The Lightning Knight of the Hero's Village

by domgk115

Arata Tojo has always been in his brother Basara's shadow. Despite loving his brother he always craved recognition, but didn't get it, even when he drew the legendary sword Takemikazuchi. Now years later after being forced away from the village Arata has new stepsisters who are strangely perverted.. but he'll need to show all his power to protect them(M for sexual content)

2. A New School

OC Voice Actors that appear in this chapter:

Arata Tojo: English VA: Brandon Winkler: Eugeo (Sword Art Online)

Japanese VA: Nobunaga Shimazaki: Eugeo (Sword Art Online) Shido Itsuka (Date A Live) Ritsuka Fujimaru (Fate Grand Order)

Kaneda Aoi: English VA: Matt Shipman: Hiro (Darling in the Franxx)

Japanese VA: Natsuki Hanae: Tanjiro (Demon Slayer) Sieg (Fate Apocrypha)

The Lightning Knight of the Hero's Village

Chapter 2: A New School

Basara

"Wow Arata, I didn't know you could cook so well!" Maria said, looking at the bowls of udon Arata placed in front of me and her.

"I'm full of surprises…" He muttered, before putting a bowl in front of me, before yawning.

I felt a bit guilty and amused at the same time. On the way home Arata had been silent, a part of me was worried he was having second thoughts, but I quickly dismissed the idea. It had mainly been me talking with Maria and Mio, as I had been able to see how exhausted Arata was. It wasn't just physical exhaustion either, that was the least of Arata's problems now, I could see it written on his face.

"This is great!" Maria said, scooping food into her mouth. She smiled and looked up. "I think I could learn… Arata?"

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked him, seeing him go to leave the room.

He held up a bowl. "Gonna take a shower then eat in my room. Don't come in there, I mean it."

And with that, he left the room. Sighing, I looked at the food he'd made. Arata may have been a bit hard to break down, but once he promised something he never went back on it. That was how I knew I didn't have to worry about him. He'd keep his promise, and we'd protect Mio and Maria together.

But still I hoped that he could learn to smile again.

"Is… he still mad at us?" Maria asked me.

"No, he's not don't worry," I said, trying to sound reassuring as I picked up my chopsticks and stirred the udon my brother made. "He's just… tired, give him some time."

"He fought to protect us," Maria sighed. "But even on the way back, he seemed disturbed the whole time, are you sure it's not just because you agreed that he did?"

I shook my head, I knew Arata too well. We relied on each other yes, I liked to think we were close, despite how it seemed at times. Still, despite that, Arata promised to protect them, so that's how I knew he would.

"Arata made a vow as a hero to protect you," I explained, shaking my head. "Arata… he doesn't have much now, but his word? His sword? That's something he's proud of, he swore on his blade, he meant it."

"Yes… but that still doesn't explain why you saved us too Basara," She said, meeting my eyes. "When you figured out we'd deceived you, you were so angry. Arata seemed to want to kill us."

"Arata never would have done that in the end," I assured her, sighing as I drank some of the iced tea I poured. "We… had a conversation with our dad, he explained you and Mio's situation to us both."

Her eyes widened for a moment, then she sighed. "So, Jin already knew everything huh? Ha… he really is the worst."

That made me laugh. "Ha, he really is… but Maria, it's important for you to know," I told her, "that me and Arata… we're just like our dad. Arata even more than me."

"Arata… doesn't really seem like him. He just seems so… tired, and angry," Maria said, looking at her bowl of udon. "And… it doesn't make sense. You're both a part of the hero clan, we're demons, why would you help us?"

I winced at her description of Arata, despite how on point it was. She was right, I'd seen it in him ever since we left the village… this would hopefully be what could help me change him again. I wanted to protect the two girls yes… but even more I wanted to make my brother into who I knew he really was again.

