DxD: Brain

by Soul of Horus

White hair, blue hair, oh what can go wrong here? Kasane Randall and Hiroki Kuno enter Kuoh for a somewhat easy school year whilst they sort out their feelings. Of course, not all is as it seems. We all know why too. Why bother asking? Both wish to hide who they really are but that's only the start of their problems. Cue Devils. (Elements of Scarlet Nexus within)

5. Steps Closer

Kasane woke up before Hiroki like usual. She blinked a couple of times, feeling something…oh. She flushed with a dopey smile. Her dragon showed her how much he loved her, and judging by how he was still inside her, he was more than ready.

The bedroom they shared was nothing short of basic. Since this was an apartment that Yasaka had given them, they didn't share the need to decorate. The decorations came into the bedroom. Kasane huffed silently to herself as she thought of it. She did think of the occasional poster of their favorite bands or maybe something out of one of those animes that Hiroki liked. The one about that white-haired kid in the Dungeon or something.

He did read those books in the orphanage, the ones that were there, so no wonder he got hooked on it. She tried to read it but never understood it.

The window caught her attention, seeing the first few vestiges of the sun peeking into the room. She knew she should have shut the curtains last night. Either way, she was going to get up one way or another. The king-sized bed was the largest thing in the room, aside from maybe the dresser. The sheets were a cream color with slight white accents. Not either of the occupants' preferred choices but it wasn't the biggest loss in the world.

A shift in the bed made her attention snap back into place. She felt him hump once before groaning in pleasure. While she was more than willing to have sex, she preferred if he was awake. She loved his reactions. The way he would refuse to bite her while she begged for it, and the way she could get him to focus solely on her…maybe she was greedy but also…she held herself off for quite a while. There's nothing wrong with double dipping…or triple dipping.

With relative ease, she shook off his arms, using a bit of her strength. Hiroki was out like a light, mostly because of the stress of the previous day but also because he went all out on her.

The psychokinetic looked down at her body, seeing all the bite marks, hickeys, and slight bruising. She was really happy about the hickeys directly on her nipples. Kasane tittered lightly, realizing that she liked rough sex but also loved deepthroating his cock, perhaps both.

She looked at his sleeping face, a stray strand of hair over his eye. He needs to get it cut, Kasane thought. Her mate was perfect, and she was thinking of what it would be like if they had another girl in the mix.

Dragons, more often than not, had harems as part of their horde. So, she wouldn't be surprised if Hiroki had another interest. Perhaps she should talk to Akeno again about BDSM. The rope binding—currently on the floor—was a great idea to tease him because he went feral on her.

Right now, she was thankful that he was still sleeping. After all, the information that she knew was baffling. She was a missing Fallen Angel. That alone made her try again to remember her time before the orphanage. Kasane unfortunately drew a blank, gaining a small headache in the process. Still, she looked over to the guy who stuck by her for the longest time. Kasane hummed as she gently pulled herself off him with her wincing lightly at the loss.

Thankfully, she was able to walk and get cleaned up, the sound of the water easing her worries and that headache. They did have school in two hours but she elected to be ready before that and let him sleep.

…or she would have if he still wasn't erect.

Once she got dressed in her Kuoh uniform, brushing out the skirt and fixing her thigh-high stockings, her absolute territory, she began teasing him with her fingers. She was listening to him and those sleepy reactions. She gained a smirk on her face before going all in. Hiroki's body acted accordingly. Kasane hummed in satisfaction, letting her tongue flick his member to send his dream into reality. As such, she was rewarded for her efforts. It seems that he was unintentionally edged by her.

"…mmmmhmmm."

This alerted Kasane and snickered to herself before going to brush her teeth and mouthwash, alongside cleaning her face. She never needs makeup, so there were no problems. No doubt the smell of sex stuck to her but she cared not. She got laid, what can they do besides be jealous?

"Hime?" His groggy voice made her curse because fuck that's sexy. "Did you…"

Kasane sat on the king-sized bed, one leg on it, "Yupppp~. Hope you enjoyed that, Hirochi, come on, you got fifteen minutes before we'll be late."

Hiroki's eyes shot open with some fear. Being late would make one devil Heiress very angry and she could lecture anyone's ears off. He was never faster in getting ready—flashing Kasane—showered, and dressed…before glaring at the giggling girl. "I'll get you back later," he said with a frown.

"Looking forward to it," she replied.

The navy-haired halfling glanced over to his mate, "I felt your emotions…you're nervous." He stood at the kitchen counter, getting two tea cups ready. They had time.

"A little," she replied easily, currently cooking some eggs and bacon. She was also toasting the English muffins. Butter and cheese were in the fridge until needed.

"I'll be with you every step of the way," he offered, knowing the emotional turmoil she was going through, in a different manner.

"I know but before that even happens, we need to find this nun and save her. The question is how?" She stared down at the scrambled eggs.

He allowed the change of subject as his arms encircled her waist and his chin rested on her shoulder, "Kidnap her?"

"Hiroki…" she chided, snapping out of her daze.

His arms left her waist, instead, he went to the fridge to get the butter and cheese for the English muffins. Their apartment wasn't some massive home but it had five important rooms, the bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, the living room, and the dining room; all of which were relatively small. "Okay, bad idea. We have to intercept her and stop her from going to the church, or at least being used for the Fallen's plans. I would have asked Azazel for the file on her but I would rather do this without his help." He returned to her side, letting his free hand stroke Kasane's hair. He didn't realize how soft it was, how silky it was. Must be a Fallen Angel thing.

"Add to the fact that we're not telling the Heiresses everything. Maybe they-"

"The Devils and the Church are mortal enemies. There's no way they would risk anyone for a single nun. Sona-Kaichou most certainly won't and Gremory-senpai is too prideful."

"And you aren't, Hirochi?" Kasane muttered affectionately, sitting down at the table, and portioning out her breakfast. They would put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher after.

Hiroki sighed as he dished out his own servings, twice the amount of Kasane's, "Probably do need an ass beating, preferably from another dragon but there aren't many of them around. Asking the Welsh Dragon isn't an option considering that he isn't even awake. Goodness, I definitely have my work cut out for me," Hiroki breathed out.

Kasane gently grabbed his hand, "Back on topic, should we search for the nun before school, Hirochi?"

Hiroki hummed, "Why not?" After breakfast, the pair grabbed their bags, and grabbed the tea that Hiroki had made.

As they had over an hour to get to school, the pair took the scenic route, which took them through Kuoh Park, where the fountain was. Surrounded by the walking paths, the luscious green trees, and park benches the pair walked in silence. They were enjoying the moment of peace. It honestly feels like they haven't gotten one.

Once more, the elderly population who were the early risers, gazed upon the two relishing the time they had together, "Ahh, young love."

The two didn't acknowledge the words but just smiled at one another, the love clear between them. Their walk through the park led them through one of the paths that put them at a five-minute walk from Kuoh Academy.

"Do you honestly think we'll find her?"

Kasane hummed, "I don't know. It's really a matter of-" She was saying before someone tripped into Kasane.

Thankfully, the tea she was drinking did not fall. However, this person was currently face first in her chest. The person, wearing church robes, backed away and started apologizing. She was frantically apologizing that Kasane reached out and covered her mouth with a finger.

"Please relax, I am not mad at you."

Hiroki gazed at the girl in robes only then to realize that they just quite literally walked into the nun. He noted that she was very pure. The definition of it, really.

Then the wind picked up, blowing the veil that this nun had on her head. Green eyes widened and blonde hair fluttered as the wind carried it away. Hiroki began to chase after it, only to find Issei at the exit of the park, wondering why the fuck a veil was there.

"Ahh, Issei-san, morning," Hiroki greeted the newly-minted Devil, sipping on his tea to-go cup. The navy-haired Dragon dusted off the veil before securing it under his arm.

"Hiroki-san, morning," he greeted. "What's with the veil?"

"Apparently a nun is in town," he answered, walking backwards for a moment before turning around, "Come on, I need a witness so when Gremory-senpai asks what the hell is going on, I have a scapegoat, I mean an answer."

"What was that about a scapegoat?"

"Nothing~!" He called back cheekily.

At that moment, Kasane walked up with the nun in her arms, "Hirochi, do you have her veil?"

The navy-haired boy held it up, "Yep, here you are, Sister-san." He reached over and put the veil over her blonde locks but once her hand made contact with his own, he felt calm almost instantly which meant…

Memories of a woman laughing echoed in his mind. That sick, vile woman…

Hiroki's smile froze on his face. His body rebooted and recoiled like she burned him, his eyes turned draconic as his fight or flight instinct activated. His tea was dropped, as was his bag, and he started backing away from her in fear, much to everyone else's confusion.

All except one.

Kasane was slammed with the emotions from their bond, almost making her trip in place. She immediately began giving orders, "Issei-san, stay with her. Don't be a pervert. Thanks to your disposition, you can understand her." She didn't wait for him to say anything, going to her mate. "Talk to me," she demanded gently, as they were near the tree line.

The only response she heard was his muttering, "I don't want to be near her…not again…no more…" he mumbled, being lost in his memories. "Please no…." He said as he clutched one section of his torso, then his arms, right below his elbow.

Kasane's eyes widened and her heartbeat quickened, "Hiroki?" She tried to reach out to him but he reacted harshly, out of self-preservation. His eyes were hardened like he didn't recognize her and that sent fear down her spine. "Hirochi!"

