Last of the Line
I do not own Highschool DxD or any of its characters. I own only Vale Beleth.
Chapter 11- The Plot Thickens
Vale stood, leaning casually against the wall of Issei's living room as Irina and her companion, a woman named Xenovia, explained the purpose of their appearance in Japan to retrieve the stolen Excalibur fragments before introducing Kanda to Issei as a representative of the Black Order who was in town to assist the investigation. Kanda had replied with a wordless grunt that positively oozed tact.
This had all astounded the new Devils, who had assumed that swords like Excalibur were nothing but myth.
"But that still doesn't explain how you and Vale-san know each other." Issei said to Irina as he glanced over to Vale in the corner.
"You're right, it doesn't. You wanna tell him Irina?" Vale said to Irina, causing the exorcist to blush slightly, painting her cheeks a rosy pink color.
"W-we kind of used to date. We started dating a few weeks after I started high school when Vale moved into town." Irina said as she pressed her index fingers together as she fidgeted in her seat.
"Oh... Um, I'm sorry. I'm guessing it ended badly then. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry." Issei said awkwardly as he rubbed his neck with one arm. An arms that was looking a tad scaly if Vale had to guess.
"What?! Lord no! Vale and I only broke up because I became busy training with the Church and Vale had to move away because of his job." Irina replied, sounding alarmed as she waved her hands quickly in front of her.
"Well, either way it's nice to meet you, Irina-san. Any friend of Vale-kun is a friend of ours." Asia replied from the couch. Xenovia grunted before clearing her throat loudly.
"Oh ah- you're right Xenovia. I'm sorry but we have to go. Are you coming with us Kanda-san?" Irina asked as she turned to face the Black Order member. Kanda nodded wordlessly before saying,
"See ya later Vale, I'll be in touch." Kanda said before he turned and left with Irina and Xenovia. After they left Issei turned to face Vale as he said,
"Hey Vale-san, can I talk to you about something outside?" Issei asked as he turned to face him.
"Sure, it's been a while since I did something pointless." Vale said as he turned and headed outside with Issei right behind him. After they were outside Vale closed the door behind him when he heard Issei say.
"What was that you were talking about with Asia-chan this morning? It seemed to make Kiryuu excited which is a pretty bad thing most of the time when Asia's involved. Also, everyone seems to think you two are dating. Is that true?" Issei asked concernedly.
"I was just teasing Asia this morning. Sorry bro, but she's just so cute that I can't help myself. About the dating thing, that juicy bit of information is none of your business. If it's so important, ask her." Vale replied caustically. He was an intensely private person and he liked it that way.
"Jeez man, I was just asking. Asia is a very special girl and I don't want you to hurt her. So if you're not being straight with her I will make you pay for it if you hurt her." Issei replied in what he probably thought was a brave and chivalrous tone.
"You are so full of crap. Just a few days ago, you were so willing to risk your life trying to save Rias from a man who had just a couple days ago, beat you half-to-death. You had both Rias and Asia worried sick. Then you run off to the Underworld, in a half-assed plan to try and rescue her from her engagement in an illegal battle. One where you most likely would have died hurting both Rias and Asia. Now Rias is a big girl she would get over it, but if you had died, Asia would have never been okay after that. How 'bout instead of worrying about me, you start considering the consequences of your own selfish actions." Vale shot back at Issei. Issei looked taken aback at Vale's words, taken aback, but not completely unconvinced.
"Not that it matters, but Asia and I are not dating, much as I may or may not wish we were. I did it so that Matsuda and Motohama would stop bugging you about living with her. Kiba told me how everyone teased you and I'd figure they'd lay off you if they thought Asia had someone else as her boyfriend. Now, gimme." Vale said as he grabbed Issei's left arm and began to siphon the dragon power from Issei's arm un1til it was back to normal once more. As he siphoned it he felt something stir inside him like something small growing larger and spreading it's wings,
"You're welcome." Vale said as he headed back to the grocery store to get groceries once more. After he had picked up his groceries he headed back to the schoolhouse to see Akeno pouring tea for Rias, apparently Kiba and Koneko had left for the day. That was a shame, he'd planned on flirting with Koneko and making her all sorts of uncomfortable. It wasn't his fault though, Koneko was just so much fun to tease, seeing the four foot six nekomata try to intimidate the six foot two Devil was just too funny. All that aside though, he had recently found himself caring more and more about the Occult Research Club.
