"Ugh... My head..." Azazel groaned as he regained consciousness. He tried to reach for his head, but stopped when he realized he couldn't move his arms. "?" With a questioning look, he examined his current situation: He was tied to Rias' desk chair, Kalawarner, his retainer this time around, stood by him, her own hands bound as well, a look of guilt on her face. "I'm sorry, Lord Azazel. I didn't think she would react this way." Kalawarner muttered, looking down. "Don't apologize, Kalawarner. I should've seen this coming." Azazel returned, looking around for his captives. He spotted Rias' Peerage, including Rias herself, standing far back in the room, Yukiko herself not too far from the Fallen Angels. Both Devil women were glaring at the Fallen Angel leader, albeit for different reasons: Rias because of her distaste of the entire race, and Yukiko for her distrust in Azazel's words.
"You really think you can trust him, Yu?" Rias asked, looking at her sister. "He's a Fallen Angel, one of their leaders, no less!" Yukiko faced her sister. "I understand why you feel this way, Rias, but not only did the blue-haired Crow say something interesting-"
"Hey!" Kalawarner spoke up, looking very offended.
"But so did he! And now I have questions that apparently only they can answer. Unless you have something to say about our family, Rias." Yukiko finished, with Rias flinching at the emphasis her sister used on her name. "I-I shouldn't speak on the affairs of the Maou, Yu." Rias stammered out, shrinking away from her younger sister's gaze when she saw the girl trying to suppress her building rage. "He knew!? Who else is hiding something from me!?" Yukiko shouted, fuming. "Why don't you call him up, Rias. We need to talk. As for you," She turned back to Azazel. "Why don't you start with explaining just why the Hell you're even here."
"I'd love to, if you'd just do me a favor and untie me..." Azazel said openly, making Yukiko smirk. "How about you give me something to work with, and we'll see." The girl returned, surprised that her response made Azazel chuckle. "And what, exactly, is stopping me from breaking out of this chair?" Yukiko full-on grinned. "Go ahead. Try it." She goaded the man. Everyone watched as the Leader struggled to escape the trap. "What gives? I should've been out of these bindings already. Unless..." That's when Azazel realized why he couldn't escape. "...You magically reinforced these ropes, didn't you?"
"Oh, yeah." Yukiko answered, looking smug. "Now, start talking."
"Man, you act so like her that it's funny. Alright, deal." He agreed. "Let's see... for starters, I should probably tell you why I say I'm your uncle."
"Uh, you think?"
"Ignoring your attitude for now, that's because you, my friend, are the granddaughter of Penemue, my sister." This revelation surprised all who didn't know. Mittelt's response was probably the most drastic, with her bowing before Yukiko. "Uh, Mittelt, what are you doing?" Yukiko asked the Fallen Angel, prompting everyone to look at her. Azazel was also intrigued by the sudden action. "Mittelt, please stand up." He commanded, but the blonde Fallen Angel held firm. "I apologize, Lord Azazel, but I must atone for assaulting your family. I did it without knowing she was related to you, but I still did it. Plus, if Raynare had known, she probably-"
"You two weren't going to know, Mittelt." Kalawarner inturrupted with a sigh, shaking her head in disapproval of Mittelt's actions. "The only ones who did were her... family... and myself, due to circumstances."
"Glad you got that settled for me, Kalawarner. Thanks." Azazel commented, making Kalawarner blush from the sudden praise. "Wait a minute here." Issei spoke up. "You say you're her uncle, but you just admitted she's your sister's granddaughter. So wouldn't that make you her- Mmph!" He stopped, suddenly having his mouth sealed shut by some magic. "Don't age me, boy." Azazel said, slightly annoyed before turning to face Yukiko. "Anyway, since we're already on the topic of Penemue, wanna come back with us and meet her?" He asked, holding his hand out to the young girl.
"!" His offer certainly surprised Rias. She glanced to her sister and saw the look of uncertainty on her face. Not wanting to lose her sister, Rias attempted to change the subject in hopes of them forgetting the offer, but was beaten by Yuuto, who still looked skeptical.
