Hello, everyone! It's SecretArtLotus here! I'm here to give you the new chapter of A Problem Devil, Born~

I hope that all of you would be satisfy since this chapter is updated a few days after the last chapter. So, I'm not sure if I put too much effort in it or less than I did.

Also, I hope you all like the new summary that I've put up, and the ~full summary~ in the last chapter.

Daily Answer:

Enigma69: Thanks for the review! I finally understand what you were saying. I agree on the Canon's ending, it feels a bit rushed. I thought they would continue to the next Volume of the LN but it didn't. Anyway, I'll continue to make new scenes, so don't worry if I follow the Canon too much because I won't be. I will follow it a little but not entirely. Anyway, I hope you will continue to read.

Slog13: Thanks for the review! It's nice that you still got hooked and I hope you will continue to be 'hooked' for the other chapters that will come.

xxOblivionxxx: Thanks for the review! I hope you'll find the other chapter great as the last chapter.

The Tell-Tale Man: Thank you for your review, I really appreciate it! To answer your question, sadly you have to read about it since I don't want to any hints or spoilers. But I hope you will continue to read.

Ahsoei: Thank you for the review! I had the same thought as you about Izayoi rescuing them while they fought with Tannin. But I changed that for another better scene than that. Because to me, the fight between Tannin looked a little bit short, don't you think? Another thing, 'His Highness' is one of Mondaiji-tachi's characters in the LN. You can research about him if you want. Also, His Highness had appeared in some of the past chapters, If you didn't noticed it before. If you want, he appears in Chapter 30 and 34.

~End of Daily Answer~

Anyway, without further ado, I'll present to you, A Problem Devil, Born~

WARNING: Don't forget to favorite, follow and Review. ;)

Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!

Chapter 37: An Unforgettable Teasing Encounter

~Gremory's Mansion~

Evening

"I-I'm so nervous!" Asia exclaimed as she walk next to Issei through lines of butlers and maids that were bowing their heads at them in greeting.

Walking up front of them were Asuka, Leticia and Sala. Behind the three were Shirayuki-Hime and Pest who was looking at the large number of maids and butler standing in a line at both of their sides.

"Surprise much?" Shirayuki-Hime asked Pest, who look at her before she look at the long lines of maids at her right side.

"I must admit I didn't expect this kind of treatment before." Pest explained. "I didn't know there were this many maids before in one place."

"Considering you're a maid yourself? I don't think I found it strange enough. They're culture are different from Little Garden, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. But did they work as a maid or butler on their own wills? Or slaves by force?" Pest asked as Shirayuki-Hime frowns and look up at Leticia, who was walking next to Asuka and Sala. She knew that the light blonde had a rough life as a slave that was sold from Community to Community as a prize, much to her sadness.

"I think she knows what it feels like…" Shirayuki-Hime mutters as Pest nodded slowly.

"Everyone, please enter." Grayfia said as she stood outside an opened door while she bows her head to them in greeting.

Looking at her at the far side of the hall, Akeno nodded and led everyone through the opened door where they stood inside a room.

"Huh?" Issei look at the brown haired woman that was smiling down at a red haired boy in front of him. He then notices the slight appearances of Rias and the brown haired. "Such a pretty person. Is she Buchou's sister?" He questioned in his mind as Akeno covered her mouth from slight laughter.

"Issei, I prefer if you don't stare passionately at Rias's mother. That is rude." Akeno said as Issei shook out of his stupor before he looks at her in shock.

"Wh-What?!"

"You didn't know Rias-san's mother, Issei-san? You've seen her at the wedding, right?" Asia asked in wonder as Issei look at her before he scratches his neck sheepishly.

"No, I didn't noticed."

Smiling at the both of them, Akeno bows her head at Venelana, who look up at the ORC group. "It's been a long time, Lady Venelana." Akeno greeted as Kiba, Gasper and Koneko bows their heads at her, followed by Issei, Asia and Xenovia.

"It is good to see you again, Venelana." Leticia greeted with a bow of her head as Asuka, Shirayuki-Hime and Sala bowed their heads at her in respect, leaving Pest to stand still before she sighs heavily and bows her head too.

Looking at the ORC group, Venelana smiled before she gestured the red haired to look at the group. "I am glad you look well, and it is good to see you again, Leticia." She answered as Leticia nods appreciatively. Then, Venelana look at the ORC group, "It is nice to finally meet all of you in person. For all of you who don't know me, I am Rias's mother, Venelana Gremory."

"The red head's mother? But you look so young." Pest stated with a raised eyebrow as Venelana smiled at her.

"Thank you. Us Devils, have slight powers as yours that don't make us age. It's the same as Leticia and Sala." Venelana stated as Pest look at both of them in question before she nodded in understanding.

"Point taken." She answered as Venelana look at Issei.

"Buchou's mother?" Issei asked looking at the brown haired woman.

"You must be Hyoudou Issei, I presume?" Venelana asked as she walks to stand in front of the surprised Issei.

"How do you know who I am?"

"Declaring to kiss my daughter during her wedding is a bold action, if I recall. It's even bolder if you declare it out loud in front of her and her husband nonetheless." Venelana smiled as Issei recalled the time when he chose to kiss Rias in front of her and Izayoi if he won the fight against his senior.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to cause trouble!" Issei apologized profusely.

"I don't mind, but I can't help but feel surprised. Anyway, I hope you are alright after the battle with Izayoi. I saw that you took quite a beating." Venelana stated as Issei glanced away before scratching his head.

"It did hurt during our fight…But I'm alright thanks to Asia-chan." Issei said as he smiled at Asia, who looks at him before she blushes in embarrassment.

Looking at both Issei and Asia, Venelana smiled. "I'm glad." Venelana said with a nod. "But after that event, it taught a good lesson to my husband. He picked a fiancé without thinking of his daughter's feelings." She shook her head before she smiles to herself. "But now, he and I are very happy that she wedded with her pair that she held true feelings for, and we couldn't be happier than that, truly." She explained to the ORC group before she looks at the group in question. "Well then, let us sit down for dinner, shall we?" She asked before she walks away to prepare. "Akeno, will you show them the way?"

Bowing at her request, Akeno answers, "Hai, Lady Venelana." She said before she looks at everyone. "Let's go."

~Time Skip~

"Everyone please think of this as your own home." Lord Gremory said to everyone that was seated on the long table dinner.

"I'm really hungry, but I don't want to embarrass myself…" Issei thought as he looks around and sees everyone eating politely, including Pest who was cutting a piece of meat with her knife before she put it inside her mouth with her fork.

"Asia, do you want me to help you?" Asuka asked across the dinner as Asia look up at while she held a small frown from having difficulties of cutting the meat politely.

"Yes, please." Asia answered as Asuka smiled and she held her silver fork in front of her, showing it to Asia.

"First, you have to place your fork into the meat before gently cutting the meat with your knife. Apply a little bit of pressure on the fork so you can cut it easily." Asuka explained as she cuts the meat with her fork pressing down the meat while her knife gently cuts the meat with two cuts.

Seeing what she had seen, Asia tried to cut the meat just like she had been showed to. Placing the fork into the meat and pressing the fork down slowly, Asia then placed her knife near the base of the fork before she slowly cuts the meat with two ciuts, surprising her. A smile appears on her lips as she put the sliced meat in her mouth and she closed her eyes to savor the taste of the food, to which it was delicious in her mind. Opening her eyes, Asia look up at Asuka and offered a smile.

"Thank you, Asuka-san."

"You're welcome." Asuka answered before she cuts her own piece of meat and put it inside her mouth.

Observing all that he could, Issei tried to copy Asia and his eyes was pasted to the sliced meat that took about three cuts. Glancing around, he saw that no one had noticed his table manners to which it was relieved on his part and he smiled down, knowing that he had learned one of the basics of table manners. Staking the meat with his fork, Issei slowly put the meat inside his mouth before he chews on it slowly. "This is delicious!" He thought as he chews on it slowly, careful not to attract attention by chewing too fast.

"Akeno." Lord Gremory called out as Akeno look at his way, followed by everyone who had heard his call.

"Dear." Venelana said as Lord Gremory look at her, seeing Venelana put down her silverware. "I thought we talk about this already."

"But we'll never know if we never try." Lord Gremory replied as a frown immediately appears over his lips, seeing Venelana looks at him directly in his eyes before she glances at the other side, avoiding eye contact. A visible frown could be seen playing on her lips, much to Lord Gremory's sadness.

"Venelana?" Leticia called out as she looks at Venelana who was sitting next to her, noticing her sadden expression when she made eye contact with her husband. "Are you alright?" She asked as Venelana looks up at the blonde and offered a assured smile but Leticia noticed that the smile didn't reached her eyes, much to her slight confusion.

"I'm alright, Leticia." Venelana assured before she stood up from her seat and smiled at everyone, who look up at her in confusion. "If you'll excuse me." She stated before she walk away while Lord Gremory watches her leave the room.

"Venelana…" Lord Gremory thought, knowing why she avoided eye contact with him. Even if his wife was being patient of waiting for both her daughter and son in-law, but he knew better that she was suffering little by little inside.

"Why did Lady Venelana left so suddenly?" Asia asked with a small frown as Lord Gremory look at her before he look at everyone in the room that was seated in front of him.

