DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
High School DxD, New, BorN, Hero and other products related to the DxD Series are all owned by Ichiei Ishibumi, Miyama-Zero, Fujimi Shobo and TNK.
Please support the official release.
Chapter 63: Out-tricked
Akua was feeling rather conflicted about the plan.
This inner knot was born right by the time her ears finished listening to the steps that made up the idea proposed by the dark-haired Nekoshou.
It was shaky at best, the most important requirement being the surprise element that would be provided by the seemingly normal spar. Even after trained harder than usual, the vampire held some uncertainty over the realization of the over-ambitious plot but…
The rewards were intriguing and the Black Deva couldn't certainly deny how much slow her progress was with Hoitsu Sakakibara. Affection towards someone outside from her family felt… odd, yet somehow familiar.
The connection had the same intensity as the love Akua directed to her beloved Moka, the only major difference being that the young man obtained her interest through his actions rather than mere existence.
Something curious, something that warmed her when she thought too much about it and… her red eyes fluttered at the ceiling as she tried to act innocently while sitting on the floor of the training area.
Hoitsu had just returned from the visit to the Phenex Clan, tired but not exhausted enough to refuse Kuroka's simple request.
The wording was the key behind the acceptance, the young woman beginning by addressing how both had grown a lot by sparring intensively with each other and that 'they' wanted to try out the results gained on a proper fight… with him.
There was minor surprise, the emotion driven by the request itself, but he was quick to accept with a genuine smile.
There was relief in knowing the two girls had indeed ended up becoming good friends, something that still confused the vampire herself to this very day, and interest in seeing himself the result yielded by the close interactions.
For a moment, Akua was glad that Kahlua had decided to stay by their new house so she could tend some more to little 'Pepper'. The pet's name took the tanned vampire a while to truly find from various other options, but the girl was now happy to have formally named the cat with an adorable name.
The kitty was odd, knowing that approaching the eldest Shuzen sister required caution and quiet, happily rewarded with getting its head stroked by her pale hand.
Very wise for a tiny animal, but the former assassin connected this behavior to refined instincts as those generally kept wild creatures away from possible harm.
Returning to the current situation unfolding, Akua quietly stared at Hoitsu, the young man having taken his usual stance while Kuroka let out a brief giggle. "By the way, Hoitsu-kun, can we make a little bet between the three of us? Something non-sexual, mind you."
He blinked, his position relaxing a moment to accommodate the instance of confusion born from that sudden question.
"If it's not something sexual… sure, why not." He shrugged, returning to a more serious outlook. "Still, I would have to think what you two should do when you lose."
Not arrogance, over-confidence. The Black Deva had seen this level of bravado before and she knew that these words weren't totally unfounded, just influenced by the lack of major defeats for the young man.
Something that hopefully was going to change today.
The dark-haired Nekoshou huffed at his reply, her energy spiking just a little more and 'showing off' some genuine interest in winning that 'important' fight.
Both girls were ready when… the signal was given and the battle began.
Hoitsu was slightly faster than her now in his Senjutsu form, yet he was rather cautious in showing off the form without a major reason and… that is where the trick lied. By keeping her pace slower than normal, Akua knew that the young man wasn't going to 'escalate' the situation without a motivation to do so.
That single trick was coupled with Kuroka's own ideas regarding the spar. Being a proficient spell-caster, the woman knew what kind of spell could be used to quietly weaken Hoitsu and… those proved to be mostly effective.
Being already tired, the young man was hardly noticing any semi-transparent attack directed at him, especially with the vampire giving him something else to focus on by relentlessly attacking him.
Her styles intermixing as she tried to seriously get her opponent from noticing what spells were being cast on him.
Soon, his actions started to get sloppier and his entire martial form lost some of its original discipline.
The chance to land some more attacks on his weakened state was brief, but enough to allow Akua to properly land some noticeable hits.
"S-So… that's what you are planning to do, isn't it?!" His voice brought noise to the quiet reprieve, calling out the trickery happening in that mere spar.
It was when the girl noticed the infamous strings of magic, The Silver Lining Hoitsu's was 'known' for, starting to wrap around her arms- or at least trying to do so and failing once she enabled her Jigen-Tou, the strings cut without issue.
Yet his plan wasn't to merely delay, but to have the vampire busied as he focused on the real 'danger' for him.
