Hello, everybody. It's your Author in progress, ArtLotus. I'm here with another chapter that you will find satisfied, I think? Oh, and just know that I wrote all of these chapter as I go, so my thoughts are all jumble up from time to time.

So without further ado, I present to you A Problem Devil, New

Don't forget to favorite, follow and leave a review as you go~

Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!

Chapter 31: The Three-Headed Dragon

~Underworld~

Night

A burst of wind sweeps through the whole town, even blowing the trees outside of the walls and pulling out their roots before flying away from the force of the wind.

"What?" Izayoi thought as his eyes widen, feeling his bones fractured in his fist from the hard body of the three-headed dragon. Before he could think of anything after that, he was instantly flown back by the back hand of the dragon and crashed into the wall across the town. Izayoi grip onto the sides of the crater, and clenched his fist, breaking it. He winces as he felt his right fist wouldn't be able to withstand the hard body of the dragon, seeing as it was easily fractured. But nevertheless, he still clenched his right fist, knowing that the three-headed dragon in front of him was stronger. Stronger than Great Red himself.

"He isn't kidding…" Izayoi mutters as he gritted his teeth at the pain enveloping his right fist at the moment. Meanwhile, the dragon look down at his feet, seeing as he moved a little behind than he previously stood. He then looks back at the human, who punches him. Suddenly, he disappeared out of sight, alarming Izayoi as he stood up from the crater.

But six ruby eyes stared at him as Izayoi look at the three-headed dragon appearing in front of him. Without any time to counter, he found himself flying through the wall and crashed into the ground, splitting the earth and breaking trees as he goes.

Shaking his head, Izayoi look up from inside the crater and he spit some blood off to the side, feeling the hit was more painful than Weser hit long ago. "What is he?" Izayoi questioned before he look up at the dragon descending down onto the ground in front of him.

"Care to tell me where did you come from, lizard?" Izayoi asked standing up from the crater as the dragon expressed a small expression of surprise edged onto his faces. "I know, you're not from here. So, care to enlighten me somehow?" He asked as the dragon did nothing but charged towards him. Izayoi raised his hands in a cross just in time as the dragon's right claw swung downwards. Fortunately, his claws didn't touch Izayoi's hands but the pure pressure of force behind the claw was surprising Izayoi, who knew strength all too well. "What are you?" Izayoi asked as he pushed the claw with slight difficulties since the claws were pushing him down. There were holes in the ground where his foot are while he fights for dominance. After a while, he manages to push the claws before he had to stop another set of claws with his hands gripping each of one of the claws. One of the claws was slightly going to pierce Izayoi's chest but he stopped it just in time before it pierces and stop a few inches from his chest.

"You really take this fight seriously, huh?" Izayoi asked the dragon, who was still pushing his claws towards him. Izayoi's eyes hardened, recalling once again the three large gashes on Serafall. With that in thought, he immediately grip tightly onto the claws and stared hardly at the dragon, that notices the change in his gripping. "I think I have to take this a little serious now. Especially, from what you did." He explained as he gritted his teeth and maneuvered the claws to his left, swiftly dodging it easily. Following after that, he jumped onto the dragon's wrist and to its chest again. Gritting his teeth, "This is for her!" Izayoi said as he punched the dragon's chest with his broken fist. And then he follows it up with a punch from his left fist before following it up with his right. The three-headed dragon sensing his slight anger appeared to be slightly surprise that he was dragged little by little from the human's punches.

"?!" The dragon's expression turns to surprise when he felt the punches affecting him little by little. Even though he felt the punches were weak but after some time it became stronger and stronger.

Punching at its chest rapidly non-stop which made his fists bled, but he didn't care. He couldn't let the sight of Serafall slide from him and although the dragon before him was apparently stronger than him in terms of size and strength but he couldn't care less because he was going to repay it back to him no matter what.

Punch after punch sent shockwaves throughout the forest and homes of the Gremory Clan, which everyone could feel from where they stood far away from them. And little by little, the shockwave got fiercer which brought their attention that whoever was fighting the three-headed dragon was getting pissed. But what they didn't know is that the cause of the shockwaves was those punches that were getting faster and harder on punching at the dragon's chest by the second.

"Is this the full extent of Izayoi's punches?" Ajuka asked in shock feeling the vibrations of the shockwave shaking him inside. From where he was flying, he was shaken up as he was being pushed around by the shockwaves.

"What do you mean? Anyway, I'm not done with that dragon yet!" Sairorg said as Ajuka look at him, flying behind him.

"You should know pretty well how useless you are against the creature. We, the Four Great Satans can never make a scratch on that being. What makes you think you can, Bael?" Ajuka asked as Sairorg stopped dead in his tracks, contemplating. "You can't even punch properly since you can't feel your right arm anymore. How well do you think you can fair if you fought the creature right now? You can't even last five seconds against it." He explained as Sairorg gritted his teeth and looked down at his bleeding side and right arm.

"Then, what's so special about the one who is fighting the dragon now?" Sairorg asked as Ajuka narrowed his eyes at him.

