Thanks for waiting everyone! This chapter is where the action starts to pick up. Enjoy!

Chapter 4:

Disaster strikes

(ORC clubroom):

A few days had passed since the siblings started taking contracts. Yukina's had been successes, her requests often being to lend an extra hand in either tidying up or cooking. Yaze seemed like he was going to become a regular client for her. On the other hand, Issei had yet to secure an actual contract. It was always the same story too. He'd cycle to the client's location, listen to their request and do what he could. The client would report that they were satisfied and had a lot of fun, but Issei would somehow always forget to receive his compensation and secure the contract.

The brown-haired boy was sat with his shoulders slouched. He was going to attempt another contract right now, covering one of Koneko's since she'd been double booked.

"Okay, you should head off now Issei," instructed Rias.

"Right," he replied, standing up. His features schooled into a determined expression. "I'll definitely complete the contract this time!"

"Good luck Onii-san," Yukina supported. She was sat next to Koneko, who was munching on a chocolate bar.

"Thank you for your assistance senpai," said the snow-haired rook.

He let out a small, appreciative chuckle. "You're welcome." Taking swift, confident strides, he walked over to the door.

(Client's house):

Issei cycled up to the specified location and set his bike against the gate. There was an ominous air about the place, one that sent a shiver up his spine. He entered through the suspiciously open door.

The inside was completely dark except for a small amount of light coming from what he assumed was the living room. While he could still see due to his enhanced eyesight and night vision, it was rather unnerving. There was an odd smell that he couldn't quite place too. He stepped towards the room, the feeling of trepidation increasing the closer he got.

"Hello?" he called upon entering. "I'm here for the request you made to the Gremory household." There was no response. The strange, foreboding smell was a lot stronger in here. Turning around, the brown-haired pawn caught side of something that almost made him bring up the contents of his stomach. Issei resisted the urge, although he couldn't prevent his body from dropping to its knees, nor the impulse to begin dry heaving.

Someone, most likely the client, had been nailed to the wall upside down and brutally murdered. No, it wasn't that simple. The corpse looked as though it had been severely tortured and mutilated. The smell he'd been detecting all this time was the blood that had been splattered and smeared everywhere.

"It's punishment for sinners," remarked a disturbingly cheery voice from the other end of the room. Springing to his feet and spinning around, Issei saw a young man with white hair and insanity filled red eyes. He was garbed in a priest's black robes.

"Did you do this?" the teenage devil demanded. This man was dangerous, he could sense it. There was a warning screaming in the back of his mind just from looking at him.

The strange man gave a sickening grin. "Oh that? Of course. He was guilty of summoning a devil, so I delivered retribution. What do you think, you scumbag devil?"

Issei felt something burning within himself. He summoned his sacred gear onto his left arm. "Not even a devil would go this far!"

The insane priest made an odd face that was part scowl and part confused. "What the hell are you talking about moron? Devils are filthy scum, as are those who summon them. You make a pact with one, you lose your right your live." He took out a gun and what looked like a sword hilt. Moments later, a blade of light emerged from the tip. "So, now that you're here, let's get on to the main event! I, Freed Zellzen, young exorcist prodigy, shall kill you and purge your existence. It's going to hurt a lot at first, but soon you'll love it so much that you'll never want to come back! Now let's begin!"

The crazed exorcist lunged at Issei with his blade of light primed to slash. The brown-haired pawn quickly blocked it using his sacred gear. His instincts were screaming at him to get away from the light. Freed gaze a frenzied smile as he took aim with the gun.

Reacting like lightning, Issei planted his right foot into Freed's gut and kicked him away with all the force he could muster. His opponent was sent back and fell over the sofa. A second later, he clambered back over it with an angry expression.

"Oi, you're meant to stay still and let me kill you!" he barked.

Issei slipped into a loose fighting stance. "Like hell I will you psycho!"

The insane priest's grin grew, to the point where it seemed as though it would split his face. He sprang towards Issei again, brandishing both weapons. "Oooh, I love the tough ones! Let's have some fun devil boy!"

