Disclaimer: I do not speak Japanese, possess a Sacred Gear, own Highschool DxD, nor make profit from any fan-written work based upon or derived from it.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Incantation"
('Albion, mental')
(Albion Speaking)
A companion fic to my main story, Holy Inferno Dragon. As such, only the nine women I've explicitly listed as Issei's harem are married to him.
Future Taking Flight: The Heart Wants
True, Issei was only 30 years old. Comparing that to a devil's longevity or even a dragon's seemingly eternal lifespan, he'd only lived an infinitesimal fraction. Despite that, he'd thought he'd somehow seen everything, experienced everything, ready for what the world had to throw at him.
"I want a boyfriend!"
How he hated the little things that came with fatherhood.
"I said no."
At least Rias would be pleased he'd finally learned to say no to his children.
Robertina stamped her tiny foot on his, accomplishing nothing but making her displeasure known to him. "I want one!"
"You're only three, try again when you're three-hundred. At least. Maybe."
"That's too long! I want one sooner!"
"That's too bad, you don't get one."
Somewhere along the line, Issei had chosen to forget the gender of the boyfriend, already identifying the would-be suitor as an object to rip apart eventually.
"Why don't I?!"
"Because I said so," Issei took a sip of his coffee, wishing it were something stronger, "Also because Daddy will break his legs."
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!"
"Life isn't fair," Issei took another sip of not-liquor. "But this actually is fair. It's not like Ex or Kurenai want girlfriends."
The two boys looked up from the board game they were playing. "No way," Ex groused.
"Cooties. Scientifically proven. Girls are the Root of all Evil." Kurenai rattled off without hesitation.
"Then what do you call our Moms!? Or your sisters!"
"Moms and sisters. Duh."
"It's only fair that if they don't get girlfriends then you don't get a boyfriend." Issei doubted very much that his sons would hold to their convictions, Rias and the others would absolutely try and play matchmaker, not to mention they'd notice the fairer sex at sometime in the next decade. He trusted his sons to make honorable decisions, he'd make the lessons stick with tough love if need be. But he would not trust anyone with his daughters' hearts so easily.
"I HATE YOU!" Robertina scampered off, most likely to complain to her mother. She'd likely get a lecture about how all boys were the same and not worthy of her time, so he didn't bother getting up.
"She's getting louder each time." Ex complained as he rolled his die. "Always upset over something. Why can't she be like Airi?"
"Because Airi wants to be a nun." Whether that desire lasts would remains to be seen, but life in a convent, the father in him approved. "Tina on the other hand knows that a life of a nun means no dresses and very few shoes."
All three males rolled their eyes. Robertina and Helmwige had already completely filled their scale arrays with clothes and shoes, something that baffled the fully-grown Issei as he was nowhere near his own max capacity.
Issei glanced at his watch before sighing. He stood up and with a series of flashes changed his clothes from casual to formal. Changing outfits via scale array had its uses, especially since he was delaying for tonight's event.
As White Dragon Emperor, he had been invited to Kyoto, specifically the Yokai court as a guest for Yasaka's transfer of authority to her daughter, Kunou. Several representatives from the devils would be present of course, but Rias had politely declined given the current state of their family's territory affairs. Politically speaking he didn't care for the event, but Yasaka and Kunou were good friends of the family and he wouldn't hesitate to show his support.
And since he'd be going to Kyoto, the capital for all things Yokai-related, his dates would be Kuroka and Koneko.
He gave himself a once over, just to make sure everything was immaculately in place. Tailored suit, black with a coiled silver dragon over the breast pocket, he stretched, pleased that everything was in order, including his mobility. Xenovia truly had fashion down pat, especially for his preferences.
He turned around and his jaw dropped. Standing in the doorway were the identical sisters, both dressed in similar kimono's that matched their respective hair color and tied with sashes of the inverse shade. Ears out as usual, and with twin tails flicking idly, both women gracefully stepped forward, where upon Kuroka reached forward and closed his jaw with a click.