"You can claim a relationship with her all you want, but without proof that's just talk," He said. "Like for starters, she lacks Holy Energy." Akeno nodded in agreement, stepping forward. "He's right. Besides, from what I've heard about Penemue, not only does Yuki look nothing like her, but they have nothing in common personality-wise, either."
Azazel, flippant as he is, just waved the two young Devils off. "Most likely a spell was used to mask her Holy Energy, probably so she didn't get target by bad people a a young age. But as for not looking similar..." He mumbled as he scratched his chin, before pointing at Yukiko. "How much longer are you going to keep up the illusion, Yukiko? From what I saw earlier, you can handle yourself pretty well."
Now even Yukiko was shocked from Azazel's words. "Illusion? What do you mean, Crow?" She asked, her eyes narrowed. Azazel raised an eyebrow, looking at Rias. "So I take it this wasn't your doing, then?" He asked her, making Yukiko glare at her sister. "You cast an illusion on me? Seriously!?"
"I swear, Yu, I didn't even know that there was an illusion cast on you!" Rias pleaded, but Yukiko wasn't listening. Azazel sighed. "Just my luck, huh?" He muttered, before a magic circle, no larger than a baseball, appeared in his hand. From it, an analog camera appeared, making Issei confused. "I don't get it. How does taking a picture help the situation?" He asked, confused. Azazel just waves Issei's question off. "Don't worry, it'll be explained in a second," He returned, aiming the camera at Yukiko. "Now, smile." The camera flashes, and when the light fades everyone looks around. "Um... nothing changed, Azazel." Yuuto pointed out. Azazel sighed once again. "Y'know, for a [Knight] you have a terrible sense of awareness, Yuuto Kiba." He said, sounding exasperated. "Take a look at the [Queen] and [Rook]." Looking at Akeno, Issei noticed how she had both a Devil's bat-like wing and a wing of a Fallen Angel, which she quickly noticed and retracted, but what surprised him was the cat ears and tail that appeared on her, that she also hid relatively quickly.
"...That was surprisingly cute..." He muttered, describing what he saw of Koneko.
"The camera doesn't only take nice pictures. It reveals the target's true form, like how the loli in the corner is a-" Azazel explained, receiving a glare from Koneko. "Well, some secrets are best left kept."
"So Akeno may have Fallen Angel Blood, and Koneko is officially the cutest thing since cat videos..." Issei started, looking at Azazel expectantly. "But what about Yukiko? In fact, where is she? And who's that girl?" Pointing at the newest figure in the room, everyone noticed how she had a pair of black feathered wings on her back. Rias reached out to the new girl, but got her hand slapped away.
"Don't you dare touch me, Rias. I'm still pissed with you and Sirzechs for what you hid from me." The girl snapped, shocking Rias when she noticed the familiar set of violet-colored eyes glaring back at her, which saddened her.
"So it really is you, Yu..." Rias muttered, surprising those behind her. "Eh? Sh-She's Yukiko!? Impossible! There's no way this bangin' babe is that flat-chested brute!" Issei declared, irking the new Fallen Angel. In a second, she stood in front of him, [Hanran] at his throat. "Talk about me like that again, and I'll cut off your balls and feed them to the first dog I come across. Understand?" She threatened, causing Issei to nod his head furiously in confirmation. "Y-Yes, I understand!" Issei squeaked out, making Yukiko nod in approval before letting him go. "Good."
"That's definitely Yu/Yuki..." The rest of Rias' Peerage mumbled, making the girl in question face them. "What gives? You guys can't recognize me? Didn't we fight together, like, thirty minutes ago?" She asked, sounding annoyed.
"Ah, that's my fault. Here, take a look." Azazel admitted, giving Yukiko a photo. When she saw the picture, her entire body froze up. The person standing in the center of the picture, where she stood not too long ago, didn't look like her in the slightest. The girl looked to be slightly taller, with back-length pitch black hair with a single streak of brown and brown bangs, and, as accented by the buttons bursting off of her shirt, a larger bust size, rivaling that of Rias and Akeno.