The two entered a bizarre, twisted parody of a dance. They would circle around one another, sending out blows and shots whilst avoiding any from their foe. Issei managed to get a few hits in, most notable of which was nailing the crazy man in the side of the head with a left hook followed by an uppercut to the chin courtesy of his right fist.

Freed retaliated by trying to slash the teen, which Issei blocked using his sacred gear. The psychotic exorcist used his leg to sweep the pervert's feet out from under him. A savage smile plastered on his countenance, he proceeded to quickly shoot Issei in his right shin whilst the latter was trying to get back up. He screamed in agony as the light bullet's holy nature wreaked havoc on his leg.

"Not bad devil boy," Freed praised callously, twirling his gun. "But against a super strong fighter like me, you never stood a chance." He raised his sword up, watching in twisted pleasure as his victim tried moving away to get back up, only managing a painful crouch. "Now, why don't we finish what we started?"

Before either combatant could make a further move, a loud scream of terror rang through the room. Both looked towards the door, seeing a certain blonde nun.

"Asia, thank you for the adorable scream," said Freed with a smile.

"Asia?" Issei blurted out in shock. She immediately turned her gaze in his direction, her eyes widening when they recognised him. "Issei-san? What's going on here?"

"Oh, what's this?" commented Freed excitedly. "You know this lowly devil Asia-chan?"

The girl jolted slightly. "Issei-san… is a devil?" She looked at him somewhat desperately, almost as if pleading for him to deny it.

Instead, Issei dipped his head sadly. "Sorry Asia… it's true."

"Oh this is amazing," remarked Freed sickly. "A holy maiden and lowly devil in forbidden romance? Sorry people, but that's never gonna work out."

The blonde then caught sight of the mutilated corpse on the wall. She screamed again, looking thoroughly horrified and as though she might faint right there and then. "W-what… who?"

Freed's face lit up. "Oh, that's what's left of the scum who tried summoning a devil here. It's his punishment for forsaking his humanity." He fully faced Issei once again. "Alright, let's continue where we left off! On to the blissful void of oblivion for you devil boy!"

Asia suddenly sprinted forward and stood protectively in front of the brown-haired boy, her arms outstretched. "Please stop father Freed, I beg you!" Issei stared at her in astonishment.

The mad exorcist's face shifted to one of irritation. "Oi, what do you think you're doing, you dunce?"

"Please… even if he's a devil, Issei-san is a kind person!" she pleaded in a slightly shaky voice.

"Oi, did you suddenly become a retard?" Freed growled angrily. "He's a devil, an enemy. Get out of my way."

"Please stop! This is wrong! You-"

"Shut up!" the white-haired psycho shouted, smacking Asia in the side of her face with his gun.

The force of the hit knocked the poor girl into the wall, eliciting another whimper of pain from her. Issei gave a wordless, strangled cry at what he'd just witnessed. Freed slashed the front of her clothes open and pinned the frightened girl to the wall by her shoulder. He went on to say how he couldn't kill her due to the fallen angels needing her, but he could have his own twisted fun with her

Issei grit his teeth in frustrated rage. The brown-haired pawn was mentally screaming at his body to move, for his damaged leg to obey him. Asia was hyperventilating, tears threatening to spill from her terrified green orbs. His furious mental screaming drowning out the pain, Issei forced himself to stand. Giving a loud, ferocious battle-cry, he lunged forward with his left fist cocked back.

"Leave her alone you twisted asshole!" he screamed lividly. His target turned his head just in time to be greeted by an armoured fist to the face. Freed gave a startled yelp as he was knocked away and bowled over. Issei's injured leg gave out and he almost fell, however he managed to steady himself against the wall. He tried to stand in front of Asia as protectively as possible given his current state.

"Oi, that really hurt just now you know?" quipped Freed whilst he rose back up. There was now an angry red mark on the side of his face. A small trail of blood was leaking out from his nose, although it wasn't broken. "Forget giving you a quick death, I'm gonna make it absolute hell for you know. I'll slowly cut you up into dozens of pieces!"

