Raynare's Envy
After a whole year of mental buildup, Issei is dealing with his stress at a double pace right now. He did find out about Xenovia's pregnancy via the fact he has eyes and could tell she wasn't simply getting fat. His parents were excited to have grandchildren, but were shocked that it happened so soon. Azazel has stepped down from his position and unfortunately is out of commission for now. He is missing and other fallen angels have been chipping in to account for his disappearance, and the new governor-general, Shemhazai, has taken his place, but he is a good leader. Issei's team has disbanded for now with his only members being Raynare and Dohnaseek. Xenovia has stepped down for a little while due to her motherly obligations. Issei has another fiancé around his arm, Kuroka. She was pardoned for her crimes as part of deal to marry Issei, which they both agreed on. Vali is helping out again due to the factions needing lots of help because of major figures being gone.
Right now, Issei is holding his newborn son, Ezrah Hyoudou, his son with Raynare. Raynare is working, so Issei is dealing with the baby. However, it's about as well as anybody would imagine, the baby is crying. He is in his new home gifted to him by Shemhazai. It is a large house with many rooms decorated with fallen angel décor and dark colors.
"Come on, it's okay…shh…shh." Issei vainly tries to calm the baby down. He tries rocking him gently; he offers a pacifier, toys, and even a bottle. But nothing works at all. This is until Akeno appears. She immediately picks up the baby and, magically, she simply gives him a little kiss on the forehead and he immediately starts calming down.
She then takes the bottle Issei was trying to use and successfully gives him a feeding while saying "I really don't know why, but he just really seems to like me."
Issei smiles and states "Maybe he likes hot ladies like his old man." Issei laughs a little at his own statement but then he takes a look at Akeno and then sincerely asks "So how are you feeling today, Akeno? Are you having any nausea or cravings?"
After setting down Ezrah in his crib for a nap, Akeno simply smiles rubs her stomach because she's been showing lately. Indeed, she is with child like Xenovia and Raynare were, but she is still pretty small since there is still some time left.
Grateful to her for doing so much in her one year here, Issei holds his wife in his arms and joins in on the stomach rubbing. Noticing his eagerness, Akeno says "You seem really enthusiastic about this one. Any particular reason why?"
Issei gives her a kiss and answers "Do I need a reason to love my kid with a wonderful woman like you?"
Akeno's face becomes seductive as she reminds Issei "You know, there is something I'm really craving right now." Knowing what she means, Issei and Akeno go to the living room and fall over onto a leather couch and start kissing.
But before they can do their business, a knock at the door echoes. They wonder who it is because they live in a remodeled home on the other side of the city, and his parents are busy today. Akeno, being polite, moves to answer the door, and looks through the eyehole to see who it is, but who she sees instantly makes her smile fade away.
She moves away from the door and tells Issei "Don't answer it." Her face showing clear anger, Issei wonder who's there and he moves to see who it is.
He looks through the eyehole and sees someone familiar. He believes he's seen him somewhere with Azazel and recently Shemhazai, but doesn't know his name. Not wanting to upset Akeno, Issei asks her "Who is he?"
Another knock at the door makes it tempting to open the door, but Akeno then screams "I said don't open that door!"
Her sudden scream echoes through the home and wakes up Ezrah and he starts crying again. Akeno storms to the nursery to calm him down. Issei does what she says and refuses to open the door despite the knocking seemingly not stopping because it's evident he heard her voice as well.
Suddenly, Kuroka enters the room yawning and looks irritated "Hey, can I at least get a damn peaceful nap around here?" she sarcastically asks.
Issei apologizes to his other wife and explains that Akeno doesn't want that person in the house, and Kuroka looks like she's not in the mood and states "Just open the damn door." She opens the door much to Issei's chagrin.
Kuroka knows who he is and casually says "Hey there, Baraqiel." Issei wondered what his name was when he saw him, but Kuroka just seems to know him.
Baraqiel looks over at Issei and immediately asks "Am I to assume you're the young man who's taken my daughter's hand without my knowledge?"
He doesn't know who he's talking about, but Akeno's behavior suddenly makes sense when he asks "Wait, you're Akeno's father?"
Baraqiel nods and then says "Where is my daughter? I need to speak with her."