"We should go before this place would be a battleground for the three-headed dragon to destroy." Ajuka answered ignoring to answer Sairorg's question and instead he turns around and flew away, leaving Sairorg to look at his back. Clutching his bleeding side, he turns his attention to the earth that shook by the punches that Izayoi delivers.

"Izayoi…" Sairorg thought before he looks at the retreating Ajuka and followed him suit, finally given up to fight the three-headed dragon in terms of his injury. "This isn't fair…" He mutters.

~Human World~

Asuka's Home

Night

"Sala? Leticia?" Asuka called out from outside their room. She knock at the door a few times waiting for one of them to answer, but there wasn't any. She raised an eyebrow as she grab the handle of the door and twist the door open, allowing herself into the room. "Sala? Leticia?" She called out as she saw that their room was empty and the two woman weren't anywhere in sight. She then look forward at the door leading towards the balcony, noticing that it was open and the curtains were flapping back and forth by the cold wind of the night. She walk towards the door and closed the door with two hands. But then, her eyes widen as she sensed Izayoi's presence wasn't in the world anymore, much to her surprise. She then pressed on her heels and quickly slips on her red jacket in her room and walk downstairs to tell Shirayuki-Hime who would be in the kitchen, preparing dinner. But when she arrived in the kitchen, she was surprised to see that it was empty and the ingredients were left behind on the kitchen table.

Deciding that she would go without her, she turns towards the front door and she immediately spotted Shirayuki-Hime standing outside the door wearing a serious look on her face. "We have to go." Shirayuki-Hime said as she look Asuka behind her.

"I know." Asuka answered as she walk to stand next to Shirayuki-Hime but not before closing the front door. Suddenly, Asuka's eyes widen as she watches the sprout of wing made of water appear on Shirayuki-Hime's back. "Hold on." Shirayuki-Hime said as Asuka grabbed a hold of her left shoulder with two hands and the two took off from the ground to the sky above them. When they were above the skies, Asuka squinted her eyes in front of her, seeing Leticia and Sala with each of their own wings on their backs. She saw that they were heading to the academy to which she guessed that they had sensed Izayoi presence wasn't there in the academy where he should have been to take part in the meeting of the Three Factions.

"Izayoi-kun, what is going on?" Asuka thought while she and Shirayuki-Hime approaches Kuoh Academy that had no barrier while a couple of minutes ago the barrier stood strong around the academy.

~Kuoh Academy~

"Why did Sirzechs-sama teleport Izayoi-kun away at that time?" Akeno asked with a frown as everyone gathered around after Vali and the newly-arrived Bikou escaped. Meanwhile, Michael stood a couple of feet away from them with a slight confused look on his face.

"It seems Sirzechs wanted that boy in short notice." Azazel said walking up to stand beside Michael.

"But where did he take him to?" Michael asked as Rias recalled the howl awhile back, which made her glance at Grayfia, who stood across from her.

Away from everyone at the moment, were Asia and Issei that were sitting beside each other, the former was healing the aching sore bruises he got from his fight against Vali. After a while, Asia pulled her hands back, "Is it all better, Issei-san?" Asia asked looking at Issei, who smiles at her in return , causing her face to flush.

"Thank you, Asia." He said as Asia proceeded to smile at him, while containing her rapidly heart beat on a steady pace. He then look at the spot where Izayoi had disappeared, which made a frown appear on his face. Looking at where he look, Asia put her hands in a praying position, "I hope Izayoi-senpai is alright." She said in concern for her senior as Issei look back at her and gave her an reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, he's Izayoi-senpai after all. He won't be defeated by anything." Issei reassured, which caused Asia to smile at him, grateful that he was with her.

"Buchou." Akeno called out as Rias look at her before she look at where her servant was looking. She watches as Leticia and Sala made themselves present by flying down and landed before them, their wings disappear simultaneously. Behind them, Shirayuki-Hime and Asuka landed beside the two. Asuka let go of her hold on Shirayuki-Hime while Leticia and Sala walk to stand in front of the gathered group.

"Where is Izayoi-kun?" Leticia asked as Rias turns to them.

"Well, who are these lovely ladies?" Azazel asked making himself known but the four girls ignored him and instead focused onto Rias.

"He was teleported by my brother. Unfortunately, we do not know where he was teleported." Rias answered as Sala frown but she covered it with her serious look.

"Then, what is the howl earlier?" She asked as everyone look surprise by her statement.

"Howl?" Azazel thought back recalling when he was fighting Katerea, he heard a distant howl which was quite for his own liking. He dared say that whatever creature it was, it had the sound that can instil fear.

"Yes, I heard the howl too. And it doesn't play a good tune to our ears." Shirayuki-Hime stated with a small frown as Asuka look at Rias.

"Did that howl involved with Izayoi-kun in some way?" Asuka asked as Rias slowly turns to Grayfia, who step forward causing everyone to look at her.

"Don't worry, Rias ojou-sama. I will answer cooperatively." Grayfia said to her before she focuses onto the newly-arrived four girls. Meanwhile, the others decided to listen in on her, wanting to know what happened before the loud howl. "We got a distress call from Ajuka-sama. You might know him as Beelzebub." She introduced as Rias's eyes widen, followed by Akeno, knowing who he was.