"I assume all of you know that we don't know where Rias and Izayoi are, correct?" He asked everyone. "In the week following the destruction of the Underworld, neither of us had been contacted from Rias at all. Sirzechs and I are worried about their conditions and how they were doing. He nearly sent a patrol squad to search for the whereabouts of Rias and Izayoi, but Venelana stopped him from doing just that. Even if my wife assured us that we should have patience, I know that she's been torturing herself inside all this time and assuring herself that everything would be alright. But no contacts for a week whatsoever…It really baffles us and shorten our patience. But my wife would never show it, as I assume you all noticed when you first came here."

"Yes, Venelana greeted us with a smile. I don't think that she would leave just like that." Leticia stated as Lord Gremory nodded before she look at Akeno.

"…If I may ask, Akeno, has she ever contacted you over the past week?" Lord Gremory asked as silence takes over the room while everyone looks at Akeno, waiting for her answer. "Since you're her Queen and best friend, I thought she would contact you during this past week."

Deciding to answer truthfully, Akeno bows her head apologetically. "…I regret to inform you, Lord Gremory. But I haven't received any chance to be contacted by your daughter. I'm sorry that my answer didn't bring you any good news." Akeno explained as Lord Gremory nodded before he look at where his wife left, knowing that she was hiding beside the corner to listen to Akeno's answer since she believed that Akeno would held the answer all along just like he did. But after the black haired had given them her answer, he knows that his wife would be the most affected than him since she was burden by nothing but news over the past week including today, that didn't tell her daughter's location, which upsets him. But he didn't blame the black haired because he knew that she and the rest of the ORC group were also worried about where Rias and Izayoi were, just like them.

"I'm sorry, Venelana." Lord Gremory thought as Venelana who was hiding beside the corner of the room look down at the floor.

Holding her hands together, a tear formed at the corner of her eyes before it drops and hit the floor. "Musume…"

~Asuka's Room~

Night

"Hm?" Leticia opens her eyes as she heard the door opens and closes. She then sit up from the bed and saw Sala sleeping peacefully next to her. Looking up at the other bed, she saw the empty space that was supposed to be occupied by Asuka but there wasn't any sign of her. Deciding to check up on her, Leticia stands up from the bed and quietly exited the room before she look outside, seeing the empty halls at her right before she heard a squeak, alerting her to turn to her left.

"Leticia-san!" Asia shouted before she covered her mouth, knowing that her voice could be heard throughout the halls.

"Asia? Xenovia? What are the two of you doing here in the halls?" Leticia questions before a small smile appears on her face, knowing the cause of their wandering.

"Thank you, Leticia-san." Asia thank as she lie on Asuka's bed with Xenovia next to her.

"You're welcome, Asia." Leticia nods. "You two aren't used to sleeping in a large room, correct?"

At this, Asia nods at her question. "I can't sleep in such a large room all alone."

"We lived a simple life at the church, so this luxury makes us feel uncomfortable." Xenovia said as Asia look at Leticia and raises her eyebrow.

"Leticia-san, why aren't you sleeping just now? Are you uncomfortable too?" Asia asked as Leticia shakes her head.

"No. I'm quite used to the luxury in my own world." Leticia smiled before Asia looks at the sleeping Sala. "And so, is Sala."

"Leticia-san, If I may ask. What's like in your world, Little Garden?" Asia asked as Xenovia looks at Leticia, wanting to know the world the blonde lived in.

"Yes, I would like to know too." She said in agreement as Leticia looks at the two, deciding whether to tell them or not.

"…Little Garden is a world where you can have fun." Leticia stated as Asia raised her eyebrow in confusion, followed by Xenovia.

"Why is that? I thought there were Gift Games that are dangerous and there are many kinds of Gods in the world." Asia voices out her concern as Leticia looks at her, knowing her fact is true.

"But Gift Games aren't always dangerous." A voice said as Asia and Xenovia look at Sala, who looks at them after having been awakened by their voices. "There are Gift Games that can be enjoyed by everyone." She stated to the two while Leticia nodded in agreement.

"There is?"

"Yes, there are certain Gift Games that would help your Community simultaneously having fun along the way." Leticia explained as Asia nods. "It is fun if your Community participates in a Gift Game such as that sometimes."

"Have you ever participated in those kinds of Gift Games, Leticia-san?" Xenovia asked as Leticia smiled.

"Believe it or not, I did by the strategist of my Community. Even if she was the strategist, she had similar traits such as Izayoi-sama."

"Similar? You mean, she's playful like him?" Asia asked as Leticia nods.

"Yes, but aside from him, she had a powerful Gift that always gain victory for our Community in each Gift Game. Sometimes, we celebrate joyfully with the other members of the Community."

"Really? I wished I could get to see your Community someday, Leticia-san!" Asia said to which triggers Leticia, who held a small frown, knowing what happen to her Community after a certain Gift Game against a Demon Lord.

Looking up at the smiling Asia, Leticia smiled at her reassuringly. "I'm sorry, Asia. That wish may never be able to come true…"

Then, the sound of the door opening enlightens everyone to look at the door to which reveal Asuka with a tray of biscuits.

"Asuka-san, where did you go?" Asia asked as Asuka walks to put the tray on the desk between the two beds.

After putting the tray down, Asuka look at the questioning Asia

"Well, I can't sleep so I went to get some fresh air. Then, I walked by the kitchen and decided to have a snack instead. But I was found out by one of the maids and she gave me a tray to share with you all. But since you were all asleep, I thought otherwise. But I see now that you are all awake." Asuka smiled as Sala sit up and take a biscuit from the plate above the tray before putting it into her mouth.

"It's a waste to leave the food uneaten." Sala said to everyone, who takes a biscuit each before prompting to put it into their mouth.

Eating the biscuit before swallowing the piece, Asuka look at both Asia and Xenovia. "Anyway, what are you two doing here in the first place?"

"Well, we weren't comfortable sleeping in a large room all alone." Xenovia answered while Asia nodded in agreement as Asuka nods before she smiles.

"It's a good thing that you came into this room then."

"Yeah, I didn't know you three share a room together. I thought everyone was sleeping all alone in each room."

"We asked Lord Gremory that we would share a room and he complied to give us the permission." Asuka explained as both Xenovia and Asia nodded. "Also, why didn't you go to Issei's room, Asia?"

"W-Why did you ask, Asuka-san?" Asia asked with a blush.

"I mean, you are close to him, right? I thought you would sleep with him instead of us." Asuka explained as Leticia nodded in agreement.

"Well, I-I intend to but we would be all alone together in the room…" Asia instantly blushes as she imagined the events that would happen if she shared a large room with Issei all alone.

"Isn't that better?" Asuka asked before she covered her mouth from laughter as Asia's face turns red form embarrassment. Then, a thought comes into Asuka's mind and she can't help but frown at the said thought.

Noticing her expression, Asia looks at her in concern. "Asuka-san?"

"Huh?" Asuka look up at the concerned looking blonde before she waved her hand in dismissal. "It's nothing."

"Is it about Lady Venelana?" Xenovia asked, noticing Rias's mother's weird behavior during dinner.

"Sadly, yes." Asuka answered before she crosses her arms over her chest. "It must have been hard for her this past week…" She mutters as Leticia looks down.

"She's bottling all those kept feelings inside all alone while ensuring hope for her family first without ensuring herself that everything was going to be alright…" Leticia explained as everyone looks at her before they thought about Venelana's hardships of worrying about her daughter and son in-law. "We can't do anything for her now. But we're here for a reason. We can't always depend on Izayoi-sama to fight the battles himself. From now on, we are on our own and we should use the time that we've been given to the fullest if we ever stand a chance for a Demon Lord invasion."

"...But will there be another invasion, Leticia-san?" Asia asked with a frown as Leticia looks at her before she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry, Asia. I don't know about that, unfortunately." She answered as Asia nodded in understanding. "But we have to be ready if that ever happens. Izayoi-sama is now recuperating and we can't afford to do nothing in the meantime." Leticia stated as Sala nodded.

"Yes, I don't want to do nothing. It's a waste of precious time. I think it's time we prepare ourselves for the worse to come." Sala explained as everyone look at her before nodding.

Taking a napkin from the silver tray and pat her mouth from the crumbs of the biscuit before she look at everyone. "We should go to sleep. Tomorrow, we will start the training."

"Alright." Asuka nodded followed by Asia, Xenovia and Sala before they prepared to go to sleep.

Lying next to the already sleeping Asia, Asuka covered her mouth from yawning before she turns her body and slowly closes her eyes.

~Kyoto~

Night

Walking through the halls, Rias brush her crimson hair with a towel before she pulls her hair to the side and pull the towel down with her hair, straightening it. But just as she continues walking, she notices the door that leads into Yasaka's room, to which Shiroyasha was occupying to tend to Izayoi's wounds. Other than that, she notices that the fox woman maid had disappeared from her usual spot beside the door to which she was always guarding the door and took requests from Shiroyasha if she needed help.

A frown could be seen forming over her lips as she stared at the room for a moment, thinking about how her husband was doing. Suddenly, she recalled about her mother's words of sending a message to her of how she and her husband were doing.