"We're… not part of the hero clan anymore. Now, we're just regular humans," I said, finish the tea and sighing as I looked at the bowl Arata had made for me. "As for Arata well… he took it really hard when we had to leave the village. A part of me thinks he'd still be there had he been given the choice."

"You… really think he would have stayed?" Maria said. "He wouldn't have gone with you, his brother?"

I managed a chuckle. "Ha… well maybe not that far. But still, Arata had a lot going for him in the village. His sword is probably the most powerful in the village, Takemikazuchi was the god of heroes after all. And besides that, well… he had to leave someone he really loved."

"Was it that girl with purple hair in the picture above his bed?!" Maria said, her eyes suddenly excited. "So, it was his little girlfriend!"

"Ha, I guess she was," I said, before narrowing her eyes. "But seriously, don't go into his room again without his permission. And also, don't push him too hard to talk. I know Arata, he'll open up eventually."

"But if we're going to be fighting people coming after Mio… shouldn't we all be open with each other now?" Maria asked. "Like we're doing now?"

I shook my head and smiled reassuringly. "Arata's the type that takes a while to open up, and he's still going through his own problems with what's happened. For now, don't worry, you can trust him completely, him and me both. He'll do all he can to look after you, like I will."

That put a smile back on her face, and I let out a reassuring sigh. I went to get more of the iced tea from the fridge and still saw the image of my brother fighting the demonic beasts. Arata had really looked like he had never missed a beat from back in the village… unlike me.

Arata… I'm going to have to rely on you a lot the next few weeks… little brother.

The Lightning Knight of the Hero's Village

Episode 2: A New School

Mio

The water gently flowed just below my mouth, the stress and anxiety only seeming to well up in me further with each passing minute. Still, the steam and hot water felt nice, but that was all that I could muster. All I could see were those demonic beasts chasing after us. There had been so many of them this time, more than Maria and I had ever seen. Why were they ramping up such attacks now? We had been running, so many of them would have easily overwhelmed the two of us.

And we'd be dead now… if not for the both of them, I thought, both of their faces in my brain, one scowling, one smiling.

I realized then how similar they both looked. Arata was a bit shorter then Basara, and had blue eyes instead of green, but their brown hair looked almost the same, Arata's being a bit messier. And both of them had some of the most dangerous looking swords I'd ever seen and moved as if they were the light itself. I could feel him, feel Basara grabbing me as I fell, and I could see Arata dropping down from above in his armor crackling lightning.

Shakily sighing, I stood, grabbing my towel, and wrapping it around my chest. My legs were shaky, but I eventually made my way over to the sink, a feeling of dread washing over me as I wiped off the steam and saw myself looking back in the mirror. I looked like a complete mess, but at least I was alive.

"All thanks to the two of them…" I said, remembering Basara's words. "Does he… really think we can be a family? And Arata…"

Basara had seemed to be sure, but his younger brother was still an enigma. Yes he'd come back to save us, and I was thankful of course, beyond thankful, but I still didn't feel much warmth from looking at him. He seemed to be feeling the way any rational person should have felt given his situation. Had I really been that much a burden to the one who saved my life?

"Mio," A voice said, followed by a knock. "Are you finished in their yet? I need to shower."

"AHH!" I yelped, not expecting a sound. I felt my foot slip on the water and hit the ground with a thud. Pain shot up my back. "Ow…"

"Mio?" His voice said again. "I'm coming in."

"What?!" I yelped. "No! It's fine, I'm… Arata?"

"Yeah, forget my voice already?" He said, kneeling down next to me on the ground. "You okay?"

"I… I…"

I couldn't say anything because his eyes were on me. I only had the towel around my chest, and even more embarrassing, he only had a towel around his waist. The more I looked at him, the more I realized he truly, truly was as handsome as Basara was. His blue eyes had dark bags under them, but they looked concerned enough as they looked at me. It was his body that my eyes were drawn too, however.