"He was calling for help before the loud howl voiced out through the call. After Sirzechs-sama ended the call, he decided that he and Serafall-sama should go to the Underworld where Ajuka-sama is at the Gremory Territory… Including the howl we just heard." Grayfia finishes as everyone look eyed wide at her.

"Wait, what did you say?" Rias asked with wide eyes, recalling the place where the howl was heard. "Then, that means the monster is in my hometown now?" She asked as Grayfia look at her with a sad look.

"…Yes, it is." She answered. "And that's why Sirzechs-sama went there with Serafall-sama to unite with the other Satans and execute the monster. For now, we should wait for their ret—" She was cut off as a red magic circle appear beside the gathered group. As the magic circle was done teleporting, Grayfia's eyes widen at the sight before her. When Sona look at the two people in question, her eyes instantly widens in shock at the person she recognize all of her life.

"Onee-sama…?" Sona called out to her sister, who had her eyes closed and she didn't respond cheerfully like before. Sona then take a few steps forward, "Onee-sama?" She asked as she stretch her hand out to the unmoving Serafall. "Onee-sama!" Sona shouted surprising everyone as she rushes forward towards the injured Serafall in Sirzechs's arms. When she arrives at her sister's side, she looked in shock at the three large gashes that were visible and stretched across her body.

Sirzechs look sadly at Sona before he searches for a certain blonde haired girl. "Where is Argento? We need her help." He said as he kneel down while panting, having exhausted himself using his ultimate form of his power. As he said the name, Sona instantly look back and spotted Asia, who was standing beside Issei, who stared eyed wide at the condition of the two.

"Argento-san!" Sona shouted as Asia look at her and instantly she knew the message. Asia rushes through the crowd and knelt down beside Serafall, who had been put onto the ground by Sirzechs. Before she heal Serafall, she look up at Sirzechs who was bleeding in the same predicament as Serafall with his still bleeding arms.

Noticing this, Sirzechs smiled at her, "You should take care of her first. I can wait." He stated as Asia nodded and she instantly let her green glowing hands hover above the three gashes. Sirzechs then stood up from the ground and look at the slight twitch of Serafall's fingers to which made him sigh in relief, knowing that his fellow Satan would be alright. But then he look at his right, seeing Grayfia standing in front of him with a worried look, which he rarely saw. Sirzechs take a few steps until he was in front of her, which caused Grayfia to look up at his wounds before she look at his face.

"I'm fine." Sirzechs answered with a smile, trying to relieve some of her worries that he already knew. A small frown appears on Grayfia's face as she put her right hand on Sirzechs's arm and immediately started to heal it.

"You are not fine, Sirzechs-sama. Don't lie to me." Grayfia said as Sirzechs smiled and decided to kneel down, followed by Grayfia.

"Yeah, it seems I can't." Sirzechs smiled before Grayfia glances up at him before she continued her healing.

"Argento-san… how is she?" Sona asked in a nervous tone, which was rarely to heard from her. She was looking at Asia's hands hovering above the three gashes. She can tell that the gashes were slowly healing, judging that they were slowly getting smaller and smaller.

"She'll be fine, Kaichou. I'll make sure of that." Asia said with a determined look as she pour every energy in her to heal the gashes that were slowly getting smaller.

Meanwhile, Rias look at Sona with a sad look before she looked at Sirzechs and walked towards him and Grayfia. Noticing this, Sirzechs slowly stood up from his kneeling position, followed by Grayfia, who grabbed his hand to support him.

"What happen, Onii-sama? What's really going on?" Rias asked as Sirzechs didn't answer as he knew that he can't put it into words. He looked to his sister and slowly lifted his free hand to summon a screen in front of him which display two screens for him and her to see. After a while, the screen sizzles in and out as Akeno and the girls stood next to Rias, followed by Kiba, Gasper and Issei, including Micheal that decided to stand beside Sirzechs.

All of a sudden, everyone eyes widen at the sight that greeted them. Fires, a lot of fires and smokes covering the whole town, including the towns near the current one they were seeing.

"Rias, you know this place, right?" Sirzechs asked with a small frown as Rias wasn't focusing on him anymore because she was focused at the screen in front of her that displays a lot of destruction.

"No… This couldn't be…" Rias mutters looking at the destroyed towns that were familiar to her. "It can't be…" She added as she covered her mouth from shock.

"What you are seeing here is the current condition of the Gremory Territory." Sirzechs answered as Rias look at him in shock, while the others were watching the destruction displayed in front of them. They were very shock to watch the sight before them as they couldn't believe how much damage had been inflicted to the number of towns.

"Who did this massive destruction, Sirzechs?" Michael asked looking at the fires everywhere in the town. He was holding a frown while he looked at the fires, not expecting this kind of level of destruction.

"What do you mean who, Michael?" Azazel asked as he looked at the fires across the towns. "You mean what, right?" He added as a grimace look appears on his face. "This destruction isn't caused by any ordinary creature." He stated.

"Sirzechs, are you showing it to them right now?" Ajuka's voice voiced out through the screen as Sirzechs smiled at him.

"Yeah, I'm afraid. I can't keep it from Rias since Serafall has been wounded. How are the evacuating doing? Are the civilians had all been evacuated?" Sirzechs asked.