Instantly, she feels guilty since she didn't send a single reassuring message after she had arrived to Kyoto, to which it was nearly a week since she arrived. But she knew the cause of it was the constant worry for Izayoi, who was still recovering from the death battle he had barely died. Aside from that, she tried to erase the tragically scene where Izayoi was pierced through by the Three-Headed Dragon. Ever since she arrived at Kyoto, she wasn't able to erase that scene out of her mind. Since then, she would go to the bath alone to rid of that part of her memory. But unfortunately, she can't seem to because whenever she thinks about Izayoi now, she would go through her memories to the cause of his near death.

Letting out a breath, Rias glances at Yasaka's room, silently wishing that her husband was alright. After a moment, Rias walk away from the room towards her room that she shared with Serafall and Kuroka, knowing what she has to do or supposed to do right when she had arrived to Kyoto.

~Yasaka's room~

Opening her eyes, Shiroyasha glances at the door behind her, sensing that Rias was standing near the room but she didn't approach the door any further even though the fox maid was gone. She then glances at the unconscious form of Izayoi in front of her. "You really are lucky to have such a voluptuous beauty worrying about you. If it was a normal human, I don't think they would even want to have feelings towards you if they saw that you got hurt by a Demon Lord that she doesn't know existed before. Wouldn't that laughable?" Shiroyasha asked with a smile. "You always care for them till you had to sacrifice your life? I don't know if an arrogant person does that. Being a selfless person, you know?"

After she said that, Shiroyasha scans over Izayoi's body, noticing a slight change. "It looks like I have to call Yasaka about this. She knows what to do. Hopefully, she knows what she will be doing." She stated as she glances back at the door behind her, knowing that she couldn't get out calling for Yasaka herself since she had to monitor the recovering blonde. She also knows that she had to wait until the fox woman maid that was tasked to guard the door returns after she had gave her the time to rest.

"Huh…" Shiroyasha huffed before she taps her pipe into the black stained small pot beside her. "I hope there's no such thing as trouble with management in Little Garden. All those works stacking up one after another…" She trailed off before she sighs frustratingly.

~Guest's Room~

Gripping her knees, Serafall's lips quiver as she kept thinking about Izayoi's condition over the past several days from when they first arrived at the castle. At the first day, she occupied herself by bathing in the bathing room for hours until nighttime before she slept in for the day. For the second day, she decided to explore the castle, much to her curiosity and slight amusement. She explored every corner of the castle for hours, knowing where the kitchen was before getting lost, much to her clumsiness. While she was lost, she was found by Rias, who took a bath earlier for her comfort. Having to memorize the way to their room, Rias guided her towards the room to which Serafall thanked her with a smile but not before complaining how there were many rooms than she had expected much to Rias's amusement of hearing.

Then, the third day rolled in, to which she couldn't find else anything to past her time. With nothing else to do, she found herself standing in front of the door, where Izayoi was just at the other side of the piece of wood. She was tempted to open it because she had been worried sick about him for hours but because she was stopped by the fox maid, she could only look at the door, much to her slight frustration. Even though she tried to forget about her worry by passing the time exploring, but she found it was useless to wave it off, more or less try to forget. Izayoi was the one who saved her life in exchange of his when the Three-Headed Dragon made itself known to the Underworld. Without caring about his own safety, he risks his life for her because he cares about her.

He loves her along with the others.

"How can I forget about that moment?" Serafall thought closing her eyes with gritted teeth, recalling when the dragon's claw pierced through Izayoi in front of her eyes. She tried to forget the horrible image but somehow she can't seem to erase it from her mind. For a few days, she also noticed that Rias always went to the bath alone. In her mind, she knew that her friend was trying to forget the said image out of her mind also.

Gripping tightly around her knees, Serafall stands up suddenly, catching Kuroka off guard from staring into the night sky. "What?" Kuroka thought as she looks behind her towards Serafall.

"I'm done waiting around any longer! I want to see Izayoi-kun!" Serafall stated with tears at the corner of her eyes while a small frown could be seen on her face.

She boldly tried to exit out of the room but before she could walk through the door, Kuroka suddenly appeared in front of her with her right arm held out from her side, blocking Serafall's way.

"You know you can't, so why should you?" Kuroka asked with a raised eyebrow as Serafall's frown deepen at her statement.

"Because Izayoi-kun needs me! It's been days since I saw him and I want to see him now." Serafall said before Kuroka's eyes narrowed and an amused smirk appear on her face.

"Really? How do you know he needs you if he's unconscious? Also, haven't you heard the word 'patience' in that head of yours? For a Satan that commands the entirety of the supposed Underworld, you really are gullible, you know that?"

After hearing that, Serafall narrowed her eyes as ice started to form beneath her feet, much to Kuroka's amusement.

"Oh, did I get on your icy mood, nya~" Kuroka teased amusingly as Serafall's narrowed eyes gazes at her own.

"You shouldn't make fun or tease of a Satan, especially me." Serafall stated seriously as Kuroka didn't flinch at her tone or her gaze. Instead, she was entirely amused in the situation.

"I...just did." Kuroka replied with a smirk. "What are you going to do about it?" She asked with a teasing voice as ice started to dangerously form into sharp edges around Serafall.

Looking at Kuroka, Serafall's eyes narrowed and her frown deepen before she steps forward, but the two of them was unaware of the door opening up from the other side following the wood pavement outside of the castle.

"I'm going to-" Serafall was cut off by a shout.

"Serafall!" Rias shouted as she grip onto her shoulder, catching her by surprise but then she glared ferociously at Kuroka.

"Don't stop me! I'm going to beat her! She doesn't have the right to tell me about Izayoi-kun! Even stop me from doing what I want." Serafall said in anger.

Curiosity filled her mind as Kuroka stare at the glaring Serafall. Wanting to hear her answer, Kuroka asked in curiosity, "And why is that?"

"Because someone who loves Izayoi-kun wouldn't say something like that!" Serafall exclaimed loudly as Kuroka's eyes widen in surprise, followed by Rias, who didn't expect the insulting words that came out from Serafall's mouth. After a moment, Serafall's eyes widen in realization, realizing what she had said about to Kuroka out loud.

Reaching out a hand towards Kuroka, she tried to apologize.

"Kuroka, I-" A slapping sound was sounded as Serafall shockingly watches as her hand was slapped away by Kuroka.

"I don't need your sympathy of a sorry." Kuroka exclaimed before she glared daggers at Serafall, who flinches at her cold gaze. "As you say, I don't love Izayoi, right?" She asked her before she turns around and exited the room where Rias came in, leaving Serafall look down at her slapped hand in shame while Rias look at where Kuroka left.

"I wish you were here, Izayoi-kun. You could make things right, you always do." Rias thought recalling Izayoi fixing her and Akeno's fight for his love in the past. In this case, she knew he could fix things between Serafall and Kuroka but since he was in a coma, she silently hoped that Kuroka wouldn't bear such a grudge on Serafall's slight mistake.

"Rias-chan..." Serafall called out silently as Rias look at her. She then turns to Rias from her slapped hand, "…Why did I do that?"

Outside of the castle...

"She doesn't know what she's talking about." Kuroka thought as she walks along the wood pavement after leaving the room to get away from Serafall. Then, slowly she stopped walking. "She doesn't know, right? Izayoi-kun?" She silently whispered with a small frown, unaware of the child walking toward her.

"Why are you frowning?"

Looking up, Kuroka's eyes then spotted the small little fox princess, Kunou, standing in front of her with a curious stare.

"Why do you ask?" Kuroka asked with a small frown as Kunou answers.

"Because you look sad. Is it…something to do about Otou-sama?" Kunou asked as her eyes stare at Kuroka curiously.

Trying to come up with an excuse in her mind, Kuroka wanted to be alone for a while but when Kunou asked her to whom it was about her father, she can't help but look at her and decide to ask the question that was in her mind since she and her mother had told her the story of how they met Izayoi.

"Why do you call him that?"

"Who? Otou-sama?" Kunou asked tilting her head to the side as Kuroka nods.

"Why do you like calling him your father?"

Kunou smiled before replying, "Because I like to call him that!"

Kuroka raised an eyebrow at her before she quickly took note at the pure happiness that resides in her two pair of eyes when she answered. "She must really like Izayoi-kun..." Kuroka thought before she look at the edge of the pavement and then at the smiling Kunou. A small smile appeared at the corner of her lips as an idea had been formed inside her mind while she pushed her excuse away for a while. Slowly, Kuroka turns to the edge of the pavement and take a sit on the edge, much to Kunou's confusion.

Turning her head to look at the confused Kunou, Kuroka pat her hand to the spot next to her, gesturing for her to sit.

Looking at the said spot, Kunou slowly walk towards the edge of the pavement and take a sit next to Kuroka with her feet dangling from below the edge. She then looks at Kuroka, who leaned her back against the support beam and stared at the sky that was dark out.

Following her gaze, Kunou stared at the night sky for a while before she started to get bored and glanced at Kuroka, who was still staring at the sky. Not knowing what to do, Kunou nervously look down as she silently fiddles with the hem of her skirt.

Sensing her action, Kuroka looks at Kunou and smiled.

"I'm just messing with ya! nya~" Kuroka teases surprising Kunou from her stupor as she looks up at Kuroka with wide eyes. Smiling at her, Kuroka stifle a laugh as she saw Kunou pouted.