Kuroka was quick to realize this too, backing away from direct confrontation and promptly setting short-term traps to stop his assaults… only to scoff as the young man flared his Senjutsu mode… and Akua noticed that he was still weaker than her.
Could it be that the spells had done more than planned?
She didn't question it, nor she paused from going to intercept their opponent, ready to help her ally in her time of need.
Her quick feet granted her an immediate re-engagement, forcing Hoitsu to once more focus on her rather than getting himself freed from the current spells limiting his power. He was frowning, a silent scowl plastered on his face, but the former assassin wasn't certainly going to reply to that silent demand, preferring to refuse her now-annoyed leader.
Another fist landed on his cheek, making him take a few step backs. He looked terribly angry, but seemed to be doing well in keeping his irritation on check as the two girls continued with the simple but incredibly effective pattern.
A kick drove into his belly and… he exploded in red.
Red eyes blinked over the barely-visible aura surrounding the young man's body, yet her mind was quick to assess how dangerous this technique was. A strong boost that gave to the user an impressive amount of energy.
The tide turned as her attacks were met with doubled effort from her opposition, soon getting the girl to back away in a defensive stance. The difference between their overall strength was now bigger than before and… a strong punch slammed on her chest.
Coughing, Akua deflected the following strikes, her arms still strained by the action but managing well against the faster hits she was dealing with.
The Kaioken was something she had long tried to think a counter of for this specific occasion, bringing up this matter to people that could help her to develop a possible deterrent and… many were clueless about it.
Hoitsu was keen to keep quiet over the details that made most of the technique, only limiting its description to a mere 'self-boosting technique'.
The vampire gritted her teeth in mild-annoyance and pain, her guard matching in a futile fashion with another powerful punch. Soon, her hand slithered by his extended arm, trying to land another hit and-
She blinked as she realized some more info… from touching his muscles. Those were twitching, swelling in unexpected tension while the opponent continued to send attack after attack.
It was… strange and… soon she connected the dots.
While Akua had hardly studied anatomy on a scientific basis, she knew enough to know that the condition currently happening within his muscles was… abnormal for him.
And that meant only that… the Kaioken worked with the muscles. Maybe it increased the energy input with-
It could be possible. An interesting way to temporary improve the user's capacity to fight… but she knew what kind of weakness was easily exposed to her, her mind picking quickly the perfect style to properly disable Hoitsu.
Three precise chops in specific bits of both arms' muscles did the trick, closing down the magical coils available on the limbs and…
Thud
The young man groaned, his body having tensed up and stilled at the sudden rupture of the Kaioken, the stress forcing him to fall on the floor.
Akua blinked, minor relief washing as Kuroka reached for them and the two girls picked the defeated opponent off the floor.
"T-That was really amazing- but seriously, next time we should set up some good limits before… I end up like this." He huffed calmly, looking ready to fall asleep any moment now.
"And spoil our fun?" The Nekoshou pointed out. "I admit we were going quite strong, but I did appreciate some good action after so much inactivity and… now it's time to cash that little bet-"
"Nothing sexual-" He interrupted curtly, getting a nod from both girls.
"Of course," The cat-eared woman agreed. "But I wish you understand that, since there are two victors, there are going to be two favors that will be stated."
He blinked. "Hold up-"
"Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, you will take me, Akua and Akeno to a proper date, one that will go just a little more time after lunch." The girl continued without hesitation, shifting her golden gaze to the vampire. "While Akua-chan~-"
It wasn't difficult to understand that Kuroka wanted her to speak about that 'important' demand. Something that had been born from recent developments and all thanks to Kunou's and Koneko's kindness.
But… it was… embarrassing.
Seriously, she had been expecting to lose rather than face this situation and yet… she had to.
Not only for herself and her interest regarding Hoitsu, but also for Kuroka and Akeno. The Himejima was a new addition to her repertoire of 'friends', an individual that was much easier to talk to compared to the Nekoshou. Immensely so.
Her face flushed a soft pink, a restrained blush as she nodded slowly and prepared to deal with the predicament.
"K-Kuroka and I will share the bed in your room… with you there too." Her ears twitched the moment she finished, trying to grasp for any vocal reaction from the sole man in that room.
Hoitsu blinked once, then twice and… he sighed. "Cuddles-only?"
A smug grin appeared on the cat-girl's face. "Cuddles-only~."
And even though the reply was a positive one and Akua was promised a soon-to-happen session of… cuddles, her stomach felt knotting once more.