"I'm checking it with each head of the guards that were guarding the towns. I will report to you later. In the meantime, you should get yourself heal—" Ajuka was cut off as he look in front of him in the distance which caused the screen in front of him to face the direction he was looking.

All of a sudden, a burst of wind sweeps through the whole forest as everyone saw the most terrifying creature they ever laid their eyes on.

"W-What is that, Buchou?" Issei asked in fear as he and everyone look upon the creature that out fear into them just by watching him. All of them looked at the six pair of red ruby eyes which was a part of the Three-Headed Dragon they were seeing right in front of them.

"No…" Leticia thought as she looked at the three-headed dragon while past memories started to flood into her mind.

Suddenly, everyone saw a person leaping towards the three-headed dragon, who held up his clawed hand in front of him to defend against the soon to-be attack. The person in question immediately landed on the back hand of the dragon before he leap towards the middle of the three heads and instantly punches it, which caused a burst of wind to appear from the collision. Then, the screen zoomed in closer as everyone took a close look at the person attacking the dragon.

When the moment the screen zoomed in closer to the said person, everyone held shocked looks, especially the girls. They look at the hardened look of the person with gritted teeth as they spotted the blood that was staining his punching fist.

"Izayoi-kun?!" Irina asked shocked, followed by Xenovia and Akeno, who covered her mouth in shock. Meanwhile, Pest and Koneko stood side by side as they look at the condition Izayoi was in. A frown appeared on Koneko's face as she stared at Izayoi, never expecting that he was having such a difficult time fighting before. Pest on the other hand, folded her arms over her chest as a small frown was visible on her features as she stared at Izayoi's hardened look. She admit that when the two of them fought, she knew that he was playing around with her but he still managed to defeat her nonetheless. But now, she never saw how serious Izayoi look in the battle she was watching now. Compare to her fight, she would have picked the easy-going and playful Izayoi instead of the serious one. Because to her, it looks frightening to her, much to her annoyance, but still it was the truth.

"I-Izayoi-kun?" Asuka asked with wide eyes as Rias take a step forward to look at the person she love.

"Izayoi-senpai?" Issei thought as he couldn't believe the amount of blood on his senior's fist. Also, he was sure that this would be the first time that he saw Izayoi bled. And it was also the first time he saw Izayoi had difficulties fighting the three-headed dragon than he was with his past opponents.

"Impossible. That Evil Dragon should have been extinct." Ddraig said.

"Extinct? Evil Dragons? What's that?" Issei asked.

"Just like the Five Dragon Kings, there are another class of Dragons. The Evil Dragons. they are known to be stronger than the Five Dragon Kings but there is one that is said to be as strong as me and Albion."

"Is it that dragon, then?"

"No, this dragon is not the one. Moreover, I never thought your senior would have difficulties fighting a lowly level dragon while he totally annihilate us and destroyed your rival's Balance Breaker like it was nothing more than just glass." Ddraig said as the screen zoomed out a little, letting everyone focused onto Izayoi fighting with the full view of the three-headed dragon. "That dragon..." Ddraig said as Issei raised an eyebrow at the change of his tone.

"Ddraig?"

"That dragon isn't one of the Evil Dragons. It's different from what I heard based on its appearance. The dragon I am talking about has six wings and would be bigger than that. But this dragon we are looking at... I don't know where it came nor I ever heard of it before even though it is slightly familiar with the dragon I'm talking about. But it's not. " Ddraig explained.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know, partner. I don't know. But your senior is having quite a difficult fight against it. Let's be sure that he would be able to win this fight." Ddraig said growing concern for his partner's senior. Even though the both of them had lost horribly with Izayoi at his wedding before but he grew to respect the human for his strength after the said battle. And now, along with his worried partner, he was starting to grow concern for the senior that was now fighting a dragon that is able to withstand his punch. A feat that he knows was impossible to understand since Izayoi had destroyed his rival's armor with ease.

Meanwhile, Sala look at Leticia and she watches as her face hardens at the sight of the dragon, to which she suddenly recalled or heard a tragic Gift Game in Little Garden between an alliance and a powerful being, which the latter almost wipe the entire alliance with his power.

"Why is Izayoi-sama fighting that Demon Lord?" Leticia suddenly asked as she slightly gritted her teeth as she knew how her community was destroyed because of the dragon that was too powerful to be defeated which caused her community and their alliance to suffered heavy losses. "That dragon should be sealed, how can it be released?" She asked which caused everyone to look at her before they continue to look at the screen before them.

"What do you mean by that, Leticia-san?" Akeno asked turning her head to look at her.

"That dragon had destroyed most of my community along with the alliance that had been working along with us. The dragon was too powerful to be killed and so, we could only seal it." Leticia explained as Akeno look at her in surprise.

"Your alliance cannot kill it even with their large numbers?" Akeno asked as Leticia shook her head.

"As I said we could only seal it, but it left us with heavy losses…" Leticia said as she looked at the dragon with gritted teeth. "But why is it here?" She added as Irina look at the screen and she gasp in horror, seeing Izayoi flew across the forest from being hit by the back of the dragon's clawed hand.