A crimson light suddenly glowed throughout the room, drawing everyone's attention to the magic circle. A second later, Yukina, Kiba, Koneko and Akeno appeared. Kiba immediately rushed forth and clashed against Freed with a sword of his own, claiming that they weren't going to let him kill Issei. The vulgar exile went onto a warped tirade about the two males' relationship.

"Onii-san, are you okay?" Yukina asked worriedly as she arrived at his side. She slung his right arm over her shoulders and steadied him.

"Mostly," the elder sibling grimaced. "That nutjob managed to get a shot into my leg. The bullet was made of light."

"Yukina-san?" said Asia, causing the brunette to finally notice her with a fair amount of surprise. "You're a devil as well?"

"Asia-san?" said Yukina in mild bewilderment. "Yes, I am, but what are you doing here?"

"Those creeps are keeping her with them," answered Issei, his face contorting as fresh pain shot up his bleeding leg. "He said that the fallen angels need her for something, that she's important to them somehow. Just before he tried…" He winced as his sister helped him to move towards the magic circle, Rias having also joined them a few moments ago. "Just look at the state of her clothes and I'm sure you can figure it out." Yukina did as he'd suggested, her features quickly morphing into a disgusted scowl aimed at Freed.

"Buchou, we need to leave quickly!" Akeno stated. "I can sense multiple fallen angels approaching!"

Rias nodded in understanding. "Yuto, fall back!"

"Roger!" the knight replied, disengaging from the blade lock and speedily retreating. Koneko threw one of the sofas at Freed before he could give chase, catching the rouge exorcist off guard. He gave a comical "Ouchie!" when it collided into his body and knocked him back.

"Wait!" Issei pleaded. "Please Buchou, bring Asia with us too!" The blonde nun's eyes widened at his request.

"He's right," Yukina backed up. "She's our friend, we can't leave her here with these creeps!"

The crimson-haired heiress shook her head. "I'm sorry, this magic circle only transports devils, and members of my own peerage at that."

Issei wasn't willing to give up. "Please, there has to be some way!"

"Buchou!" Akeno warned urgently.

"Sorry Issei, Yukina, but we're going to have to leave her," Rias stated firmly. "There's no time left. The fallen angels are almost here, and you're our top priority Issei."

Koneko began pushing the siblings from behind, forcing them towards the circle along with the rest of the peerage. Kiba also helped her out, especially when both brother and sister started trying to push away. Asia sent the pair a teary smile.

"Issei-san, Yukina-san, let's meet again soon," she said.

The brown-haired boy reached out towards her futilely. "No, Asia!" There was a flash of red light and the Gremory group vanished.

(ORC clubroom):

"Let me go, I have to help her!" Issei demanded, struggling against Koneko's iron grip. In the rook's other grasp was his younger sister, who was similarly protesting.

"Issei, Yukina, stop," said Rias, approaching the pair. "There's nothing more we could have done for her."

Yukina sent their leader a pleading look. "We can't leave her with them! Who knows what they'll do to her!"

Rias frowned in a reprimanding manner, silencing them. "Tell me, what could you have done? You're injured Issei. Even if you weren't, both you and Yukina are still new to this life and have no actual combat experience against supernatural foes. Do you really think that you could have taken on a group of fallen angels and survived?" She didn't receive a response. Giving a sigh, Rias pulled the pair into a gentle embrace. "I'm not saying this to be cruel you know. The two of you are important to me. I don't want to lose either of you, especially so soon. Please, I know that it's hard and selfish, but you need to forget about that nun." A sombre atmosphere settled over the room as she released them and stepped back. "Issei, Akeno and I will give you some first aid for your leg. I want you to take tomorrow off from school to recover. Yukina, you can stay with him." Her duo of pawns nodded reluctantly.

(Next day: Park):

Issei strained as he did another pull-up on one of the monkey bars. He was taking the day off, just as he'd been ordered to. Yukina was with him too, dressed casually in a full-sleeve shirt and jeans like he was. Initially, they had both stayed at home, but then Issei got antsy and went out. His sister didn't try to stop him, understanding that he couldn't rest properly with Asia on his mind.