"Really now, the man of the house can't be so easily overwhelmed," Kuroka teased. "Especially in front of his sons."
The three adults looked down to the boys who were still playing their war game.
Ex looked at their father, who still had a slack jawed expression and snorted as though he was decidedly unimpressed. "Dad's an idiot."
"Weak to women." Kurenai agreed without even looking. "If liking girls makes men idiots, count me out."
"Hush you," Koneko smirked. "Give it time."
The boys looked at each other. "Never." Both then spat upon their right palms and shook hands in a solemn vow.
Issei couldn't help but sigh once more. His eldest sons were idiots, giving this much blackmail to the sisters, the ones most likely to remember and tease them with once they grew older.
But that wasn't his problem or his concern. At the moment, he had two beautiful women expecting him to take them to a party. Holding his arms out, the Nekoshou attached themselves, Kuroka on his left and Koneko on his right. The elder sister made a swiping motion with her free hand, a magic circle appearing, conveniently overcharged using her Senjutsu so as to spare the dragon any irritation. Without hesitation, the trio entered and departed.
Ceremonies of this caliber were always and always will be, highly ostentatious. Issei found it rather tiring, but that was no surprise. However, years of coaching from every woman he had married had accustomed him to polite and formal decorum at events such as this.
And so he mingled, making small talk with various guests and court members as they approached him. For good historical reason, people were usually intimidated or even terrified when approached by a dragon. While most people in the supernatural know-how behaved or tried to behave normally, only to fail, Yokai were, like most Japanese, highly respectful people and approached him first. Perhaps they were put at ease by the women at his side and that he was away from his home and less territorial. But either way, he conversed with input from both wives, about current events, Yokai politics, and speculation on Kunou's upcoming reign.
Issei finished up with one conversation with a rather squat kappa, only to find a pair of arms wrapped around his neck and a light weight upon his back. "You came!"
Ah, what a relief. The only Yokai who at an event like this would still act casually with everyone. "Of course I did," he bent his knees slightly so the young woman could stand without falling. "You hurt me so, Kunou-chan."
It had taken time for him to gain control of his Silver Tongue, and being able to hear and consciously use specific honorifics had been a pleasant experience. Even necessary, considering Kunou.
Years previously, when Issei had saved Yasaka from the Khaos Brigade, Kunou had gained a not-so-hidden crush on him when she was eleven. She certainly wasn't eleven anymore, no longer acting like a proper imperial princess and over the years, and despite knowing about dragons and their bonding process, she had flirted with him repeatedly, outright seduction in some cases. The only thing she hadn't tried yet was strip naked and jump into his lap, and for that he was grateful. Issei saw her as a little sister only, and while he acknowledged she was beautiful, he had turned her down for that reason and also that he would remain faithful to the select women in his life.
Kunou darted around Koneko, bouncing with delight. The shrine outfit she wore had changed over time, looking at it now… looking at her now, it was easy to see the same childish Kunou but at the same time so hard to see the same childish Kunou.
She bowed, greeting them formally. "It's good to see you all, Issei, Kuroka, Shirone."
Kunou was one of the few outside the family that Koneko allowed to use her real name.
"And you as well," the white cat smiled. "You seem excited, princess."
"Ready for the throne?" Kuroka asked, tails flicking and ears swiveling forward in anticipation.
Kunou's nine tails swished back and forth and her own ears dropped slightly. "If anything I'm a bit nervous," she admitted. "Okaa-sama ruled for three centuries and she was the best. I've heard the lectures," she glared at Issei, who hadn't actually been about to point out she didn't need to live up to anyone's expectations. "I don't need anyone to tell me how to and not to live to her standards, but it still is a big responsibility. That, and I'm going to miss some freedoms."
A significant downside of being the Kyuubi connected to the key leylines in Kyoto, for her to manage them, just like Yasaka, Kunou wouldn't actually be able to leave once the connection was made and would need to remain in Kyoto until another Kyuubi took her place.