That snapped him out of it, before looking down to see how he bruised her wrist. He looked up horrified before dropping her hand and running into the trees behind him. His power activated and Kasane couldn't hear him anymore. Even using her own wouldn't have helped. She tried to chase after him, "Wait!"

He didn't, making more questions for Kasane. She was told that prior to them being under Yasaka's protection, when she met him again, that he had been through a lot.

She didn't know what she meant then but she was starting to understand now. She looked up, seeing the partly cloudy sky and exhaled. She realized that she had dropped her tea and her bag when she was running for him. The red-eyed girl just sighed.

Issei and the nun eventually caught up, carrying their bags and the discarded tea cups, seeing Kasane looking longingly in Hiroki's direction. "Hey, Kasane-san? Are you…are you crying?"

Even though he knew it was a bad move to ask if a girl was crying but he felt something was off. He was more confused than upset. Moments ago, he was as happy as can be, the next, terrified of a nun? It didn't exactly make any sense.

"Why did he react like that?" she asked herself, not having noticed that she was crying until she swiped away her tears from her pale cheeks.

« Was it my fault? » a soft voice asked. The language was Italian.

Kasane turned around, her gaze wasn't exactly hostile but it wasn't friendly, "Truthfully yes but it was something that happened to him after he was adopted…" She then turned to the nun and sensed her out, something Yasaka had taught them. It wasn't Senjutsu but more of a refined energy sensor. Once Kasane had her answer, she turned to the nun, « What is your name? »

« Asia Argento, Miss, » the nun introduced herself with a sheepish expression. « I'm so happy that someone understands me! Maybe it was the Lord who guided me here! »

« My name is Kasane Randall, this is Hyoudou Issei, » Kasane said to the nun. Internally, she pursed her lips, This is the nun that the Fallen want. This just got a lot more complicated. Then there's her mate, who was still writhing in agony over their bond. Her finger stroked over where he had marked her, feeling the tingles. "Issei-san, this is the nun that our contractor wants evacuated. For now, we can't do anything. Let's bring her to the church."

"Isn't that a bad idea?" He asked, handing her bags back to her, to which she thanked him.

"It'll be suspicious if she doesn't arrive," Kasane deadpanned him. « Do you know where you need to go? » She smiled lightly at the nun who looked confused between the two natives.

« The church. The Lord sent me here to continue fulfilling my role, » Asia answered.

"That one's been abandoned for quite a while, Asia-san," Issei chimed in with a concerned face. One of the Fallen was responsible for his death. Upon seeing her crestfallen face, he immediately spoke up, "Don't worry, I'll take you there!"

« Thank you, Issei-san, » Asia said, beaming at him.

He blushed at her praise and very cute face, rubbing his neck sheepishly, "Call me, Ise, we're friends now, aren't we?" Then, she started crying. Issei freaked out because he thought he made her cry but she was crying tears of joy.

Kasane could only smile at this, knowing that underneath the perverted attitude, Issei was a decent guy. He'll make Asia happy. "Hurry up, we'll be late. I have to inform Sona-Kaichou of our tardiness." She then strode off to the Academy with a clear goal in mind.

The hidden message was clear to Issei.

---

Kasane strode into the New School Building with a purpose, one that the students saw and easily parted out of her way. The same flashy halls, the same windowed rooms, and she felt emptier without Hiroki at her side.

Her healing had already stirred as it was a minor injury, so the bruise that existed on her arm was gone. It saved her from answering dumb questions.

Pushing down those feelings for now, she went for the one area where a specific person can help. She didn't want to ask for help but this had gone far out of her control so damn quick that she found herself at a crossroads. This was far outside her field because as much as she wanted to go after Hiroki, she had to at the very least inform them of the situation. The last thing they needed was an overreaction to something that didn't need one. "It should be right about…here," she said to herself, finding the door to the Student Council room.

Sadly, no one was there yet and the first bell hadn't rung yet. So, she opted to wait. However, the nervous pacing she was doing certainly did not help matters. The windows she was looking at showed a great view of the courtyard leading out of the Academy. Then, she heard footsteps, making her stop pacing and lean against the wall just outside the door.

Kasane saw them before they noticed her. She waited until they were in talking distance and then spoke up, "Sona-Kaichou."

"Kasane-san, what a surprise," Sona greeted with rare tidbits of sarcasm. Accompanying her was Tsubaki, looking into a notepad. "What brings you to the Student Council today?"

She looked around, "Extracurricular business." Her bags weren't anywhere close to her and that was because she used magic to hide those bags because carrying them was such a drag.

Sona took the hint and led them inside, "An explanation please?" Sona asked as she sat behind her desk and started getting out papers for today's work,

"Hiroki won't be in today, I came to inform you myself," she said whilst standing across from the desk.

Sona, however, felt there was something more. "What is it?"

"We found the nun that our contractor wants safely," she said, speaking plainly. "One problem, Hiroki ran off without explanation, and I have no idea where he went. He used his Gear to slip away unnoticed and if he wants to hide, he will."

"Oh? This nun? Why is she so important?" Sona asked.

"Remaining ignorant does not help you, Sona-Kaichou. You and Gremory-senpai run this territory as of two years ago. If one knows something, and it concerns the territory, the other is informed almost immediately. So please, do not play dumb with me," Kasane raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "I elected to inform you because I needed your assistance in finding him while I keep track of the nun."

"Answer me this: Who is with her now?"

"Issei-san, and surprisingly, he wasn't being a pervert, that and if he is, Hiroki and I will be making sure he regrets it."

"Hyoudou-san is not in my peerage, so I'll ask directly, why did you go to me rather than Rias?"

Kasane shifted from foot to foot, "Because I need to return to Kyoto and ask Yasaka-san what she knows. Something happened to him and what I was told is more than likely a lie. I cannot be in two places at once," she answered.

Sona's expression shifted at the honorific that Kasane attached to Yasaka. She must be close to her. Sona didn't get to ask any further questions as her Peerage knocked on the door.

Once they were inside, Tomoe, Reya, and Momo were unsurprised to see Kasane. Ruruko and Yura went to a side desk and began compiling papers. Saji Genshirou, Sona's newest [Pawn] on the other hand, was. "Uh, Kaichou? What's she doing here?"

"Relax, she is not here to join the peerage, but she is informing us of her mission, since myself and Rias are allowing them to operate within Kuoh. They are under Yasaka-sama's protection, the leader of the Youkai Faction in Kyoto," Sona said formally, letting Saji know that this was important business. She sat behind her desk and folded her hands under her chin. "So, Kasane-san, what do you need from us?" But her narrowed eyes showed that she demanded an answer.

Kasane glanced at the Peerage before turning back, letting her arms go to her side, "You're much more level-headed than Rias-senpai, Kaichou. You would not be so crass to make another accusation about us, We are aiming for transparency during this time."

Sona took the compliment well but her expression didn't change. "What do you want my Peerage and I to do?"

The answer was immediate, "Find Hiroki, since I came here to tell you of this new development, then tell me…because I have to go back to Kyoto to ask my Guardian what really happened as I just explained. He reacted so violently to her but more out of fear than malice…"

This caused the white-haired council member to perk up, "Trauma," Momo said. The white-haired council member continued, "Something about her must have triggered an unpleasant memory. Since you said he was a dragon…there are a few things that can make them wary."

Ignoring Saji's cry of "Wait, Kuno-san's a Dragon?" Seems he didn't make the connection when the one in question sniffed him.

"Like?" Kasane turned to Momo.

"Dragon slayer magic, Dragon Tamers, or anything that is considered anti-dragon," Momo informed, going to the bookshelf, "May I?" Kasane thought about it for a moment before tensing.

"Of course, Momo-san," Sona gave her permission, noticing the stiff posture of the red-eyed girl.

"There are plenty of Dragon Slaying spells and wards and other magic items, but I doubt it was that. As for finding him, I—with Kaichou's permission—will send out my familiar to look for him."

Tsubaki took over, "Dragon Tamers are an entirely different subject. These people have affinities for Dragons, halflings or not, even those with Draconic Sacred Gears. They act calmer around them, and the dragons wish to protect him from harm, no matter what. The last known Dragon Tamer was killed by unknown means. If you're saying this nun is a Tamer…considering how Kuno-san reacted…" the bespectacled girl hummed.

Kasane grumbled under her breath, "I guess I'll have to probe Yasaka for further clarification," she never elaborated five years ago, "I appreciate your help…what do I owe you?"

Sona waved Kasane off, "Since this concerns one of the students here at Kuoh, this is just my duty as Student Council President. Even if it is a Supernatural thing, this is not a contract but do not expect the same treatment twice."

Kasane smiled gratefully at them, with a bow, "Thank you. Permission to teleport out from here?"

Sona raised an eyebrow, "Granted, I appreciate you asking."

With a wave of her hand, Kasane disappears into a dark violet circle with a fancy symbol. Momo frowned, looking at the book again. "Kaichou, it says here that there was an investigation on the death of the previous Dragon Tamer."

"What was their name?" Sona asked, her intelligent mind working to find a connection.

"Faith Senastra."

Sona stood violently and slammed her hands on the desk, "Her?!"

"""Kaichou?!"""