It was extremely well muscled and defined of course, but the scars, the burn marks, how damaged and beaten it was... that's what made my heart sink. I knew nothing about this boy, or his brother, and yet here I was in their house, expecting, hoping like a foolish little girl to be a family with them. Arata had said it yes, after the fight… but now? Now and on the way back, he'd had seemed like he'd wished to be anywhere else.

"What's wrong? Forget how to talk?" He said, making me jump and talk again.

And that was when it set in, we were both a towel away from naked.

"I… I'm fine! You shouldn't go barging into the bathroom like that when you know a girl's bathing!" I yelled at him, my face hot, my hands going over my chest. "That's something a per-."

"Listen, the flustered little girl routine may work with Basara, but not me," He said, sighing and standing, holding his hand out to me still. "I didn't come in to stare at your chest, I came in because I heard you fall. Now are you okay or not?"

I stammered; how could he not be as embarrassed as I was?! It didn't help that I got an even better view of his body when he stood up.

"I… I'm fine!" I said, taking his hand.

"Good, you did this to yourself you know," He said as he helped me to my feet. "If you bathe for too long your body gets weaker."

"I… I just take long baths when I'm anxious okay!" I yelled back, turning my back to him. "I… I'm sorry if I used all the hot water."

"I don't mind cold showers," He said, walking to the sink and pulling out soup.

I should have left. Walked out of the room then and there, but something kept me there. I looked at the muscles in his back and thought about how this boy had moved at the speed of lightning, how he'd cut apart demonic beasts as if they were nothing just over an hour ago. He really did move sluggishly, he had heavy footsteps, bags under his eyes, and he slouched over the sink, steadying his breathing.

I… didn't even properly thank him… I realized, sheepishly holding my towel together, feeling myself blush.

"Is there anything else?" He said, making me jump again. He turned and his tired gaze met my eyes. "I need to shower. So, unless you wanna continue on with your bath while I do-."

"No! No that's not it…" I said, stammering as I tried to force the words out. "Arata I… I wanted to say well… thank you, for coming for us."

He paused for a moment, and I tried to smile at him. As I did, I saw something I had only seen a small glimpse of when he had been talking to Basara. Ever so slightly, I saw the corner of his lips go up, and even a small bit of red creep into his cheeks.

"It was nothing, you don't have to thank me," He said, turning and squirting toothpaste onto a toothbrush. "I made a vow, on my sword, on the heroic ideals, I won't break it."

That made me deflate a bit… so, had he not done it because he thought of us as a family? Had it been because he swore to Jin he'd protect us?

"Heroic ideals…?" I asked.

"Yup, they're mostly lost to the clan now, but hundreds of years ago we followed them," He said, brushing his teeth for a few seconds before spitting and going on. "It's a code, all heroes of the village live by. I will protect those who cannot protect themselves, I will protect even those I hate so long as it is right, and I will accept there will be those I cannot protect… we tried to live by it… to finally be noticed… we made it our lives."

"We?" I asked, confused now. "You and Basara?"

He froze, toothbrush halfway to his mouth, not looking at me before shaking his head. "No… me and someone else."

He didn't say more, and I didn't ask any further about it. I twirled my bare foot on the tile, and felt my hands begin to shake as I held up my towel.

"Arata… did you mean it?" I asked, as he gurgled some water and rinsed his mouth.

"Did I mean what?" He asked, going to the shower and turning on the water.

I bit my lip. "What you said… do you really consider us family? Or… did you just mean Basara, and you came because he was there?"

Arata froze again, and I was worried that I had crossed the line. But, after sucking in a breath he slowly turned around. He met my eyes, and my heart stopped. He looked so stern most of the time… but in that moment his eyes were soft, and he looked directly into my eyes.

"Your name is outside this house right?" He asked.

"Huh?" I said, shocked. "Ye…yes, it is."

And he smiled fully this time, before reaching out his hand and patting my head.