"There's no way..." Yukiko murmured, clutching the picture. Suddenly she raised the picture to show everyone, looking around nervously. "Th-There's no way this girl is me, right!?" She asked, sounding like a plea for denial.
"That's definitely you in the picture, Yukiko. And what a sight she is!" Issei answered, whistling while giving her a thumbs up. That's when the last button on Yukiko's shirt decided to pop off, heading straight between Issei's eyes. "There goes the last button..." Yukiko sighed before using her magic to change into a different outfit: A short denim jacket paired with a plain white T-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and black running shoes with white laces.
Yukiko reached out to Azazel, a slight grin on her face. "Alright, Azazel, I accept your offer. I'll go with you." She announced, shocking Rias, who grabbed Yukiko by her other arm. "Don't do this, Yu! Please! I don't want you labeled a Stray!" She pleaded. Yukiko pulled her arm from her older sister. "Well, you should've thought of that before you lied to me." She returned, her mouth close to Rias' ear. "Besides, I'll be back in a few days, two weeks at the most. I just need to go cool down somewhere away from everyone. Also, if he's lying, I don't want you guys getting hurt, or worse, for my sake."
Rias' eyes widened, surprised by how clearly her younger sister was thinking. "...I understand. I can't change your mind on this." She admitted, sounding defeated. Yukiko gave a quick nod. "Good to see you know you're wrong," She said, turning back to Azazel. "Now let's go before something else-"
"Rias, I got your message. Now what was so-! You!" Everyone was shocked when Sirzechs suddenly appeared from a magic circle, especially when he stood in front of Yukiko, holding Azazel by his neck. "Rias, why didn't you say Fallen Angels were involved!?" He asked worriedly, gripping Azazel's neck. Everyone looked over to Rias, surprised to see her twiddling her thumbs. "Y-You see... I kind of... allowed them to come?" She answered, nervous as to how her brother would respond. She was right to be, for Sirzechs was furious. "Why would you, of all people, be so reckless as to make contact with an enemy leader? Is there a good reason?"
"Because... because Yu wanted answers. She knows, Brother." Rias muttured, shocking Sirzechs. "Dammit..." He murmured, releasing Azazel so he could pinch the bridge of his nose. "Where is she now?"
"Oh, I'm right here, Liar." Yukiko said with a malicious smile, her suddenly speaking up surprising to the crimson satan. The male Devil looked at the girl, doubtful that she was his little sister. "I'm sorry, and you are..?"
"Oh, it's me, Yukiko, you Deceiver." Yukiko returned, as an imaginary arrow punctured Sirzechs' heart. "I-It's not right for a young lady like yourself to-"
"Oh, cut the act, Sirzechs. Your false persona doesn't work on me and you know it, you misleading Dick." Yukiko interrupted, another imaginary arrow striking Sirzechs. 'She doesn't look like Yukiko, but her vocal patterns match Yukiko's, and so does her energy.' Sirzechs thought with a frown. 'But if that's the case...'
"Rias." He said suddenly, bringing Rias to attention. The female redhead flinched, unsure of how her brother would handle the situation. "Why is Yukiko being such a bully?" Sirzechs finished, a tear dropping from his face, making the ORC facefault.
"Wait. Is their older brother, like, really attached to them, or..?" Issei asked openly. Akeno nodded in response. "I'm not surprised you figured out that he was her older brother at first glance. But to answer your question, I guess you could say he has a sister complex." She explained, as Issei nodded in understanding.
"Oh, no Sirzechs," Yukiko said his name accusingly. "I'm not going to stop until you tell me why you hid myself from me! I could understand if my parents were involved in some really dangerous groups that you'd keep anything involving them a secret, but you even avoided letting me know what I looked like! That's just unforgivable!" She stood before her brother, staring angrily into his surprised eyes. "You want me to let this whole thing go? Tell me about my parents!"
The red Devil hesitated a bit before answering. "I apologize, Yu, but I'm spellbound to not tell you about the... current topic." Sirzechs returned. This vague answer only further enraged Yukiko. "By who, so I know who's on my hit list." She asked as she crossed her arms. Sirzechs looked like he was having trouble answering, because every time he opened his mouth, he seemed to rethink his answer.
