God Hunters
Chapter 2: The Dragon Awakens

A/N:

Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in this story. I am usually not going to be publishing chapters so quickly, but I felt like the first chapter was more of an introductory one, so this chapter should be more of an establishing arc story. If you have a favorite character from the original series that hasn't made an appearance yet, fear not, as I have plans to introduce them later on in the story in hopefully new and exciting ways. If you guys are interested in character descriptions, especially OC ones, or if you are confused about some terms, I might add that information at the end of the chapters. Let me know in the reviews section if you guys think if it is a good idea or not. As always, reviews and comments are always welcome. Thanks for reading, following and favoriting.

The fire was warm. It held very little light, but the embers gave off enough heat for it to be comfortable enough for the swordsman. He listened to the remaining sticks of wood crackle and hiss, for him the night was so full of music, it was like listening to an entire symphony playing just for him. He let out a yawn and scratched his back as he lay out in front of his dying campfire, arm propping up his head. Just as he was about to doze off, the forest went quiet. It was a deathly silence, no rustling of trees or chirping of crickets. Only the ominous thud of heavy footfalls on the ground. The swordsman lazily opened one of his eyes to see a swarm of demons blacker than darkness standing before him.

"Can this wait till morning?" he asked them to which one of the largest slammed its foot down smothering the campfire. The swordsman was about to sit up but another demon took a swing at him with an ethereal sword, which would have cleaved him in two.

"I guess not," said the swordsman who had dodged the strike. He held up a hand to stifle his yawn but seemed in no hurry to wake up.

"You folks should go back to bed," said the swordsman cleaning his ear.

A demon charged at him with a spear which the swordsman easily dodged its onslaught of jabs but miss-stepped and tripped over a tree root allowing the spear to slice a hole in his yukata.

"Well that's rude," said the swordsman inspecting the hole.

After dusting himself off he shuffled his feet over to his pack and produced a rusted old naginata, a long glaive like weapon, and charged into the swarm of demons who snarled at him.

After a flurry of strikes the swordsman stood alone the demons disappeared one by one. Fading back into the shadows.

"Is it over already?" he asked the night which had resumed its orchestra of sounds. "Out of wood already. Guess its going to be cold night again."

The swordsman replaced the naginata back into his pack and found the most comfortable patch of dirt to sleep on.

Issei rubbed his chin in thought. "So this club is actually a front?"

Rias nodded her head as she leaned back in her chair behind the desk. "We are part of an organization known as God Hunters."

"Recruits," corrected Koneko as she put another chip into her mouth.

"Yes," sighed Rias. "We are recruits of the organization known as God Hunters."

"And what exactly do they do?" asked Issei. "Hunt gods?"

"People go about their daily lives believing things of the supernatural to be myth or legends," said Rias. "It is our duty to make sure that they keep believing that. Removing anything that would interfere with this routine."

"Even gods?" asked Issei.

"Especially gods," said Rias.

"But how do you kill a god I wonder," thought Issei out loud.

"Sacred Gear," said Koneko munching on another chip.

"But I thought Sacred Gears are things given to us by God?" asked Issei who seemed to be getting more and more confused.

"They are, but some have the ability to kill a god," said Akeno.

"But what can kill a god besides a god? It sounds impossible," said Issei jumping to his feet in frustration.

"Lance of Longinus," said Kiba closing his book.

"What?"

"The weapon said to be coated with the blood of God himself. That which pierced his chest on the cross," said Kiba walking over to him and put a bible in his hands.

"Such a thing exists?" asked Issei.

"You didn't believe magic and spirit foxes existed until a few moments ago," said Saori who had now poked her head into the room. Her hair was still dripping wet from the shower.

"You have a shower in here?" asked Issei.

"Why not?" asked Rias. "I like to keep clean. And I don't mind if other members of the club use it."

"Thank you senpai," said Saori smiling back at her but quickly hid from view as she could feel Issei's eyes wander over to the towel wrapped around her body.

"Ahem." Rias cleared her throat. "As I was saying, we believe that you are in possession of one of these powerful Sacred Gears."

"You think I have the Lance of Longinus inside of me?"

"No," said Rias getting up from her chair. "You don't feel like you have something so holy in you." She put his hand up to her chest again. "It feels older."