"Izayoi-kun!" Irina shouted taking a step forward as Xenovia gritted her teeth at the screen before her.

The girls then saw Izayoi stood up from the ground and they were surprised as the dragon instantly appeared above him. Izayoi look up at the foot of the dragon above him before he crossed his arms as the dragon's foot overwhelm his size and step him whole, causing a larger burst of wind to blow all the trees away near them.

"Izayoi-sama!/Izayoi-kun!" Shirayuki-Hime and Asuka yelled with wide eyes as Shirayuki-Hime held up her hand to cover her shocked mouth. Meanwhile, the other girls stared in horror at the silence that engulfed the screen. There wasn't any movement from beneath the dragon's foot for a while, to which Rias shook her head slowly, not wanting to accept the truth in front of him.

Meanwhile, Sirzechs was wide eyed at the scene before him. "D-Did I really make the wrong choice? Was I being too selfish?" He asked in thought. "I…" Sirzechs started to say but he was interrupted by Rias.

"No, this can't..!" Rias said shaking her head as she look at the screen, waiting for any type of movement under the dragon's foot, but it never came. "Izayoi-kun, please be alright…" She mutters as she waited and waited for Izayoi popping out from the dragon's foot and continues to fight but after a while, her eyes widen slightly with a look of disbelief on her face.

"Rias…" Sirzechs called out as she look at Sirzechs, recalling instantly that Izayoi had been teleported by 'his' magic circle which she knew all too well.

Everyone then saw Rias walk towards Sirzechs before stopping to stand in front of him which made him look down at his sister. Her hair was shadowing her face, blocking him from seeing her face to face.

"Onii-sama." Rias started to say as Sirzechs look at her. "W-were you the one that teleported Izayoi to the Underworld to fight that thing?" She asked looking up at him as Sirzechs's eyes widen, seeing tears at the corner of her eyes, threatening to come out.

"I…" Sirzechs started to say but he looked down as Rias look at him with a frown.

"It is, right? It was you that teleported Izayoi-kun to the Underworld earlier right?" Rias asked as Sirzechs closed his eyes and answers.

"It's true." Sirzechs answered as Rias's eyes widen, followed by everyone.

"Why?"

"I strongly believe that he was the one that can take down the three-headed dragon. I didn't have a doubt about it—" Sirzechs was cut off as Rias suddenly slap him across the cheek, surprising him.

"How could you? I thought you of all people know what you are doing?" Rias asked with tears streaming down her cheeks as Sirzechs look back at her with a frown while a guilty look appearing over his face.

"Rias ojou-sama, please calm down." Grayfia said grabbing a hold of her hands, trying to calm down her sister in-law.

"What do you know?" Rias asked with a frown as she pulled her hands away from Grayfia while Sala and Leticia looked down with a frown on each of their faces.

"I don't understand…" Sala thought as she then look up at Sirzechs."Why? Why did Izayoi went to battle that dragon? Didn't he have a choice?" She asked with narrowed eyes while trying to endure the tears that are threatening to come out.

Sirzechs look at her and decided to answer even though he felt extremely guilty to answer because he was the one that sent his brother in-law to his death. "He chose to battle the dragon willingly. Before he engaged the dragon, he—"

"He saw me like this." A voice said as everyone look at their right, seeing Serafall supported by Sona to stand up. She was wearing Izayoi's tailcoat to cover her chest and stomach. The three large gashes that were on her before were healed, leaving without a scar in sight of her body. "That… That was when he chooses to battle the dragon…" She explained as Sona gently squeezed her sister's hand that she held, to which Serafall smiled at her. But the tears at the corner of her eyes tells her otherwise as Sona frowned at her.

"It's not your fault, Onee-sama." Sona reassured her sister, who looked back at Rias.

"Even though Sirzechs-chan was the one who summoned him here, I was the one who made him battle the dragon in the first place, Rias-chan. You shouldn't blame your brother for what he has done." Serafall explained with a smile on her face as she walked and stood in front of her. She looked at Sona and nodded at her, telling her that she was alright. Sona complied with a nod and she pulled her hands away from her sister. Afterwards, Serafall look back at Rias and take a step forward, embracing her in her arms.

"It's good to cry sometimes. You can let it out." Serafall said as Rias closed her eyes as tears fell from her eyes and onto Izayoi's tailcoat.

"Izayoi-kun…" Rias thought as she felt the warm tailcoat from which he wore earlier.

"He gave it to me to cover my nudity." Serafall said to her to which Rias smiled under the fabric of the coat.

"He's always a gentleman." Rias replied as Serafall smiled and nodded along, agreeing with her.

"Are you okay, Sala?" Leticia asked as she looked at Sala, who had her eyes closed. She stretches her hand out to her and put it on her left shoulder, which caused Sala to abruptly open her eyes, letting the small tears that fell out from her eyes. "Sala…" She said as Sala look at her and she glance away momentarily.

"I know in that our world, death would be a regular thing and I have suffered losses in my Community. We didn't grieve for the dead instead we showed them the respect they received and how they had died to change the course that let us to win. But these feelings in me, I can't help it… Why am I sad? And angry at the same time? And right now, why am I crying? This is unusual for me." Sala asked Leticia, who look at her with sympathy.

