Issei's eyes fluttered open and looking up he saw the calm smile on his mother's face. He was currently laying on the sofa in the living room of their home, his head resting on her lap. Issei really should get up, but when he attempted to, he was forced back down by her. Though the smile remained she had a look of worry, he opened his mouth to speak but was stopped when she spoke first. "You know we have a guest room right? The way you two act it's like you guys can't live without each other. But after the condition that Yuuma-chan was in, I don't blame you. It's a plus for me since you used to keep things to yourself, and now you are letting other people in. I just wish I was one of those people." Reiko said, combing her hand through his hair.

Issei gave her an apological gaze when he answered the tiredness still present. "I don't mean to keep you out, but..."

"It's not your business to say I understand that, but I can't help but worry, Issei. You are that important to me. I can see that there's something bothering you and I want to help in any way I can." Reiko paused, staring into the boy's eyes before continuing. "You have grown so much in the last several years that I don't know how anymore."

He lifted his hand bringing it up to her cheek which caused her to freeze for a moment, he had a gentle smile on his face. This was new for him having a parent go to extra lengths for him like this, not that he hated Miki, but Reiko was so different from her. Almost like he had a fragile doll in his hand that he did not want to break, it did not help that she looked so young. He thought about this world's version of him, and how he wanted to punch that brat in the face for making her worry about him. Not that he was any better, but their situations are different and had not given up like his counterpart. At least he is trying his hardest. "This is a start, I'm sorry that I made you worry Mom. I will try my best to make sure that you don't have to worry about me." Issei said, dropping his hand from her face.

Shaking her head she looked down at him offering her reply. "It's not that I want that either, worrying about you is going to happen regardless. You are my son after all, my pride and joy." She paused for a split second. "I don't want my little boy to see, let alone be prepared for whatever happened yesterday. That's not something that a normal person should have to deal with let alone be prepared for. But I will say this, anyone can tell how much you care about that girl."

"Normal is overrated, I would give anything to stop anything like that from happening to both of you." He said as he looked away blushing.

The statement earned a giggle from Reiko, it was like she was seeing a new side to Issei. Normally this was something he would not share with her, the physical contact made things better. She did not know where this came from, or his sudden new interest, but she enjoyed the newest relationship she had with him. He was far more open to her than he was. Even if Issei still kept things from her she attributed it was him growing up and wanting to solve his problems by himself. "That's my job issei, for a couple more years you are mine. My responsibility and the biggest part of my life, so leave it to me."

Laughing, Issei replied. "Nuh-uh, it's my turn. I know there is not a lot that I can do now, but some time in the future I want you to leave it to me." Issei said with a grin looking up to her.

Getting a flashback to a younger Issei saying something similar she retorted. "How about this, we split it 50-50. You look out for me and I get to look out for you kiddo."

A faint tint appeared on his face when she returned the grin. He then gave her a small smile back before speaking again. "Deal."

An alarm sounded from Issei's phone, Issei made another attempt to get up but was stopped by the pout on his mother's disappointed face. When he lied back down, she grabbed the phone with a satisfied expression. "You are not going anywhere, I will call the school to tell them that you are taking some time off."

"But..."

"But what? You are going to help me take care of Yuuma-chan, and we are going to spend the day together like we used to, and we are not discussing it." She said leaving no room for discussion. Getting a nod in agreement her mood brightened.

"So what do you have planned, Mom?"

"Go see if Yuuma-chan's up, and we will go from there."

Getting up he gave his mother an affirmative nod, he then left the living room and up the stairs. Coming towards his room he got distracted by an incoming message from Mei.

(...)

YAMAMOTO: We are meeting at the park at 13:00 tomorrow.

(...)

He returned the phone back into his pocket not replying in the process. He reached for the bedroom, opening it to be assaulted by the vision of Raynare as she was about to exit the room. Although surprised, she greeted him. "Good morning Issei... Are you getting ready for school?"

"No, actually I came to see how you are doing. I know it must suck but having your wounds heal naturally was the best course of action." Issei paused looking into her eyes with a slight hint of worry.