He couldn't believe that she was letting him touch her there.

"Akeno, could you draw out its power?" asked Rias.

"Of course," she said hugging him from behind.

Issei's mind went to a dark place. He thought that she felt much larger than Rias.

"Just relax," cooed Akeno into his ear. "And let me do all the work."

She rested her chin on his shoulder and drew his left arm up to her mouth. Issei thought he was in ecstasy. He began to blush furiously as he could feel her tongue wrap around each individual finger. His entire body began to warm up. Was Akeno sucking on his fingers turning him on that much. No. Something deep within him was waking up. Suddenly he pushed himself away as his entire left hand began to burn.

"What's going on?" asked Issei. "It feels like my arm is on fire."

"Did you draw too much of it out at once?" demanded Rias.

"No, I only drew a fraction of its power out."

Everything around him was growing fuzzy. All sounds became muffled as if someone had just put him in a plastic bubble before turning pitch black.

When Issei opened his eyes he looked around to the darkness. He looked around for the others, he was all alone. A tingling sensation on the back of his neck told him otherwise. He spun around to see himself standing before a giant pair of red eyes.

"So we finally meet, boy," said a booming voice in his head.

"Who are you?"

"I'm the thing that's inside of you."

"So you're the Sacred Gear?"

"Yes and no. I am bound to the sacred gear, but I am not the gear itself. If you call, I will answer, boy."

"What are you?'

It paused for a moment contemplating the question. "I was once a ruler of the world where you come from. But now I am no more a ruler of this world than its prisoner."

"So are you a god?"

The thing snorted sending forth a blast of hot air, nearly scorching Issei alive. "No."

"Where am I? Is this a dream? Why did you bring me here?"

"Here? I thought it was you that called me here."

"What do you want of me?" asked Issei who felt very uneasy about talking to this thing before him.

It laughed at him. "You're a funny one. That's a question that I should be asking you."

"What?"

"The next time we meet, you had best come up with a good answer or else."

"An answer? Or else what?"

The thing stretched out its long wings and fully extended itself. Even in the darkness, Issei could make out its dark silhouette. It was a towering western dragon standing before him, its scales seemed to give off a crimson glow in the darkness. It quickly shot its head forward snapping its jaws at him, its yellow teeth larger than himself.

"Or else I'm going to eat you."

Issei shot up. What the hell kind of nightmare was that? Issei looked around him to find himself back in bed. Was that all just some kind of dream? Saori, Rias and the others just a part of a dream that he had. It felt much too real to be just a dream. He turned around to look at his alarm clock which was about to go off. He groaned having woken up before his alarm clock as if precious sleep had been lost.

He threw his covers off but quickly covered up again having realized that he was naked. When do I sleep naked? he thought to himself. He looked around his bed to look for his underwear and tried to remember what happened last night. The door opened to reveal a sleepy Saori rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Good morning," she yawned.

"What are you doing wearing my shirt?" asked Issei nearly tumbling out of bed realizing that she was probably wearing nothing but his shirt on.

"I didn't have any change of clothes so I had to borrow one," said Saori blinking at him sleepily. "Did you want it back?"

"No! No!" cried Issei shielding his eyes as she was about to pull it off.

"Good," said Saori with a smile and climbed into bed with him.

"What are you doing?" he asked her as she wrapped her legs around him like a body pillow.

"I'm going back to sleep with Ise," she said. "Why?"

"I mean what are you doing in my house?" he asked.

"After Rias-senpai brought you home," said Saori who was falling back asleep. "She said to stay with you because I don't have anywhere else to go."

"Stay… with me?" asked Issei. "Where did you sleep?"

"With you," she mumbled into his sheets. "Slept with you... all night."

"Does that mean-. You don't mean-." stuttered Issei.

"Idiot," mumbled Saori before falling fast asleep.

He could hear several footsteps thundering up the stairs. His mom was on her way to his room to find a girl asleep in his bed.

"Ise, are you still in bed?" called his mom.

"I'm up! I'm up! Don't come in!"

"You're in high school now, you shouldn't have to rely on your mother to wake you up all the time. Honestly."