The brown-haired teen let go of the bar and sat down, exhaling deeply. A moment later, he grit his teeth and slammed the ground with his fist. Yukina walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

"Damn it!" the elder sibling spat. "Asia's still trapped with those guys, and all I'm doing is messing around in the local park… Why do I have to be so useless?"

Yukina stared at him sympathetically. "Please Onii-san, don't beat yourself up like this. I want to help Asia-san too, but what can we actually do?" She knelt down and hugged him. "Unlike you, I haven't even unlocked my sacred gear."

"Huh, Issei-san and Yukina-san?" said an extremely familiar voice. Both Hyodous whipped their heads around to see none other than Asia. She was standing at the edge of the park, a large suitcase next to her.

"Asia!" Issei exclaimed, quickly springing to his feet and rushing over to her, Yukina right behind him. "Are you alright?"

She gave him a small nod along with a light smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Sorry for making you worry about me before."

Yukina glanced at the luggage. "What are you doing here Asia-san?"

The blonde's eyes averted for a second. "I was given some time off, so I decided to take a look around town." Both siblings detected that this wasn't exactly true, however they didn't press any further. They were just relieved to see her again.

"Well, how about the two of us show you around?" offered Yukina. "I'm sure that Onii-san doesn't mind."

"I'd be happy to," Issei agreed, smiling genuinely.

Asia's face lit up. "I'd like that very much."

(Park pond):

The trio were sat at a bench, taking a small break. They had done all sorts together while showing the blonde nun around. They'd taken her to a fast food joint and helped her to eat her first burger. Had fun at the arcade, where it turned out that Asia was unexpectedly talented at both racing and dancing games, going as far as to set a new high score on the former when teamed with Issei.

On the way out, the brother and sister had caught their friend staring longingly at a stuffed mascot in a crane machine. Despite Asia's protests, Issei had gone ahead and won it on the first try, Yukina explaining how he'd been talented at them ever since his childhood.

Issei's injured leg acted up, sending a shot of pain through his system. The two girls looked at him in concern.

"It's from last night isn't it?" Asia stated.

Issei relaxed his face. "Yeah, from when that creep shot me."

"Can you please let me see it?" the blonde requested.

A short while later, Asia deactivated the healing aura of her sacred gear and stepped back from Issei. Yukina watched her brother as he stood up, made a surprised face and lightly jogged on the spot.

"How does it feel?" Asia inquired.

The brown-haired boy flashed her a grin. "Like nothing ever happened to it."

Yukina smiled at the nun in appreciation. "Thanks a lot Asia. That healing power of your is really amazing."

"You're welcome," the girl replied, although her mood seemed dampened. She sat between the siblings, her head slightly bowed. "Can I… tell you both something?"

At Asia's request, they'd listened to her explain her backstory and how she'd even ended up with the fallen angels in the first place. Needless to say, both were extremely disappointed with the people who had callously branded her a witch and excommunicated her just for healing an injured devil. They made sure to verbally express this too, in addition to consoling and reassuring her. Issei then suggested that they trade numbers, so that they could talk whenever she wanted, declaring that both he and Yukina were her friends.

"It doesn't matter what it is," said Issei, now standing up and facing the seated nun. "Just give either of us a call and we'll come hang out with you. We'll even teach you about Japanese culture so you have an easier time staying here."

"Is this you making a pact with me?" asked Asia in wonder.

"No, it's not," Yukina gently refuted. "This is us making a commitment as your friends. Heck, if things weren't so screwed up or complicated, I'd probably try to get you adopted as my older sister."

The blonde's eyes turned wet with joy. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You're my first friends."

"A friendship between two devils and a holy maiden? It's never going to work out," sneered a cruel voice. The trio shifted their positions to see a mature young woman floating just above the shallow pond's surface. She had a pair of black feathered wings sprouting from her back, generous assets and little to no clothing. A mocking smirk was present on her face.