"I think you're older then me, just like Basara is," He said, turning back to the shower. "I guess I'm cursed to always be the younger sibling… either way, I will protect you, Mio."

My chest felt warm… and I'll admit I blushed. I smiled and nodded, but then another question came to me, as I remembered something he said.

"I… thank you," I told him. "Arata… you said you lost someone else you loved too… was it another family member?"

Arata stopped again as he closed the shower curtain. He shakily sighed and turned from me again. "That's none of your business, now… go, I need to shower. I left a bowl of udon in your room, eat, we got school tomorrow."

I could feel the mood shift, and I knew I asked the wrong question. I cursed at myself for letting my mouth get the best of me… but now I knew one thing at least, and that was for now… I felt like I really could trust Arata. He was right, I didn't need to know anything about his previous life, all I needed to do was trust him.

I did take one more look at his muscled back, before letting out a sigh and exiting the bathroom finally, and the minute I did the cold attacked me. I closed the door on Arata behind me and heard the shower from outside. Shuddering I made my way towards my room… and I felt myself deflate again.

He's already been through a lot, Basara said as much… is this all I bring to people?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Arata

"Maria…." I growled as she dragging me behind her, walking down the steps. My mind was a jumble, but I knew I was very, very pissed off. "You had better have a very, very good reason for waking me up this late and dragging me down to the living room."

"It's a great reason! And it's completely imperative!" Maria said, as we got to the living room, and I saw Basara and Mio. Maria let go of me and turned. "This is our chance to best prepare ourselves for what's to come so we can better protect Mio!"

"I'll prepare in my own way," I yawned. "First, by going to bed, now don't knock on my-."

"Noooo! Arata pleaseeeeee!" She said, grabbing my arm and tugging me towards Mio and Basara. "Please Arata, pretty please!"

"Ughh…" I groaned, looking, and glaring at Basara. "You'll just agree to anything won't you?"

He got that goofy look on his face he normally did when he knew I was probably right, but wanted to disagree with me, I hated that look. Rubbing the back of his head he shook his head.

"Come on, what's the harm?" He said, smiling and turning to Mio. "If it can help us better protect Mio, then why not?"

I groaned, and looked at Mio, who sheepishly blushed. A part of me felt bad, another part of me was annoyed. She didn't have any right to ask me about Kurumi, just like Maria had no right to ask me. They may have lived here, I may have made the decision to protect them, and I hadn't lied to Mio. Their names were outside the house, so they were my sisters, but still, that didn't mean I was going to lay out my life story to get along with them. I would protect them, I knew I was going too, so I didn't particularly care if they trusted me or knew anything about me. All they needed to know was I'd fight for them, that had to be good enough.

Still, I knew if I marched back up the steps then Maria would probably chase me to drag me back down. I had to give her credit, she was as stubborn and persistent as me. Although now, all I wanted was to go back to bed, my eyes were heavy, and I could feel the fatigue finally beginning to set in.

Just because I had defeated the demonic beasts relatively easy, didn't meant it hadn't taken a toll on me. I was regretting since I'd done it using Kurikara Tenshou. That was an advanced ability, one of the strongest Takemikazuchi had, only a few could produce more power then it. The ability drew on the users own magical energy and aura, if I had kept up training like I had at the village, I could have unleashed it with really no trouble, but of course that wasn't the case. I had used it mainly out of anger and the desire to obliterate something.

Of course, there were more abilities I could use. I memorized their names, but the proper forms and points to focus my magic were a bit hazy. Tomorrow after school, I'd already made plans to take some of the old books I still had from the village out of my safe. My mind was already abuzz with possibilities, if my dad was right, then much worse would be coming after Mio.

And I had promised to protect them, that was it, I didn't have to do anything else other then fight, which was all I had ever really been good at anyway.

"Um… Arata?" Mio said, and when I turned I saw her face was read. "Thanks… for the food."