"You're mean!" Kunou stated as Kuroka wink her eye at her.

"I like to mess with people sometimes, you know? It's fun for me." Kuroka smiled as Kunou look at her for a while before a smile breaks out on her face.

"You got me, Kuroka nee-sama!" Kunou smiled as Kuroka's eyes widen before they soften. "You're just like Otou-sama!" She pointed out as Kuroka raised an eyebrow at her in slight amusement.

"How so?"

"Otou-sama likes to mess with people too! He said because it's fun just like what you said!" Kunou stated as Kuroka smile softly.

"Did he?" She asked before she turns to look up at the dark skies with her soft smile. "He always likes to have fun in every possible ways he could find. And it seems that fun always found its way to him. Everytime." She explained as Kunou stare at her while she listens. "Your Otou-sama has a talent of messing with people including me." She stifle a laugh as she recalled about their past together. "I always hate it when he embarrasses me because he is the only one that gets the fun in the end instead of me. But sometimes, we would have fun together." Kuroka explained as Kunou look at the smile that graced Kuroka's face when she talks about herself and her father.

Then a thought suddenly came into her mind as she thought about Kuroka's expression which was similar when her mother talks about her father. "Does Onee-sama like Otou-sama?" Kunou thought in curiosity as she looks at the smiling Kuroka.

Smiling at the shining stars that were in the skies, Kuroka felt all of her hatred and frustrations go away. And who would have thought that to do something like that was just to share a little bit of hers and Izayoi's shared past with a little fox princess?

Glancing at Kunou at the corner of her eyes, Kuroka smiled amusingly at the girl that was staring at her.

'What are you staring at, little fox?" Kuroka asked turning her head to face Kunou with an amused smile.

"Huh?" Kunou blinked in surprise before she looks up at Kuroka. Her face immediately turns red from embarrassment, knowing that she had been caught staring.

Bowing her head properly, Kunou apologizes. "I'm sorry, Kuroka nee-sama!"

"There's no need for that." Kuroka smiled as Kunou pulled back her head and look at her. "We're not surrounded by some old stinky advisors, so you don't have to bow." She explained as Kunou slowly nodded in understanding.

Then, Kunou look down as she nervously fiddles with the hem of her skirt again, nervous to ask the question that had been on her mind ever since her father had arrived with three women by his side. She knew that the three of them had already learned the story of how she and her mother met her father. But she still doesn't know anything about the three of them yet except their names.

Fiddling with her skirt, she tried to make her nervousness go away to ask the question but it was getting harder and harder to ask since her nervousness was increasing instead of decreasing just like she wanted.

Sensing her nervousness, Kuroka tilt her head slightly to the side as she look at Kunou with a curious gaze.

"Is something the matter, little fox?" Kuroka asked as Kunou look up at her and nervously look away. Noting the apparent behaviour, she raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Um..." Kunou started to talk as Kuroka started to pay attention to her. "I...was wondering..." She said slowly as Kuroka look down at her in curiosity. Mustering up all of her courage by swallowing the nervousness in her throat, Kunou look up as her big eyes stared into Kuroka's own eyes. "How did you meet Otou-sama?"

At the question, Kuroka's eyes widen in surprise, including the two pairs of eyes that were peeking a few distance from where they sat.

"How did I meet Izayoi-kun?" Kuroka thought looking down at Kunou in surprise, never expecting her to ask something like that.

Looking at the surprise reaction on Kuroka's face, Kunou thought in her mind whether it was good or bad to ask the question so suddenly to her. "Maybe something happen when they met..." Kunou thought oblivious that she didn't acknowledge the fact that something might had happened when her father and Kuroka met each other in the past.

Looking down with a small frown, Kunou started to speak softly. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. Okaa-sama said we have to keep our privacy to ourselves. That includes our and Onee-sama's pasts." Kunou stated as Kuroka look down at her, seeing as her fox ears had sadly drop down.

A smile graced her features as Kuroka lift herself up from the support beam and turn her body to face the sky with her feet dangling below the edge. She then looks up at the starry sky, "Well, if you want to know so badly. I don't suppose it can hurt to tell a bed time story." Kuroka smiled as Kunou look up at her while her fox ears raise from their droopy position.

To her, it was a meeting that she would call fate or coincidence. But she didn't like the latter much because it feels wrong in some way. But she wouldn't mind the former because to her, it somehow fits perfectly with their meeting. Not to mention after the meeting, she had the best and sweet memories she shared with him, much to her happiness of recalling those memories that started to resurface in her mind.

Tapping her chin with right finger, she started to think about how she was going to start before a smile appeared on her face, knowing where to start now.

But she couldn't forget their first meeting. Never in her entire lifetime. Because to her, it was the moment that she would cherished and remembered for the rest of her life.

"Well, it all started in a rainy day…"

Flashback…

Evening

"Shirone…" Kuroka mutters as she walked through the wet pavement and through the barrage of rain that rained down on her from above. Her clothes got wet till it sticks to her body tightly like glue. She was walking through the streets with her head held down and her hair shadowed her face from view. "…Shirone…" She muttered as she bit her lips and slowly recalled about the past which includes her killing her Master and becoming a Stray Devil. After that event, she heard about the news of her little sister taken into the Gremory clan by Sirzechs Lucifer. When she heard about the news, she was relieved that her sister would be safe from harm and hopefully forget about the past. But she doubt that her sister would simply forgot that she herself, killed her Master, which made her a Stray Devil in the process. She also doubted that her sister would know the real truth that led her to kill her Master very soon, because she was the only one that can tell her about it. About what her Master's attentions were for her sister because of what she was. But she knew that she wouldn't believe her by the time she had grown up. Because to her sister, she knew that she would be but a sore eye in her eyes, much to her slight sadness.

Sighing, Kuroka stopped in her tracks and turns her body to face right. She then looked up at the rain pouring down on her as she stood on her place for a while, boringly and falsely admiring the gloomy rain drops coming from the grey clouds, unaware of the pair of purple eyes staring at her from afar.

Staring at the grey sky with a blank look, Kuroka didn't notice the sound of footsteps headed in her direction until it stops right beside her. But she didn't turns towards the person and instead, she stared at the sky still. Then, her eyes widen as she stare at the red umbrella that replaces the grey skies. She then looked at her right and she was immediately greeted with a smile. Her eyes then focused at the pair of eyes that were staring at hers in return.

"What's a beautiful woman like you doing all alone in the middle of the rain?"

Her cheeks warmed when she heard his comment while he smiles at her, unaware of the tight knot that started forming in her stomach. Then, a smirk made its way on her face as she looked at the blonde.

"I think that's none of your business, correct? Mind you, but people will think differently if they saw us like this. They might think you're the one who's at fault, here. So, I suggest you get home before you start a scene." She explained as he smirked in return.

"Really? But it can't help that you're the one that's attracting attention, am I right? I mean, I'm not the one getting my clothes soak to the ground. Although, in your case, it wouldn't help that you wore a kimono that exposes your body, right? Which I can relate that it will possibly attract attention, wouldn't you say?" He explained teasing as Kuroka looked down at her kimono and noticed that she was soaked to the ground. Her kimono had been pulled down slightly down her shoulder from absorbing the rain too much, to which it exposes her upper body slightly to the public eye. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she realized that he was right, much to her slight embarrassment. Then, she smirked as she looked up at the blonde haired man in front of her. She crossed her arms under her chest which caused her chest to bounce.

"Well, wouldn't you like the view?" She teased him but she didn't expect the reaction she was expecting from him. The blonde haired moved his head near her right ear with a smirk on his face.

"I admit I like the view. But it'll be enjoyable if we're on my bed, wouldn't you say? That way, I can look more than what I'm seeing now." He teased back which caused Kuroka to blush, much to her confusion. She knew that teasing is her specialty but somehow the man before her has a thing for teasing more than her. She couldn't remember the last time she blushes, but somehow he made her blush easily with his words. And it didn't help her that when his husky voice whispered into her ear, she couldn't help but feel hot. After a while, Kuroka was about to retort back to him but her eyes widen at the black hoodie wrap around her, covering her body and warming her up. She looked up at him and she noticed that he was wearing a short sleeved red zipped up vest.

"Anyway, we should go. I don't want to get wetter than I am now. It's annoying to dry them later, you know?" He said as Kuroka couldn't help but stifle a laugh, to which made him smile in return. "And I feel I can't let a woman like you to be left all alone. I can tell you'll cause trouble if you do." He stated as Kuroka smirked amusingly at him.

"Oh, really? How can you know?"

"I can tell." He smiled. "The name's Sakamaki Izayoi. Call me Izayoi." He introduced as Kuroka introduces herself.

"Kuroka."

"Kuroka, eh?" Izayoi asked with a small smirk.

"Why?"

"Nothing. The name suits you." Izayoi stated as he stretched his hand out to her to which Kuroka looked at it for a while before she looked at him and then at his outstretched hand. With a smile, she took his hand in hers. To her, it was weird that she had trust someone so easily, but again she couldn't help that Izayoi was being nice to her. And she couldn't help but feel attracted to him in some ways. With that in mind, she decided that she wanted to know more about him.

"Where are we going?" Kuroka asked looking up at him as they begin to walk along the pavement.

"To my house."

