. The beast seemed only capable of greater rage. Sirzechs channeled magic into his wound and cauterized the flesh shut. Pain flooded him as his blood vessels, exposed nerves and flesh burnt together. Self cauterization had been something many warriors of the last war had been forced to learn to do. It was that or bleed out. With the immediate wound temporarily dealt with, he watched as Grayfia summoned a binding ward and ensnared the monster inside it.

Great tendrils of magical ice rose up and snaked around the beast. He thrashed and shattered the reinforced ice, but even as he did more shot out and grasped out toward him. Dozens of tendrils rapidly covered his body, arms and legs. The tendrils clamped down onto the beast in an attempt to restrain the terrible monster. For a moment it seemed the powerful ape may actually be subdued. The reprieve was short lived though as the beast roared and shook violently against the restraints. As it did so, it opened its great maw. The three devils could feel the pooling of raw power and Sirzechs eyes went wide as he saw a great beam of Ki shoot from the beast's mouth. The beam obliterated the area of garden it impacted with and a large crater was all that was left in the beams wake. The beam didn't end there though as the ape shook its mighty head the beam continued to pour from its mouth and destroy large swaths of the property.

The devils were forced to dive and soar so to avoid the mighty beam of deadly yellow energy. Sirzechs couldn't allow the beam to just destroy everything around him and charged large portions of destruction energy into his palms. He flew into the path of the beam and unleashed his own concentrated beam of destruction energy. The two opposing beams clashed in bright vortex of colour. Issei's bright yellow torrent of Ki colliding with the blacks, purples and reds of Sirzechs magic of destruction.

Sirzechs knew Issei had an immense power for such a young warrior but this was ridiculous. If this was the potential of a Saiyan then Sirzechs shuddered to think of what he could become with years of training. Grayfia took advantage of the distraction her husband was providing to summon more binds to hold the beast while Ajuka launched attack after attack against the restrained monster. Sirzechs felt salty sweat flood his forehead and drip down past his eyes, stinging as it dripped into his exposed wounds whilst he struggled against the mighty beam. At this point it seemed that only exhausting the beast would defeat it.

* Whiteness, Issei's mindscape *

Blood flowed from both the beast and Ddraig as the two colossal monsters fought with literal tooth and nail. Ddraig's attempts at keeping distance between himself and the monumental ape had proved fruitless as the enraged ape pursued him relentlessly. Ddraig had attempted to fly above the beast only to be caught by a powerful Ki beam and driven back to the ground. The beam had dug deep into his side, tearing scales from his hardened flesh and causing the dragon to bleed for the first time in millennia.

The dragon had taken to the offensive then and charged his enemy head on. The two clashed in a tussle of claws, fists, legs, wings and teeth. Limbs flew around and rendered furred and scaled flesh alike. The monsters rolled and thrashed across the floor as they fought. Ddraig was amazed at how much damage his adversary could take. Fur and flesh was and always will be less resilient than scales and a leathery hide however despite this the beast withstood the bursts of flame, rending claws and ferocious bites of the great dragon. The teeth of the ape punctured Ddraig's defences and both bled profusely.

Neither would allow the other a moment of rest as they both lost energy and tired. Ddraig couldn't allow this beast to control or harm his partner and so fought with everything he had. The beast clawed at Ddraig's face and the dragon felt the searing pain of a finger plunging into his eye. The dragon pulled his head back in pain and the ape opened it's mouth, allowing it to begin pooling Ki. The beast evidently planned to eviscerate it's opponent.

Ddraig would not give it the chance and unleashed a torrent of his hottest flames into the creature's mouth. The flames forced themselves into the beasts open maw, down it's esophagus and into the monster's internal organs. The magic of the fire fought against the amassing Ki stopping it from projecting against the dragon. The beast let out a great cry of pain as its internal organs were cooked in dragon fire and the creature seized up. Ddraig took the advantage and drove the beast onto it's back, pinning it down with his hind legs on the beasts midriff. His weight kept the beast down and continued dousing it in his flames to immobilize it before he struck repeatedly against its head.

Each blow glanced off the creature until he felt a solid strike against its lower jaw shift the mandible. The apes eyes rolled up in its head and it went limp into unconsciousness. Ddraig watched as the creature in front of him began to shrink rapidly. The fur rescinded into hair on the figures head and tail. Human flesh replaced the hide of the ape and before long an unconscious and heavily bleeding and burnt Issei replaced the monster.

Ddraig removed his foot from the body of his friend. Issei was now himself again albeit unconscious, bloodied, burnt and crushed but that would could feel his vital signs, hurt yet within an acceptable range of survival. His host would heal and once he awoke Ddraig knew the pair would need to discuss the cause of this unexpected commotion. The dragon collapsed down next to Issei like a cat and stretched out his fatigued body. His own injuries would heal rapidly enough and none were too serious. For now he would just watch his young partner.

* Gremory Mansion, Hell *

Rias watched the magical exchange from the sky outside the property. She wouldn't disobey Grayfia and enter the property but no one said she, her peerage and many other onlookers couldn't watch from outside. She stared, completely transfixed in a mixture of awe, fear, apprehension and shock as the beast withstood attack after attack. Ice crept up its body, a binding spell she knew that Grayfia was highly skilled in. Despite the strength and power of the magical ice the beast kept shattering the ice until dozens of tendrils held it in place.

It was at this point that an immense Ki beam shot from the elongated maw of the transformed boy and began to leave a trail of destruction that would put many devil peerages to shame. Sirzechs appeared before the beam and unleashed a tirade of magic of his own. The two forces clashed and battled for dominance. Further attacks bounced off the creature like grains of dust against an armoured tank. The Ki beam began pushing Sirzechs' own beam backward and the onlookers watched aghast at what appeared to be a situation where the Lucifer of hell would soon be overwhelmed. The beam was over three quarters of the way to Sirzechs when it stopped. Sirzechs' own attack shot unopposed toward its intended victim when he suddenly dismissed it. The crowd was surprised and unsure of what was going on when Kiba spoke up.

"I can't hear anything any more." he spoke out thoughtfully while clearly listening for sounds of battle.

Many of the devils around them paused to listen and the crowd realised that the sounds of the beast had vanished. Rias wasted no time and flew at full speed toward the battlefield. She crested the half ruined peak of her mansion. Sirzechs floated rather exhausted in the air. Clearly catching his breath but on guard. Ajuka and Grayfia were on the ground amid the broken fragments of magical ice. Rias and her peerage descended next to the pair and looked into the mixture of magical ice and ruined building. Lying in the centre was a naked figure. He was face down with his backside exposed to the world, a brown tail protruding from his upper buttocks, lower back. Issei's four friends swooped over to him and dropped down beside him. Akeno lowered her head to his back. She listened.

"He's breathing." she said with a clear voice filled with relief.

Edited on 26 December 2020