I bit at the inside of my cheek, before groaning in my head. Come on Arata… don't be a complete ass all the time.

"You're welcome…" I said, before yawning and groaning at Basara who was smirking. "Fine, whatever. Come on, lets get this over with I need to sleep."

Basara smiled and looked to Maria. "Alright then, Maria?"

"Okay! Now, the perfect time has arrived!" She said, turning down the lights, and when she did I saw glowing at my feet. "May I present, the master servant pact!"

And again, I am proved right, what the hell is wrong with these two?

"What?" Basara and I said at the same time.

I looked below my feet, and a yellow magic circle started to appear. Basara didn't move, but my instincts took over and I jumped over to the side just out of the circles reach, and now only Basara and Mio were inside of it. Breathing, I looked over at Maria who was smirking, very pleased with herself.

"What in the world are you planning you annoying little succubus," I muttered, rubbing my eyes, my head a jumble.

"Because I know you're a tsundere I'll let that slide!" Maria said, smirking as she bounded across the circle next to me, looking at Basara and Mio as well. "The master servant testament pact is going to be our ticket to keeping Mio safe!"

"And… and how does that work?" Basara said, stuttering. "Did you say master-servant?!"

"Yeah, Maria what is this?!" Mio said, now sounding worried too.

I wracked my brain; I had read way more books on magic then Basara had. Succubus magic, however, was tricky, not many books were written on it, and I couldn't find myself remembering anything Kurumi and I had read. Of course, it could have just been because I was utterly exhausted and ready to drop.

"It's easy! The magic will let Mio become Basara's servant!" She said, as if it was no big deal at all, smirking the entire time, before she smirked up at me. "I even modified it, so Arata can be Mio's master too!"

"Not happening," I said with finality.

"Huh?! What does Arata have to do with this?" Mio said, looking at Maria with a red face. "He already said he doesn't want to be involved Maria!"

I felt a bit bad after hearing her say that. She was trying to get me out of this situation, despite the fact I was close to removing myself. I could see it, she felt bad about prodding for questions in the bathroom, so now I felt bad for snapping. Either way, with each word Maria said, the more annoyed I got.

"Arata's right Maria," Basara tried to argue, looking to Mio. "Besides, what good would come out of it-."

"You both don't see the bigger picture!" Maria said, pointing at all three of us. "If you form a master servant pact with Mio, you'll be able to sense where she is, and combine power! So that way, if someone gets their hands on her, you can activate its magic and-."

"Then this seems like it can be a job for one person," I said, cutting her off and turning back towards the steps. "I'm going to bed; we have school tomorrow. Don't bother me again."

"Arata wait!" Maria said as I got to the bottom. I turned and she looked genuinely upset for a minute as she met my eyes. "You said you wanted to protect Mio right?! This can help! I promise this will be a good thing for both of you!"

I stopped and looked over at Basara and Mio who were both looking at me. My eyes drifted to Mio, who seemed upset as well… and for some reason it bothered me. Despite how I liked to act, I hated seeing people upset. Still, my brain was fried, either from lightning or overuse. I looked at Maria, and then over to Mio.

"Arata…" Basara said slowly, as if he could tell I was thinking about snapping.

I hated that too, that he could read me like a book.

Sighing I looked to Mio first, trying my best to sound reassuring. "I told you I'd protect you; I don't need some pact to do that. My word will have to be enough."

My eyes then went to Maria. "And you, I'm not doing your weird ritual. So, leave me alone. I promised I'd protect you both, I told you, you're both family… but that doesn't mean we need to be all buddy, buddy, or in this case master servant. Now I'm going to bed, Maria if you come into my room again, I'm throwing you out the window."

Basara shook his head, as right away Maria and Mio's heads fell. "Arata… come on, you don't mean that."

"I do," I said, going up the steps. "Have fun with whatever pervy ritual this is, be careful, succubus magic is weird."