Issei doesn't want to deny him seeing his daughter, but he has to say "Look, I know it sounds mean, but Akeno seemed really mad and I can't risk her getting too excited; especially in her condition."
Hearing that last part, Baraqiel instantly wonders "What do you mean "her condition"?"
Issei is hit by this because he doesn't know and Kuroka just blurts out "He's saying she's got a bun in the oven." Her bluntness catches Issei off and Kuroka just states "He has a right to know, Issei. Don't deny him that much."
Baraqiel is shocked by this and looks furious when he pushes Issei over and walks over to the hallway to find Akeno, who is now exiting the nursery after getting Ezrah calmed down. She sees him and gives him a glare and tries to walk off, but he then gets a look at her slightly enlarged belly and knows that it's true.
He tries to talk with her "Akeno, what is the meaning of this?" his face looks concerned and upset that he was not informed of this when it happened.
Akeno simply tells him "Go away. I don't want you around me or this child." She then walks off into a bedroom and locks the door.
Rejected and not wanting her to stress and possibly be harmful to the child, Baraqiel simply goes to the living room, where Issei is kind enough to let him sit down and Kuroka brews some tea, something she learned from Akeno.
Knowing where he is needed, Issei goes to the room where Akeno is and knocks "It's just me. Nobody else is here, I promise."
Believing her husband, Akeno unlocks the door and allows him to come inside. Within moments, Issei and Akeno embrace while sitting on their bed. She's very upset by this and Issei wants to comfort her.
She calms down and apologizes to him. Because, she admits "I'm sorry, but our child won't mean too much to the treaty. I didn't want to tell you until…I don't know when."
Issei strokes her hair and says "Why? Why won't it mean anything?"
Akeno stands up and undresses with her backside exposed as a wing full of black feathers sprouts from her back and she confesses "No matter who fathered a child with me, it'd still have fallen angel blood. Our marriage means nothing to the faction peace, so I didn't say anything."
While it comes as a surprise, Issei approaches Akeno and lets his own wings out as he wraps both of wings around her body and it seems their wings embrace each other while he says "Don't say our marriage or our kid won't mean much. That's just not cool." He holds her again and then requests "Now, go ahead and tell me the whole story. So I can love you more than I already do."
Akeno smiles as she holds her husband and then that's when she tells her story to him. Of how she was born, her family and the love she felt from them and to them. About her mother, a priestess named Shuri. Her father, the fallen angel Baraqiel, and the loving home they had. She tells him about the love and admiration she used to have for her father. Until the day his enemies attacked her home and he wasn't there, so her mother died protecting her. Clearly, remembering these events is painful as she starts crying while Issei holds her tightly.
He suggests to her "At least try talking to him. He's going to want to know about what we've been doing."
Akeno, still upset, wants to refuse "I don't know if I can. Seeing him makes me so angry." She answers back. It takes a few minutes, but he does convince her to at least try to talk with him.
After this, Akeno leaves the bedroom and makes her way to the living room. Baraqiel is still there waiting patiently for her. She sits down but her glare is still present as she looks at her father. But Issei is with her and holds her hand.
In spite of her willingness to sit down, Baraqiel first asks "Don't you think you've acted too hastily, Akeno?"
Akeno turns her head and answers "No, I'm doing what I want, and I don't regret a thing."
Her father's worry apparent when he says "You're still so young, so how could possibly raise a child? You're not thinking right."
Akeno furiously turns her head and states "Not thinking right? I'm thinking perfectly fine. I'm going to raise this child and makes sure that it won't turn out anything like you."
"What this supposed husband of yours? He's just as young and I've heard he has already fathered multiple children with two other women. How can he possibly be right for you." He argues while mentioning Issei.
Not liking him bringing Issei into it, she retorts "I like him because he's nothing like you. He didn't abandon either of his children and I'm helping him raise them properly. I'm going to do what I feel is right, and I don't want anywhere near me and I don't want you near my child. Now get out of here!" She shouts as she demands that he leaves.
It doesn't seem like it, but Baraqiel is deeply wounded by his daughter's words as he leaves without another word. Kuroka sits on Issei's lap and comments "Wow that was harsh."
Akeno simply stands up and goes to the kitchen to make some lunch for everyone. Despite what she said, Kuroka does mention "You know, I kinda wish I had a dad like him."