The door knob turned. Issei did the only thing he could, he flung the covers back over him, hiding Saori from view. The moment the door flung open.

"I knew it! Still in bed!"

"I've been up."

"Doing what? Are you dressed for school yet?" She marched over to his bed and yanked off the covers.

She screamed.

"Oka-san!" called up his father. "What happened?"

"He's... He's..." she stammered.

I am going to get it now. Thought Issei looking over at Saori who was still wrapped around him. She blinked lazily up at his mother.

"He's what?" called his father from downstairs.

"He's sleeping naked!"

"Oh. Kids now days."

Can she really not see her? He thought. He looked over to his computer screen to see the reflection of himself lying there naked but no girl next to him at all.

His mother quickly spun around but continued to lecture him. "Hurry up and get dressed. Breakfast is already on the table."

"Good morning," called Saori from the hallway.

"Good morning Saori," called his mother. "Don't come in here." His mother glanced over her shoulder to glare at him. "Honestly. Sleeping naked the night your cousin starts living with us. What is wrong with you?"

Issei was at a loss for words as he saw Saori standing at the threshold already dressed for school. He looked over to his side to see the other Saori still sleeping next to him. What is going on?

His mother quickly left the room pushing Saori past his room and down the stairs. All the while continuing to complain about indecent things.

"I ask for a daughter and you give me a son. This is all your fault!" Issei could here his mother complaining to his father.

After the commotion had died down, Issei turned his attention back to Saori. He managed to pull his arm out of her grasp and fell out of bed. Finally waking she rubbed her eyes and looked down at him who quickly shielded his nakedness.

"Is it time to wake up already?"

"What did you do?" he asked digging out a fresh pair of underwear from his dresser.

"Oh I used a little bit of magic. I thought it would be trouble if your mother saw us sleeping together."

"Why do my parents think that you are my cousin?"

She stretched out her body much like how a cat or dog would after waking up. "Rias, altered their memories while they were sleeping."

"Oh I see," as he pulled his shirt over his head. "Aren't you going to get ready?"

"I am ready," said Saori crawling around the bed in a circle before curling up into a ball on his bed, wrapping her tail around her body.

"You're sending your double?" asked Issei finally pulling on his school jacket.

"I need to get a lot of rest, it took a lot out of me to heal your wounds."

"Heal my wounds? What happened yesterday?"

"You're going to be late," she said pointing over at the clock without so much as lifting her head.

"Oh crap." He quickly dashed downstairs and hurriedly piled the breakfast into his mouth while listening to the lectures from his parents about living with a girl.

On the walk to school Issei couldn't help but keep looking over at the girl walking next to him. "What's wrong?" she asked him. "Is there something on my face?"

"Are you really Saori?"

She smiled back at him. "Oh is that it? I am a copy of Saori but continue to treat me as if I am she." She took his arm.

The walk to school was uneasy. He could feel the eyes of everyone staring at him, making him uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" Saori asked him.

"If we are supposed to be cousins, you shouldn't be hanging off my arm like that?"

"But isn't that what cousins do?"

"People are going to think we are going out or something."

"Oh. Well I don't mind," she said cheerfully.

Issei felt like this day couldn't get any worse. But as the day progressed, word had spread about Issei's supposed cousin transferring to their school. Unsurprisingly she had become extremely popular with the girls and boys because of her cute looks and cheerful nature. Everyone would have thought this was something out of a dating game or something if they hadn't seen her with their own eyes. She had quickly become one of the most popular girls in their class. After telling the entire class she was living with him, the entire school seemed to be in an uproar. Feeling like they should look over her, the girls gave her pointers about keeping her room locked or checking to make sure Issei didn't do any perverted things to her. And the boys decided to either glare at him or strangle him out of jealousy.

Issei couldn't believe that the day was finally over. He retreated to the only sanctuary he knew of on campus, the club room. He plopped himself in the nearest open seat and stared up at the ceiling. Aside from the faint tapping of keys from Gasper's corner, he could hear the faint sound of the shower running. He began to imagine walking in on the president during her daily showers at school. He carefully tip toed over but was met with Koneko standing guard.

"Pervert," she said punching her fist into her open hand.