I heard Maria try to call me back, and part of me expected her to tromp up the steps after me. A few seconds later, I heard Basara call her, thankfully. I heard them talk more about the pact, but the sound was drowned out when I finally got to my door and walked in. I slammed my door shut a bit harder then I intended, but I didn't care. I knew I had been an ass, but I didn't care… it was all happening again anyway, just like it always did in the village.

It didn't matter if I had been nice or rude to Maria and Mio, they'd just end up fawning over Basara anyway, just like everyone always did. Everyone except Kurumi.

I didn't even take the time to crawl under my covers as I fell onto my bed like a sack of potatoes. My face hit my pillow, and eventually I managed to lift my head up, my mind a complete scramble. With my luck, I found myself face to face with a younger version of myself, and Kurumi as I remembered her back in the village looking back at me. The picture never left its place above my bed, it had been at the head of each of my beds at every place we lived in.

Blinking, despite my lights being off, with moonlight I could see her. Her gold eyes were just as cute as I remembered. She was smiling ear to ear, her arms up around my neck, as I hugged her back. The smile that was on my face in this picture, I could remember it, the exact day and exactly what had happened morning to night. I couldn't stop staring at the smiles, and despite how tired I was, all I could think about what just how happy I had been in that moment. Yes, especially back in the village, people would see me as an afterthought, nothing but 'Basara's little brother'.

But still… I was happy. And what was I now? The kind of guy who was rude to young girls who were probably deep down scared and terrified? The worst part was that I knew I was acting in the wrong, but I just couldn't stop myself. I couldn't stop the anger, annoyance, and pure pain I felt each time someone reminded me of how happy I used to be.

Even with all that… what would Kurumi think of how I act now?

"Don't look at me like that Kurumi… please," I said, forcing myself to turn from her smile, and curling my head on my pillow. "Please… just… just-."

"OHH! BASARA! BASARA!"

I shot up to a sitting position. "Mio! An… an attack?! How did they-."

"B…BASARA! BASARAAAAAA!"

I almost summoned my sword and rushed from my bed… but screams didn't follow Basara's named. What followed, was a series of loud, loud moans, as if a brothel had suddenly opened in their basement.

And it all fell into place.

"Ugh…." I complained, falling back onto my bed, and folding my pillow over my ears. "That god damn succubus…"

"BASARAAAAAAAAAA!"

And I knew that night, I was going to get no sleep, only the sound of our new, beautiful stepsister moaning my older bothers name.

How… how is this my life?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Geez, Arata you look terrible," Basara told him as they walked behind Mio and Maria.

My head still pounded, and I glared at him. "Yeah, hearing you fondle our stepsisters' tits for an hour didn't help me sleep. And after hearing her moan your name all night? Sorry if I feel a bit tired."

My brother flushed, stammering. "I… I had too! Maria-."

"Yes, yes after I specifically warned you about succubus magic being weird. You went and did her creep spell anyway," I said, scoffed as I hefted my bag over my shoulder. "Honestly, when are you going to learn I'm not nearly as stupid as you think."

"I don't think you're stupid!" Basara argued.

I sighed. "Well that makes it two days in a row I've been right. I hope whatever weird master servant pact you have now was worth it."

I looked over at Mio walking next to Maria a little ahead of us. The school building came into view, and it looked no different then the last one we'd gone too. Still, I wasn't excited, it was hard to be with the lingering sense of doom and gloom I could feel. The first thing they taught you at the village, was demons attracted other demons, and if what our dad had told us about Mio really was true, then that meant more would be coming.

My sword arm wasn't tingling, so at least so far at the school I'd been safe. It only tingled when threats were around, it was the god's instinct. And as crazy as it sounded, I almost felt like I could feel what Takemikazuchi was saying at times, what his warnings meant. I could still feel my bones aching from last night, Kurikara Tenshou zapped a large amount of my power, and my body just hadn't been ready for it. If I had to fight again, I'd need to use techniques that consumed less of my energy. If only lower leveled demons like the ones that appeared last night showed up, it'd be no problem.