Issei looks at Kuroka and asks her "Why would you want that?"
She explains while looking at the door "He came all the way here just because he was worried about his daughter. My dad didn't even really acknowledge me. I can also relate to him a bit. Me and my sister don't get along that well, but I still love her."
Issei knows that she's talking about Koneko. Kuroka talked to him about it before, but they can't get near her right now because of the Phenex clan. But it does give him an idea, so Issei stands up and goes to the kitchen.
He finds Akeno chopping vegetables for soup and he approaches her "Hey, can I say something?" his asks his wife. Akeno doesn't answer so Issei simply says "I think you should make up with him."
Not wanting to, Akeno simply says "I will never forgive him."
Issei scratches his head while adding "I'm not asking you to. But just think about this, he didn't have to come here, he didn't have to see you, and he really didn't have to show concern for you."
Angered, Akeno turns to her husband while arguing "All he came here to do was tell me I'm stupid because I'm having a baby without his consent. He's only interested in trying to weasel his way into our family."
Issei shakes his head and explains "I get it, Akeno. Your mom is gone and she's not coming back, but she was also someone he really cared about. Speaking as a dad, I know I'm a screw up, hell I going to screw up even more. But I can't let that get me down. If I did, what kind of example would I set for my kids? The same goes for him, Akeno. At least let him have the chance to know his grandchild. Because I can tell you this much; He's your father, and he loves you. I know that for a fact."
Akeno stops doing what she's doing and simply utters "I'll….try…" before going back to her cooking.
Feeling he's said all he can, Issei leaves Akeno to think for a while and she does really think about it.
Later
Raynare returns home and the first thing she hears after a long day is the sound of crying. This time it's from Xenovia's son, Zen, and the elder fallen angel covers her ears while asking "Can you shut that brat up!?"
Xenovia is holding her hand mentions "He's hungry, so he's crying to let me know." As she undoes her top a little to feed Zen, and this immediately stops the crying. After Zen starts drinking, Xenovia calmly replies "There, he's being fed, and he'll be going to sleep shortly."
Raynare goes to take a bath and she instead hears moaning coming from the bathroom. When she opens the door out of curiosity, she sees Issei with Kuroka and instantly sighs. Despite this, she takes off her clothes and takes a bath next to them. The bath is very large, almost like a shallow pool.
"I don't care if you both are doing it, just let me take my bath." She says to them while go at it. She sits in this large bath and listens to her husband have sex with another wife. But she can't help but glance over at them. "The least he could do is invite me over with them." Her thoughts say as she blushes and puts a wet cloth to her face as she lounges.
Later, Raynare sleeps in her bed that she shares with Issei, Kuroka, and Xenovia. Normally, he sleeps while holding Raynare and Akeno, but today he favors Akeno and Kuroka and Xenovia sleeps on top of him, she normally does this to avoid kicking him out of bed and protect him in case someone tries to attack from above.
She looks at her husband literally being smothered by women and glares a little and mentions to herself "He used to favor me until these whores showed. Then, the baby monitor begins to go off with crying heard.
They have a system where Ezrah's monitor is on the left side of the room and Zen's is on the right, and the sound is coming from the left, so Raynare stands up and says "I'll go take care of it." While the others sleep, she leaves to stop her child from crying.
She enters the nursery half-awake and immediately turns off the baby monitor while saying "Okay, what do you want now?" She walks over to pick up her son and his crying barely wanes while asking "You want milk?" This seems to be the solution since the babies seem to only cry when they're hungry, sick, or when they need a diaper change.
After his feeding, Raynare turns the monitor back on and mentions "Hope you got enough, because I'm not doing this all night." She places him back into his crib and leaves. While walking back, she sees Xenovia holding her son.
Zen began to cry after she left the room, and Xenovia quickly went to his room to check on him. But she quickly soothed him since he was just scared and lonely.
Raynare wonders "What are you doing with that kid?"
To which Xenovia cradles him lovingly and answers "He wanted to see his mommy, so I'm going to sleep with him in the living room."
Raynare sighs and states "You spend way too much time being with that kid."
"I am treating my child like any parent should, and I cherish every moment I spend with him." She rebukes while walking to the living room, her face showing disapporval.