"W-What was the investigation about?" Sona asked as she went to the book that Momo held. She read through it and stopped. "No…"

"What is it?" Tsubaki asked, looking over her shoulder before adopting the same expression as her [King]. "That…"

The rest of the peerage looked and found out her history. It was not a pretty story…it was not as dark as one would think but to the afflicted…it was their worst nightmare.

---

The leader of the Youkai Faction in Kyoto was in her enclosed office, no windows for the sake of no assassination attempts, doing paperwork, the bane of every Faction Leader. She had deals that needed signing, grants that needed funding, and many other things. Yasaka was not surprised to feel Kasane's personal magic circle appear in her office. Not many are allowed to teleport straight into her office unless they have Yasaka's permission.

"Kasane-chan, shouldn't you be at school?" She looked up to see tears forming in her eyes. "What happened?" She stood from her desk and gently wrapped Kasane in a hug, her tails gently rubbing on anywhere she could.

"Hirochi's in pain…" and so are you. That was obvious to the senjutsu-wielding Kyuubi.

"Tell me everything," the Kyuubi demanded gently, her papers now forgotten when one of her children was in pain. The motherly nine-tailed fox was coming out to play. This side of Yasaka was not often seen since she had a reputation to uphold and an image to maintain. Her motherly instincts always screamed to comfort Kunou, Hiroki, Kasane, or literally any of the children around the palace.

"Could you please explain what you are talking about?"

So, taking a deep breath, Kasane explained what happened this morning. Once she hit the part where Dragon Tamers came in, her tails flickered in agitation. Even now, she still haunts him… "Kasane, understand that Hiroki has been through more than a child his age should. Please do not be mad at him for this. I think he planned on telling you soon but there was never a good time and he wanted to keep the atmosphere intact."

"W-What? But what about when he got into that accident?" Kasane didn't like that. She wanted to know but even as the bond twisted, she felt like she knew almost everything about him. A foreboding feeling churned in her gut and she didn't like it, having only a sliver of a clue. "Were you lying about this? Th-This accident? What made him so jumpy about meeting her?"

Yasaka directed Kasane to a chair across from the ornate desk. Yasaka sat across from her. This wasn't a topic that she wanted to get into but this time has forced her hand. She had hoped she never had to speak about it. "Dragon Tamers are in a loose term, catnip, but for Dragons. They cherish them, want to protect them, and sometimes even mate with them. Hiroki had met one such Tamer in the former categories. She was a Tamer but she was also a Reincarnated Devil."

Kasane only tensed, looking fearful for his safety, that foreboding feeling getting worse. "I wanted to tell you more but years ago, when Hiroki was thinking of marking you, begged me on his hands and knees not to tell you any more than this. He understood that you would be upset."

"...you lied to me about it? You lied to me about him being in an accident! Tell me… please tell me…"

"Sweetie," Yasaka purred, letting a calming wave of Senjutsu wash over Kasane from across the desk. She put her hands under her chin as she stared at Kasane with narrowed foxy eyes, "He was afraid of this—meeting another Tamer. It's the only thing that would make him react in such a manner, I mean, do you remember when we found him roaming the streets after the fact? I told you that story so you didn't get involved in the trial."

The memory came back, making her tear up. "T-That means…"

"Yes, that trial. I'm aware that he told you that he doesn't like interacting with Devils, specifically purebloods more than reincarnated ones." The Youkai leader wanted to elaborate on that but instead she chose a different route, "With a select few pures, he acts normal."

"Why won't he tell me what happened? Why are you hiding this from me?" Kasane asked, mostly to herself.

Yasaka answered her anyway, looking lost, "It was a…dark time. All I can say and am willing to say about it was it was right after he was adopted by her, actually, somewhere closer to the days where you two were the rulers of the house. What was it they called you again? Alpha and Alpha's mate? Funny how that turned out." The smile she had disappeared, "During that time, he had no one in his corner, except for you and her. But since you were still in the orphanage, he did have you. The only good thing that I noticed…is that she cared for him as a mother should have. I'm truly sorry but this is not my story to tell."

Kasane slumped in the chair of the office, noticing the painting of the previous leader of the Youkai Faction, "Is Kunou around?"

The leader smiled loosely, happy and relieved for the subject change, "She should be on a break from her tutors, I'll send you there. She misses her onee-san."

"I just need some cuteness to offset today…but after I find out what was happening, we will be having an in-depth conversation about lying to me for the past five years."

Yasaka stood from the desk, "We will, and I won't spare you the details, unless he tells you first. He will open up to you, after this situation with the black chicken. Just please be aware that you may not like what he says."

"Huh?" Kasane was confused, thrown off by the weird name. Black chicken?

"Azazel-san," Yasaka clarified for the girl. "That Crow needs to learn to keep his faction in check." Kasane didn't get a chance to retort as Yasaka teleported her away. "Forgive me…but even I don't like revisiting that day…I thought he was going to die in my arms…"

Yasaka rubbed her temples before getting back into her paperwork.

The psychokinetic sighed as she was put through the circle. She looked up to see Kunou looking at her before launching at her, "Onee-san!" The tutor didn't look surprised at the sudden intrusion, perhaps because it was Yasaka's magic circle.

The little foxy missile collided with Kasane and hugged with all her might. "It's good to see you too, Kunou-chan." The room was more in line with a small office space, filled with filing cabinets and assorted papers and posters. It was made to look like what a university professor's office could be. Maybe it was the mindset for Kunou to get into so that she can be attentive,

"Did Kaa-sama send you over?" Apparently, she might just ignore that entirely.

"She did. I was in school but something came up," Kasane mumbled into Kunou's hair. Her fox tail swished around. "I apologize for the intrusion, Sensei."

The teacher only smiled, her voice littered with amusement, "If Yasaka-sama sent you over, it was for a reason. A good thing, since Kunou-ojousama just finished her lessons for this period. You have about thirty minutes before her next lesson. I shall be taking my leave."

As the teacher left the room, Kunou's voice peaked, "That means you can play with me!"

"You have to focus on your studies. If I derail you, your mother would be less than pleased with me."

Those adorable fox ears drooped, "Aww."

"Don't you dare use those kit eyes on me either, I will not change my stance," Kasane warned since Kunou often used her cuteness to get out of stuff that she should be doing.

The chibi Kyuubi only laughed innocently. "Uhm, you can let go."

Kasane held Kunou tighter, "No, I don't think I will. I just need this…for today."

Kunou immediately tapped into Senjutsu and gently prodded Kasane's emotions. What she found made her squirm. "You're hurting."

"…right, Senjutsu…"

"Can you tell me what happened, nee-san?"

"Not at the moment, little one, I still don't know every single detail." If Kunou was using Senjutsu to sniff out a lie, she couldn't find one. All because of the word 'single.' Kasane only has guesses as to what happened.

She hoped that she would find out soon but once she did, she would want blood. There would be some hurt lingering in her heart as a result.

---

Hiroki was freaking out. I can't be with her. I can't do this. Is my chest tightening? Am I okay? She's not going to come back, r-right? She's dead…

{Oh, so you think, X,} a voice that Hiroki hasn't heard in almost half a decade. {You think I'm dead? Fufufu, I've never felt more alive…now…come here, it's time for extraction~}

"Get the fuck outta my head!" He roared as the voice etched itself in his mind. That voice of that bitch haunted him for years after. Even after seeing Kasane again, he was still struggling to overcome it. He almost didn't let her in.

Yasaka was the first to attempt to soothe him since Kasane rarely spoke to him, rarely spoke at all back then. When she took them off the streets, she used Senjutsu to calm him down. Feeling such a powerful calming entity, that backfired, since Senjutsu felt similar to a Tamer—at the time, he never met a Youkai proficient in it—so he was terrified of her. He even tried to hurt her in self-defense.

She had easily blocked him and looked at him in sorrow, evident by the tear trails down the Faction Leader's face. Kasane immediately rushed to his side. That was when Yasaka knew she had to keep these two safe.

The halfling tried to find solace in the apartment in Kuoh. As soon as he left the park where they met the nun, he went there. Hiroki wanted to go somewhere else but his instincts were telling him to go somewhere he knew was safe. He ended up face down on the couch in the living room. It was the standard Japanese living room with a couch, coffee table, and TV. Not much since it connects to the dining room, which goes to the kitchen.

While lying face down, he recalled that look on her face. On Kasane's face. He hurt his mate. He hurt Kasane, he hurt his mate. He left a bruise on her. Lovemaking bruises and physical ones from him were different. The former was because of the roughness of sex they liked. The latter was because of anger and fear.

"What have I done?" He asked himself as he had to restrain himself from clawing his own chest out. Thankfully, his arms weren't in the proper position to do so. Small mercies.

There were times in that dark basement that he wished to be put out of his misery under her 'care'. She never let him. Always edged him between that line, never letting him go too far forward or too far back. The pain in his arms was evidence enough. His chest felt itchy as he recalled she loved pulling from there.

Hiroki soundproofed and 'sealed' the apartment with his power so he could roar as loud as he wanted. He aimed to suppress his dragon aura so no other supernatural entity would come to him. Not that it would help him but he was a Dragon in his den, he needed that safety blanket, as it were.

{Come on, Hiro-Hiro, I know you have it in you~ Give me what I want, and you'll be cared for…} the voice mocked with a clicking of metal echoing in the background of his mind.