It wasn't just Rias, even though he found the Crimson Haired Princess to be well worth him next-to worshiping the ground she walked on. No, it was all of them: the sword-wielding Prince Charming, Yuuto Kiba, the super-strong loli nekomata, Koneko Toujou, the sadistic Priestess of Thunder, Akeno Himejima, definitely the Holy Maiden, Asia Argento. And, even if he hated to admit it, he maybe actually liked the Oppai Dragon, Issei Hyoudo. Not that he was gonna admit it any of it anytime soon, if he ever let people know he got attached it only hurt them that much more when he left. He had learned that with Irina. Besides, the best way to keep from getting your heart broken was to pretend you didn't have one... But then again, if things worked out like he hoped, he might not have to leave for a very long time.
"Hello Vale-kun, how was your shopping trip? Would you like some tea?" Akeno asked in her normal elegant manner as he entered the room.
"Sure. Hey Rias-hime, did you know there are two church members are in your town right now along with a Black Order member? Thank you Akeno-chan." Vale said as he took a sip from his recently-filled cup and took a sip of the delicious tea. He glanced up just in time to catch what he could swear to God(ouch) he caught her blushing at his new honorific choice for her.
"Yeah, Sona told me about it and they arranged a meeting with me. I only found out a few hours ago, how did you hear about them?" Rias asked from her desk.
"I tracked them down to Issei's house. One of them grew up with Issei and they were catching up. Don't worry though, him and Asia are fine though." Vale said as Rias stood up suddenly as she said,
"Thank you for the update Vale, but if it's all the same I'm still gonna go check on them. I'll be back later, I promise." Rias said as she approached the door before exiting the room.
"So Akeno-chan, take a seat. I'd like to know more about my fiancee's Queen. Plus, you know there's no such thing as being too close to a beautiful woman." he said as he patted the seat next to him.
" Ara ara, you're too kind Vale-kun." Akeno said as she flashed her characteristic onee-sama smile.
"I must say though, I'm surprised you still wish to associate me after knowing who my father was, especially after I heard that you've killed several Fallen Angels. I thought you would start to distance yourself from me after you found out about my wings. Many people don't wish to talk to me after they learn I'm related to that person. Why would they? I have dirty wings, after all." Akeno said softly as she took a seat on the couch next to him and stared at the floor with a hard look on her face as she balled her hands into fists as she pressed them hard against her knees.
"That doesn't matter to me, even if I'd never met your dad, I'd still like you Akeno-chan. I killed those other Fallen Angels because they posed a threat whether to me or to others. I like you because you, like Rias-hime, are very noble and elegant, both of which are qualities I find very attractive. But you have also shown yourself to be very loyal, and kind those who depend on you like Rias-hime, Issei-san, and Asia-chan. I believe a person's worth and good is totally independent of their race or heritage. To judge a person based on their race or parents is both ignorant and foolish. Akeno, all you need to know is that I both like you and find you both very beautiful and desirable, and I would be honored to one day count you among one of my closest friends." he said as he sipped some of Akeno's delicious tea. He stopped mid-sip though, when he heard a sniffling sound from beside him. He looked over to see wet spots appearing on Akeno's skirt. He couldn't see because Akeno's hair had fallen across her face, hiding it from view, but it looked like she was crying.
"Are you okay, Akeno?" Vale asked as he lowered his cup slowly. Akeno nodded wordlessly as she sniffed once more as she said,
"Ara, now you've gone and done it Vale." Akeno said as she reached up and wiped her face with the back of her hand.
"Done what?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You've gone and made me decide to get serious." she said as she looked up and tucked her hair her hair behind her ear.
"Get serious in what?" Vale asked suspiciously, the he suspected he already knew what he was talking about.
"Tell me Vale-kun, do you like Rias-buchou?" she asked as she turned to look at him.