"By your predecessors." Sirzechs finally answered, surprising everyone present. "Look, I know this isn't the best situation to be in, but going to the Fallen Angels for answers is too far, Yu."
"...So I'm not getting any answers out of you two, huh?" Yukiko mumbled, her bangs covering her eyes. "Then we're done here. Let's go, Azazel." Grabbing the Cadre-Class Fallen Angel by his hand. Sirzechs reacted first, trying to grab his sister before she could teleport away with the corrupt seraphim, but was stopped by a sudden wall of ice appearing between the two groups.
"You're not stopping me from getting my answers, Sirzechs. And Rias, remember what I said. Hopefully I'll be back in time for that. Later~" Yukiko said, finally teleporting away just as the ice wall shattered.
"Yu, wait!" Sirzechs called out frantically, grasping at the spot Yukiko stood in just moments ago. "Dammit!"
Rias placed her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Brother. She'll be back." She said, trying to reassure the older Gremory. "What makes you so sure?" Sirzechs returned.
"Because... I believe in her."
Azazel's office: Grigori Headquarters
The group materialized in what appeared to be a large office, what with the cluttered desk and unorganized bookshelves loaded with trinkets. Yukiko looked around, unimpressed. "I take it this is your office, Azazel?" She asked, watching the man raise his hands in submission. "You got me, Yukiko." He caved. "So, why don't we go meet Penemue now? That is what you came for, right?" He asked as he walked towards the door, just before it opened, revealing a silver-haired youth, wearing a black leather jacket and a green v-neck T-shirt.
"Azazel, I'm back from- oh? Who's the new girl?" The youth asked, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "This," Azazel said as he waved to Yukiko, "is my niece, and Penemue's grand daughter, Yukiko."
"Really? That's surprising." The youth returned with a smirk, before facing Yukiko. "Since we'll probably end up working together at some point, I'll introduce myself. The name's Vali." Yukiko just blinked at the boy. 'He's... he's so...' She thought, feeling her face heat up. Growing impatient on waiting for a response, Vali turned to Azazel. "Is she mute?"
"Not likely. you should've seen what she did to Sirzechs. I've only ever seen him like that when his wife was around. It was gold!" Azazel answered as he watched Vali smirk.
"Hot..." Yukiko muttered, surprising everyone around her. "So she can speak." Vali said sarcastically, prompting Yukiko to shake her head furiously. "S-Sorry about that. I-I'm Yukiko Gremory. But you can call me Yu." She said finally, her cheeks beet red. This surprised the silver-haired youth, so he stepped closer to Azazel.
"A Gremory, huh? What's she doing here?" He whispered to the Cadre-Class Fallen Angel. "Remember when 'she' died about two decades back?" Azazel asked making Vali nod. "Apparently she had a daughter. With a human, by the look of things."
"So you felt it, too, huh?" Vali smirked as Azazel nodded. "Not only her Sacred Gear, but her magic potential's amazing. Makes you wonder who her father was." The Governor said solemnly. Vali was once again surprised. "Seems like we felt different things, Azazel." He said cryptically, leaving Azazel confused as Vali began to cast a spell. "Hey, Yukiko: Think fast." He said suddenly as he tossed a bolt of lightning at the girl in question, who, in that instance, activated her Sacred Gear and created a wall of soil to defend herself.
[Mimicry!] [Boost!] Her Sacred Gear sounded off as the gems shifted from their original topaz to emerald, the ability reinforcing the makeshift shield. Kalawarner was outraged. "What was the meaning of that, Vali!?" She asked, looking cross with the silver-haired youth. Vali shrugged. "Just testing her reflexes. Besides, that level of power wouldn't hurt someone like her."
"So I finally get to see it, huh? Your Sacred Gear." Azazel said, examining Yukiko's arm with interest. Yukiko looked over to Kalawarner nervously, who looked like she calmed down before sighing. "Don't mind him. He's just very interested the Sacred Gears God made." She clarified for the Devil/Fallen Hybrid. Releasing her, Azazel rubbed his chin. "Ah, [Mimicry, huh? Not bad." He commented, getting a confused look from Yukiko. "Really? You didn't know the name of your own Sacred Gear?"