"Uh no I thought I saw a fly. Just now," said Issei quickly retreating. He could just imagine what would happen to him if he dared get any closer.

He plopped himself down on a sofa across from Kiba who was reading a different book this time.

"Ise-kun," said a voice from behind him. Before he could react Saori jumped over him and landed on his lap causing him to double over.

"Looks like fun," said Akeno smiling down at him.

Before he could imagine having such a beautiful woman in his lap, Saori pulled his ear hard.

"Ow," he said massaging it while watching her climb off his lap and onto the sofa next to him. "What was that for?"

"You were thinking perverted thoughts," said Saori pouting at him.

"I was not!"

"You were going to!"

"No I wasn't!"

"I can read minds! Idiot!"

"Bingo!" yelled Gasper from his corner.

"Huh?" asked Issei trying push Saori off of him as she had begun to pull his cheeks.

"You found one?" asked Rias walking into the room. Her hair still wet from the shower.

He nodded his head.

"I forgot he was even here," said Issei.

"He?" asked Saori pointing at Gasper.

"She is actually a he," said Issei. "He doesn't seem to leave the club room much and just stares at the computer screen."

"What does he do?" asked Saori.

"Um… actually I am not sure what he does," said Issei thinking about it.

"Gaspar is in charge of monitoring spiritual energy," said Rias wrapping her arms around Issei from behind. "It is how we were able to keep track of you and Saori."

"Oh," said Issei who seemed to be more preoccupied with the smell of her wet hair.

"Gasper, if you would," said Rias sitting down at her desk while the others gathered around.

But Gasper had quickly closed the flaps of his box which was now shaking very violently. Koneko picked up his box and placed it on the desk. He poked out a small projector from a hole and projected an image on the whiteboard.

"This… is… where…" he nervously said. With every word his box began to shake more and more violently.

"What's wrong?" asked Saori.

"He's scared of people," said Rias patting his box gently. "Especially in groups."

Koneko began to shake the box violently which caused the boy inside to scream. "Out," she said in her monotonous voice.

"Stop that!" yelled Issei. "That isn't helping!"

"Are you alright?" asked Saori putting her head next to the carry handle of the box. "You don't like people huh? Is it okay if I put a little friend in there to keep you company? Don't worry, she doesn't bite."

Everyone watched as Saori pulled out a strand of hair which turned into a little fox in her hands. She carefully opened the flaps of the box and placed the tiny fox inside.

"Cute!" yelled Gasper from inside his box.

From within the box they could hear laughter followed by the fox's yips. It wasn't long before a tiny fox poked its head up followed cautiously by the boy whose head she was sitting on.

"It looks like she likes you," said Saori beaming at them.

"Thank you," said Gasper, no louder than a whisper. The fox yipped happily.

"Are you ready Gasper?" asked Rias calmly to him.

He looked up at the fox on his head who looked back down at him. He took a deep breath and continued with his presentation. Although it was very soft, it was better than listening to him struggle to get a single word out.

"There has been a spike in demonic activity in the last hour," he said showing a map of the town. Using several chibi characters, he marked the location of demons just outside of town in the forest. "It was followed by a huge spike of spiritual energy that eliminated the demonic activity." A chibi ghost appeared near the demon group. The ghost approached the demons, had a slap fight with them causing the demons to disappear. "It lasted for all of 30.15 seconds and disappeared."

"Has there been any other activity since?" asked Rias.

"None," said Gasper who was now hugging the fox, hiding half of his face. He looked over to Saori and held up the fox for her to take back.

"I think she would rather stay with you," she said smiling back at him. The fox yipped in agreement.

"Thank you," said Gasper hugging the fox which was now licking his face.

"Thank you Gasper," said Rias patting him on the head. "You can go back to your box now."

He nodded his head and let Koneko carry him back to his corner.

"Thank you Saori," said Rias. "I have never heard Gasper say so much before."

"No, no, it was nothing," said Saori feeling embarrassed. She looked over to Issei who smiled brightly at her, making her blush even more.

"President, are we going to investigate?" asked Kiba.

Rias thought for a moment. "I doubt that source of spiritual energy will still be there, but it won't hurt to have a look."

"Alright!" said Issei pumping his fist at his first mission. He made his way towards the door.