However, what worried me was some powerful lord showing up. Between me and Basara, we could probably have taken them, but there was never any guarantees.

The best way to win a fight is to avoid one, had been what one my old mentors had told me. I could remember Miya saying it now. She and Kurumi would always lay into me for having such a temper, which was ironic because I knew Kurumi had one just as bad as mine.

"As strange as it sounds… I can already feel it working," Basara said, flexing his hand as we walked. "After Mio and I well… did what we did, I could feel my power increasing. And according to Maria, if I activate it, I could sense where she was if she's gone missing."

I whistled, it hadn't been that I thought Maria was lying when she said the spell could help us, I had just know it would involve something like Basara having to grab her tits for an hour.

I scoffed and slapped the back of his shoulder. "So you get a power up and you get to grab our step-sisters tits, it's a win-win for you big brother. Maybe there's a method to her madness."

Basara stammered again. "Look just because I did doesn't mean-."

"Will you both stop talking about it as if I'm not here?!" Mio said as they all stopped in place just outside the schools gates. Her face was red as she stared between them. "We're not going to talk about it!"

Basara nervously held up his hand. "R…right! Right Arata?! We won't talk about it anymore!"

I scoffed. "Yup, no more, promise, cross my cold black heart."

Mio puffed out her cheeks annoyed, but I did notice her look at me for a moment before turning away from us both. I groaned in my head, she'd been acting weird around me since I helped her in the bathroom. I'd admit she wasn't nearly as weird as Maria, but that wasn't exactly a high bar to climb. Why did she seem to think we had to be friends? It was very possible to be family, but not be close, plenty of families were like that.

I'd promised her I'd protect her; I didn't need to grab her tits to prove it. It didn't matter anyway, Basara was the one who'd made the stupid pact with her, which looked like it was actually going to be somewhat useful. Especially if more demons were going to show up, I had more important things to worry about, like beefing up my training regiment again at night to get used to using my sword again.

And of course, there was the other constant distraction.

"Aww what's wrong Arata?" Maria said, leaning back against my stomach and chest, looking up at me with a smirk. "Are you finally regretting not staying downstairs with Mio? I'll tell you what, if you're jealous, you can form a pact with me! That was you can- YEOW!"

"Don't even think about it," I said, flicking her forehead and pulling her off me. "Seriously, I know you're a succubus, but if you keep touching me like that I'll lock you in the basement."

"Well that just sounds like a weird kink if you ask me," She huffed.

Basara scoffed, and held a hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh.

I glared at him and then back to Maria. "You're the last person I'm going to tell about kinks, I mean it, leave me out of all your pervy business."

"You know, I keep telling you, you're going soooo mad when I win you overrrrrr!" She teased, reaching up and poking my cheek.

This time Mio laughed too, and I just groaned, pushing the succubus away. More people were filing into the school, and some were starting to stare, that was the last thing I wanted. Basara smiled at me, but I just turned, not wanting him to see how flustered I was getting.

I loved boobs as much as any other guy, but the idea of grabbing Mio's chest now, especially after what I heard her and Basara doing last night? Nothing would have been more embarrassing. Not to mention… there was only one person I'd ever want to do anything of that nature with, and I didn't know how long it would be until I saw her again if I ever even did.

"Alright! Now that's settled," Maria said, smiling with her hands on her hips as she turned and looked at the three of us. "You three be careful in school! I'll be here right after school to pick you all up okay, don't be laaaate!"

Basara looked to me, I looked at him, we both clearly thought the same thing before looking back down at Maria.

"You… you're going to pick us up?" Basara said skeptically. "What will you do in the meantime?"

"Oh, I'll go do some shopping and running around no need to worry about me!" She said confidently.

I shook my head. "But people will ask why you're not at school, truancy is kinda a big deal."