"Of course, I'm not in the habit of destroying engagements of total strangers. Would be an interesting way to pass the time though." he said as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Ufufufu, I thought as much. That's a shame since I think she's serious about you which means the position of legal wife is out. Though I'm fine being in the second spot. Though could you do me one favor? Could you call me just Akeno from now on?" she said as she once more wrapped herself around his arm and pressed her breasts against him as she began to rub his arm gently.
"Well Akeno, I'm not a native Japanese speaker so it won't bug me to forget honorifics. But I gotta say, I'll probably keep adding the -chan suffix. I like the way you blush when I say it. But, when we're alone, we'll see what happens." he added.
"Then, I am happy, Vale." said, in a tone different from her normal onee-sama tone. It wasn't a voice used for "ara ara" or "ufufufu" it was the voice of a high school girl.
"I apologize in advance for stealing one of Rias' special rights." Akeno said as she reached up and rested her hands on Vale's cheek before she gently turned his head toward her and planted a kiss on his lips. Vale was caught off-guard by her sudden assertiveness. All he could focus on was the taste of Akeno's soft, sweet lips pressed his own. He was halfway through regaining his faculties when he felt her tongue rubbing against his lips, begging for entry. He was about to open his mouth when he saw a familiar red aura appear in the magic circle inscribed on the clubroom floor. At the sight of the red aura, Akeno broke contact with his lips and turned to look at the guest in the magic circle.
"Akeno... Go home, now." Rias said in an unhappy tone.
"Ara ara, it looks like I have angered Buchou. I will take my leave then. I will see you tomorrow, Vale." Akeno said as she entered the magic circle and transported away. Rias however, remained. Glaring uncertainly, at Vale as if unsure what to do.
"I wanna go on record as saying, she started it but I didn't fight her." he said diplomatically. Her expression softened at his words before she replied,
"Hey, Vale." she says quietly as she uncrossed her arms.
"Yes." he replied simply.
"Akeno, is Akeno. Right?" she replied softly.
"That is typically how separate identities work, yes." he replied as he crossed his legs.
"Akeno, is my 'Queen'. However, she is 'Akeno'... and I am?" she replied softly once more. It suddenly dawned on him at what Rias was getting at. So, he wordlessly stood up before walking over slowly to Rias and taking one of her hands in his.
"Rias, is my Princess, the one I owe my current situation to. The one who has helped me to begin restoring the Beleth name. Rias, my devotion to you is a personal one. I alone decided you were worth protecting. My devotion to Akeno is a professional one I owe to her father. I'm not saying I don't like her, I'm just saying I don't exactly like her more than you, or vice versa. Akeno apparently has decided she likes me. She asked me to call her by just her name, I said I'll see what happens. While I'm on the subject. Is there anything you wish for me to call you, in private or otherwise?" he asked as he rubbed the back of her hand as he watched her blush.
"Actually... I like it when you call me Rias-hime or your Princess, especially since you told me why you call me that." she replied nervously as she looked down at the ground as she rocked back and forth bteween each foot
"Well then, I shall do as my Princess requests. Now how about you head to bed? It's getting late . I'm gonna make a call then I'm gonna hit the hay." he replied with a bow.
"Okay, I think tonight I'll bunk with you though. See you soon." she said as she turned and left the room. When she was gone Vale flipped open his phone and hit the 2 key and hit the dial key. It rang thrice before the person picked up.
"'yello?" the person on the other end said as he picked up the phone.
"Hey Azazel, it's Vale. Have you seen Kokabiel recently? I've got a job retrieving some stolen Excaliburs that has his stink all over it." Vale asked.
"No, I haven't seen him recently. I'll give you a call if I do. But worst comes to worst, I'll send Vali if you need him. He'll be glad to see you anyways. No one else in Grigori likes to fight as much as he does anymore so he's got no competition. So you still running solo?" Azazel asked casually from the other end.
"Yep." Vale replied casually. He'd quit Grigori about six months ago to roll solo and make more money.
"That's a shame, well remember you'll always have a place here. See ya." Azazel replied on the other end.
"Okay see ya, sir. Tell Baraqiel his baby girl's fine." Vale said as he hung up...
Author's Note: Not much to tell. Reviews as always are appreciated. This is the 19th Angel signing off...