"My, I never thought you're that kind of person Izayoi-kun. Unless you're the kind of person to coincidentally pick up girls from the streets and go to your house just to 'dry' off." Kuroka teased as Izayoi smirk back.

"Wouldn't you like to know, Kuroka?" He asked.

"I don't like to know, I 'want' to know." She replied as Izayoi chuckled.

"For your information, I lived with my mother. So, if she knew that I was picking up girls, she would question my attention." He said as Kuroka nodded in understanding.

"So, what's your attention to me?"

"Maybe you should find out for yourself since you 'want' to know." Izayoi replied with a smirk before facing forward. "Anyway, I think my mother would make you an exception."

"Why's that?"

"We'll just have to found out, right?" Izayoi asked looking at Kuroka with a smirk, to which Kuroka smiled back in return and the two of them walked towards the direction to his home. Along the way, a smile appeared on Kuroka's face as she felt the warmth in Izayoi's hoodie, much to her pleasure. Izayoi glanced at her at the corner of his eyes, seeing that she was smiling to herself while hugging his hoodie tightly to her body. He smiled as the two of them continued to head towards his home.

After a while of walking, Izayoi and Kuroka stopped in front of a house before they walked inside the household.

"Canaria?" Izayoi called out as he walk through the front door, followed by Kuroka, who looked around her to see the insides of his house before she focused at Izayoi.

"Canaria?"

"My mother." Izayoi stated. "Anyway, stay here. She must be sleeping." He said to her as he walks upstairs to head towards his mother's room, leaving Kuroka to continue looking around his house. First, she steps into the living room and looks around the room, finding the atmosphere to be peaceful. She smiled as she found herself looking at a picture of a young Izayoi with his apparent mother, Canaria. They were smiling as they held hands in front of the picture.

"Kuroka." Izayoi called out as Kuroka looked behind her to see him walking in the living room.

"Where's your mother, Izayoi-kun?" She asked as Izayoi scratched his neck.

"I think she's still working." He exclaimed before he looked at Kuroka and noticed the pool of water forming beneath her bared feet. "Anyway, go to my room and take a bath. You need it. Leave your clothes outside, I'll pick them." He said to Kuroka, who frowned.

"Who says I need it? I think I'm perfectly clean." Kuroka replied as Izayoi smirked.

"Yeah right, princess Kuroka. Do you want me to clean you myself?" He stated as Kuroka smiled and step closer to him, their bodies touching each other.

"I wouldn't mind that one bit. I need a man to keep me still while I bath." She teased seductively as Izayoi smiled amusingly.

"Sadly, I can't do that. Because I don't think you can handle me instead of me handling you." Izayoi replied before he left towards the kitchen, leaving Kuroka to stare at him with a tiny blush. Shaking her head out of her blush, she headed her way upstairs. But before she headed upstairs, Izayoi's voice voiced out through the kitchen.

"The room is at your right. It's the first one." Izayoi stated as Kuroka look at the direction of the kitchen before she looked up at the stairs and started walking upstairs. When she got upstairs, she looked to the hall and the rows of door along the hall. She then looked at the door where Izayoi mentioned and she walked toward it.

Standing in front of the door, she slowly twists the handle of the door and slowly opens the door to the room. After she pushed the door open, she walked inside the room and took the surroundings of the room with her eyes. When she recalled what Izayoi said about her needing to take a bath, she lightly frowned. She then let down her head and smelled herself, noting that she didn't smell as bad as he thought she would. Looking at the bathroom that was situated at her left, an idea formed in her head as she smiled mischievously, wanting to get back at Izayoi for his teasing of her. All that she need was the victim to come inside the bathroom.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Izayoi was cutting carrots before he stopped and looked at the direction of the stairs, wondering if Kuroka was done bathing. Shrugging the thought away, he continued to cut the last of the carrot before dumping it into the boiling pot. He then put a pinch of salt and pepper into the mixture. After that, he cleaned his hands with a single white kitchen cloth in his hand before he put onto the kitchen counter. Looking over at the pot, he noted that he would have enough time to bath before making dinner.

But before he did, he looked over at the set of stairs and realized that Kuroka still hasn't come down from her bath, much to his slight annoyance. "Are girls always bathed late?" He wondered to himself as he waited for her to come down. After a few minutes, he was beginning to feel annoyed after learning that she still didn't come down. One thing he knew about bathing, is that it wouldn't take ten minutes to clean yourself up, more or less half an hour.

Sighing, he walked towards the set of stairs and started climbing upstairs towards his room. When he got to his room, he realized that his door was open and he opted to walk inside. Once he got inside, he looks around and notices that Kuroka wasn't anywhere to be found; even her wet kimono couldn't be found on the floor. He then checked his bathroom by opening the door and noting that she wasn't in there as well. Raising an eyebrow at her apparent disappearance, he opted to check the other rooms but realized that he has a few more minutes before the soup was ready to be served. With that in mind, he stripped of his vest, exposing his body to the world. After that, he walked inside the bathroom and closed the door.

Stripping his pants, he hangs them on a grail before he walked inside his shower and turn on the water, drenching his hair and whole body wet. He huff a few breaths as he felt the hot water stream down his body.

"I hope you don't mind accompany." A sultry voice said inside the shower as Izayoi felt two arms wrapped around his chest before feeling two soft mounds pushing up against his back.

"How did you…" Izayoi questioned as Kuroka felt the hot water stream onto her body, much to her pleasure. She then put her head on top of Izayoi's left shoulder and smiled widely at him.

"I'm not gonna tell you, nya~" Kuroka teased as her hands travelled down from his chest to his abs, much to her delight of feeling it. But before she could continue downwards, Izayoi grabbed her left hand with his right and pulled her away from him. When he did that, he pushed her against the wall in front of him. He stepped closer towards her before he let go his hand from hers and put it beside her head.

"My, Izayoi-kun. I never thought you could be so vulgar yourself, nya~" Kuroka teases with a seductive smile, noting the close distance between her naked state and Izayoi. Feeling his body against hers and noting his rough ways of pushing her against the wall, she could feel herself being turned on by him. And it didn't help that she wanted to feel a man for herself so that she could restore her species from being on the brink of extinction. But she wouldn't pick any man unless they had a distinctive powerful energy in him. In which case, she could feel the said energy that was within Izayoi, much to her amusement.

Smiling at Izayoi, she put her hands on his chest, "You know I'll gladly be of service to you. Just say the magic word…" Kuroka huskily whispered as Izayoi couldn't help but smirk in return, much to her surprise inside.

Slowly, Izayoi pushed her against the wall and breathed onto her neck, making her arch her head back and moan in pleasure. "Sadly, I don't work that way." Izayoi smiled over her neck, before planted a kiss on it before smirking, hearing Kuroka's sharp intake of breath, surprised by his action. But from that on, she couldn't return back his gesture since she can't even think straight as she was overcome with pleasure. Pulling back, Izayoi smirked at seeing Kuroka's expression before he closed the shower tap and calmly walked out of the shower and bathroom, leaving her standing all alone in the shower.

After a while, a smirk played on Kuroka's face as she stood up from the wall before a purple magic circle appeared behind her.

Putting on a new pair of pants from the drawer, Izayoi was about to get his black shirt from his bed before his eyes widen at the appearance of a magic circle in front of him. And in front of the circle was a smirking and naked Kuroka. She put her hands on his chest before they disappear out of thin air and reappear above his bed, to which they fell on the bed with Kuroka on top.

She smirked down at Izayoi as she leans down and licked the side of his face, causing a smile to appear on her face, tasting how delicious he was. Suddenly, Izayoi's eyes widen slightly as he saw a pair of black cat ears on her head and two black tails protruded from her butt, swaying back and forth elegantly.

"Surprised Izayoi-kun?" Kuroka whispered as her golden eyes stared at Izayoi's purple ones. She then leaned her body down onto Izayoi's body before she pushed her breasts up his chest. Smiling amusingly at him, she lifted her head up to look at Izayoi's amused face. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of our child, nya~" Kuroka whispered with a seductive smile before she leaned down her head to capture his lips.

But before she did, her cat ears perked up at a voice calling out from below.

"Izayoi-chan?" The voice called out before footsteps could be heard climbing upstairs and then stopping just at the other side of the door. Immediately, Kuroka's cat ears and black tails disappeared and the door opens up to reveal Canaria.

"Izayoi-chan, did you-?" She trailed off as she looked at the shocking scene before her. In front of her, there is a naked black haired girl on top of her half naked son, to which the two of them were on her son's bed. In her mind, she admitted that the girl look beautiful to her but then her mind registered to the scene in front of her again.

Before she could speak, the black haired smiled at her cutely.

"Hello, Okaa-sama!"

Present

"What happen next, Onee-sama? Did she get angry at you and Otou-sama?" Kunou asked with a small frown, not wanting to hear that her father got yelled at after being told that he lost the competition by Kuroka.

"Wait, I haven't told everything yet." Kuroka stated to Kunou, who looks at her anxiously, wanting to hear what happened to her father and Kuroka. Kuroka stifle a laugh before she smiled at Kunou's expression. "Well, me and your father didn't get into any trouble or get yelled at." She exclaimed as Kunou breathed a relief sigh. "Rather than being angry, Izayoi-kun's mother was entirely happy."

At this, Kunou raised an eyebrow in both confusion and curiosity.