Yukiko shrugged. "None of the books Rias owned had any data on my Sacred Gear." She defended herself. It was then that a blue gem materialized on the back of Vali's palm. "Hm?" Looking at the gem, Vali's non-interested gaze softened, before he smirked once more.
"Guess you're full of surprises, huh?" He said seemingly randomly, getting everyone's attention, including the still-blushing Yukiko. Pointing at her, Vali's smirk became a smug grin. "Even if it hasn't awakened yet, you do realize your Sacred Gear houses a dragon, right?" He asked, shocking everyone. 'A dragon, huh? Then that mean..! That changes everything!' Azazel thought, before he grabbed Yukiko by her wrist. "Let's go meet your grandmother, Yukiko! The faster you get to meet her, the faster I get to study your Sacred Gear! Hahaha!" He exclaimed as he ran through the halls, ignoring Yukiko's cries for help.
"For the governor of Fallen Angels, he sure is an oddball..." Mittelt commented, earning a nod of agreement from both Kalawarner and Vali, before the trio decided to catch up to Yukiko and Azazel.
Penemue's Office: Grigori H.Q.
With a sly grin, Azazel knocked on Penemue's office door. "Oi, Penny! You have a guest!" He called, just as the three other finally caught up to him and Yukiko. The re-formed group heard what they assumed was a person tripping and falling as they knocked over what sounded like stacks of paperwork, before the door opened a crack, revealing a single violet eye.
"Geez, Azazel. Next time, warn me of one of your visits. I could've at least attempted to clear some of this- Hm?" The woman stopped, looking at Yukiko with curious eyes. "...You look familiar. Have we met before?" Yukiko shook her head. "I don't think we've ever met, Grandmother." She said the last part with a smile, the news shocking Penemue. Penemue looked over to Azazel for confirmation, who just nodded in agreement. "That's right. This Fallen/Devil Hybrid is 'her' daughter, which in turn means that she's indeed, your granddaughter." He watched as his sister covered her mouth in surprise. "Th-That means that you're..." She said, looking directly at me while opening the door. "Little Yuki!" Suddenly hugging the raven-haired hybrid, the Grigori's strongest female began crying tears of joy. After a few minutes of embrace, Penemue finally let Yukiko go, wiping away her tears. "I'm just so glad to have finally met you, my granddaughter." She said with a smile, before stepping to the side of the doorway. "Please, come in, come in! I apologize for the mess- I wasn't expecting company today, heheh..." Laughing awkwardly, Penemue lead the group inside of her office to what appeared to be a rest area of sorts, equipped with two black fur loveseats and a recliner, all surrounding a single glass coffee table with two stacks of magazines resting on top of it. She stepped into a room behind her desk, most likely a kitchen.
'This is probably where she sleeps when she doesn't leave the office.' Yukiko thought, sitting on one of the loveseats, before being joined by, surprisingly, Vali, while Azazel took the recliner and Kalawarner and Mittelt took the other loveseat.
'This girl. Why does being near her fill me with such a sense of... longing?' Vali thought, before said girl turned to face him, only to immediately turn away with her face reddening. 'C-C-Calm down! He's probably just thinking about something important to him! He's not staring at me on purpose!' Yukiko thought, trying to get herself to stop blushing, this fact noticed by Mittelt. "Hey, Kala. Guess we've got something to tease Yuki with now, huh?" The blonde Fallen Angel whispered to the blue-haired woman, nudging her. The two began conversing, just as Penemue appeared again, placing a tray full of cups of tea onto the coffee table, to which everyone grabbed a cup. Noticing that there weren't any more open seats, Penemue used her magic to lift Vali out of his seat, earning a spit-take from Yukiko and a look of surprise from Vali, before he went to stand on Yukiko's side of the loveseat. Taking a sip from her cup, Penemue looked at Yukiko with interest. "Your mother told me so many good things about you! But that was then. How are you now, Yuki? You look like life's been treating you well. Who have you been staying with? ...Do you have a boyfriend?" She asked the girl, getting a suppressed chuckle from Azazel. "G-Grandmother!" Yukiko stammered out, before receiving a frown from Penemue. "Don't call me 'Grandmother', Yuki. I'm only a few millenia old. I'm too young to be a grandmother. Just call me by my name." The older woman insisted, before shrugging. "But anyway, what's the problem? You look to be, what, seventeen? By that time I had already found a lover of my own. Wasn't it the same for you, Azazel?" Penemue and Yukiko looked to Azazel for confirmation, who smirked while nodding in agreement, noticing the look of interest on Vali's face.