A half-stifled sob escaped him, "Why…? Why were you like that? …was it all truly a lie? I thought I was good…"

He felt broken. He felt useless, he felt as if no one could save him. He knows that the nun was unaware of her power. He knows that but rationality was out the window when he felt that specific kind of calmness wash over him. That feeling that called his soul, the feeling of taking a breath for the first time. Hiroki was unwilling to take any chances. If his guard went down around them, they would take advantage of him. The very last person he wanted to hurt was Kasane.

She didn't deserve that. He doesn't deserve her. So fundamentally broken and hurt…how did I even make it through that?

That was when he felt Kasane's pain through the bond. It sobered him up. He was hurting her again. Hiroki sank into the cushions and just stopped.

He didn't want to move. He didn't want to get up. He wasn't hungry. He wasn't thirsty. He didn't want to breathe. As childish as it sounds, he wants his mom, his real mom. The former owners of the Kyoto orphanage, Martha and Hoshi, did a wonderful job as the 'replacement' parents…Yasaka does great as the Aunt figure. Kunou, the brilliant and adorable 'cousin'—even if she does call him nii-san. He would have a lot to explain.

Then he remembered why he managed to stay alive, the bond between him and his mate throbbing. He survived because of her. Because of Kasane. He fulfilled his promise…

That was when he heard a knock on the door. Even if he soundproofed the outside, he could still hear sounds as if it was normal. His senses perked up at the sound, his baser instincts if you will, waking up. It wasn't wise for anyone to approach an emotional dragon but Hiroki had the advantage of being half-human, allowing him to suppress those feelings.

Taking a moment to reorient himself, he inhaled the scents of those beyond the threshold. He smelled Devils but not those of Rias' Peerage. No, they were Sona's. Four of them, to be exact. Pulling himself off the couch, he didn't have time to freshen up as the knocks came impatiently.

Sighing, Hiroki knew that he wasn't going to get out of this. Even if he was in his Kuoh uniform, on habit, he straightened it out. Erecting a sound wave barrier, he looked through the peephole and found Sona, Tsubaki, Momo, and Tomoe.

Frowning, he cracked the door, only allowing his eye to be seen. His voice was gruff and hoarse from his emotional breakdown, "State your business."

"Hiroki-san?" That was Sona's voice. She did sound concerned but her professional tone held back the feeling.

He didn't get to reply as an energetic Tomoe pushed the door open, and launched herself at him. Too stunned to react, she wrapped her arms around his torso and started blubbering apologies.

Hiroki elected to ignore the girl currently crying into his chest, "What are you doing here?" He sounded defeated as he stumbled back into the dining room.

Sona pinched the bridge of her nose, "Meguri!"

"Eep!" The energetic girl zipped behind Momo and tapped her index fingers together. "Sorry!"

He sighed, mirroring Sona's action, "Did Kasane ask you to check on me?" Tsubaki nodded. "Did it really require a house call?"

Momo only looked at him in concern. She stepped forward, looking him in the eye, "You've been crying."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious." He didn't look great, he knew. After basically having to relive one of the worst memories of his life does that.

Sona cleared her throat, "May we come in?"

Putting his head in his hand, he sighed again, "Sure, don't expect refreshments." The one thing he didn't do while freaking the fuck out was trash the apartment. "Now, why are you here?" He asked as they were led into the living room.

Tsubaki put a book on the coffee table, the same book they were looking at in the Student Council office. Sona picked up the conversation. "I heard that the nun you're contracted to find and help is a Dragon Tamer."

Hiroki tensed, arms crossed but hands spread across them like he was protecting something, an action noted by all but not acknowledged, "Yeah…what of it?"

Sona had to be blunt, "Your adverse reaction to her."

His eyes focused on her and her only. The aura he was trying to hide slowly leaked out, "What does that have to do with it now?"

Sona flipped open the book and pointed to a name. "Faith Senastra, Reincarnated [Bishop] under the Valac Pillar Family, Dragon Tamer, killed by an unknown person. Found to be part of a -"

"You best shut up right now or there will be one less Sitri living," Hiroki growled out and flared his aura, knocking down Tomoe and Momo. Tsubaki braced and yet still slumped on the couch. If Serafall ever heard this, he would be buried beneath the next Ice Age. His posture was tense, stiff, and seconds away from being shattered.

"Okay," Sona acquiesced, shutting the book with some stiffness. Her hands were shaking, she noticed. Okay, he's powerful when agitated. Note to self. If pushed he could beco-

"I'll ask again: Why are you here?" Hiroki growled as he released his growing aura. Any more power into it and he…he didn't know what to do after that. The duo who slumped out first shot up with wide eyes.

"To ask how long you've been suffering," Sona said, never breaking eye contact, despite her now trembling posture. She could be one with the couch if she pushed herself back into it.

Hiroki's pride wouldn't let him break the stare, "Far too long. Why the sudden interest, now of all times?"

"Because you shouldn't have gone through that…" Momo hesitantly spoke up. She refused to make eye contact with him and was found to be shaking, but her cheeks were dusted with a light pink hue.

Hiroki turned his stare to her and walked right up to her, standing over her. That was when she made eye contact and her blush intensified. Her blue-green eyes wavered at his stare. "It's too late to start caring now."

Tomo was fidgeting on the couch, looking every which way, not focused on one particular thing, "W-What did s-she do?"

Hiroki walked back to the side of the room, "What didn't she do?" His hand unconsciously went to his hip, fingers tense.

{That's right, remember what I did. Remember that you belonged to me. I did say I would wait. A shame we never got to the good part~.}

A growl broke out of his throat without warning, making Sona's hair stand on end. She almost summoned a water snake by reflex. His aura was chaotically unstable but like a switch flipped to stable. The group of five in the living room were all silent, letting the information sink in. It also served as a cooldown period for everyone.

"I'll ask this up front," Sona stood from the couch, turning to him, "Did you-"

Before she could ask, "I don't have to answer any question you ask, Sona-Kaichou. I invited you in and I can just as easily kick you out, tread carefully," he warned her.

"Noted," she agreed. "But I need to ask this for my curiosity's sake."

Hiroki waved his hand, and a rush of power flowed throughout the room. It took Sona off-guard but Hiroki gained her attention and explained, "You and I are the only ones that can be heard. No one will know and I don't want anyone to know. Your word is required before I answer any questions. For them," he gestured to the peerage. "We're speaking at a high frequency that your ears can't translate. Yes, my gear is the cause of this. I've had too much time."

Sona was undoubtedly impressed with the use of his Sacred Gear, to use it in such a non-combat form was ingenious. "You have my word that neither none of my Peerage will speak of this matter."

"Rias-senpai's Peerage too or anyone you are affiliated with. No reaching out to anyone, am I clear, not even Serafall-sama. No leaving any messages that even hint at this, got it?" Hiroki wasn't going to let her get away with such a loophole.

The black-haired [King] bit her lip whilst narrowing her eyes. "Fine. I agree with the terms…Now, did you kill Faith Senastra?"

He stepped forward, slightly taller than her, leaning down to her ear, "Yes. Without mercy. To take back what she stole from me."

Sona's eyes widened, expecting but not truly expecting him to confirm it. Her eyes shot to the book, where everything in that investigation was put in. Then back to him, and then his arms. Sona didn't know what to do before a hand was placed on her shoulder.

"Do you see why I reacted the way I did? Reflex…I don't believe the nun to be malicious, else she would not be a follower of her religion." He was being considerate of not saying God's name. "But it's the sheer fact that she's a Tamer that sets me off. Psychological damage does not go away so easily."

Physical pain too, it looks like, Sona thought. "Are you going to tell Kasane-san? She needs to know," Sona immediately asked.

"…eventually. Right now…I have to get my act together so that this can blow over. I'm going to release our private talk, remember, not a word to anyone, at least until I reveal it to Kasane," He amended.

Sona accepted that and with a wave of his hand, she could hear her peerage members be concerned. She turned to them, "Let's go."

"But Kaichou!" Momo exclaimed, wondering what they talked about.

"I have already gotten my answer and no, under any circumstances, will I share it. I apologize but if I broke his word, his pride would demand compensation."

Hiroki had started to leave the room to get changed, he needed to deal with these Fallen Angels soon, real soon. "Hiroki-san?"

He inclined his head, looking over his shoulder to see Momo. The white-haired [Bishop] opened her mouth to say something but he beat her to it, "There is no need to pity me, I did a lot of that myself."

"N-No…I just…have you ever…talked to anyone about it?"

Hiroki closed his eyes and only remembered the rage of the people who tried to come after him. How they wanted him dead…for something that he was the victim of, "No, because there is nothing I have left to talk about. That already happened."

{Ara, that's not what you think, and look, it's a big one!~} the metal clicking rang in his ears again.

"Just go, Momo-san. We shall speak another day." He placed the book in her hands and backed away.

Momo wanted to say something else but Tomoe quickly pulled her away. What they learned from that book…all she had to ask was this.

How was he still able to smile?

---

Kasane eventually went back to the apartment. She had enough Kunou time to make it through the day. She grasped the doorknob before feeling him, the aura of a dragon. Hiroki was inside. Sona-Kaichou didn't tell me? Why? She wasn't upset but at least wanted to know that he was safe.

The door opened and she was pulled inside with a yelp. She was about to use her fans but his voice stopped her, "I'm sorry…"

"Hiroki, I-"

"NO! I hurt you…ran off without an explanation. I…I can't give you that now," he whispered to her temple. "I need some time to gather that courage because…because it…has to do with my distaste for Devils and why I reacted so poorly to her."