They've never liked each other, but Raynare resents Xenovia even more after they had their children since Xenovia looks down on her and her less active approach to parenting. Seeing an opportunity, Raynare takes Xenovia's place in the bed and sleeps on top of Issei tonight.
The Next Day
Raynare is sent on a mission with Dohnaseek on a recon mission. These days, Raynare wears a new outfit consisting of her original outfit but with modifications where she has a red dragon insignia on the left breast, a new black leather cloth around her waist on the left side with a green eye and red rim, and a short skirt with red trim as well that only covers around the top part of her hips, and she no longer has the shoulder guards and instead wears red bracers around her upper arms. Her new outfit is a reward for her increased rank among fallen angels, but Issei is still considered superior due to his great power and skill.
They mission is to monitor the remaining members of the hero faction because they escaped custody and some were already executed. The only members remaining are Jeanne and Heracles. They had Georg, Cao Cao, and Siegfried but they were slain by Issei and Xenovia not long ago.
While hiding with magic completely masking them, Dohnaseek asks his superior "Hey, I was wondering how that kid of yours is doing. Is he growing up strong?"
Raynare quickly answers "He's an annoying brat who won't stop crying for whatever reason." Her face serious as she says this, Dohnaseek feels a little surprised.
"Well he's a baby, they cry, poop, and vomit. That's what they do." He replies since he actually thinks her response is cold.
After seeing Jeanne step out of a nearby cave, looking worried, Raynare says "Forget about it, we're here to get info on that little bitch down there. We got it, so we're out of here." Her mission complete, Raynare and Dohnaseek disappear. But not before Jeanne got a glimpse of them and smiles.
Issei's marriages are common knowledge among the factions because of Akeno. Now, there is a problem because they have a grudge after Issei slew Georg. The only people at the house are Akeno and Kuroka. Akeno isn't moving much lately, Kuroka stays home when Issei is working most of the time, and Xenovia is starting to work again while leaving Zen in Akeno's care.
Right now, however, their home is far from happy right now. Akeno is on the ground in while holding her arm as it has a wound on it, Kuroka is unconscious while leaning against the wall, and a sword is pointed at Akeno while the sound of two babies crying fills the room. The two people attacking are Jeanne and Heracles.
The brutish Heracles holds Issei's sons and looks annoyed with their crying "Hey, can I shut these two brats up already?" he asks his accomplice.
Jeanne looks over at him while pointing her sword "No, we need those two to get the Red Dragon Emperor to come." She reminds him of their plan. She then looks at Akeno's pregnant form and lowers her sword to her stomach and mentions "But, we could send a message with this one."
Akeno covers her stomach area and holds up her injured arm to use magic, but Jeanne swiftly cuts her hand with her rapier, which causes great pain as it is a holy sword. But, after Jeanne cuts Akeno's hand, she is struck from behind by lightning and Heracles turns around and looks to see Baraqiel, who has a murderour aura around his body as his wings are out and he immediately teleports in front of his daughter to protect her.
Surprised, Akeno calls "Father!" which eases his rage, but only minimally. Jeanne recovers from this but is in great pain as she twitches with pain and knows neither of them is a match for Baraqiel. The vice-governor crackles with power as he looks ready to finish them, but Jeanne puts her sword to Ezrah's face as a clear threat.
Akeno pleads "Don't hurt them." Her father sensing her worries, he lets down his power and looks for an opening. But, the two flee with magic before anyone can do anything.
Baraqiel immediately turns to his daughter inspects her injuries and asks "Akeno, are both you and your child alright?"
Akeno rubs her stomach and relieved at her lack of injury around her abdomen and she begins using her magic to heal her injuries. He makes sure that no one else can get in the house until Issei and the others return.
Not long after, Issei returns with Xenovia and Raynare after their missions ended, and the news makes them very upset, at least Issei and Xenovia. Being a vigilant mother, Xenovia's first response is to leave immediately to find her child.
Issei stops her and reminds her "We need a plan first, Xenovia." He puts his hand on her shoulder to stop her.
Xenovia gets away from her leader and says "I am not one of your wives, Issei. So don't act like Zen is part of our arrangement."
But he argues "Yes he is! He's my son too, and Ezrah was taken too. So it's double my problem right now."