Finally found something to interest you outside of battle, huh, Vali? Or in this case, someone.' He thought, smirking knowingly. Vali however...
'I can sense a wellspring of power within her, just waiting to be tapped into. When she does master her power, I would like to fight her.' Vali thought as he watched the two females catch up, before deciding this was too boring for him and left. The two women, before being joined by Kalawarner, and eventually Mittelt, talked about a variety of things.
'Huh. Looks like they both needed this.' Azazel thought with a smile.
Occult Research Club: Minutes after Yukiko left
"Brother, did you know Yukiko's appearance was an illusion this whole time?" Rias asked the worried red-haired Devil, who seemed to be deep in thought. With a sigh, he addressed sister "Yes, I did. In fact, I was the one who set the illusion." This information shocked Rias deeply, since it seemed so out of character for her brother. "But Brother, you must have known that such actions would cause something like this to happen, right?" She asked nervously. When Sirzechs didn't respond, she knew his answer. "Brother! Such a huge lack of trust could only make this happen! You must've had a good reason for-"
"I did it to protect her, Rias!" Sirzechs interrupted, quickly silencing his sister. With a sigh, he continued. "...While Yu was younger, her power was incredible. She had such a vast amount of pure Holy energy that she even had me paralyzed. It was because of this that her father and I worked together on a spell specifically for keeping her power dampened until the day she could control it all. But even with our tireless efforts, the spell is still incomplete. There have been moments in the past when her power would... flare out, for lack of a better term. Like when everyone in the manor froze in place."
"That was because of Yu? I thought we were all playing freeze tag!" Rias admitted, blushing due to her misunderstanding. "While I do understand that the last time it happened was when you two were in grade school, to think the whole household staff was involved in a game of freeze tag at the same time is just ridiculous, little sister." Sirzechs said with a sigh. "Anyway, because the spell wasn't finished, due to his passing, I was left with very few options, and even less that I could agree with, rest assured. Just to protect Yukiko when I myself could not, I cast an illusion on her, for if an enemy were to appear they wouldn't recognize her as a familiar figure and attempt to take her away."
"So you did it to protect Yukiko... man, wait 'til she finds out!" Issei said, chuckling to himself. "I mean, what's with you guys and really big misunderstandings? But still, something like this needs to be shared with her, even if it's for a noble reason." Sirzechs then turned to Issei and Asia, before facing his sister once more. "Rias, these two... are they your new servants?" He asked. Rias nodded, a proud smile on her face. "Yes. The young lady is Asia Argento, my [Bishop, while the boy is Issei Hyoudou, my one and only [Pawn]." Sirzechs blinked at the new information. "You mean..." He said, pointing at the pair. "Yes, Asia here wields the Sacred Gear [Twilight Healing], while Issei has the [Boosted Gear]."
With a smile, Sirzechs looked at those two new additions to Rias' Peerage. "Thank you for looking out for my younger sister. My name is Sirzechs Lucifer, it's a pleasure to meet you both, Asia Argento, Sekiryuutei." Hearing his name, both Issei and Asia froze in realization. "N-No, the pleasure is mine, Lord Lucifer!" The blonde Devil returned with a bow. Issei bowed traditionally, sweating bullets. "P-P-Please forgive my rudeness, Lord Lucifer!" The brunette begged, surprised when he heard the Red Satan chuckle.