"Where are you going?" asked Rias.

"Huh? Aren't we going to go have a look?" He asked. Rias and the others waited in a corner of the room which now seemed to be glowing red. He blinked several times and noticed the large ruin traced on the floor. Was that always there?

"Magic circle," said Koneko putting a lollipop in her mouth.

He walked over and stood next to Rias who took his hand. "Try not to move," she said with a smile.

As soon as her words had left her mouth Issei could feel himself getting pulled away from the ground. Before he had time to scream he felt his feet slam into the ground buckling his knees. He looked up at Rias who was still standing straight, she was stronger than she looked.

"Spread out and search for clues," she told the others.

Issei found himself not in the club room but in the middle of the forest surrounded by trees. Even though it seemed like any other night, something about it felt eerie and unwelcoming. An unnatural mist seemed to be coming from somewhere.

"Ise, stay close to me," she whispered in his ear not letting go of his hand.

"Right," he replied.

Even though he was scared Rias seemed unnerved by the darkness. It was pitch black, he wondered how anyone could see anything more than ten feet in front of him. But the others seemed to be moving perfectly fine, as if it were as bright as day to them.

"Over here," called out Kiba from somewhere in the darkness.

He felt himself lead by Rias who seemed to know exactly where he was. After a brief walk, he and the others found themselves around an extinguished camp fire. It looked like it had just been extinguished no more than a few moments ago.

"The coals are still warm," said Kiba his hand hovering over them. "Looks like whoever it was left in a hurry."

"Their tracks lead that way," said Saori who now had her fox ears and tail. "It smells human."

In a flash Koneko lunged at Issei, her fist just missing his face by a hair. He turned around to see a kunai made up of light in her fist. It glowed brightly for a moment before fizzling out in her hand, turning to ash.

"God Hunter pups should keep their noses out if they know what's good for them, yo," said a man in the forest.

"Show yourself," demanded Rias.

"That was a warning, the next one is for real, yo."

"I am Rias Gremory," said Rias stepping forward. "This place is under my jurisdiction and I demand that you show yourself at once."

"What strong words for such a pretty face, yo," said the man who seemed be coming from behind them now.

A lanky man stepped out of the shadows and into what little moonlight there was peering through the trees. He had on jeans with a chain around his waist, black leather jacket over his bare scared chest with a collar around his neck with several links of chain. He ran his fingers through his black spiked greasy hair.

"Where are my manners," said the man with a devilish grin. "Name is Andras, yo."

"What business do you have here?" asked Rias.

"Same as you," said Andras bending over the extinguished campfire. "Looking for the fellow who left this. Now run along before I have to call your parents, yo."

But Rias held her ground. "Little birds should be careful or else they get their little wings clipped."

The man grinned up at her. He slowly stood up to his full height, which towered over everyone. He spread out a pair of black wings which Issei hadn't noticed before. His wings ominously swallowed up the moonlight making everything darker.

"Run along, it is past your bedtime," said the man folding up his wings again till they disappeared on his back. "We'll play again sometime, yo."

He put his hands in his pockets and walked off until he disappeared into the night.

"What was that all about?" asked Issei.

"He's a fallen angel," whispered Rias whose eyes were scanning the trees. "How many?"

"Too many," said Akeno who was also scanning the trees.

Issei wanted to ask more questions but thought better of it and looked to the trees as well. He didn't know what he was looking for, but he was sure he would know when he saw it. Jumping from limb to limb, he saw them, black shadows with glowing red eyes. Demons.

All at once they jumped for the trees and began to attack them. Kiba drew his sword and jumped high in the air cutting down as many as he could before the landed on the ground. Koneko blocked a punch of a large demon with her arms, causing a small crater to form in the process. She quickly grabbed it and tossed it back into the oncoming horde, taking out a few as it went flying through the air. Akeno began tracing ruins in the air summoning lightning strikes from the cloudless sky. Saori pulled several strands of hair and tossed them into the air turning them into copies of herself. Each throwing balls of magic fire or striking at demons with her claws.

Rias had her arms folded across her chest and calmly watched them fight the demons. Issei took a step forward wanting to help, but she held him back. He had never felt more helpless or useless in his life. Several demons tried to sneak up behind Rias but they quickly disappeared in red flame. Issei didn't even see her move.