Raynare acts casual about it and sits down while saying "Issei, let the bitch get her brat back. But I'm not going to bother."
Everyone is shocked by her answer, especially when Isse asks "Raynare, our son is in the hands of those freak shows, and that doesn't bother you?"
"Of course not. I mean, I never really wanted that kid anyway." She says as everyone in the room gasps and even Baraqiel finds this hard to believe. She looks at them all and responds "What? I got pregnant and only had him to increase our numbers, but I've made no effort to hide that I don't really care."
After hearing this, Xenovia clenches her fist and states "I'm going to go. I don't know if I can contain my rage right now."
Issei looks completely disgusted and he says "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Her turns and goes with Xenovia while stating "We're going to get my sons back. I'll be back later."
The two leave, and Raynare ponders "What? Did it really shock everyone that much?"
Akeno stands up and walks over to Raynare and then, with her hand raised as far as it can go, she slaps Raynare with an absolutely disgusted look on her face and states "I cannot believe you just said that."
Raynare feels her face and demands "What the fuck was that for!?"
"You mean you have to ask?" Akeno questions as she leaves a bloodied handprint on Raynare's face. She then explains "Issei had fathered a child with you. Younger than me, he had to deal with the fact that he created a life with you, and he treats Ezrah like someone to treasure He took responsibility to both you and him. He loves his son, and he does his best. He has three wives to take care of, two children, and you just treat him like he's some man meat for you to indulge on."
Finally letting it out, Raynare then argues "I never wanted to have that kid, but then…Lord Azazel was so happy about it! We finally got another fallen angel, he said, we're making a comeback, he says. Then, he gets you and that other bitch and then I get sidelined for you and that dumb cat bitch Kuroka. I was okay with his side meat, but now he barely looks at me. So now, I'm just that stupid kid's mom or Issei's side wife."
Baraqiel takes his daughter's hand and tells her "We must take care of your wounds, Akeno."
Akeno has no words for Raynare and just leaves with her father. Raynare sits with her thoughts and Kuroka is still not awake.
Later, near the hideout from before, Issei and Xenovia have made quick work of Heracles and Jeanne. Issei has his foot while in his scale mail on Heracles' throat while.
Xenovia summons a scythe-like holy spear and has it under Jeanne's throat while the latter begs "Wait…please…don't" but Xenovia puts her foot to the back of Jeanne's head.
Heracles can barely breathe as Issei asks "You got to the count of five to tell me where my kids are."
He starts counting down and then Heracles points to a hidden door and now Issei can see the doorknob to a hidden passageway.
He then tells the man "We didn't kill those guys because it was personal. So it didn't have to go this way." He then cruelly twists his foot as Hercale's neck snaps and almost immediately after, Xenovia lifts her holy spear and sever Jeanne's head. Then, Issei states "But kidnapping my kids really pissed me off."
He is swift in finding the children and immediately takes them back home, where Xenovia takes great care in making sure that her son is handled safely and makes him happy since he was petrified scared.
Raynare, on the other hand, tries to talk with the others, but they haven't forgotten what she said. It takes a few months for anyone to really open up to her again. But by this point, Issei successfully impregnated Kuroka and Akeno is nearly done with hers. Issei spends a lot of time with Akeno and Kuroka because of their conditions, and this doesn't help with Raynare being jealous of the attention he's giving them, even when Baraqiel comes to visit his daughter, Issei still spends a lot of time with her.
Until, one day, Raynare decides to actually spend the day with her son. Just because he's only the person who wants to be around her and everyone else is gone. She actively plays with him, talks with him, and even eats lunch with him, breast milk of course, and she finds it enjoyable.
After trying to get to be with him more, Raynare confesses "I guess they were right. I should try a bit more. Still…can't believe this all started with a boring date with a guy I didn't even like at first." She holds her son a little tighter and adds "I guess that's how our relationship is going to start. But I'll give it a try. Xenovia isn't the only mom around here." She cradles her son and promises to try being a good parent from now on. The house is big, crazy, and full of funky smells at times, but it's a happy home. Issei lives with his family, and they will have to try at every corner, but at least they have each other.
Just like Ivory, Ebony Dragon EX is a future project in mind. I will do these after I've worked further on NGD and possibly another shorter story called Tyrant Red Dragon.