This time the reason of her nervousness attached to the fact… she was going to share a be, an intimate act that Akasha had described as a proof of love between two or more individuals, with the three individuals she had grown close to in the last few weeks.
The vampire could easily remember the bleak thoughts that had plagued her mind after what had happened with Fairy Tale and Alucard, her chances of redeeming herself and properly close that dark chapter of her life looking rather nonexistent.
But now that things had changed so much, her mind was keen to give her some… interesting thoughts.
Her cheeks finally reddened and her hold lessened in response at the lack of focus on keeping the young man up, something that Kuroka felt immediately as she perceived the sudden shift of weight to her.
"A-Akua-chan! He is falling!" The girl screeched, causing her sparring partner to 'wake' up and notice that Hoitsu was slowly descending back to the floor. Red eyes widened as the vampire panicked but managed to pick him up in time.
"S-Sorry. I was-"
"Thinking about tonight~?" The Nekoshou cheekily pointed out, drawing another full blush from the usually stoic girl. "Worry not, Akua-chan! I, Kuroka-sama, shall show you how to cuddle by… using this willing Hoitsu here."
There was some noise coming from the barely-awake young man, his voice muffled by the fact it was being pressed carefully onto the cat-girl's bosom.
"Now, let's go to the living room and have him lying on some of the couches. From there I will show you how to- and how to-"
The woman continued to speak even after they left the training area, her words turning into fuel for her longest blush yet.
Still, she would end up cherishing those lessons as… Hoitsu did felt warm in that odd but lovely position and… sleepy form.
If someone asked Sapphire, daughter of Lucifer and one of the fiercest generals in the Underworld, about why she had decided to spend the few days after the meeting by training and relaxing with her nieces, the only thing they would get was a snort and a glare.
Mind your own business!
Mio and Maria, both girls had potential that was starting to show now more than ever, were showing incredible progress in learning how to control their respective magical attributes.
Special attention was given to the eldest, the young redhead having obtained from her dying father the power to manipulate gravity itself.
Something that was unique, praised by Lucifer himself when he was alive and watching over his own family.
Every member of the original Morningstar Clan family had a very rare and powerful ability.
Rizevim can deny the usage of a Sacred Gear and Wilbert could manipulate gravity itself;
Sapphire was also special as her trait was the closest to her father, the ability of Reset having diluted but persisted in the form of Space-Time manipulation to a large-scale degree.
There was a reason why the troops assigned to her during the Great War were one of the few successful ones, her capacity to rule over the battlefield with her immense power was recognized as a rightful treat from both Grigori and Heaven.
...And that is how she ended meeting her.
That night- she could still remember how painful the first attack was.
The blast obliterated a good portion of her first line, sending her flying for several meters and… she actually felt surprise and giddiness at the newest obstacle to her path.
Earthquakes washed over the land around her as the beautiful creature with pristine white wings landed before her. A single kneeling that ended with her rushing coldly towards her.
Lance met battle-axe, the ground melting because of the heat and pressure of the clash.
Green orbs mixed with reds, duty matched with fury as the two women rushed to the fight, earnestly craving for the death of the other.
It was intense, a morbid dance that endured for several days. Her armor cracked under the pressure, her enemy's suffering a similar fate.
The War grew quiet just for them, everything going silent and blank as they continued with their seemingly-endless duel of emotions.
Gone were the initial purposes, gone was the long-term interest of this fighting.
A battle that lived out of battle itself, something that intrigued, that tempted Sapphire to continue to the very end. Her core burned brightly, just like her enemy's.
It was… an epiphany that vibrated through her entire body, gnawing at her to perpetrate within eternity itself.
The end of that battle, she could never forget about it, her eyes would widen up as the Angel broke through her defense, sporting a different demeanor than until moments before.
A smile, a candid thing that rendered her face difficult to stare as… it was like light itself. She got even closer and then… she kissed her.
Thunderous drums rumbled within her chest- no, it was her heartbeat picking up an unnatural pacing, trying to overcome the senseless action the General of Hell… actually found likable.
"You are doing this for love, aren't you?" The gorgeous Angel mused softly, her smile widening by the time the kiss was over. "It's all written all over your face, Shining Sapphire."
Her wings flapped, the being disappearing in a white blur but now before whispering the chance of meeting once more.