"Overall, she welcomed me with open arms." Kuroka stated as she smiled at the memory.

Flashback…

"Is that the only reason?" Izayoi asked his mother, who smiled amusingly at him.

"I've raised you, Izayoi-chan. You've already know the goods and bads of the world. So, I don't think you would bring a bad woman into the house. But to think you get pinned down by such a woman, I am surprised." Canaria stated as Kuroka smiled. "If any woman can pin down my son, wouldn't that be a good sign? Other than that, you got pinned down by a gorgeous bombshell, shouldn't you be grateful? I mean, there aren't any nice girls that are forward on what they will do to you." Canaria explained.

"That's true, but I rather make them summit to my will while we're in the middle of our intercourse." Izayoi stated with a smirk before Kuroka replied with a smirk of her own.

"Aren't you eager, Izayoi-kun? Why don't you do me now?" Kuroka asked. "But I think you should respect your mother's presence since she's here, wouldn't you say?" She stated as Izayoi smirked, liking how she teases.

"That wouldn't be a problem." Izayoi exclaimed as he looks at his mother, who smiled at him and Kuroka.

"Yes, I can leave right now and you two can continue on making a baby for me to become a grandmother already." Canaria said as Kuroka looks at her in surprise before a tiny blush could be seen visible on her cheeks.

"Would you?" Izayoi asked as Canaria nods at him and turns around to leave, grabbing the door handle and walking through the door before she slowly close it with a click. But before she could fully close it, she peak her head from the side of the door. "If you can hurry the baby-making process, please join us for dinner alright, dear?" She asked with a smile before she close the door and walk downstairs, stifling a laugh she walk down.

"Since we're alone," Izayoi said turning to Kuroka, who looks at him. "we should get dress for dinner."

"Huh? But..."

"You think she meant it for real? She's just kidding." Izayoi smirked before his smirk grew wider, and he step closer to Kuroka. "Or did you really hope that we would have done the process already?" He asked as a seductive smirk appears on the corner of Kuroka's lips. Wrapping her arms around Izayoi's neck, Kuroka stands closer to him, causing her breasts to push themselves up against his chest.

"I had a little doubt, but I wouldn't mind it at all. We can start the process, but as your mother said, we should hurry it up before dinner." She exclaimed as Izayoi smiled amusingly before Kuroka let out a surprise shout and tightens her hold on Izayoi's neck. She looks down to see that she was in Izayoi's arms..

"I thought you wouldn't be scared easily." Izayoi said before he walks to the door and opens it with his left hand, walking through the door and closing it after.

"Mou...That's not funny, nya~" Kuroka pouted as Izayoi walked downstairs while he carried her.

Just as they arrived downstairs, they were greeted by Canaria who was wearing an apron unlike last time.

"How's your baby-making process?" Canaria teases as Kuroka pouted to which makes her laugh. "So, you found out huh? I'm sorry that it was just a joke. I don't think you would seriously take it." She stated with a smile before she looks at Kuroka. "I'm sorry. Anyway, why don't you two sit around while I'm finishing up dinner? When I'm done, I'll call you two, alright?" Canaria asked before she walks away towards the kitchen, leaving Izayoi with Kuroka alone in the living room on the right sofa that faces the direction of the kitchen.

Present

"After that, we had dinner and it was one of the best dinners I ever eaten." Kuroka explained as Kunou raised an eyebrow at her, noticing something was wrong with her story.

"...But what happen before that? Canaria obaa-san left you two in the room, and then she called you back?"

"Um...I don't like to tell that part." Kuroka said trying to convince Kunou, who tilted her head curiosity.

"Why? Did something happen with Kuroka nee-sama and Otou-sama?" Kunou asked with a small frown as a blush spread across Kuroka's cheeks, drawing back to the scene of her and Izayoi in the living room, which the latter pushed her against the end of the sofa and prompted to tease her by slipping his arms inside her shirt which was one of Izayoi's shirt. Canaria had offered her to wear her son's shirt since she stated that it would suffice until her kimono would dry. With that in mind, Kuroka wore Izayoi's shirt to which it fitted her and reaches past her waist, covering her forbidden area from being seen.

But when Izayoi slipped his arms inside her shirt for real by slipping them from both of her sides, he commented that she looked sexy in his shirt, to which she respond by blushing up a storm. She then tried to come back with a tease of her own to tease him but she was taken by surprise when Izayoi had slid his arms down her waist, to which her cheeks took a shade of deep red as she watches a smirk appeared on Izayoi's face. Before she slipped into his shirt as a replacement for her kimono, she knew that she had to wear something to cover her nude area since Izayoi's shirt barely covered it. But to avail, she decided to forgone the idea covering her area and prompted to wear the shirt as it is, knowing that Izayoi and his mother wouldn't noticed. But now, she had realized her error of covering herself as she watches Izayoi leaned his head down beside her right ear and whispered into her ear.

After a while, he pulled back and stood up from the couch with an amused smile on his face, seeing Kuroka's face turning a deeper shade of red out of embarrassment. To her, she could honestly say that she had been embarrassed for the rest of her life. Wanting to get her revenge, she opted to use her disadvantage to her advantage right there and then. But before she could, Canaria had called them to the kitchen to which they comply by Izayoi grabbing her arm and led her to the kitchen.

"It's nothing, Izayoi-kun just teased me about something, and it makes me very angry at him." Kuroka explained as Kunou frowned, to which she notices. She then smiled at the blonde haired princess, "But I can never stay mad at your father, and I didn't yell at him for teasing me. So, don't worry, little fox."

"But he makes you very angry, Kuroka nee-sama."

"Yeah, but I wasn't angry back then. Even though he teases me, I never got to tease him as badly as I wanted because in the end, he would always win. But those times would be the most fun and memorables ones for me." She explained with a smile as Kunou smiled back.

"As I've said, the three of ud had dinner and after the dinner, I was supposed to stay in another room for the night.' Kuroka explained as Kunou looks at her slight surprise.

"Kuroka nee-sama stayed in Otou-sama's house?" Kunou asked as Kuroka looks at her and winks at her playfully.

"I don't have a place to sleep in at that time. But Canaria, your Obaa-sama let me stay for the night." Kuroka explained recalling Canaria had offered her a room to stay in for the day after getting to know that she often travel places to place and didn't have a permanent home to call home. When everyone had gotten to their own room, Kuroka couldn't help but feel bored in her room alone as she didn't feel sleepy yet. She then thought about sneaking into Izayoi's room and sleep with him seeing as she found him interesting and fun to be with. After leaving her room, she had tiptoed to Izayoi's room quietly, careful not to wake Canaria up since she also begin to care about her due to her kindness.

"Since I couldn't sleep in my room, I sneak into your father's room and sleep with him."

"Kuroka nee-sama slept with Otou-sama?"

"Yes, and I never felt anything like it." Kuroka answered as she recalled walking into Izayoi's room, to which she found him on his bed, asleep. Much to her slight confusion, she couldn't help but smile in happiness and promptly joined Izayoi by sleeping next to him and cuddling closer to him, finding his body warmth to be intoxicating lovable to her. From that point on, she slept peacefully with Izayoi by her side through the whole night.

"Why?"

"Because I like to be with your father. Even though we've already just met but I learn that being with him was the most fun I ever had. So, I stayed with him ever since." Kuroka finishes before she smiled to herself, recalling her memory was as clear as water, much to her happiness inside of remembering. But while she was telling the story, she changes the bathroom scene between her and Izayoi, to which she opted to tell Kunou that she had played teasing game with Izayoi and at the end of the game, she had won in victorious, much to Kunou's joy.

"So, that's how I met your Otou-sama." Kuroka smiled. "How was-" She was cut off as she felt something on her lap. She looks down to her lap and saw Kunou, who was resting her head on her lap while her hands were tucked beside her.

"Kuroka nee-sama, that was the best story ever..." Kunou smiled with closed eyes. "I never knew Otou-sama was such a tease..." Kunou said as Kuroka stifle a laugh at her last statement. "Thank you for the story, Onee-sama... I like the ending...It's a happy ending..." Kunou yawns before she slowly snuggled her head comfortably on Kuroka's lap and slowly fell asleep.

"Happy ending, huh?" Kuroka asked in thought as she look down at the sleeping Kunou. A smile graced her features as she gently stroke Kunou's hair back and forth. "You're welcome, little princess. Consider it a gift." Kuroka whispered before noting that Kunou was cute in her mind. After getting to know the little fox princess a little bit from their time together, she could honestly say that she was cute.

"Little fox...little kitten..." Kuroka's eyes widen at the last word. Suddenly, a small blush was visible on her cheeks as she imagined an image of a little black and blonde haired girl with cat ears and a cat's tail.

A smile appeared on her face at the image in her mind as her blush disappeared before she looks down at Kunou again. "Sleep well, little fox." She said in mind before a voice made itself known.

"It seems I don't have to make her go to sleep tonight."

Kuroka turns her head to the left as she saw Yasaka standing in front of her, looking at the sleeping Kunou.

Turning to Kunou, Kuroka smiled.

"You have a cute daughter." She commented as Yasaka chuckled.

"Over time, you will have a cute daughter of your own, you know?" Yasaka said as Kuroka's eyes widen and a blush colored her cheeks.

