Chapter 15

Time Skip - Six months later

Issei POV

"Hey, Ray! Are you almost ready?" I asked.

It has been six months since we saved those kids from that project. I was told that they were living alright in Heaven and someday we could see them again. Lord Michael kept his word and Asia wasn't blacklisted by Heaven anymore for healing a devil but she wouldn't get her position back in the church. Recently though, she was now okay with it since she had mom by her side.

Every time they would talk, I could be at peace knowing that Asia was doing alright.

I also learned that Lord Michael used the research created from the Holy Sword Project and created hundreds of blue looking stones.

Coincidentally, what Valper Galilei found out was that you need a certain Holy Factor to be able to wield the Holy swords. And you could safely remove this Holy Factor from those who volunteer. I was tested for a Holy Factor and I could wield a sword.

Maybe I should tell someone that I still have those Excalibur pieces. Nah. They can just wonder where they are. Although, if I am asked, I'll answer truthfully.

A week after the rescue mission, we found out that Tiamat became pregnant with Ddraig's child. Apparently, the process quickened since the power between the two would speed up the creation process of the 'Hatchling' or so it was called. Even though both dragons has a human form, both of them decided to have Tiamat deliver the 'Hatchling' the normal way for their species. He or she would be hatched as an egg and would be introduced to the world that way.

"Yeah Ise. I am finished already." Ray answered.

"I was going to ask you that. We have permission to travel around the world and I have a good idea where but I am not exactly certain." I said while scratching the back of my head.

"O-Okay. Are Vali and his girlfriend coming with us?"

"I think they are. Vali wants to learn more about the world and have our spars in some fancy places." I said.

"I really think Kuroka would like it too! Not to mention she was following him all over the place when she healed up." Ray smiled.

Oh, how I love that smile. That smile brightens up my day, and now I have no worries that today will be a good day.

A couple months after we saved the kids from the Holy Sword Project. Ray, Vali, and I came across this nekomata named Kuroka as we were about to begin our monthly spar. Even though the dragons in our sacred gears are rivals that doesn't mean that we have to be enemies or anything. Vali is still my best friend and I was lucky enough to help him with his problems.

Kuroka, apparently is a SS-class stray devil. She was extremely injured and didn't put up much of a fight, so we all brought her back to Grigori. She needed an IV and needed to gain as much rest as possible since we found her she was half-dead and on her feet.

Uncle Azazel questioned Kuroka when we brought her in and he found out what her previous master did to her and what he was planning on doing to her little sister as well. She would have to tell him again as she was delirious but it seemed what she told was true. Vali, who knows the pain of abuse, stayed by her side the entire time, and barely took any breaks. He wanted to be the first one she would see when she wakes up. I even told him to hold her hand as it is a good way for someone to heal up.

Being the kid I was, I didn't know if that was true or not but it helped my best friend at least.

When Kuroka woke up around a week later, I was there in the room having a conversation with Vali and he told me to be quiet all of a sudden. We both noticed that her eyes were slowly opening and her hand tightened the grip she had on Vali's hand. All of us in the room could hear her mumbling something.

"Shi…."

"rone…."

"Shiro…."

"ne…."

"Shirone….Shirone…. Shirone…."

She kept mumbling but it was hard to hear as she began to weep. Her hands tried to wipe her face as she cried but one of them, the one held by Vali didn't move. He tightened his grip and brought Kuroka into a hug and tried to calm her down. He petted her hair and let her cry into his shoulder.

After a few minutes, Kuroka began to sniffle and that showed she was beginning to stop crying for that moment.

"I-I'm sorry, nya." Kuroka apologised.

"It is okay. Kuroka, I am so glad that you are awake! Are you feeling a little better?" Vali replied with a smile.

"Um. Thank you, but I need to go! Nyow." Kuroka said as she tried to get up but her abdomen was hurting.

"Ah! Are you alright?" Vali asked as he saw her flinch.

"I am okay. Nya." Kuroka said with a sad smile. She realised that she couldn't do anything in her current state. She would have to heal up and find a way to reunite with her sister.

"Oh! I forgot. This is Ise and Ray." Vali said as he pointed at the two.

"It is nice to meet you two, nya."

"It is nice to meet you too, Kuroka." Ray returned and bowed.

"Ah. Hah. I-It is nice to meet you as well." I said. Even though I was committed to Ray and Akeno, I couldn't help notice her breasts. She was changed constantly and she was currently in a kimono. I could see her big breasts threatening to spill out of the attire. But yes, I know. How shameful. But who cares?

Anyways, the day after she woke up, she slowly began to follow Vali everywhere he went. Even when we trained together. When he went to the bathhouse together. And when we played video games together. Somehow, she knew where we were and followed us. Kinda creepy but considering since she didn't know what to do, it made sense.

As a couple more months went by, as we were on our way to the training room, I asked my best friend a question with a sly smile. Truthfully, I already knew the answer but I wanted him to admit it. But that is not the only reason. Because the cat we were talking about walked around the corner as he answered.

"Eh, Vali. I always see you blush or freak out when you see Kuroka. Let me ask you this. Do you have a crush on her?"

Vali didn't answer vocally but his reaction answered the question. His face turned an atomic red and steam began to come out of his ears. It was an odd reaction for my best friend but he doesn't really have any other interaction with girls our age except Ray and another girl.

"I-I-I-Ise! Don't say anything else! You already know that I like Kuroka! Why did you have to go and say that out loud!" Vali yelled as he regained his senses. He covered my mouth trying to stop me from saying anything else.