Kasane soaked up the warmth that was her mate. She had to know but there wasn't a way to ask without being inconsiderate. He ended up dragging her to the couch to snuggle. "There is no need to apologize for hurting me. I'm a big girl. I know you didn't mean it but it honestly scared me that you ran off. I tried to ask Yasaka about it but…"

"She won't tell you because-"

"She promised you that she wouldn't, I know. Will you tell me after we finish the contract?" She noted that they were in the living room of the apartment, just hugging.

"O-Okay…" Hiroki shakily exhaled, trying to bat back the memory. With his mate in his arms, it only just worked. "I won't apologize for being clingy."

Kasane giggled lightly, her voice soft—and only for him, "I know. I like it when you're clingy, it shows that you have a soft side."

Hiroki eventually ended the hug before putting his hands on her shoulders, "Before we go hunting, I need to tell you this since I will not hide this. Consider it part of the story." The half-dragon then explained that Sona had shown up here and what he told her. "I'm sorry for not telling you first but-"

Kasane cut him off by hugging him and then kissing him. This time, she dominated the kiss. She wasn't aiming for sex, only to assure him that she wasn't upset. In fact, she wanted to thank Sona, she got him to admit something that bugged her.

At the same time, she was boiling inside. She had an odd feeling the first time they met her years ago but being the naive little girl she was, she didn't put much stock in it. Hindsight was twenty-twenty.

As much as she didn't want to leave his embrace, and the couch, she had to. She sat up, "Let's save it for after, Hiroki. We must be emotionally sound before heading in. Be ready in fifteen, Hiroki…we need to finish this contract soon."

"Answer me this," his eyes closed, taking deep breaths, "What about going to Grigori?"

Kasane paused, pursing her lips, "I've already decided. I will but this does not get you out of telling me. Can I be honest with you?"

"I really hope you would," he said, straining to keep his small smile.

"It felt like you couldn't trust me," she admitted. "When this all happened…"

Hiroki sighed, letting that hurt get to him. He understood it from her perspective, he honestly did. "That couldn't be further from the truth. I do trust you…and once you hear my story about her…you will understand that you've had it since the beginning." He got up from the couch, stretching, going to change his clothes, "Now, we have Fallen Angels to wrangle. Should we inform them?"

Them being the heiresses. Since this plan was spontaneous, Hiroki did not notify Sona of it while she was here. It would be better to have a backup plan than not at all. Both agreed to inform them, and Kasane volunteered. She could tell and see that he was still affected by what he remembered. All she knew was that Faith Senastra was the source of his trauma. Then, he killed her for hurting him.

She trusted Hiroki. There's no way he would kill without a justifiable reason.

---

Neither one of them showed up to school the day after that. They missed a lot when they showed up after hours. In short, Issei met Asia at a client's home, he got shot by a Rogue Exorcist named Freed Sellzan, the peerage saved Issei, met the nun the very next day, almost died again, and now something was taking place here at the abandoned church.

They never entered the Victorian-styled club room but heard the very irate Rias give Issei a lecture that he wouldn't forget.

Obviously, they weren't going to let something happen to their 'target'.

The pair waited an extra day, having been updated on their whereabouts at the Church. The pair were then seen in their outfits, hoods up. Balance Breaker was not active but at a moment's notice, it could be. They eventually decided to inform the Heiresses so that they didn't panic that something was going on. They wanted this done and over with.

They both had their reasons.

"Can you smell them?" Kasane asked as they were up a tree overlooking the Church. The signs of abandonment were there, as the pristine colors that decorated it was wearing with age. The windows had layers of dirt on them that made reverse graffiti seem plausible.

Hiroki gave her a blank look, "Sssure, let me do that." He sniffed the air with an exaggerated flair. "Fifty exorcists, one of them is that Freed guy or whatever. He smells foul…"

Kasane paused, "Wait…you…"

"My draconic nose is the one thing I've used many times over the years, Hime. I know what I'm doing," he said. "Now, with Raynare out of the picture, that leaves Mittelt, Kalawarner, and Dohnaseek. Well, half of him…" he recalled the moment when he believed that he clipped a wing.

He didn't see it but Kasane flushed hotly…for reasons. Slowly taking a breath, "Shall we knock on the front door?"

Hiroki sniffed again, looking perplexed, as his tone suggested, "Or…Gremory's [Knight], [Rook], and [Pawn] could just stop in front of the door."

"...right. Well, shall we help?"

The two met up and Hiroki turned off his power, allowing their presence to be felt by the devils. "Wait, you're here?" Issei asked, having felt an aura of a dragon, which was thanks to the dragon inside his Sacred Gear. It reacted to Hiroki's presence.

"Of course," Hiroki said. "Now, move out of the way. I know you came because that sister is important to you but…" he turned to him, "Do you know what a Dragon Tamer is?"

"Eh? Dragon Tamer…is that-"

"-why you felt so calm? Yes." Hiroki noted the looks from both Kiba and Koneko. He narrowed his eyes at them. Kasane had her war fans behind her, glowing slightly beneath the moonlight.

Kasane whispered to him, "I know it makes you uncomfortable. Do you want me to take the lead?"

"Sure. You two," he pointed to the [Knight] and [Rook], "Stay with me. Kasane and Ise-san will be after the sister and clearing the exorcists."

"What about you, Hiroki-san?" Kiba inquired.

The half-dragon let out his aura, alerting the area, "What do I need to do? My job. Their superior wants them alive, much to my dismay. I also haven't had a good fight in a while, even though Kasane and I spar on occasion. We never go all out."

Without much fanfare, he turned and kicked down the door, quite literally kicking them off their hinges, "Knock knock, bitches!"

"Issei-san, on me," Kasane ordered, grabbing him by the arm and running. It was funny to hear the girly yelp he released as she dragged him along.

"Mittelt, Kalawarner, and Dohnaseek, I have a message from your superior, Azazel, Governor General of the Grigori! Show yourselves, I will not attack you if you agree to hear me out. Your friend, Raynare, went back to Grigori because I showed her the orders." Said parchment appeared in his hands. "I'll leave it right here on the middle row of pews. I also have his number on speed dial, so if you want to talk to him, I can arrange that. However, should any harm come to the nun, Asia Argento, you will be dealing with me personally."

The pews of the room were neatly organized, some of them were chipped by means unknown. He traced one of them with his finger, looking every which way, feeling out for the presences in the room.

Koneko glared at him. The mention of Grigori made the young devil clench her fists. "...you're working for them?"

Hiroki glanced back at the jailbait, his draconic eyes coming out, "Rethink your words, Koneko-san. Contracted. Hired. Mercenary. Azazel-sama came to us, specifically, our Guardian. Kiba-san, I understand that you may look at me differently now but I assure you, I was only aware of this development only a few days ago, less than a week, to be precise. Since it's been mentioned that relations are tense, I elected to hide this fact. Kasane agreed."

"How do we know that she won't kill Issei-san?" Kiba glowered at the halfling.

"Hime won't harm him. We have our reasons for being contracted for this. Have you heard of the Missing Fallen Angels? I won't be surprised if you did since usually Devils keep out of other Factions' business."

The blond [Knight] was confused, while Hiroki idly shifted, glancing to his left and right, "Missing?"

"Correct. Kasane is one of them. The eighth one out of thirty recorded to be found. Azazel-sama offered us information on it for reasons that I cannot reveal. I revealed too much already but now you hopefully understand why we're doing this. This wasn't for you guys, this was for us. Selfish as it is, it does give me relief that you don't have to worry about this." Hiroki explained as his dragon wings expanded, all three pairs. "I know you may not like me after this…but desperate times."

Koneko was the first to connect the dots, "That means Kasane-senpai is…"

"A half-breed Fallen, yes," Hiroki confirmed. "I'm aware that Akeno-senpai has hostile intentions to any Fallen. While I don't know the reason, you understand why she hides that fact, don't you?" He turned, looking over the pew directly into her eyes, seeing those amber irises quiver. "My nose knows you're trying to-"

"Stop it…" she wanted to punch him for that but she knew he would catch it.

Hiroki glanced at Kiba telling him to comply with her demand. With a huff, "Fine but keep that factoid to yourselves for now, please. Don't need that added stress. Now, to the three lurkers, can we talk this out, or did we wake up and choose violence?"

A blue light spear flashed into existence and was thrown, "Not a chance, you little shit! You fucking clipped one of my wings! You think you're better than me?"

Hiroki easily caught the spear, six inches from his face, he looked undisturbed. The tone of his voice went flat, "Violence it is but first…" he reached into his pocket, making sure to have full eye contact with Dohnaseek, pulled out the burner phone, and dialed a number. The only number in it.

"Yo, Hiroki?" the casual voice of Azazel came through the speaker. "Shush, Penemue, this is about…and that…so please let me take this. Sorry, dragon boy, go on, what's up?"

"Nothing much, just raiding an abandoned church to get your subordinates and the nun. Speaking of the former, Dohnaseek just threw a blue spear at me…even after I was being nice…can I stop being nice?" Both Kiba and Koneko were in disbelief. This was really happening. A casual chat in a church with the leader of the Fallen Angels.

Azazel huffed, knowing he was on speaker, "Donny, my boy, what did I tell you about that anger? Hiroki, I know you want to kill him-"

"Damn straight."