"Why are you sad and angry at the same time? Well, I like to ask that myself." Leticia said with a sad smile as Sala look up at her.

Near the two, Shirayuki-Hime grip her kimono tightly with her right hand, seeing as her Master who she loved was really gone this time. She looked down as she gritted her teeth, "How can I endure the pain when you're really gone this time?" She thought sadly, finding hard to hold the tears that were threatening to come out. Then, Shirayuki-Hime glanced at her left and spotted Asuka standing alone with her hair shadowing her face.

"Asuka…" Shirayuki-Hime thought as she glanced closer at the girl, who was holding back her tears. She saw that she was trying her best to hide the tears but to her she can see it all from her sad face. Slowly, she walk towards her in slow strides and once she stood next to her, she put her hand around hers, which caused Asuka to look at Shirayuki-Hime with her slightly teary eyes.

Without any response, Asuka looked down and slowly sank to her knees, followed by Shirayuki-Hime. "Baka… He's a Baka…" Asuka mutters sadly as Shirayuki-Hime look at her with a sad smile. "Is it really that simple if he decided to die? He's not an idiot that he will leave a bunch of girls crying for him, right?" She asked.

"Then, why are you crying?" Shirayuki-Hime asked as Asuka kept looking down.

"Because, because…" She mutters before a tear fell from her eye and drop to the ground. "Because I like him!"

Suddenly, a cracking sound was heard before it instantly breaks open, causing everyone to look at the direction of the sound.

"Asuka, turn around." Shirayuki-Hime called out as Asuka look up at her before she turns towards the screen and her eyes widen, seeing the three-headed dragon fallen into a deep hole. She then saw someone appearing at the side of the hole. Someone that was familiar to her. Someone she admit that she like a moment ago.

"Do you think you can squash me like a bug?" Izayoi asked with a triumphant smirk as dirt covered his hoodie and pants. "It takes a lot more than that, you oversized lizard." He stated as a smile appeared on Asuka's face, accompanied by the others.

"Izayoi-kun!" Irina stated with a happy smile, causing Xenovia to smile at her before she look at Izayoi.

"Izayoi-kun." Asuka thought smiling at the still alive Izayoi.

"Izayoi-kun!" Rias exclaimed with a smile, happy that her husband was alive still.

"Yeah, that's it, Izayoi-senpai! Beat it up!" Issei stated raising his arm to the sky.

But to everyone's horror, the three-headed dragon disappears from his spot inside the hole to appearing behind Izayoi. His eyes widen before he turns around halfway and crossed his arms just in time as the dragon swept his claw at him, "Uh!" Izayoi gritted his teeth before he was sent flying back from the full force of the dragon's claw. Izayoi dragged his feet into the ground, trying to stop himself before he skidded to a stop from a few distance across the dragon. He let his hands down as he glance down, noting that dragon's claws didn't reach his hands earlier to which he knew that it would leave a deep nasty gash.

He tighten his fists before he look at three-headed dragon that was waiting for him to make a move. Izayoi crouched down before he blasted off to the sky and in an instant; he was in front of the dragon's chest. Izayoi pushes his palm at his chest, tilting his balance slightly backwards, "This is for stomping me like a bug." He said before he punches at the dragon's chest, which caused it to fall immediately to the ground, causing a giant burst of wind to sweep across the forest, blowing debris and smoke away, covering them whole.

"Onii-sama." Rias said her eyes glued to the screen as Sirzechs look at her. "…I'm sorry." She said as Sirzechs smiled.

"Don't be. I think it's fair that you would act that way." Sirzechs replied.

"Then, can you do me a favour?" Rias asked as Sirzechs raised an eyebrow at her. "Take me to the Underworld." She asked surprising everyone, including Azazel.

Sirzechs look at her, surprised that she would even ask him. A frown was smeared across his face, "Rias, the Underworld is too dangerous. You are staying here where it safe." Sirzechs explained as Rias clenched her fist.

"But I just can't do anything while Izayoi-kun is over there fighting for his own life." Rias explained looking down as silence overwhelmed the atmosphere around everyone. Sirzechs stared at her back sadly but he was then faced with Serafall standing in front of him. He looked at her and he knew what was to come from her mouth.

"I'm going along with her. You won't mind if she had a Satan escort, right?" She asked as Sona's eyes widen at her sister's bold action.

"Onee-sama!" Sona called out as Serafall look at her sister, standing beside Tsubaki. "You just got yourself healed. Why are you doing this?" She asked as Serafall merely smiled at her.

"It's because I love him." She answered which caused her to look surprise at her answer. Serafall then look at Sirzechs, "Well?" She asked as Sirzechs look at her and then at Rias. After a while, he looked back at her.

"I'll tell Ajuka. But you can't engage in a battle between Izayoi and the dragon. I'm sure you know what it will caused if you do." Sirzechs explained as Serafall look at Rias's back.

"I don't know if she wants that." She said.

"I know. But I don't think Izayoi would want her to fight with him. If that dragon can give difficulties to someone as Izayoi, I'm sure that it wouldn't hesitate to attack Rias if she's nearby." Sirzechs said quietly, not wanting his sister to hear him.