"Ha…. Vali, you do…. know that you… just admitted your feelings… to Kuroka, right?" I mumbled since his hand was still over my mouth.

"WHAT!?"

Vali let out a few tears as he noticed her and averted his gaze from any of them. Kuroka, on the other hand, walked closer to Vali and put a hand on his chest.

"Vali… do you really like me, nya?" Kuroka asked with a slight blush on her face. She never had anyone admit their feelings for her so it was a new experience. At the tender age of thirteen, she has never even fallen in love with someone except Vali.

"Sigh. I do, Kuroka. Please don't hate me. I'm sor-" Vali said before getting cut off by something.

"Vali-nya~! How do you like my first kiss?" Kuroka teased with a blush on her face.

"Ah… Hah…." Vali tried to comprehend what happened and tried to express his feelings but nothing could come out.

And now that brings us to now.

Ray and I came to an agreement and we decided that we would travel the world together. It would be considered training for our future.

I know it sounds weird but we both have to get stronger so that we are able to protect each other. Well we aren't the only ones going to travel. Tiamat has to go with us, obviously, since she is pregnant and we need to watch over her.

Bova, my unfortunate subordinate, will also be coming as I would have to personally train him and fulfill a partial role as his master.

Asia won't be going with us since she wanted to stay with mom.

And I think that is all of us. Vali hasn't decided yet and even if he did he would need Kuroka's permission. So I wouldn't know.

Wait someone's coming?

*SHINE*

A red magic circle appeared on the floor of our room.

"Hello Issei! It is nice to see you again." The person greeted.

The person that came out was Lord Sirzechs. I changed the name I address him by since Ray told me it was extremely rude but eh. Still got to listen to her.

"Good day, Lord Sirzechs! Thank you for coming. I will need to call both of them here now. Although, I wasn't expecting you for another half hour." I replied.

"Ah~. That's too much for you. Didn't I tell you to call me by Big brother or Uncle? What changed?"

I smirked as he said it but then I flinched seeing the glare on Ray's face.

Lord Sirzechs saw my flinch and said.

"Oh. I know the feeling. So shall you call them here?"

"O-O-Oh yes!"

I created a communications magic circle and called Vali.

"Hey bro, Lord Sirzechs is here. Could you guys come now?" I said.

'Alright, we will be right there. And thanks!'

*SHINE*

A silver magic circle appeared on the ground and it was Vali's circle.

"It is nice to meet the Devil King who holds the title of Lucifer." Vali greeted.

"H-Hello, L-Lord S-Sirzechs!" Kuroka shrieked.

I assume she is scared of the strongest devil alive but who could blame her?

"And you are?" Sirzechs asked Vali as he glanced at him.

Oh that's right! I forgot to tell him about Vali…

Oops…

"U-Um..sorry I always wanted to say that line...Ahem…. I am the descendent of the original Lucifer...my name is Vali Lucifer.."

"What? Oh. Alright. It is nice to meet you too. And this is Kuroka?"

"Yes Lord Sirzechs. And Kuroka is willing to tell her side of the story of why she did what she did. And if it is possible could you rescind her stray devil status?" I asked politely.

"Wow you load a statement. It is possible. But at the moment I have a problem and I won't be able to do anything till it is solved. In the future, my sister will be wed to an arrogant man. If I was able to do something I would. But since I am a devil king, it would surely throw the underworld into chaos. So would you be able to help me? If you do this and if Kuroka's testimonial is understandable then she will no longer be a stray devil." Sirzechs explained.

"How long do we have?" I asked. This felt rushed to me. Why would someone get married super early? I know that Ray, Akeno and I are engaged but we wouldn't get married till way in the future.

"Hopefully not till a few more years. Speaking about Kuroka though, she wouldn't be completely clear but to us devil kings and to our siblings peerages, she will be clear."

"Alright." I finished. It sounded good to me but I don't know about Vali though.

"Lord Sirzechs. Is it okay if I go with Kuroka? When she first woke up, she was crying nonstop and I don't want her to feel that same pain again." Vali asked.

Kuroka kept silent throughout the entire conversation. I could see she was holding on to Vali's hand tightly as if she was scared he would disappear.

"That is fine. Isn't that right Mr. Boyfriend?" Sirzechs teased. It was as if he could sense there connection or he just picked up on the clues from Kuroka.

Oh man. He is too good.

Both Vali and Kuroka stiffened and began to blush. I think that both weren't expecting him to find out so quickly.

"Thank you." Vali replied as he smiled at his girlfriend.

"Okay! We should go now so I am actually working and so Grayfia won't freak out that I took a break to see you all."

"Thank you Lord Sirzechs! Vali is my best friend and I don't want him to see him sad as well as Kuroka too." I bowed.

Hopefully they would understand what she did and forgive her for it.

"Funny thing, Issei. When I found out about Kuroka, I told everyone in the council to not harm her. I had a feeling something had to be done but no one brought it up. So the rules were 'if you find her capture her and do not kill her….if you kill her you will be punished severely'. So yeah. No need to worry."

With that said, Lord Sirzechs created a magic circle and motioned both of them to stand next to him.

"Bye, Ise. Thanks!" Vali said with a tear rolling down his face.

"No problem, brother!" I shouted back before they disappeared from my room.

"So, Ise~. It is time for your punishment~."

Oh God!

I saw a whip and she changed her outfit into one I did not recognize. Help me!

As you can see, I haven't updated for a realllllyyyy long time. I am sorry for that. This was supposed to be the chapter posted after the last one. But I was smashed, destroyed. I got an extremely big sticker order on and I had to fill it. After this week, which is finals, I should be updating. Sorry.

Aloha.