"-but I do not like losing any Fallen if at all possible, got it? Beating him into submission though? Fair game," As soon as that was said, killing intent from Hiroki slammed into Dohnaseek, making the one-winged Fallen shiver. "As for you two ladies, come on back to Grigori ASAP and your punishment will be light. He showed you the orders, right?"

Two shocked female voices answered in the affirmative. Their eyes were going to the Dragon, then to the phone. They weren't concerned about the devils. Hiroki was the bigger threat between the three.

"Good, I'll see you both hopefully soon. Oh, and those exorcists? They're probably under someone else's employ and more than likely all criminals. It's up to you how you want to deal with it. Have you…"

Hiroki hummed, "We'll call after the night's over. Our answer will be given then. Take care, Azazel." With that, he hung up the phone. "See what happens when we talk things out? You, however," the spear never left his hand, "will be getting a lesson. It starts now."

Kiba and Koneko watched as he sped over to Dohnaseek, slamming him with a pew into the wall, crumbling it to make an indent. The pew was in splinters now. The spear that Hiroki caught was placed over Dohnaseek's eye, "You are lucky he wants you alive, else I would be throwing your arrogant ass all over this church…"

Dohnaseek's fatal flaw was that he was indeed an arrogant sonva bitch. He formed another spear to stab Hiroki but found he couldn't move his hand. "How?"

"My Sacred Gear. All these wonderful sounds…make a pretty good weapon, don't you think?" With that, Hiroki used the sounds in the air to send a pulse to Dohnaseek, concussing him. "You two," he called out to the still-frozen Fallen, "Get this trash out of here before I go back on my word for not killing him."

They quickly scrambled to get him. The teal-haired Fallen turned back, "You said Missing, right?"

"I did."

"So, she's alive…but does she know?" At that point, she was talking to herself.

The blonde jailbait spoke up, "Does Kasane-chan remember us?"

"No, she only recalls from when she was six, around the time I met her…" Hiroki explained. "Did you know her when she was younger?"

Both Kalawarner and Mittelt shared a glance. The former answered, "We used to babysit her…well, not Donny…"

Hiroki inhaled and exhaled, taking that information with a smile, dropping the pew's remains, "I see…thank you. Now go, and take these orders with you. I have no need for them." The Fallen then disappeared through a magic circle. "That's relieving…I guess. We'll have to talk to them soon." He was talking to himself at this point.

Koneko walked up next to him, "Hiroki-senpai?"

The half-dragon hummed, doing his best to stay composed, not liking the fact he will have to be next to a Tamer again, a slight twitch could be seen in his posture. "I know you have questions…but those will have to wait. Can you trust me for another hour or so?" Hiroki knew that the trust he was slowly building with them could or would collapse at any given moment, especially after this.

The swordsman noted that he was constantly looking down at the hatch behind the altar but still took steps toward it. "Are you alright?"

Hiroki froze for a moment, licking his lips nervously, "Dunno…let's find out, shall we?"

---

Once Kasane and Issei were past the altar since the former knew that there was an underground section, thanks to the use of Hiroki's power. Echolocation. She didn't know when he developed it or if it was always with him but she'll take it, "Woah, Kasane-san, wait up!" he hissed.

The pair descended the stairs and were met with a large dark room with a stage. It looked to be one of those stage plays for Junior High kids. On that stage was one Asia Argento looking fearful for her life. The many exorcists around were lounging, waiting for the ritual to carry on so they could go to their next contract. That's all this was, a contract, a quick way to make money.

Kasane didn't know what that contraption was but she knew that it wasn't anything good. "Issei-san, you aim for Asia-chan, I will handle the exorcists." Issei peered into the room, noting how many people there were. How did they not hear the commotion above? "I see your confusion. My mate is more than prepared. He silenced the sounds from above, so they are unaware."

"Come on, where the fuck are those shitty Fallen? I'm so bored!" one cried out while swinging a sword around like a child would with a stick.

Issei recognized the voice, "Freed…"

Kasane readjusted her hood, "On my mark…"

The Sekiryuutei called his gauntlet forward, "Let's do this…"

"Go!" Kasane ordered, her coattails brushing against Issei's cheek before the first scream was heard.

[BOOST!]

That alerted the rest of them, prompting Asia to look up in shock, « Issei-san! »

"I'm here, Asia-chan!" Issei shouted, following Kasane's wake. The one exorcist turned around with a wild grin.

"Oh look, Asia-chan! It's that shitty devil! Remember me, after I put a bullet through your leg?" Freed had a wide maniacal grin. He giggled like a psychopath, "Course, I don't like trying to kill the same shitty fucking devil twice, because they should have died the first time!" Freed raised his pistol, no doubt filled with holy bullets. "Time to die, shitty boy!"

Issei was nowhere near fast enough to dodge bullets, and he knew that.

However, he was not alone in the room. One violet-coated knife knocked itself into Freed's gun. "Hey, who the fuck are you?" The bullet missed completely, which Issei capitalized on.

Kasane was silent as she dashed through the exorcist horde, her blades glowing violet. Using a mixture of martial arts, she waved her hand and cut into the first few, drawing blood. She was avoiding lethal hits but would not avoid severing limbs if the need arose. "Come on, it's just one girl."

"You think if we stop her, we'll get a turn with her?" another said, grinning as he brandished his sword, the metal kind.

If I don't kill you, he will, Kasane thought as she brought her war fan around to parry the sword and cut into the attacker's hand. She was graceful in her movements. If she was a [Knight], her speed would be so fast that they wouldn't be able to notice her…

…oh wait, she was a six-winged Fallen, she already was faster than the average [Knight]. Kasane only let one pair out when needed. Her blades were removing obstacles in her path. That fifty was down to thirty-one, and they still couldn't get close to her. None of them seemed to be carrying a gun like the one on stage.

Speaking of, she sent a knife to the exorcist's hand, knocking his aim off. "Asia-chan?" She then made a light spear, a small one, coated in a violet light. This was something she just knew instinctively how to do and sent it through a man's torso.

« Kasane-san? » Asia's voice cried out, « You're here too? »

"Course," she replied, "You don't deserve this." The white-haired psychokinetic looked around for blunt objects and didn't find much. However…she looked down. Kasane then glowed violet and literally ripped a piece of the floor out. "Now, out of my way or I will crush you."

"No way, she's a Fallen Angel too?!" Freed's voice could be heard. "Well, if this isn't my lucky day. I get to kill that shitty devil, and the nun, and I get a new Fallen toy! How wonderful!"

One of them decided to call her bluff, seeing the glowing floor, "You don't have the balls!"

Kasane giggled, in a creepy way very much unlike her, which stopped them, "You're right, I don't!" she said right before that piece of floor slammed into the guy, sending him and six others into a wall. "Because now, I will be severing your femoral arteries."

Issei sweatdropped at that declaration. Taking this chance, he managed to punch Freed off the stage. Right before Freed was going to shoot him, a church pew flew into him. "Hey, what the fuck?!"

"Get bent," Issei recognized Koneko's voice.

Kiba then stood before Issei, "Hiroki-san sent us ahead. I'll deal with Freed. You focus on getting the nun!"

"R-Right! Asia-chan!" Asia was crying tears of joy, even as Issei jumped on stage. "I'll get you out!"

Kiba and Freed were having a dance of swords while Koneko was taking care of the other exorcists that Kasane missed in her knife show. True to her word, she was aiming for the critical veins in their legs. Deep down, Kasane was cutting their legs before the location of the artery to give the illusion that she was going for them. Their cries were not as pleasant as she wanted.

She's not killing, even if the assholes deserve it. She still had answers to get. Then, she felt her mate arriving. Her smile turned soft, even as she gave the last standing exorcist—not including Freed—a roundhouse kick to the jaw, knocking him out. Her war fans came back to her and hovered around her, stained with blood. She sighed, letting the adrenaline fade out of her system, "I'd say that was a half-decent workout."

Hiroki's eyes were not on her. They were on Asia. Kasane frowned, even as she walked up to him. Much of the floor was torn out or had craters in them. He felt the remnants of a light spear, which meant Kasane did reveal that portion.

"Well, this turned into a shitshow! I'll kill you all another day, especially you, Issei-chan!" Freed announced before letting out a smokescreen and scrambling up the stairs, Hiroki and Kasane absent-mindedly used their powers to clear the smoke.

"They won't come off!" Issei cried.

[BOOST!]

Another cry from the gauntlet, even as Issei's muscles strained to get her out. "Come on, come on! She's innocent! How can you forsake her like this, huh?!" He screamed to the heavens. "She didn't do anything wrong, you hear me?! Hear me, big man in Heaven?!"

The gauntlet on Issei's left hand blinked before the voice shouted, [DRAGON BOOSTER, SECOND LIBERATION!]

[BOOST!]

A third boost, Hiroki noted. He would have to amp that number to at least twelve to have somewhat of a fighting chance. He would need it.

Kasane was by his side, idly cleaning the blood off her weapons with a rag. They floated ominously around her as she cleaned them. The exorcists who were all still alive witnessed the reveal of the Sekiryuutei of this generation. With a mighty roar, Issei grabbed the restraints holding Asia and ripped them off. "Asia!"

