Ryuko winced as she lay back in her futon, her right arm stretched out over Asia and Mako. While the situation wasn't entirely resolved, it was quickly noticed that Asia was inseparable from Ryuko and Mako, and as such she was welcomed into both households, staying at the Mankanshoku residence. Mrs. Mankanshoku had, of course, begun babying her outrageously and giving her motherly affection she'd - apparently - never experienced before. Satsuki ensured she would be most welcome, and - much to everyone else's surprise - Mr. Mankanshoku, Mataro, and Guts hadn't tried to perv on her. Asia had held up as best she could, and it was only once she was in bed - between Ryuko and Mako - that she allowed herself to cry herself to sleep with tears of joy.

Mako had fallen asleep as soon as she'd hit the pillow, and Ryuko had feigned sleep to let Asia shed her tears in perceived privacy. She knew she would not be sleeping that night, not until the Boosted Gear withdrew into her aura. Unfortunately, neither Rias nor Iori were able to determine when that would happen. Even Twilight Healing hadn't repaired it, as the damage was as much spiritual as physical. She stared at the gauntlet, and how the metal was still twisted and warped, biting into the flesh of her arm. She knew her bones and muscles underneath were just as twisted and warped, and her D-Fiber nature was likely the only reason the pain wasn't so great as to leave her incoherent. Still, once the gauntlet repaired, she'd be able to restore herself-

Never...do that...again... Ddraig managed to gasp out, the two green gemstones in the Sacred Gear pulsing weakly with his words.

About time I heard from you, Ryuko thought back, wincing as she heard the pain in his voice. I...guess I pushed you too hard?

You THINK? Ddraig managed to roar, only for the jewels to flicker and the metal shiver. Sacred Gear evolutions...are supposed to take time...so both Gear and wielder...can ADJUST! Forcing the...second evolution...so quickly...after manifesting... The Gear shivered...and part of the metal shifted back to normal configuration. You're damn lucky I'm still in one piece. You could have torn what's left of my soul apart with that stunt!

Sorry, Ryuko apologized contritely, wincing as she could feel how much damage she'd done to the spirit in the Gear, damage that would take time to heal. I...guess I lost my cool there...

That seems to be a recurring problem with you, Ddraig commented dryly, the pain starting to fade from his voice as he got himself under control. Even Death says you need to learn discipline. Maybe if not for yourself, for how sad Mako and Asia will be if you kill yourself like this?

Ryuko sighed, wincing as the gauntlet twisted to reorient her wrist to the proper angle so she no longer felt like she had two left hands. You're right, she thought calmly. I need to learn more self control.

I'm glad to hear that-

I'll be more careful next time.

There was silence between them for a time. N-next time? Ddraig gasped in disbelief. After everything that happened, you're going to try something like this AGAIN?

Ryuko chuckled softly. Hey, self-control may be missing, but self-knowledge isn't. If the situation calls for it, I'm going to go all out and overboard again, that's just who I am. I'll just take the proper precautions to keep us more intact next time...hopefully.

Ddraig was silent for a time...and then burst into raucous laughter as the jewel on her arm shifted around to align with the one on the back of her hand. Now that's more like it partner! he declared excitedly. That's the proper dragon attitude! Protect that which is yours whatever the cost! Just...remember you need to still be alive and in one piece to protect them tomorrow, right?

I'll keep that in mind, Ryuko thought with a chuckle, wincing as the gauntlet continued to slowly shift into its proper alignment. It was going to be a long, painful night.

Asia watched carefully through lowered eyelids as she watched Ryuko's gauntlet repairing itself. She'd heard Ryuko chuckling, and hoped that meant she would be all the way better soon. It had hurt more than she'd expected that she hadn't been able to heal Ryuko immediately, and had dedicated herself to improving her skills with her Sacred Gear so that she'd never be found so wanting again.

Despite the joy of the welcome she'd received and crying herself out, she had still found herself conflicted over her choices. She didn't regret choosing to be resurrected as a Devil to be with Ryuko and Mako again, to live the life they offered. But she still had her faith in God, the faith that had sustained her through her time when she was seen as a saint...and then a witch, believing it all to be a trial sent by God...though to prepare for what she had no idea.

Ryuko's words had given her another perspective on those trials, that the reason she'd encountered so many hurdles was because she had used the power God had given her as others said she should use it, rather than how her own heart and faith said she should. If she were thus misusing the power God gave to her, then the trials she underwent as a result made sense, trying to awaken her from her passive nature to make her own decisions.

While Mako had been bathing Ryuko - at Mako's insistence - Asia had found the courage to speak of these thoughts and worries to Satsuki-sama, since Ryuko spoke of her sister 'rubbing off on her' that such great wisdom came from her. Satsuki's response had been blunt, but it still turned over and over in her mind.

"Assuming your faith is true, and that the world goes by the will of God...either all is Fate and His Plan, and thus you should have no guilt for following it if it led to you becoming a Devil, or God made you to follow your Will and you should have no guilt for making the choices that arose from what God made you to be. Either way, you should have your faith in God to hold you up only until your faith in yourself is strong enough you no longer need it."

From the way Satsuki was standing as she'd said that, Asia had the feeling her actual opinion regarding 'faith in God' was a lot harsher, but she'd softened her words because she knew how delicate Asia's hold on herself was. The idea of 'outgrowing' her faith in God was something she couldn't conceive of...but as she thought about it, she reconsidered. Perhaps it wasn't so much no longer believing in God, but reshaping that belief into faith in herself as the Instrument of Will that God made her to be. When she believed in herself enough, she would no longer need to draw strength from her faith in God. Not so much setting it aside or outgrowing it, but living up to it.

While her doubts would be with her for some time, she convinced herself that she would learn to accept them over time. And if faith in God wasn't enough, and her faith in herself hadn't grown strong enough...

...then she could always have faith in Ryuko.

With that thought, she finally let herself drift off to sleep, cuddling deep into the warmth of the shared embrace.

The spirit floated through the ether, observing. It was still without solid form or substance, little more than a memory made manifest...but a destination had been found. All that was left was finding the place where the proper vehicle would be available.

It was needed.