"My condolences, I can understand the frustrations of being caged to one place." Issei was quite sympathetic. "But it won't be all bad, I'm sure."
"True, true. But right now I'm only seeing the little picture." Kunou looked down to her feet, licking her left back and forth nervously. Koneko and Kuroka got the message and gave their excuses, conveniently seeing another familiar monarch in the crowd. Before they left however, both women kissed his cheeks, flaunting that privilege before leaving.
"Shall we, princess," Issei gave his arm out, but his stance was more rigid and formal than before. Kunou notified and frowned but took his arm anyway as they strolled to the balcony outside for some measure of privacy.
She snagged a saucer from a passing attendant, downing the drink quickly. "Issei, I-"
"Don't." Issei was quick to prevent her saying something either of them would regret.
But like many women he knew, she was stubborn. "Will you really turn me away? This night, the last where my life belongs only to me?"
"Kunou, we both know I won't give you what you want. And I won't apologize for it."
The princess sighed, glaring up at the full moon in the dark sky. "If only I had been five years older…"
"Your age was never the issue, nor the timing at which we met." Issei's voice was unwaveringly firm. "Perhaps in a different life, but not in this one."
"I'm aware," she bitterly snarled. "You promised yourself to those lucky few who hold a place in your heart. Locking me out before I even had a chance."
"Kunou-sama," and this time she started at the intentional honorific, a formality he hadn't often observed. "You're not asking me for one night. You're asking for me to end the man I wish to be and indulge the beast I sometimes am. It wouldn't be what you really want, it'd be nothing more than a lie."
"Is that so wrong!? I'm not asking you to cut the others and your children from your life, I'd never ask that of you. I only want for you to love me too!"
"To me it is. This is your night, your life, hime. But my life ceased to be solely mine years ago. And to protect and care for those I share it with, my answer for you will always be the same."
Kunou turned her gaze to him. Her expression was blank, stoic, but the tell was in her flattened ears and writhing tails. "Damn you, Issei."
"I am sorry. Not for remaining true to myself, but for not warding this off sooner." Issei bowed, a genuine thing and not the prideful mockery he was known for, causing her to gasp and several murmurs from inside to cease in surprise. "To me, you were always the little sister I never had. And I couldn't see you wanted more from me because of it. That is my fault. But I'm telling you now, there won't be any happiness for you if you keep pursuing me in this way."
There were tears in her eyes now. "Issei…" She gasped when he hugged her.
"You're still the same Kunou I care for." He smiled kindly. "She's grown up a bit, but she's still the one who had the courage to sucker-punch a dragon in a desperate search for her mother." That earned him another light slap to the shoulder, though there was no real malice in it. "You'll always be my little sister. And all my family have their place in my heart. I only hope you can understand."
"I… I…Issei..." Kunou tore herself from his embrace and fled.
The dragon didn't watch her leave. Instead, he looked up to the same moon and wondered.
"You seem to have upset her. All her effort, for nothing."
"I don't play with hearts, to me they are terribly fragile but the most precious treasure." Issei looked to the roof, next to the outcropped balcony where a Yokai lay. "Lady Yasaka. You've escaped from your guard again."
"This isn't my party," the older Kyuubi waved away, taking a drink from her cup. "And though the court and your wives have such interesting stories, all I'm doing is retiring."
"Rumor is you'll still be helping her rule for the first decade or two."
"Isn't it a parent's duty to support their children until they've grown." Yasaka elegantly stood and hopped onto the balcony. Dressed in an identical shrine outfit to her daughter, the only difference between them was the 'matured beauty' look she had. That, and the few grey strands in her tails, if one had the keen eye to notice them.
Issei thought to his one-sided argument with Robertina. "It is, especially when they've been a tad foolish."
"Now now, you know she is no fool. But she did dream and hope for more. You can't fault her for that."