The nun was crying as she clung to Issei, who was crying happy tears himself. Hiroki stepped forward and looked directly at Asia, who had Dragon Tamer-like pheromones exuding off her skin. The memories flood his mind but he growled at himself. "Issei-san, Arengto-san…I want…to apologize for my behavior when I met you…"

Kasane gently encouraged him, keeping her surprise hidden at his action. She fully expected him to leave the room. "I'm here…"

"The reason for that will be revealed soon, so, how about you come on out, Gremory-senpai, Himejima-senpai?" Hiroki said, lazily turning to his left. "You've been here since we entered the basement. Your magic energy smells…mixed." He wrinkled his nose on reflex.

The implication was not lost on them, "So have you finished your contract?"

Kasane huffed, So rude, thinking that she just owns the room for just entering it. Prideful Devil, the fall is steeper than you think. She didn't voice this but made her expression become neutral instead of the worried visage she had prior.

"As soon as Asia Argento comes with us, as per the contract, she is our quarry. However, we will not force her to do anything she doesn't want to," Kasane said, having finished cleaning her blades before they returned to her person. She yawned instead, "I also didn't eat anything, so Hirochi, you're cooking tonight."

"Meh…" he lamented for a brief moment, "We can call him, let him have the final word."

Kasane held her hand out for the phone, which was placed in her hand wordlessly. She dialed the number and put the phone to her ear. It rang thrice before a voice came muffled. "It's done…you don't need her…okay…yeah, that can be arranged…I'll get back to you on that but send her in a couple of days, I should have a decision by then…" her face softened unnoticeably, "Thank you."

"Well?" Rias asked, looking less than pleased.

"Asia Argento is free to do whatever she wants, whatever she desires. She is no longer officially tied with the Grigori. So…" Kasane gestured to Asia who was still crying into Issei's shoulder. "We'll leave you to your business because our's is done."

Hiroki was still fidgety, unbeknownst to himself. Being in the same room as someone who could control him frightened him, and horrified him. His breathing was slowly becoming more and more audible, he was blinking multiple times a second, and his body was tense. Kasane gently grabbed him by the hand, and one slowly cupped his cheek.

They were about to leave but Rias activated her Power of Destruction, having gotten an update from her servants, "She's a Fallen Angel?!" The pair continued walking. "Answer me!"

Kasane looked back to the Gremory Peerage before showcasing her six wings, "Is that a problem?" However, she was unprepared for the way Akeno was looking at her. "Ake-"

"Don't. Speak. My. Name, your feathers disgust me," her hair was shadowing her face. Kiba and Koneko were unsurprised to see the hate come out but Rias was caught in a dilemma.

However, they failed to realize something. Never insult a Dragon's mate.

Hiroki snapped out of it when he felt the bond with Kasane twist, this time, it was her side. Even if her face didn't show the hurt, he felt it. He soon disappeared from her side and then was seen holding Akeno by the neck against the wall before the stairs. Scales appeared under his clothes and up to his neck, his fangs elongated in his mouth, and his talons just barely scratched the surface of her skin, "Did I just hear you correctly?" he asked in a low tone. This was the furthest that Hiroki has ever had his draconic features out not since years ago.

Everyone stood shock-stilled at this. Kasane's heart warmed at his defense of her but she knew that this was escalating further than she wanted.

"Did you just insult my mate? The one who had helped me put my life back together? Saving me from becoming something far worse? Her wings are one of the most beautiful parts of her…the feathers soft to the touch."Hiroki squeezed harder. "If not for Yasaka-san's order to not harm either Heiress and by extension, their peerages, but you? You're making me edge that line…"

"Hirochi!" Kasane yelled, snapping out of it first, immediately running to his side, and getting in between them. She pushed on his chest to no avail, "Stop it!"

He continued without pause, "I have half a mind to tear you to pieces because of this. If you hate Fallen Angels, like you seem to hate yourself, fuck off and die. Kasane is younger than you. How is SHE a part of YOUR problem?! With that logic, a natural newborn Fallen is immediately hated by you because of who they are. Who knew that the Yamato Nadeshiko of Kuoh was actually a racist to her own kind!"

Finally recognizing that something was pushing on his chest, he looked down to see his mate, pleading with her eyes to stop while his own navy reptilian eyes blazed with fury and a promise. She told him to stop again, pleading with him. "Why should I stop? She insulted you because you're half-Fallen! I won't take the insult of my mate laying down!" Meanwhile, Akeno was slowly turning blue yet was also aroused…her hidden 'M' side was coming into play. She tried to use her thunder but found it did nothing. Even with her [Bishop] facet of the [Queen] piece in play. He shrugged it off. In fact, it was the scales beneath his clothes that absorbed the shock.

"Release my [Queen]!" Rias demanded, her PoD in hand, finally getting ready to make a move. Koneko was hesitant to fight because she could sense from his power alone that he was one of the strongest in the room. The second was Kasane-senpai.

Kiba raised his sword, ready to defend his [King] at any cost. Yet he still felt he could trust Hiroki for just a bit longer. He wasn't doing this to start anything but defending the honor of his mate. Therein lies Kiba's conflict. He was a knight of honor and would do anything to ensure it is kept.

"You're in no position to make demands of me, Gremory. Just because my mate is a half-Fallen Angel does not mean your [Queen] can insult her. Is this how you let your Peerage roll? Insult and belittle someone because they were born a certain way?! You know nothing of what she and I have gone through just like she and I know nothing of what you and your Peerage have gone through!" His voice rumbled, and his aura was unrestrained and royally pissed off, fluctuating between stable and not.

Kasane reached up and grabbed his face, bringing her lips to his. He dropped Akeno, who coughed and coughed, spitting out saliva. Her neck would bruise and have small indents from his talons but no blood was drawn. The same cannot be said for Kasane as she let her tongue be cut by his fangs, which stopped him. "Are you calm?"

"I hurt you again…" he muttered sadly.

"If it stopped you, then it's fine. One insult isn't going to change how I feel. You said it yourself, we don't know anything about them…so please stop," she softly asked him, resting her chin on his chest, and looking up at him. She was already healing anyway, the cuts would disappear in a few hours.

Meanwhile, Issei was freaking the hell out. How the fuck? What the fuck? Kasane-san is a Fallen Angel? Half-Fallen? Akeno-senpai is half-Fallen too? What did they go through?

"Kiba-san, Koneko-san," Hiroki addressed the [Knight] and [Rook] after Kasane released him from the kiss. "Remember what I said about the Missing ones?"

"You mean…"

"Her childhood was something stolen from her…and for completing this job for the Governor, he offered to fill Hime and I in about it…because she doesn't remember her childhood from before she was six…I'm sorry, Hime, I let them know about that."

She shook her head into his chest, "It doesn't bother me…" Kasane sighed, "Let's wait on telling them everything, Hirochi…we should let all the Devils in the area know…" She didn't want to explain more than once.

Hiroki's draconic features receded, returning him to the navy-haired boy they knew him as. "I wouldn't doubt they are already coming…that aura I released was…more than I thought. I will not apologize for my words, Himejima-senpai. Not until you understand the ramifications of your actions. Don't even bother apologizing now, it would be disingenuous."

Rias still wanted answers, "What do you mean? What are you talking about?"

Another voice joined them in the basement, "If you would let him explain, Rias, you'll understand why."

"Sona?" the red-headed Heiress shot her head over to the entrance to the room. "What are you doing here?"

She raised her glasses, "Well, with you upsetting Hiroki-san by insulting his mate right in front of him…his aura reached across the town. My peerage alerted me and we reacted. Tomoe-san and Reya-san are upstairs at the main entrance to the church. Saji-san, Ruruko-san, and Momo-san are at the top of the stairs." Tsubaki followed behind Sona to her left. "Tsubaki-san will be taking care of the exorcists, the ones that are alive, anyway. They have a comfy jail cell waiting for them. Now, everyone's had an emotionally charged night, so why don't we all meet up tomorrow after classes to discuss what happened? Argento-san, what is your decision? I heard that you are now free to do what you wish." The violet-eyed Heiress then inhaled and asked, "What were these Fallen Angels after you for?" The nun, now covered in Issei's jacket, raised her hands as two rings flashed on her middle fingers. "The Sacred Gear: Twilight Healing," Sona understood the intentions the Fallen had now.

« That machine…would have taken Twilight Healing from me… »

"It would have killed you," Kasane said. "That machine is designed to separate the Sacred Gear from its host. Since Sacred Gears are tied to your soul…" the obvious implication was left unsaid, even as Issei tightened his arms around her, nuzzling her hair.

Many wondered how she knew that information. "I…don't know why I know that…" Kasane whispered, looking lost, her eyes unfocused.

Hiroki could only look on with softened eyes. Issei found his first mate or first of many, considering his dream.

« Ano…I want to stay with Issei-san! » the girl suddenly called from his arms.

Koneko was only slightly impressed that he wasn't groping her. Then, she turned to see both Hiroki-senpai and Kasane-senpai leaving the room. She wanted to go after them but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. "Kiba-senpai…"

"Let them go…for now, we need to help Akeno-senpai," the blonde sheathed his sword before helping Rias with Akeno.

"Ara ara~," she said with her cheek in hand and then looked away in shame, "That was…unfair to her. Even if she is one of them, he was right…she's younger than me…" Akeno admitted to herself that they had more in common than she originally thought.

Tsubaki walked to the Gremory group after transporting all of the still alive exorcists to a prison in the Underworld, with Sona's permission, "You best hope that your apology is genuine, Akeno-san. If not, he will react accordingly. After what…can we at least explain why he reacted that way to her?" This was directed to Sona.