"Of my own...?" Kuroka asked in thought as Yasaka smiled down at her.

"I've heard of your kind. It's nearly extinct, correct?" Yasaka asked with sympathy lace in her voice, knowing how hard the life of the nekomata now.

A small frown appeared at the corner of Kuroka's lips at the mention of her nearly extinct species. But then, an image of the little black and blonde girl nekomata appeared in her mind, to which makes her smile.

"I wouldn't worry about that problem anymore." Kuroka said standing up from her position as she faces the confused looking Yasaka and handed the sleeping Kunou to her arms.

Accepting Kunou from her, Yasaka carry her in her arms as Kunou snuggled in her mother's embrace. Smiling down at her, Yasaka look up at Kuroka, "May I ask why is that?" She asked as Kuroka smiled down at Kunou before she look up at her.

"Because I got a feeling, nya~" Kuroka answered with a smile as Yasaka's eyes widen slightly before they soften.

Smiling at Kuroka, Yasaka wanted to give her appreciation to her for making her daughter sleep, but she was interrupted by a fox woman maid rushing towards her before bowing her head in respect to her. Both she and Kuroka look at each other before they look at the fox servant, who looks up at Yasaka.

"Yasaka-sama, Shiroyasha-sama immediately request for your presence in your room." The fox servant informed as both Yasaka and Kuroka's eyes widen, knowing who was being treated in the said room.

Looking at Kuroka, Yasaka handed Kunou to her, to which Kuroka accepted and carry her in her arms. Stroking her daughter's hair a few times, Yasaka leaned down and pecked her forehead to which a smile formed on Kunou's face, much to Yasaka's slight happiness.

After a while, Yasaka look up at Kuroka. "I'm sorry, but can you take care of her until then?" She asked with a smile as Kuroka nodded.

"You can count on me." She smiled as Yasaka nodded before she turns to the fox woman.

"Let's go." Yasaka exclaimed as she and the fox maid immediately walk towards the room. But before Yasaka went ahead, she stopped in her tracks and look behind her, seeing Kuroka looking at her while carrying the sleeping Kunou.

"Make sure he's okay, nya." Kuroka said with a hint of sadness in her voice as Yasaka smiled a reassuring smile.

"I will do everything in my power to make it so. And I mean everything." Yasaka smiled determinedly before she faced forward and her face took on a serious look. She then looks at the fox servant, who put on a determined look herself. "We mustn't delay anymore." She stated to her.

"Hai, Yasaka-sama!" The fox woman stated with a slight nod before she walked ahead with Yasaka following closely behind her.

After watching her left, Kuroka look down at the sleeping Kunou and a smile formed onto her lips as she look upon Kunou's peaceful sleeping face. "Sleep well, little fox." Kuroka said in mind before she looks up and was greeted by both Rias and Serafall.

Serafall looked down in shame, unable to look at Kuroka after what happen earlier. After what happened, she felt ashamed of herself because the words that she had said weren't hers even though it came out from her own mouth. She knew it was her fault from the moment she had realized it, and the words that she spoke to Kuroka weren't the words that she was supposed to say because she knew that she didn't deserved the right to say, but she did it anyway, much to her overall shame.

Looking at the downed Serafall, Kuroka step forward to stand closer to her and Rias.

Sensing the action, Serafall took a deep breath and closed her eyes, waiting for the punishment that she would soon take. But she was soon taken by surprise when she heard the words from Kuroka.

"I forgive you." Kuroka stated as Serafall's eyes open up in surprise and she lifted up her head to look at the smiling Kuroka.

"But you owe me, nya~" Kuroka stated as Serafall look at her for a while before a smile appeared on her face.

"Really?" Serafall asked as Kuroka smirked.

"Do you want me to take back what I said?" She exclaimed as Serafall shook her head furiously, much to her amusement. "Then, be grateful that I'm talking to you right now, Ice Satan." Kuroka smiled as Serafall smiled in happiness before she nodded in appreciation, grateful that she had been forgiven.

Smiling to herself, Rias couldn't help but noticed the ever-growing friendship between the two. She then focuses onto the bundle that Kuroka is carrying, to which makes her smile wider and her eyes soften at the sight of the sleeping Kunou, who was tucked in Kuroka's arms.

"Isn't she cute?" Kuroka asked looking down at the sleeping Kunou as Rias nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Serafall stopped and looked at Kunou for a while before she nodded.

Serafall nodded, "Yes, she's the cutest kid I ever seen." Serafall whispered with a smile while holding her hands together next to her cheek as Kuroka smiled lovingly down at the sleeping Kunou.

"Yeah…" She answered in a whisper before she looked up at both Rias and Serafall. "You've already saw Yasaka earlier ago right?" She asked as the expression on both Rias and Serafall changes.

"Yes. We saw her while we stayed in our spot." Rias glanced up to stare at Kuroka's eyes. "At first, Serafall-sama came to apologize for earlier, but before we could get to you…" She looked down at the sleeping Kunou. "We found you with someone else already. So, we stayed hidden while you two were talking." She stated as the black haired nekomata slowly nodded.

"So, you've heard how I met Izayoi-kun then?" Kuroka asked as both Rias and Serafall nodded.

"I'm so sorry, Kuroka-chan. We shouldn't have—"

"It doesn't matter." Kuroka answered as Serafall look up at her in surprise.

"But we've eavesdropped rather than talk to you directly about how you've met. I feel bad for it, you know?" Serafall pouted, knowing that eavesdropping was a wrong thing to do if it was related to someone's personal life. In this case, she had heard Kuroka's personal life with Izayoi, much to her shame.

"Then, do you want to hear it again?" Kuroka asked suddenly as both Serafall and Rias's eyes widen in surprise, surprised by her bold statement.

"But why?" Rias asked as Kuroka smiled at both of them.

"If I tell you, then you have to share your own story." She stated as Rias look at her in slight confusion. "If I tell you about how I met Izayoi-kun, then you two have to share your story about how you met him to me. Call it a fair trade, a story for a story, nya~" Kuroka smirked with amusement as both Rias and Serafall blushed in embarrassment. They both thought whether they should tell their own story about how they've met Izayoi to the nekomata even if they didn't hear the story about how she won by teasing against Izayoi, who they knew was a teaser himself.

A small smile made its way on Rias's face, unnoticed by Kuroka but noticed by Serafall. Winking at Serafall, she held up the back of hand to her mouth and yawn. "Suddenly, I feel the need to go to sleep." Rias yawned before turning around and walking away from the scene, much to Kuroka's surprise. After realizing her tactic, Serafall stretched her arms to the sky as Kuroka looked at her next.

"Yeah, me too. I don't know why, but I feel tired all of a sudden." Serafall yawns before looking at Kuroka. "We'll see you in the morning, Kuroka-chan." She said with a smile before turning away and falling in step with Rias, who was trying to hide her smile.

"Hey! That's not fair, nya!" Kuroka said in a whisper as she glared lightly at the two women.

Then, both Rias and Serafall turned their heads to look at her, each with a smile on their faces.

"A story for a story, right? We'll tell you but not now. You'll have to wait, unfortunately." Rias teased as Serafall hold in her laughter in her right palm while Kuroka still glared at the two Devils. After a while, Rias could see a small smile that appeared at the corner of Kuroka's lips.

"Then, I have no choice but to force you, in time." Kuroka exclaimed with a teasing smile as Rias lightly smile at her.

"You'll welcome to try." She said before Serafall nodded in unison.

"We won't be beaten easily, you know?" The black haired Satan stated with a smile as Rias and her walk to stand in front of Kuroka again, who smiled at both of them.

"But first, we should let her sleep in peace." Rias stated as Kuroka and Serafall noticed her gaze at the still sleeping Kunou, realizing that she was referring to the little princess in question.

"We should."

Kuroka smiled softly at the little fox princess, who still held a smile on her face while she sleeps. Looking up at both Rias and Serafall, she gives them a smile before turning around to tuck the little fox princess at her bedroom, leaving both of them to watch her leave.

"Does she know her way around?" Serafall asked looking at Kuroka as Rias smiled.

"If she knew what she was doing, then I'm sure she knows her way around. A few days ago, I saw her walking around the place just like you, Serafall-sama." She retold as Serafall look at her with a pout.

"But I got lost easily that day! What if she doesn't know her way around by now?"

Stifling a laugh, Rias looked at Serafall.

"I'm sure she knows her way around already, unlike someone."

"Rias-chan!" Serafall stated in mock anger while she pouted.

"I'm just kidding, Serafall." Rias smiled in amusement seeing Serafall's flustered face.

"Ne, Rias-chan…" Serafall started as Rias looked at her, seeing she held her head down. "Will Izayoi-kun be alright?"

Smiling, Rias nodded. "Yes, because he isn't the one to give up his life so easily. He'll wake up, I know he will."

~Yasaka's Room~

As soon as the doors slides opens, Shiroyasha kept her head down before she glances behind her shoulder, seeing Yasaka standing in front of the entrance with worried look. Meanwhile, the doors closes courtesy of the fox maid.

"Shiroyasha, how is Izayoi—" Yasaka was cut off as she saw the unconscious form of Izayoi lying on the tatami mat in front of Shiroyasha. She gasped for air as she looks at the amount of bandages that were wrapped around his body. And the said bandages were all stained by blood.