Issei felt a jolt race through him. "You! You're the one from that night, the one who killed me and Yukina!" He assumed a loose stance with his fists raised. His younger sister joined him at his side, the siblings standing in front of Asia protectively. The fallen angel didn't even acknowledge them, save for a momentary disdainful look.

"Raynare-sama," the nun said fearfully.

"You've caused me a lot of trouble Asia," stated Raynare. "I've been searching a long time for you."

"I'm sorry Issei-san, Yukina-san," Asia apologised. "The truth is, I ran away from the church."

"It's okay Asia, we already knew that," the elder Hyodou revealed, surprising her.

"Yeah, there's no way that such a kind person like you would stay with people like them," Yukina agreed.

Raynare held out her hand. "Asia, why don't you stop this foolishness and come back?"

"No!" Asia rebutted firmly. "I don't want to go back to that place! The things you did to Yuma-san, and what she told me you were planning for me…"

Issei's head whipped back to face her. "You saw Yuma?"

Asia shivered slightly. "She was tied up and very upset. She begged me to run away, to save myself."

Raynare gave a minute growl of irritation. "That annoying girl…"

"What did you do to Yuma-san?" Yukina shouted demandingly.

The enemy fallen angel glared at her in response. "What I do with my sister is none of your business you lowly devil. Both of you get out of my way or I'll kill you, again."

Issei clenched his teeth and summoned his sacred gear. "We'll never hand Asia over to you!"

Raynare took a look at the small gauntlet, then started laughing uncontrollably. The siblings stared at her warily, unsure of what to expect. "That's it? That weak little thing is your sacred gear?"

"What?" said Issei in confusion.

"Listen up moron," Raynare began. "That thing on your arm there is called a Twice Critical, also known as a dragon hand. It temporarily doubles your strength, but that's it. It's one of the weakest sacred gears out there." The brown-haired pawn gazed at his left hand in shock. "And here I was warned that you held something possibly unknown or powerful!" She was openly laughing and mocking him. "How fitting. A weak and pathetic sacred gear for an equally weak and pathetic boy."

"Shut up!" Yukina interrupted angrily. "Stop calling my brother weak!"

The fallen angel ceased her laughing and fixed the pair with a hard look in her violet eyes. "In any case, since you're refusing to hand Asia over, I'll just have to take her by force."

"Like hell you will!" Issei roared as he charged forward, kicking up the water with every step.

The teen cocked his left fist back as he drew closer to her. A cruel sneer on her face, Raynare quickly flew forward to meet him. She dodged his punch by swerving around his side. She attempted to kick him in the lower back, but the brown-haired pawn was able to intercept and block it using his right forearm. He was still pushed back by the force behind it though.

Before the fallen angel could try to attack him again, she hastily dodged a flying kick from the younger half of the Hyodou duo. Immediately after her feet touched the ground, Yukina spun on her heel, her right arm held out for a backhand strike. Raynare flapped her wings, propelling herself back while the small burst of wind buffeted the brown-haired girl. While Yukina was regaining her balance and fixing her stance, Raynare threw a spear in her direction. It hit the water just in front of her feet and exploded, knocking the teen down and kicking up a large amount of liquid.

Raynare didn't get much respite however, since a second later, Issei had rushed towards her again. A call of Boost was heard from his sacred gear. With a furious shout, he punched her across the jaw, then in the gut. His opponent quickly recovered, giving an angry snarl prior to creating a light spear and driving it towards his head.

Issei leaned his neck to the side and avoided a fatal injury, but the construct still grazed his shoulder, making him cry out. Her lips set in a sadistic smile, Raynare banished the light spear and kneed him in the stomach, then grabbed his arm. With a heave, twisted her upper body and hauled him over her shoulder.

The young pervert grunted when he hit the ground. In the next instant, he felt a warm, pleasant sensation envelope his injured shoulder and the majority of his torso. Looking back, he saw a concerned Asia healing him with her sacred gear. He sent her an appreciative smile before returning his focus on Raynare.