Returning to… base turned out to be a slow walk. So many thoughts, so many confusing and conflicting theories about what happened, about who dared to steal such a precious treasure from hers and…
Lucifer was the most infuriating individual for that period.
Her father was loving to his family, rather stern but still cared enough to make sure everyone was alright in that tumultuous time. Yet, this kindness was matched by his manner of teasing people around him, especially his children.
Sapphire wasn't spared some heavy laughs regarding her confusion, the man going as far as 'planning to end the war just to match-make her with this curious Angel'.
Irking, but also lacking any serious reprimand for 'interacting intimately with the enemy', the leader of the Underworld reminding her that she wasn't responsible of this act and thus was quickly forgiven without any issue.
From this very discussion, the name of this strange being was provided.
"To think that God would really go as far to deploy Proto-Angels." The white-haired man thought out-loud. "Creatures born from Angel's biology mixed with human's, an attempt to integrate adapting capacities to the superior body and mind of an Angel… beings worth some study and interest."
Proto-Angels, beings deemed by their leaders as inferior soldiers, yet the fight, that emotion…
Raphaeline. A memorable word that burned in her brain, that persisted to the very present. A word that painted her happy when she spotted the woman on the following skirmish.
She didn't bother with the pleasantries, jumping moments after sighting the flying warrior and… smirking right in front of her face.
The holy creature smiled back, both females greeting each other silently before the Devil pressed forward and… landed a peck on the angelic lips.
A quick kiss, confirming a bond of rivals that would outlast even the War itself.
Their connection grew, their fighting soon replaced by words, questions and answers. Nothing sensitive, all personal and… Sapphire started to love her company even more.
A kindred soul that wandered through the War, scorned by both sides and yet smiling at the adversities.
A breath-taking determination that only emboldened Lucifer's only daughter to pursue more the intriguing individual. Kisses turned in warm hugs and… then their rivalry turned in a whole new relationship.
Gone were the barrier, their sworn secrecy loyally kept as they enjoyed the peace between battles.
For someone that was at the time hot-headed and driven by the lust for a proper fight, Sapphire discovered the calm of silence, the joy of speaking with someone that shared so much in common.
Yet… the War ended and so did the visits from Raphaeline.
Her mother answered to her confusion-driven queries. Widowed and tired, Lilith was still capable of keeping stability in Hell for some time while also dispensing answers to her child.
"Proto-Angels… are not meant to live with the peace just signed, my lovely gem." The kind woman replied softly. "Michael wouldn't certainly push for it, but a majority of Angels openly dislike the 'inferior beings' lingering there. Your rival is surely… long gone now."
When her father was confirmed dead, Sapphire cried for two whole days… when the news of Raphaeline's death was given to her by her remaining parent, Sapphire mourned for months, never leaving for a moment from her room.
Hell's government fell on itself, a revolt sparking from those tired of the aggressive lines of the leaders and promptly ousting them after a civil war.
Wilbert had left earlier than the conflict erupted, the tired female General following behind and joining him in forming an independent group within the Underworld.
Time passed and… Rizevim 'betrayed' them.
Seeing one of her siblings dying by the hands of the eldest child of Lucifer was enough to drive Sapphire back to a war-like mentality, leading the Clique formerly ruled by Wilbert against Qlippoth.
The war was a gruesome stalemate that lasted for months…
Until Rizevim wanted to genuinely negotiate and put an end to the fight.
She was skeptical of the invitation, only accepting by realizing the oddly scared tone the usually-cocky bastard used to request to talk and… her surprise increased when they finally met.
There was no smile pending on his lips, there wasn't any snarky remark… only truth offered by Wilbert's special journal.
Dangerous pages in the hands of evil-doers, but apt for her to read and have.
It revealed so much, it gave so much insight over their father's origins and reasons to go to war against God.
Yet, the sole page that got her utterly shaken was… about her previously-thought lost lover.
While the entire cadre of Proto-Angels were disbanded permanently because of strong demands from Heaven's people, Michael was unwilling to let go of the stronger ones.
Having matched her in multiple fights, Raphaeline was deemed… suitable to be keep alive, sealed away until the world required her presence in a battlefield once more.
Hope, surprise and… a breath of life, washed over Sapphire, bringing her to realize that…
She could return to her!-
"You know, if you don't want to train them and spend this time day-dreaming, you could at least tell them." Nanika, Mio's inner darkness, spoke from the spot of the couch she had taken.