"I can hear, you know?" Rias stated as Sirzechs look at her. She then turns around to face his brother and stood in front of him. With a smile, she suddenly hugs him, "I'll be alright. Don't worry too much about me. Serafall-sama is with me." She said before she releases the hug while Sirzechs smiled down at her.

"I know you can take care of yourself." He stated as Rias nodded.

"I'll help evacuate the civilians. It's the least I can do as a Gremory." Rias said with a smile as Sirzechs nodded. "Father is helping the civilians too. You should check with him to see if his injuries are well-taken care of." He said as Rias look at him in slight surprise. "He fought with us against the dragon." He took quite some damage to himself but it's not critical." He exclaimed.

"I will." She said with a nod. Sirzechs smiled at her before she step, followed by Serafall. When the two was a few feet from Sirzechs, he lifted his hand at them as a red magic circle appears beneath them. But before they can teleport, four other people step inside the red magic circle and they were teleported together.

"Were those four?" Azazel asked as Sirzechs nodded.

"Yes. Anyway, if they know what they are doing by coming with them, I'm certain that they know how to take care of themselves. Also, I doubt that they are weak." Sirzechs stated with a smile to Azazel and Michael. "Take care." He thought to his sister.

~Underworld~

Gremory Household

A red magic circle immediately shown itself in front of the Gremory Household as Rias, Serafall, Sala, Leticia, Asuka and Shirayuki-Hime appeared out of the circle.

Rias looked at them in surprise as Leticia smiled at her, "We can take care of ourselves and it's better to have company, don't you think?" She asked as Rias and Serafall smiled at her. Afterwards, she took a step forward and she immediately sensed Izayoi and the three-headed dragon's presences. They were far from close to where they stand which was a relief on her part. Turning around to face the others, "We'll split up into pairs to find any civilians trapped under the wreckage of the nearby destroyed town, okay?" She ordered as the five girls nodded in determination to save lives.

"Hai!" Everyone said including Rias.

"I know Izayoi-sama is having difficulties." She exclaimed as everyone look at her. "But he is giving us time by fighting off the dragon on his own. I can assure you that I never met someone that can battle toe to toe with this creature alone. The alliance that my community was in, had suffered many lives in exchange of fighting that dragon alone." She explained with a small frown but then she smiled. "And I never thought I'd be proud and surprised of myself for serving a powerful Master such as Izayoi-sama. And so, I will not fail him on I know what is right to do now." She said regarding to save the trapped civilians in the ruins of the towns that had been destroyed by the three-headed dragon.

"Yes, that is true." Shirayuki-Hime said with a nod before she look at Asuka. "Come on, Asuka." She said as Asuka nodded and the two flew away together like before.

"We should go." Sala said as Leticia nodded and the two flew upwards towards one of the destroyed towns. A pair of flame wings and a pair of shadow wings could be seen from a distance as Rias Serafall look at them flying.

After they left, Rias look at her mansion, to which Serafall look at her.

"Rias-chan?" She called out as Rias turns to her with a determine look.

"Let's go." She said which caused Serafall to smile and the two flew off with their devils wings.

Somewhere in one of the towns…

Black locks sway left to right as the black haired woman lift her head up, sensing six new presences in the Gremory Territory.

"Why didn't they bring Shirone with them, nya?" The woman questioned with a small pout on her face. But then she turns her head around at where the three-headed dragon and Izayoi were fighting. A frown made its way on her face, "…Sorry, Izayoi-kun… nya…" She mutters with her hair shadowing her hazel eyes with cat-like pupils.

( Play Mana Khemia: Alchemist of Al-Revis OST : Dreams of the Black Cat)

One year ago…

Spring

"Sorry, Izayoi-kun, for what happened to your Okaa-san, nya."

"Don't worry. She already knows what she's going through ever since she had it. But she still kept that smile of hers till the end."

"Do you know why she smiled, nya?"

"Yeah, I know. She says it every time and I think she's doing it again with that last smile."

"What did she say, nya?"

"She said 'no need to worry about me. You should go on with your life as it is'."

"Oh…"

"What's gotten you so upset, Kuroka? This is rare even for you."

"So, what are you going to do from now on, nya?"

"Well, I'm just going to live life as it is. Anyway, I know something interesting will happen soon enough."

"Izayoi-kun, can I stay with you for a little longer, nya?"

"What makes you think—"

A pair of lips came upon his as he looked down at the smiling Kuroka that was kissing him before she pulled back, her smile never leaving her face.

"Well, have you changed your mind, nya?"

"Can I say no?" He asked with a sarcastic tone evident in his voice.

"You know, I've been wanting to do that for a long time now, nya~"

"How did it go for you?"

"Perfect, nya~" She said with a smile that was matched with her features.

"Well, do you want to walk for a while?" He held out his hand towards her.

"Wait." She looked back at the grave of Sakamaki Canaria before she puts the cherry blossom from her head to the top of the grave. Afterwards, she turns back to him and took his outstretched hand gently. "Done."

A smile appeared on Izayoi's face as Kuroka gently intertwined their hands together, "If she were still alive to find out about this and my meeting with girls over the past couple of years. I think she will have quite a shout-out."