"The hard part is over, if you want to know. The next part is to make sure he stays alive." Shiroyasha said as Yasaka looks at her. "If you want to know, why I didn't do it myself, well, I thought you want were suited for this job than anyone. Anyway, the healing process is slow but it is effective."

At this, Yasaka walks to stand next to the unconscious Izayoi before she sits down on the floor and stare at his unconscious state.

"Izayoi-kun…" Yasaka mutters looking down at his sleeping face before she looks at her right, seeing a lot of worn out bandages that were stained by blood.

"I had to redress him a couple of time from the massive blood loss." Shiroyasha answered her concerns. "I'm surprised that he still had blood to lose. He would have lost his life if he didn't tap into his power for the final fight. If the fight had gone on any further, he wouldn't have a chance to live anymore."

"Who did he battle against?"

"Possibly the strongest Demon Lord in this world and he fought against it alone." Shiroyasha answered as Yasaka narrows her eyes at the word, Demon Lord. "Even if you fought him yourself, you wouldn't be able to win. Even in my true form, I can only seal him."

At her statement, Yasaka's eyes widen in surprise, didn't expect how powerful the Demon Lord was.

"I'll explain the details later, but can you…" Shiroyasha was cut off by Yasaka.

"To the best of my ability." Yasaka said gripping one scroll of bandage in her hand as Shiroyasha looks at the nine tails appearing out from her low back.

Looking at Izayoi with a frown, Yasaka touches his left hand gently, staining her palm with the dried blood that soaked the already worn our bandages around his hand. Meanwhile, Shiroyasha watches her from behind.

"You are fond of him, after all, Yasaka." Shiroyasha thought seeing how she cared for the blonde.

"I won't let you die, Izayoi-kun. Never." She thought determinedly with a serious face as she gets to work.

Looking up, Shiroyasha stares at the moonlight that shines through the doors in front of her, "Last Embryo…The Last Trial of Mankind…Is he the one who will pass the trial?"

Meanwhile in Issei's House…

Night

"Yes, you can stay whenever you like. Since my son is on a summer trip, I don't think you would mind living next to his room, do you?" Ms. Hyoudou asked as she gestured the black haired girl inside her house, to which she step inside with a bow of appreciation.

"It is fine, auntie. Thank you for letting me lives here for a while." The black haired girl smiled up at Ms. Hyoudou, who moves her hand up and down in dismissal.

"Don't worry, dearie. You were looking for your friend all day and night. I think It's imperative that I'd stop you from looking any longer. Especially in the night." She explained as the black haired girl smiled at her. "You must be so worried about your friend till now. Why don't you sit in the living room while I stir us some tea? Alright, Rin-chan?" Ms. Hyoudou asked as the girl nodded.

"I would like that very much, thank you." Rin smiled before Issei's mother walks towards the kitchen, leaving Rin sitting on the couch while looking around the bright lit room. She looks down at the glass bowl that the brown haired auntie set down which is full with candy.

Picking up one, Rin plop into her mouth before she thought about the disappearance of his Highness. The event baffled her since his Highness was standing a few meters away from her at the park while she was playing with the kids who invited her to play. "Not even five minutes, he disappeared…Where could he have gone?" Rin wondered with a small frown before she looks up at her right, seeing the brown haired auntie entering with a tray that holds two tea cups, tea pot and saucers.

When she put the tray on top of the desk, Ms. Hyoudou then pours tea into the tea cups. After pouring the tea, she gestured for Rin to take one of the tea cup filled with tea. "Take it." She said as Rin smiled and nods, accepting her offer before she picks up the tea cup by its handle with the saucer in tow.

Drinking the tea, Rin smiled pleasantly, liking the taste of the sweet tea before she set it down on her lap. She looks up at the auntie, who set down her tea cup on the desk.

"Back to the story, where did your friend go? Did he get lost?" Issei's mother asked with a small frown as Rin shakes her head.

"No. We would always stay close, so we didn't get lost. But I'm certain that I saw His Highness standing close to the park where I played with the kids around the neighbourhood. I don't know he could disappear then. I tried to look for him for hours. I look around the park, neighbourhood, anywhere where it was close to the park. But I still couldn't find him…" Rin frowned as Issei's mother raised an eyebrow at something she said.

"His Highness?" She asked in slight confusion as Rin looks up at her.

"Yes, that's his name." Rin answered with a nod as Issei's mother nods in understanding even if she didn't how her friend would get a special name like that.

"Okay, so have you called the authorities to investigate?" She asked, wanting to help Rin whichever she could.

"I don't think the authorities here could investigate this case…" Rin shakes her head with a frown as Ms. Hyoudou raised an eyebrow at her.

"Why is that?"

"It's kind of hard to explain but I prefer to look for him by myself. If the authorities are involved, I don't think I have the permission to look for him because they would suspect that it was a kidnap case and I would be the unlikely next victim."

Looking at her in surprise, Issei's mother was surprised by her explanation, which was accurate and correct in her mind.

"Then, you're going to continue looking for him by yourself? Can you take care of yourself during your search?" She asked in worry as Rin smiled.

"Don't worry, I've learned a few tricks on how to handle myself in hard situations. Also, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, auntie. I feel guilty for interrupting your time."

"You didn't interrupt my time; you were just looking for your friend at night. I know it is not my business but I suggest you search for him in the day and stay in for the night. For a child like you, I don't think it's safe that you are searching him blindly. Night can take away your vision after all."

Looking down in deep thought, Rin nods in understanding before she looks up at Issei's mother. "Okay, auntie. I'll keep that in mind." Rin said with a smile before she sips on her tea. After a while, she pulled her tea cup away and hands her tea cup to Issei's mother. "Can I have more?"

At her request, Issei's mother smiled before filling the tea cup with tea and handing it to Rin again. Just as Rin accepted the cup, she watches as Rin sips onto her tea much to her happiness. "I wish I have a daughter." She thought.

Suddenly, a knock from the front door was heard and Rin looks up at the door.

Standing up from the couch, Issei's mother walks towards the door, "Wait right there." She replied out loud as Rin watches as she left the living room to attend the supposed visitor.

After a while, Rin tilted her head, hearing that the auntie was having a conversation with the visitor before Rin heard footsteps walking towards the living room.

"Rin, your friend is here." Issei's mother said with a smile standing at the entrance of the living room as Rin looks at her in surprise before she looks beside her, seeing His Highness appearing beside her.

"Your Highness!" Rin exclaimed with a happy smile as she set her tea cup down and stand in front of him.

Looking at her, His Highness looks at Ms. Hyoudou and bows his head slightly. "Thank you for taking care of Rin while I was gone."

"It's nothing. She was out looking for you for hours and I couldn't possibly let her be, especially in the night." Ms. Hyoudou explained. "Anyway, I wouldn't mind if you stay for the night as she is. But you'll be staying in my son's room, of course."

At the mention of staying, His Highness looks at Rin, who smiled at him. "I hope we are not intruding if we stay." His Highness said looking at Ms. Hyoudou who waves her hand in dismissal.

"Don't worry. My son's out for summer break. It'll be quite a while before he could go home. Until then, you can stay here if you like."

"I give my appreciation, auntie." His Highness said with a slight bow of his head as Issei's mother smiled at him.

"You're welcome."

~Time Skip~

Issei's Room

"Your Highness, where did you go? Specifically?" Rin asked as His Highness looks at her. "You disappeared all of a sudden without even telling me where you went."

"I was discussing of our next course of action." His Highness answered as Rin tilted her head in curiosity. "There will be a Gathering held in the Underworld."

"You mean where we teleported?" Rin asked as His Highness nods.

"The Gathering will be consisted of important and noteworthy guests that are powerful individuals. And since, we don't have anything to do at this hour; we'll interrupt the Gathering with the others."

"Others? Who?"

"I don't know the details of who we are siding with but if they are strong opponents then I'll be the one to fight them to test them."

"So, Maxwell gave you this information?" Rin asked as His Highness nods. "Then, when will we go the Gathering?"

"In 20 days' time."

"But that's weeks from now."

"Yes, until that day, you can enjoy whatever you want here, Rin. But we will attend the Gathering when the time comes, alright"

"Hai." Rin smiled before she adopted a confused look. "Speaking of which, what Gathering?" She asked as His Highness recalled the name of the Gathering from the black haired that wore ancient Chinese armor.

"…The Gathering of Young Devils."

To Be Continued…

That's the end of A Problem Devil, Born~ Chapter 37

His Highness and Rin are inside Issei's house, what will they do while the ORC group are gone? Are they siding with someone or do they have a plan of their own for the Gathering?

Yasaka came to help Shiroyasha but what did she find? She found the still unconscious Izayoi? But losing that much blood, will he be able to make it through for real? Also, is he the one who will pass the Trial said by Shiroyasha?

Anyway, Kuroka have shared her unforgettable past with Kunou, including Rias and Serafall who were eavesdropping. Although she spend this meaningful night with Kunou and grew closer to her, but will her meaningful days continue to last?

What do you think about Kuroka's past meeting with Izayoi? Do you like it or love it? Another thing, what do you think about the story overall with the new scenes and all? Leave a review on what you think, alright?

Don't forget to favourite and follow this story because this story will continue!

Ja'ne! ArtLotus out!