Raynare blinked at him for a few before answering with a gentle smile. "Not to worry Issei." She lifted her hands as silver rings appeared on her ring fingers, they being Asia's former sacred gear Twilight Healing. A faint green glow surrounded Issei as she continued. "I have had to live through worse, I don't mind waiting for these injuries to heal. Besides, we are one more step closer to your goal, and with Freed running around unchecked we have plenty of time now that Kokabiel does not have a foot hold in Kuoh." She then took her hand in his intertwining their fingers all the while dragging him behind her. "Come now, I want to get some food in me before anything else."

(...)

"Momo, what have you done?" That was all that exited a frustrated Sona as she rubbed the side of her temples. She was in the Student Council office at her desk looking at Momo's sorrowful expression in mild disappointment. Momo had just finished her report on the events prior, Akeno was there to collaborate. After the fire at the church last night this was another headache to add to the list. She had hoped to keep Issei's involvement with the Fallen to herself, but that was now out the window with the bee's nest hers and Rias' peerages kicked. She had to get this situation under control, at least spinning the narrative in their favor. She had hoped to not rush the process, but the boy that was to be her new pawn has now become a priority for her as well as the Fallen Issei protected.

"I'm sorry. I was doing what I thought was right."

Sona's thoughts were interrupted by that statement, she wasn't angry... In fact she was proud of her bishop. The girl made the same decision she would have in her position. 'Hyoudou-kun must have made quite the impression on her,' she thought as her gaze met Momo's before said girl flinched and looked away. With a serious tone Sona spoke. "I know your clan values, and their unwavering commitments. It was the major reason I begged for you to be in my peerage. But I have to ask you this. Was this something you did on a whim? Do you regret your actions?"

Momo looked down and she wanted Sona to be merciful though the current conversation did not seem to be going in that direction, but thinking it over the answers remained the same as they did the day before. "No this wasn't something I did on a whim... I thought about it over and over... And the same thing came to mind, I wanted to help and no I don't regret it. I apologize if there was any wrongdoing, I will take any punishment you see fit."

"You really thought this through, Momo." Sona threw the girl a questioning glance. Momo for her part gave an affirmative nod, sighing as she continued. "Then, your punishment is that you will have to take over Hyoudou's duties for a while and approach the blonde Fallen and convince her to join our household. That seems like a suitable punishment don't you think?"

Momo was taken aback, she was expecting a more demanding punishment. Though this was not responsibility she has basically been assigned to doing more of the same, not counting having to convince Mittelt into being a Sitri piece. That being something she couldn't understand as being done, especially if Issei or her fellow Fallen saying anything about the day prior. Not the one to turn down a clear light punishment Momo nodded before responding. "I understand, and I will commit to everything without question." She said with a bow leaving shortly after.

As she was going back to her responsibilities as the president of the student council she felt a presence at the door office. "Rias, don't just stand there, come in." She addressed her friend as the door opened.

To Sona's surprise Rias entered the room looking apprehensive, something that was not in her nature, not on the surface at least. "Sona... I need to ask for a favor..." Rias began. Not since she has entered the girl in front of Sona did not once look at her. Rias staring at the floor continued. "C-C-Can you look after Issei for me... I feel as if I made a fatal error with him, and it's something that I can not take back..." She paused again, this time making an effort to look Sona in the eye. Not once in their friendship did Sona think she would see this sight.

"Fatal error? From what I heard neither of them blame you. In fact they expected it." She said getting up from her desk. "Don't worry sister, that's what I have been doing from the very beginning." Sona said, swiping Rias into an embrace.

"Then..."

"It's not like it's a formal trade, and you have my bishop to help if needed." Sona started. "So leave him to me." Letting her go Sona returned to her desk. "But, Akeno... that's all you." Continuing dropping her elbows on her desk resting her chin in her cupped hands a sadistic grin crossing her face.

"Oh come on, Sona." Rias said with her face twisting from despair to one of fear, begging her surrogate sister silently. "You know how she gets when she is angry, this stuff with Issei is worse. There is no way I am facing that alone."

"It's your own fault, to think a mutated queen at her level would just fall in your lap like that. Though I would have no problem helping, the Draculina is your problem. You and your brother honestly... Attracting some major monsters. To think that you both would have Lord Vlad's daughters taking a liking to you and willing to join you." She paused. "Then again, that puts Sera on their level... Huh... I should contact her, maybe Shun Hu is free." She said laughing.

"Oh god... Her, Elisabeth, and Akeno in the same place? Oh no... Not happening."

A/N: Another chapter split in two, oh well.