The fallen angel had another light spear in her hands. She looked as though she was going to say something. Unfortunately for her, she didn't get the chance. Yukina dashed up to her from behind, raising one of her legs for a spinning kick whilst using the other's heel as a pivot. A white glow suddenly appeared over both her legs just before she struck her foe in the side, eliciting a sharp shout of pain from the black-haired woman and sending her onto the pond's floor a few metres away.

The light around Yukina's legs died down, revealing them to be clad in sleek purple armour from the waist down. The section around her thighs consisted of slightly overlapping segments that somewhat resembled scales. The greaves covering her shins and her armoured shoes were similarly designed, but seemed a tad thicker and stronger. The kneecaps looked like the upper half of a dragon's head, with yellow crystals for the eyes. Two words, a name, came forth from somewhere in the back of Yukina's mind. Sky Strider.

Both brother and sister examined the latter's newly unlocked sacred gear in awe. They were snapped back to reality however when an infuriated Raynare lunged at Yukina, brandishing a new light spear. The brown-haired girl leaped back out of her immediate range. Issei seized the opening, activating his own sacred gear's ability and barrelling ahead in the fallen angel's direction.

A focused look in his doe brown eyes, Issei thrusted his foot into their enemy's spine. He rapidly grabbed a hold of her wings before she was sent too far away from the impact, making her scream in agony at the abrupt tug against her motion. While she was still somewhat restrained, Yukina swiftly ran up to them and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to Raynare's head just as Issei relinquished his hold.

There was something akin to a small burst of pressure when the younger sibling's armoured heel connected, propelling the fallen angel head first towards the shallow pond's bottom. A copious quantity of water surged up in a large splash from the crash. Both teens were panting heavily, wondering and hoping if it finally was over.

Sadly for them, a livid Raynare leaped out in their direction mere seconds later, a wordless scream of unbridled fury leaving her mouth. There was a thin stream of blood trickling down from where she'd been kicked. Issei stepped in front of Yukina defensively. Unfortunately, the violet eyed fallen moved like a blur and grabbed his head almost effortlessly, proceeding to violently throw him to the floor.

Yukina dodged an unannounced stab from an equally sudden light spear, only to feel a hand close around her throat and hoist her into the air. The teenage girl choked for air whilst trying to remove Raynare's hand, she tried to kick the fallen angel, but her foot was deflected effortlessly via the light spear.

"Hold it right there!" Raynare commanded upon seeing Issei get back up and prepare himself. She had her weapon pointed at the younger girl's sternum, over her heart. Satisfied at seeing the boy lower his stance and back down, a victorious smirk manifested on her face. "That's right, stay over there unless you want me to gut your dumb sister like a fish. I'll admit that you both caught me by surprise with your teamwork, but you're nowhere near enough to actually beat me, even with your sacred gears. The last few seconds are proof enough."

"Please, let Yukina-san go!" pleaded Asia, running forth until she was between Raynare and Issei. "I'll… I'll come back. Just don't hurt either of them anymore." A strangled sound of protest escaped Yukina's mouth.

"Very well," said the fallen calmly. She reared back her arm slightly, then hurled the brown-haired teen in her grasp towards her brother. Issei managed to catch her, but was still bowled down. "Come on Asia, don't keep me waiting." The blonde slowly stepped over to her. Raynare took a hold of the nun. "Don't worry. After tonight, all your pain will disappear."

"Asia!" both Hyodous shouted as the pair began to ascend, although Yukina coughed at the end.

The kind hearted girl craned her head to look back at them, tears leaving her eyes. "Goodbye Issei-san, Yukina-san. Thank you for being friends with someone like me."

The siblings watched on helplessly as Raynare flew even higher up into the sky. The woman sent them one last smirk, entirely mocking and full of smugness, before she quickly sped off.

The next chapter will involve the church raid. Some quick info on the basics of Yukina's custom sacred gear:

Name: Sky strider Type: Dragon

Ability/power: Allows the user to run faster and kick harder by channelling their (magic) energy through it.

Please Review and let me know your thoughts!