"Can't we do something?" asked Issei feeling frustrated.

"They can take care of themselves," said Rias watching the fight. "We have to wait for their leader to appear."

"Their leader?" asked Issei watching Kiba cut a demon in two.

"It is usually the last to appear," said Rias.

She spun around seeing a massive demon twice as tall as they were swing a huge club. Issei shielded himself with his arms but realized that the club had stopped a few feet above him. Some kind of magical barrier was protecting himself and Rias from harm. The demon staggered back for a moment before swinging its club again, this time the barrier had cracked.

"Move!" cried Rias trying to push Issei out of the way. But the demon had quickly swung its club catching Issei in the chest sending him flying into a nearby tree.

"Issei!" he heard Rias call out to him before fading into blackness.

He slowly opened his eyes the pain in his body was gone. The air all around him felt warm, it was quite soothing. He slowly picked himself up and found himself alone in the darkness.

"President! Saori!" he called out to them. But there was no response. He was all alone.

"So we meet again boy," said a familiar rumbling voice.

"Its you," said Issei turning around to find himself face to face with the red dragon again.

"Have you an answer for me?"

Issei though for a moment looking down at his own two hands which he had formed fists. "I want-." he began arms shaking now.

"What?"

"I want to protect…"

"You want to protect what, boy? You're friends? You can't even protect yourself."

Without even thinking he swung his left fist forward throwing a jab at the dragon. He knew it wasn't going to do much good, but he figured it would make him feel better. He missed and fell over face first to the ground.

"You have to do better than that, boy," taunted the dragon. "How can you be a protector when you can't even fight."

"I am going to protect everyone!" Issei screamed at the dragon. He jumped back up to his feet, feeling more pissed off than before. He tightened his fist even more this time throwing a wild haymaker. His fist connected with the tip of the dragon's nose. His entire arm began to burn, it felt like it was thrust into furnace. He fell to his knees screaming in pain.

"That's better, boy," said the dragon watching over him. "Use that resolve to save your friends."

Issei opened his eyes to see himself reflected in Saori's golden eyes. It looked as if all of the blood had been drained of her face. "You're alive!"

He looked down at his chest expecting it to be a gory mess, but only his shirt had been torn open. He looked up at Saori whose eyes flicked over to his left arm. There he saw his arm had been transformed into some kind of red gauntlet with a green core on the top of his hand. As if instinctively knowing what to do, he picked himself up and threw a punch at the nearest demon. Its head seemed to go flying off its body which crumpled to the ground. He felt a sudden surge of power flow through his entire body. A demon coming from behind him swung a sword at him which he deflected with his arm, shattering it. The demon scurried away and disappeared into the shadows.

Seeing Rias being attacked by the massive demon he sprinted forward. Again he felt another surge of power flowing through him. After two bounds he was already at the demon's tree trunk like legs where he threw his shoulder into it knocking the demon off balance.

"Issei!" exclaimed Rias shocked that he was still alive.

The demon quickly jumped back up to its feet and quickly brought its massive club down on Issei who barely managed to catch it. He felt a surge of power again as he and the demon began a tug of war with the club.

"President," called out issei quickly releasing the club making the demon stagger backwards.

With a quick motion of her hand the demon leader was quickly engulfed in red flames making it flail about. Issei jumped up and landed the final blow destroying the massive demon. Seen their leader fall the smaller demons quickly retreated back into the shadows. The calmness of the night returned as the haze in the forest dispersed.

"Boost Gear," said Rias holding up Issei's left hand to inspect the gauntlet better.

"The Gauntlet of the Red Dragon Emperor," said Saori awestruck.

"Red Dragon-." began Issei but collapsed.

Rias quickly caught him before he felt to the ground. "Are we going to make this a habit?"

"Is he unconscious?" asked Saori.

"No, he's sleeping," said Rias smiling down at him in his arms. "I'd say, he's earned it." She kissed him on his forehead.

From high up it the trees a man in a yukata looked down at the scene. "That's interesting," he said heaving the heavy pack on his shoulder. "So the Red Dragon Emperor has returned, eh? This really is getting interesting." He laughed to himself.