The woman blinked, red eyes fixing on equally red orbs. "Sorry, Nanika-chan, didn't mean to sound neglectful." She apologized quietly, getting a sight from the girl.
"It's still annoying!" The young redhead huffed loudly. "I mean, you are really cool and all, Auntie, but you didn't even give me anything to do with my sisters." She ended with an annoyed tone.
"That's because I want to talk a little with you."
Nanika facepalmed. "I swear, if this is something like 'you don't need to be a bad girl, you could be a good guy too' kind of talk I will-"
"No. I'm actually fine if you continue along this path." Sapphire admitted calmly. "I just wish to spend some time with… you in particular."
She raised a curious eyebrow. "Any reason why?"
"Just that I find it interesting how you look like Mio's twin rather than her 'own darkness'." The woman continued to talk, getting a shrug back from the girl.
"I look like my host, what a shocker-"
"I mean by how you actually behave 'similarly' to her." The woman interrupted and… got a frown back.
"Beg your pardon? Are you smocking something or did you just chug an entire super-vodka bottle?"
"You both seem to care about Maria and you're quite interested in me as your auntie." The adult pressed on, getting a groan from the fellow redhead.
"Maria is adorable and prone to cause funny messes to watch from afar, while the reason I find you 'interesting', Auntie, is more of a… physical attraction~." Nanika quipped flippantly, smiling lecherously at the woman.
"As if I couldn't recognize when someone looks at me like that from someone with other reasons behind this sad staring."
"Sad staring? Is that even a real thing? My eyes are directed at your bo-"
"Enough of this, Nanika. I wish to entertain a serious discussion rather than some… sassy remarks from you." The woman narrowed her eyes, surprised to see the girl merely shrug once more.
"Sassy remarks are me, Auntie, so it's kind of difficult if you ask me to stop being me."
"No." Sapphire rebuked. "You think you can fool me with this faux mask of yours, but I recognize the stress, the annoyance, the distress of being alone-"
"Spare me the kid shows' moral, Auntie, I'm not in the mood for- uh?"
Nanika didn't expect to be pulled in a hug. She also didn't expect her Auntie's cushions to be that soft~!
"I understand that you are unwilling to share your inner thoughts to someone. I understand that you would see it as weakness and..." She sighed. "I wish to not have to give you this talk. You… I think you are burdened with quite the difficult job of taking in all the negative thoughts, the stress that is within Mio."
"That's the truth. Yes." The girl shot back softly, snuggling in that soft and comfortable situation she just found herself to be thrown into.
"This is why… I wish to tell you that I consider you as a niece. Just like Maria and Mio." Sapphire added, drawing a sigh from Nanika.
"What a foolish lie, one that would hurt us both if I accepted it as truth."
"Truths and lies… what does these matter when it's all about family." The woman hummed ruffling the younger redhead's hair. "My father… he would have given his best to-"
"Hoitsu." Nanika corrected quietly. "Hoitsu Sakakibara, Shiranai and Lucifer. These three would be so hellbent to have me… I don't know, convinced that there is brightness in the gloomy days? That I can find happiness with friends? I just… want to be left alone right now." The girl admitted.
"Alone? Even though I wish to keep you here in my embrace?" Sapphire mused softly, drawing another sigh from the redhead in her hold.
"You are fine." The darkness replied quietly. "You… don't annoy me too much, Auntie." Her eyes closed, letting herself be lulled by the pleasant softness the natural pillows were giving her right now.
The woman sighed, returning her stare at Mio and Maria, still training but also starting to get tired from the ever-repeating exercise.
The future offered so much between good and bad.
Hopefully, the best outcome would come out of these tense days...
AN
Quick Warning: There is no political agenda, nor I care about 'filling a quota' about people in my stories. The reason why Sapphire is attracted to Raphaeline is actually Canon to the series 'Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha', only that in the series there was also Jin Toujou to add in. Since he isn't here, their relationship is… like that.
Why Raphaeline didn't Fall even though falling in love with Sapphire? It's something about Proto-Angels that renders them immune from Falling.
Future milestone 1: 950 Followers and Favorites.
P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin
REVIEW Q&A!
Scrumblenut: Planning to add just one last chapter about fluff before jumping back to the story. I need to develop a little more some characters to add to the plot. Sapphire's mission to save Raphaeline will be crucial… just like the visit in Tokyo that will happen soon.