"Please, you only stated your opinion on your friend's security." The Red Devil said, to Issei's surprise. Issei rose slowly, a nervous smile on his face. "A-Anyway, Lord Lucifer, about wh-what you said earlier, about Yukiko's family..."
Issei's words intrigued Sirzechs, so he listened. "Yes, the Fallen Angel Leader Azazel took her, most likely to someone related to her father." The Red Devil said. Rias shook her head upon hearing this. "That doesn't make sense, Brother. Her father was a Magician, a pure blooded Human, but Azazel took her to meet Penemue, claiming she was her grandmother. So unless we were wrong about Yu's father being Human, Penemue must be her grandmother on-"
"Her mother's side of the family." Sirzechs finished, the appearance of Azazel himself finally making sense. "So if that's the case, that means Yukiko's... half Fallen Angel!?" Issei exclaimed, the pieces fitting together in his head finally. "Right. But the current problem is will Yukiko return, and if she does, will she be the same?" Akeno brought up a good point, which Sirzechs nodded in agreement with. Rias sighed. "Well, I don't think we should worry too much about Yu. She did promise she'd come back, and in time for that, too." She said, mumbling the last part so only her brother could hear, who looked surprised to hear that. "Anyway, it is late, so why don't we all head home for the night."
"Yes, ma'am/Rias!" The Occult Research Club replied in unison, soon locking up the old school building for the night.
Grigori H.Q.: Azazel's Office
Midnight
"How much longer do I have to-" *Yawn* "-stay hooked up to your crazy looking machines, Azazel?" A tired Yukiko asked between yawns, trying to stay awake.
"You're free to go... now." Azazel said as he disconnected Yukiko from the machine. "Tell me, Yukiko... you just met Vali, right? What do you think of him?"
"I think he's not a talkative person, and I really like that." Yukiko answered honestly. Azazel stroked his beard, smirking. "I see... what about his appearance? Is it appealing?"
"Azazel, are you asking if I'm interested in him?" Yukiko asked, her eyebrow raised in suspicion. Azazel raised his arms in submission. "You got me. Honestly I think it would be good for him if he found somebody to spend his time with. He's far too interested in fighting strong opponents."
Yukiko sighed. "Listen, Azazel. I won't lie to you, Vali is attractive, at least to me. But I just got here, and I finally reconnected with my family, my real family. Looking for a relationship is just not on my mind." she explained as she got out of the chair. "Plus, I'm tired and probably haven't been reacting to this nearly as normal as I would otherwise. I'm going to go crash on Penemue's couch. Goodnight." As the younger Fallen Angel began to leave, Azazel spoke up.
"Right. Sleeping arrangements for you have been made, so I'll have one of my assistants lead you to your room while your here." He spoke before hitting a button on his desk. "Hey, Makoto, would you mind coming to my office for a moment? Thank you."
In a matter of minutes, the office door opened, revealing a girl slightly taller than Yukiko, her shoulder length blonde hair up in a ponytail, her eyes a familiar violet. "You called for me, sir?"
Azazel looked hurt. "'Sir'? What happened to calling me 'Dad' or 'Papa', like you normally do?"
"Just because you're my creator doesn't mean I have to call you as such all of the time. Besides, it's inappropriate to do such in a professional situation like this one."
"So true. I'm proud of you, Mako." Azazel said, petting Makoto. "Anyway, yeah, I need you to show Yukiko here to her room. I'd greatly appreciate it." Azazel requested. Makoto faced Yukiko, a large grin on her face. "So you're Penemue's granddaughter. Glad to meet you. My name's Makoto, but you can call me Mako." This made Yukiko grin, before she turned to Azazel. "So what, you hired your daughter when she started putting on her own diapers?" She asked with a yawn. Makoto pouted as Azazel laughed. "Haha, no. Believe me, Yukiko, Mako here is almost double your age." He admitted, making Makoto pout. "Sure. Confess the age of your daughter, you multimillenium year old existence." She countered with a smirk.
"Really?" Yukiko's eyes widened in shock as she looked at Makoto.
Azazel smirked before shoving the pair to the door. "Anyway, you should get some rest. Tomorrow you'll be learning to use your Holy element, courtesy of yours truly." He closed the door to his office, leaving the girls standing in the hall.