"You best hope that your apology is genuine, Akeno-san. If not, he will react accordingly. After what…can we at least explain why he reacted that way to her?" This was directed to Sona.

The Student Council President sighed, knowing the subject she was referring to, "No, as I said, I gave him my word and I shall not break it until he tells her." Even if she was a Devil, she would honor that.

---

As soon as the pair arrived home, as soon as they passed the threshold of the doors, Hiroki fell to his knees and started hyperventilating. Kasane knelt in front of him and held his hands gently. She wanted to know but she would not force him. He forced his breathing to slow, taking big inhales and long slow, shaky exhales…

"Dragon Tamers scare me. They terrify me," he started to explain. "Devils also set me on edge but I've been handling it the best I can, Hime. You've been a large help to this. I focus on you because they keep coming back. The memories…"

Kasane swallowed the spit in her mouth, "W-What memories?" Something deep in her gut told her that she would regret asking.

"Memories of a time after we met. Memories that had kept me up at night. Memories of a time that I wanted nothing more than to…" he bit his lip, drawing blood as if it hurt him to even think of this but to say it…was another matter entirely. "...do you remember when we were looking over old Supernatural cases about a year ago?"

"Yeah, to prepare us to come here…" Kasane answered, rubbing his knuckles with soothing motions.

Hiroki licked the blood off his lips, "There was one case that I hid from you. I had to lie to you about where it went, I told you that it was because it was an open-and-shut case. Ironically," he confessed with a small chuckle but it lacked its usual warmth, "that case was open and shut because I knew who did it. I'm the culprit but also the victim."

Kasane looked into his eyes, jaw dropped, "What?!" Tears were beginning to form on her face.

{Oh, is it time? Fufufu, go on, tell her,} a voice mocked Hiroki in his head. The voice was her.

"That case was about a woman…a woman who was a Dragon Tamer. You met her after all. I know you remember the day I left, that whole week I spent every single moment with you? That day when I cried in your arms because I was being separated from you. In actuality, she was a Devil who was at first, that loving mother I've always wanted but… her master was a sick fuck…and so was she."

Kasane felt the bond between them squeeze her lungs like she was drowning. She remembered that day. She wanted to speak up but never found the words and he slipped through her fingers. They were still kneeling at the front door. She gently coaxed him to sit on the couch, her in his lap, and her head on his shoulder. Now, he could hold her as close as he needed.

"The problem was she hurt me in ways I didn't think were possible. That kicked into overdrive when I arrived."

{We're getting to the best part!} the voice mocked again.

"Fuck off…" he muttered. "Dragon Tamers can coax Dragons to be docile, have them protect the Tamer themselves. On the off chance they are strong enough, they could bend Dragons to their will." Kasane stopped rubbing his chest as she started putting the pieces together but she wouldn't speak out yet.

He knew that and continued, "At first, she was the best mother figure I could have asked for…but one night…that all changed."

"W-What?"

"She made me my favorite food that night, something I don't eat anymore as this experience tainted how I looked at them, and she had this off-putting smile as she asked me how it tasted."

{Yes, you told me that they tasted delicious~}

"I told her it was amazing, wishing I could have it every night," his smile lacked emotion, and even his eyes were unfocused. "That was when I noticed I became woozy. The next time I woke up was in the basement of the house, which resembled a torture chamber." Hiroki finally looked her in the eyes, "And then she brought tools and used magic on me." Kasane's breath hitched. It was going in the worst direction possible and she was thankful it didn't.

"What did she do?"

Hiroki sighed, "She used magic and a combination of her Tamer abilities to exert her will over me. She forced my dragon features out…then…" he shuddered with her in his grasp. "...she started pulling my scales, ripping them off my body. They would grow back in a few hours because of her magic and she would do it again. Many times, I begged her to kill me, to stop, to knock me out so I didn't have to be awake…"

{That was my favorite part, my little Hiro-Hiro! Watching you beg for mercy~}

"The result was damaging the pathways of my heritage, being brought out before I was ready to. My pride was irreversibly damaged. Faith Senastra defiled me in all the ways that mark me as a Dragon. She had planned to do much more but wanted to wait a bit longer but for what, I never found out."

Kasane wasn't dumb. No doubt he had PTSD, "C-Can I…"

"Of course," he said, feeling his chest become lighter now that he was letting her in. The magic he had Yasaka put over him that long ago came off—the fox feeling it, making her smile sadly with tears in her eyes, confusing Kunou—and there were welts all over his body, many on his arms. He took off his shirt to reveal plenty more. "Thanks to Yasaka and other Senjutsu healers, they have since been repaired like it never happened." A certain cat came to mind. "But the scars remained."

She was openly weeping, shaking hands, and touching the ones she could see. Nothing made her wail out more than a scar above his right hip, right about where his pant line was. Hiroki continued to explain that, "She was a fucked up woman. I wasn't the only one affected either." This scar was a jagged 'X'. "Number 10…that's what she called me. She said that everything we went through was a lie. For three months, that was who I was to her, a number in her 'conquests'. The blade was laced with Dragon-slaying properties…making this the one reason I would never trust another Tamer…" he started crying softly, "I hated it. I wanted to die. I wanted to take my own claws to my chest and rip it out. Every time she told me not to call her mom, she tore out an extra scale, stabbing my side and sometimes leaving the knife in my side."

Words failed to form. Kasane has never felt such sorrow and utter rage. Gulping, "H-How…did you not become an Evil Dragon?"

He leaned his forehead on hers, holding her close, "Because of you."

Such a sweet answer to a sour story.

"B-But…what…"

"Hime…when I tell you that you're the best thing that happened to me…I meant it with my heart and soul," he whispered into her crown, kissing it. "You saved me…and I'll spend forever making it up to you because I love you."

Kasane's face tightened as she managed to squeeze out her own, "I love you too, Hirochi," before she burst into more tears. Ugly crying at its finest. Her cries were muffled by Hiroki. She clung to him, crying her eyes out. Hiroki let her cry onto him, his own tears falling. "I always wanted to see you happy, never sad…yet I'm the cause of it…how pathetic of me…" The physical scars she left were one thing but the mental and emotional scars were another story. Hiroki wordlessly carried her to the bedroom, not even bothering to change out of his clothes. He laid her and himself on the soft sheets and just let her go.

Her cries continued until she fell asleep from exhaustion. He prepared a washcloth in a small cup of water for the morning. Those tear stains were not going to clean themselves. That night, all was quiet. They didn't change out of their clothes, they just laid there on the bed. Hiroki stayed up the entire night, just watching his mate sleep. I'm sorry for hurting you.

---

Outside that very apartment, a man stood at the front door. Both occupants inside were both unaware of him standing there, too absorbed in the story, fist raised to knock on the door but lowered it upon hearing the story. He wanted to inform them of a job well-done personally, all without getting anyone killed…but that he meant his subordinates…but now he had something else to do.

The man had heard of this case, how it was handled by the Devils, and what happened. He recalled they couldn't prosecute the culprit because even they have standards. But now it made sense…

A small circle appeared by his ear, "Hey, Zechs, we need to talk."

"What about, Azazel?" a man's voice came back.

The now-identified Azazel growled through the circle, "About Faith Senastra and the case against them."

The voice on the other end turned serious, "I see…come on over. Serafall-dono will want to know too."

Within seconds, Azazel was gone, back to the Underworld…

…to speak with the Devil himself.

...

Okay, I've been gone for two months. A lot has happened. Well, first off, this is now the longest chapter just shy of 15k, the longest single chapter I've ever posted. My friend, who helps edit my stuff had said he can't because of the source material. No, I'm not asking for a beta reader. Please don't start asking.

The way he explained it was that it's a fan fiction thing. If you don't know the source material the fic is based on, you're in for a bad time. Nor was I going to force him to read it. I was also told that there was a lot going on.

Yes, there is. The main canon plot and the two subplots—one major and one minor—I've got going on. Right now, they are running their respective course which is closely intertwined. While I do send most of my documents to my friend, sometimes I take the risks involved and look where we are now.

I've had this ready for three weeks now, and I've got impatient. Considering I have chapter six written as well? There's a lot I still have to do and I haven't even gotten to the Familiar Forest or the Phenex Arc. Unironically, this chapter is just under half of the fic's total length at present.

The subplot will be taking over in the next chapter now that the Fallen Arc is over—because I didn't want to go with Asia dying, I changed a few things, hope they worked out. I hope that people don't think I've abandoned this. I do have some plans but it's a matter if I'll get to them.

I have most likely missed some of the things I wanted to talk about but I do hope all the characters are not OOC. For example, Kasane is far OOC from her source material and I attribute that to her Fallen side, not to mention how much Hiroki actually means to her.

Since I feel like someone will call me out: Hiroki threatening Sona. I know it seems like out of left field but she was getting into something that Hiroki never wanted to revisit but was coming up again, no matter how much he didn't want it to. So, him telling Kasane about it later was his way of saying he was trusting her with his burden.

Yasaka not explaining to Kasane fully. As explained, Hiroki begged her not to. The magic that was on Hiroki from Yasaka? More on that later. All these little things are adding up. Still, I am surprised that no one has figured out something else I've been hinting at for the last two ish chapters. If you know, hold your breath.

So, with that being said, if you have questions, I will answer your questions without spoiling them.

See you around.