"Who can complain? You are just that irresistible to resist." She said with a content smile, snaking her free arm around his before she rested her head on top of his shoulder and sigh blissfully.

He smiled down at her before he reply, "Anyway, shall we start that lovely walk now?" He asked as she looked up at him.

"We shall, nya~" She said smiling in return before the two of them started to walk along the rows of sakura trees. As they walk, the smile on her face widens as she snuggled up closer to him, causing warmth to spread all around her body, much to her bliss.

"I hope I won't forget this moment ever, because…" She glances upwards towards Izayoi, who notices her and smiled back. "I love this, nya."

Present

"Love…" A small smile appears from the word, but it was quickly replaced by a frown as soon as the woman turns around. She then looked forward before she walks away. "Izayoi-kun… I hate this, nya…"

Somewhere in Human World…

Rossweisse stopped walking at the same strides as the old man in front of her as she look back at her, a worry look edged on her face.

"Hey, what are you looking back for? It's not like you have a boyfriend or anything that you need to worry about." The voice of the old man yells out in annoyance.

Frustration appeared on her features before she ignored his statement and turns around to follow her boss. But she casted a worry glance behind her back, feeling something was not right for some reason.

Meanwhile in Tokyo...

"What are you staring at, Okaa-sama? Is there something up there?" A little blonde haired girl asked in curiosity as she look at where her mother look, seeing nothing that caught her attention.

"Huh?" The mother of the daughter turns to look at her daughter after being snapped from her thoughts. "Oh, it's nothing, Kunou. Okaa-sama had felt something out of the ordinary, that's all." She said truthfully with a smile, while her daughter tilted her head cutely to the side, curiosity written all over small face.

"Ordinary?" She asked as her mother waved her hand in dismissal.

"It's nothing that you should be concern of at the moment." She assured her as her daughter raised her eyebrow but she didn't press onto the matter. Instead, she moved to sit politely next to her mother, causing her to look at her daughter.

"Okaa-sama, will Izayoi otou-sama come back again? It's been a year since the last fastival…" Kunou said at the last part with a small frown as the mother look at her in concern.

"Yes, it's been a year." She said as she recalled the memories of the festival. At that time, she didn't expect to have fun with a total stranger but she couldn't believe that her daughter had liked him so much after she had taught her about strangers. Nevertheless, her daughter had enjoyed the stranger's company, which was Sakamaki Izayoi. Although she could admit that she too had enjoyed his company.

A blush appears on her cheeks as she recalled the embarrassing moment of her life at the time of the festival. She cannot believe the stares of awe and pure happiness of the crowd that was at the festival.

"Okaa-sama, why is your cheeks red?" Kunou asked as she look at her mother's flushed face.

Turning to look at her daughter, she shook the memory from her head before replying. "It's nothing. I was just remembering about the festival." She answered causing Kunou to smile in happiness.

"Me too! Izayoi otou-sama is the best! He's so fun!" Kunou smiled.

"My, you really are fond of him, huh? So much, you started calling him your father." The mother said as the daughter smiled at her.

"He said that I can call him anything I like, which-which-cever—" The little girl look upwards, thinking about the word that her father said.

"Whichever." The mother corrected as Kunou look at her and nodded.

"Whichever I feel good. And I call him Izayoi otou-sama because it feels good and I like it." Kunou stated with a smile.

"It feels good, huh?" The mother smiled at her daughter. "Well, we just have to wait. You know he's not going to visit here every day, right?" She asked.

"I know. But I miss him. And I want to go to the festival with him and Okaa-sama this year!" Kunou exclaimed as her mother's eyes widen but she soften as she covered her mouth from laughter.

"Well for starters, we can wait for him, okay? I know he will not come today or tomorrow. But one day he will." The mother assured as Kunou pout and her fox ears drop a little in sadness. "Don't worry, he will come. And that's where it matters, right?" She asked as Kunou look at her and she nodded with a smile, while her fox ears straighten back up in happiness.

After a while, Kunou covered her mouth from yawning and she rubbed her eyes with right hand.

"Sleepy? I think someone is getting past their night time." The mother said with a smile as Kunou then let her head down onto her mother's lap, feeling sleepy all of a sudden and her eyelids closed. The mother looked down at her sleeping daughter with a smile, stroking her hair back and forth while she observed her peaceful and quiet breathing. After a while, she stopped stroking her daughter's hair and looked up at the ceiling, a deep frown could be seen visible on her face, feeling inside her that something bad was going to happen and she didn't like it.

"I hope you're alright, Izayoi-kun… Wherever you are..."

To Be Continued...

That's the end of this chapter. How did it go with you all? Did it satisfy you at least since I have not updated for a while? Well, I'll go straight with the questions.

1. Were Kuroka, Rossweisse and Kunou with her mother moments were good? Pick which is your favorite and comment me about it, okay?

2. Was the action between Izayoi and the three-headed dragon good enough with the sadness?

Answer these questions when you finished reading it, okay? If you have any other comments to make aside from answering these questions, you can comment on it.

Anyway, it was fun to write. So, I'll be bidding all of you good day.

Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!