"No, I can't." The dragon took the offered saucer and drank. The cool liquid wouldn't do much for him, save for taste. "Like I told her, the fault here was mine."
"Not entirely yours." Yasaka reached to place one hand firmly upon his shoulder. "I was the one who asked for you to watch over her and take care of her in Kuoh. I asked for you and your group to be her guardians and you did that splendidly."
"You wouldn't guess that from tonight."
"You were the only trustworthy man in her life that didn't treat her merely as a child or royalty but as a person. I should have realized she'd fall for you." Yasaka waved away his deprecation. "You're a young father, so you're forgiven for not knowing what happens when daughters and romance are involved. She won't hate you for tonight. But she will need some time, having hopes and dreams dispelled with honest truth is sometime hard to take."
Issei winced at that light jab at the meaning of his name.
"A part of her will still always love you in that way I suppose," Yasaka looked to the moon as well. "But I suppose that's to be expected. Children often still have much growing up to do." She frowned as they detected four armored beings behind them. "I suppose our time together is over."
"You really don't think she'll hate me?"
"She'll be upset, but I don't believe so. Daughters rarely do hold true hate for their truly loving family." With that, the current monarch departed, accompanied by her guards and leaving Issei alone.
It took a few moments before he realized that she may not have been talking solely about Kunou.
"Damn foxes," he chuckled. "Sticking their noses into things that don't concern them."
Some hours later after the coronation, the trio returned to Kuoh, though this time they flew. Landing on the roof of their home, Kuroka and Koneko exchanged smiles before pulling on their obi and shrugging their kimono off, leaving them on the floor. Wearing nothing but sandals and eager smiles, the cats sauntered off with inviting looks.
He was highly tempted to chase after them immediately. This was a game between them that he didn't mind losing, but before he raced them to the bed, he made one stop.
Instead, he entered through the same entrance but didn't turn to their quarters, instead moving to his daughters' room. Quietly entering, he saw they were nearly all asleep.
He stepped lightly, breath withheld. They wouldn't know he was here unless they were awake and even then only if he wished for them to notice.
The curtains to her four-poster bed were pulled shut, but there was a dim light from the gaps that told him Robertina was still awake. He peeked in and found that Robertina was reading with a flashlight. Not the same short novels Airi would, but a picture book Ravel had given to her, of princesses and dragons. And knights.
"You should be asleep."
"Gah!" The little girl jumped in surprise, he covered her mouth so as to not wake the others. "Papa! You scared me!"
"And if you don't get your rest, your mothers will scare us both," he sat down on the bed, picking up the book. "I suppose this is why you asked for a boyfriend."
"I wanna Knight!" She declared, hands on her tiny hips where she stood. "They're the best boyfriends ever!"
"And didn't I say three hundred years?" He mused as he held the covers back for her to crawl under.
"Don't wanna wait, want one now." She grumpily turned away.
"You'll make papa sad though," Issei frowned. "You want to grow up so fast, but then I won't get to hold you as a knight takes my little bird away."
Robertina pouted but looked back up to him. "Fine, I'll wait a little. But only a little!"
"Thank you, sweetheart." He kissed her forehead before turning off the flashlight. "Now go to sleep, and dream of those princesses and dragons."
He would not mention Knights.
He waited for her breathing to slow and for her to truly sleep until he left, stealthily leaving the room and shutting the door behind him. He himself was sleepy, though he perked up when he remembered he was keeping two women waiting. He then tore through the hallways, intent on what came next. His thoughts of love rejected and boyfriends fell away though one was prominent before fading too.
'Eh, maybe only thirty years.'
Game of Thrones
Fate/Apocrypha
My Hero Academia
Attack on Titan
Seven Deadly Sins
Twin Star Exorcists
Prey
Every Marvel movie released this summer
Work
Wonder Woman
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans
Re-binge of Lord of the Rings: Extended versions
School
Life
Making progress on HIDragon, slowly but surely, but my time and wallet are torn apart by temptation. god help me.