Makoto huffed. "He's so rude! That's not how you're supposed to treat a guest, or your daughter, Azazel!" She sighed before facing Yukiko. "Anyway, let's get you to your room. It sounds like you'll really need to rest if he's training you personally." She grabbed the younger girl's hand and began walking away from Azazel's office.
"It's funny. You're almost nothing like Azazel, even though you're related." Makoto giggled, turning around a corner with Yukiko in tow.
"Say, Mako," Yukiko started, gaining Makoto's attention. "I know this may sound rude, but I just have to know. Who is your mother?"
Makoto thought about the question for a while, before looking at Yukiko, smiling faintly.
"That's a difficult question to answer, Yukiko. To start, I wasn't born, like you were. However, Azazel is very much my father."
"Wait, if Azazel is your father, how is it hard to say who your mother is?" Yukiko asked, actually curious. "Unless..."
"You must've just figured it out. I'm actually a clone made from a strand of his DNA." Mako took a deep breath, waiting for Yukiko's response.
"Great. Now we've got someone playing God. Just what the world needed..." Yukiko muttered before sighing. "Anyway, aren't clones supposed to look exactly like who they're cloned from? I mean, you have his eyes, but you're not even the same gender! Someone else had to be involved in making you."
"Pretty and smart. Hard to see why you're not in a relationship yet." Makoto quipped, watching as Yukiko's face reddened. "But you're right, someone else was involved in my creation."
"Who?"
"The seraphim, Gabriel." Makoto admitted, shocking Yukiko. "Your telling me that you're the clone of the 'Most Beautiful Woman in Heaven' and the Governor of Fallen Angels?"
"Yep."
It was then that Yukiko stopped being serious, suddenly laughing loudly. "Sounds like Azazel had a little crush on Gabriel, haha! What, didn't have the nerve to actually ask her out? Pathetic old man!"
Makoto was surprised by Yukiko's sudden outburst, before she, too, began laughing. "Yeah. The big bad Governor couldn't get the girl~!" she teased. The two came to a stop, standing in front of a black door.
"Well, here we are. Your room." Makoto said, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Thanks for showing me the way, Mako. I had fun talking with you." Yukiko said as she opened the door. "I had fun talking with you, too, Yukiko." Makoto returned, before suddenly hugging Yukiko from behind.
"Mako?! Wh-What are you-"
"You know, you're the only person who actually asked me about my mother, Yukiko. It made me feel like you actually cared about getting to know me, instead of making assumptions on my personality based on who my father is. It made me happy, Yukiko, so thanks."
"Y-You're welcome, Mako." Yukiko stammered, surprised by the older girl's sudden confession. Letting her go, Makoto stepped away from Yukiko, smiling. "Now, try to get some rest. You'll need it for the morning. Good night."
"Good night, Mako." Yukiko said, before retreating into her room. Turning on the light, she was surprised by the design of the room: It was a simple modern room, with a black dresser accented by silver handles, and a bed with black and silver sheets and pillows.
"Not bad, Azazel. I like what you've done with my room." Yukiko said to herself as she flopped onto the bed. 'But, really? I don't believe Azazel combined his and Gabriel's DNA in an attempt to clone himself. If that was the case, he wouldn't have used Gabriel's DNA. I feel like he just wanted to have a child with the woman, but was rejected. But I can't say anything until I get proper evidence to back up my claim, which means I'll need to meet with Gabriel sometime. So until then, I'll just get some rest.'
Finally shutting her eyes, Yukiko went to sleep, mentally preparing herself for the morning.
A/N: I'm sorry for the long delay. I've been busy with serious life problems lately, plus rewriting this chapter over, and over, and over... it takes a toll on a person. Anyway, with this chapter, Rias and the ORC learn about why Yukiko didn't look like Rias or Sirzechs, Yukiko meets her mother's side of the family, and Azazel is revealed to have a biological daughter, who will be important later, just a note. Now, thank you for the support! Please leave a review, and be on the lookout for the next chapter! Later~!