"Haha you don't have to worry about that!" She said, as if she'd wanted us to ask, pulling something from her pocket. "Tada!"

Basara and I both looked, and when I realized what it was I groaned and had to drag my hand down my face.

Basara looked at her. "A… fake drivers license?"

"We're going to get found out. We'll be crawling with Demons before we know it." I muttered.

"Have a little faith in me!" Maria said, getting behind us both, and urging us forward. "Now go on! You don't want Mio to get lonely now, see you all sooooon!"

We're so screwed, I accepted, as I walked forward with Basara. I looked back and Maria was waving to the three of us, and again I found myself looking down at my hand. We needed to lay low if we were going to keep Mio safe. I didn't know what the end goal of all this was, but I assumed it had something to do with whatever job Dad had gone on.

Now I deduced it probably wasn't some simple photography job. A part of me wanted to be angry with him, probably going on some dangerous mission without me or Basara. However, I had to accept it. Protecting Mio and eliminating whoever came after her had been what I vowed, this was my first mission in a sense, and I wasn't going to fail it.

I had left Kurumi alone in the village, I owed her this much, following my hero vows.

Hijirigasaka Academy huh? I thought, pulling out the piece of paper I'd written all my information on out of my pocket. Of course, I was a first year, a year beneath Basara and Mio, even with new step-sisters I was still the young one. The school had gotten bigger as I approached with the two of them, and already my mind was at work, thinking about possible places demons could be perched to spy on us.

A good hero lives and dies by his scouting, never go into a hostile area without information, Miya's voice said in my head. I always tried to follow that advice, my dad and Basara had been my main teachers and practice partner, but Miya taught me how to really survive with Takemikazuchi, she was a member of the Tanaka clan after all, she knew more about the sword then anyone, not to mention all the lessons she'd taught him about being out on missions.

And I may have been at school, but that didn't mean I wasn't on a mission.

We got to the lockers, and I found my assigned one, luckily enough it was near Basara, and we both went about taking off our outdoors shoes and setting out things inside. Mio it turns out had her locker not far away either. I looked down at the paper again, and realized I needed to go to the faculty office first, that was going to give me a good chance to scope out the school and hopefully Takemikazuchi would tingle in my arm if I found any threats.

I looked down at the uniform, I'd already pulled up the sleeves, and loosened the tie. My brown hair was a frizzy mess, but it was a bit shorter then Basara's, so it didn't look as bad. I pulled out my phone and looked at my reflection and ran my hand through it a few times, my blue eyes looked back, and I realized it was the best I'd do. So, I put it away, sighed and pulled my bag back up over my shoulder.

"Listen, just because we live together doesn't mean you should stay attached to me the whole time we're here okay?!" Mio said, her face red as she was clearly still embarrassed. She turned back to Basara and me with a shake of her head. "I don't want anyone to know we're living together, so just leave me be and don't say anything got it?!"

Basara chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry we get it. Right Arata?"

"Won't find any complaints from me, I feel the same," I said, walking past them both turning and glaring at the both of them. "Please, try not to do anything to draw attention to us, either of you."

"Either of us?!" Mio said incredulously.

"Yes both of you, neither of you have any subtly," I told them, looking between them both. "Don't forget we were just attacked last night. Don't do anything to draw attention, got that Basara?"

"Why are you singling me out now?!" My brother asked, rubbing the back of his head.

I rolled my eyes. "Because you have tendency to draw attention to yourself, if anyone knows it's me. And you."

"Me…?" Mio asked, looking at me sheepishly.

"Yes you, are you deaf?" I said, before sighing and looking back to meet her eyes. "Be careful okay? You got my number if you need anything, and you made that stupid, loud, pact with Basara, so call either of us if you're in danger."

"I… I thought we weren't going to talk about that!" She said, clearly embarrassed again.

I scoffed. "Well, you can't take it back now, and I sure as hell ain't making a pact like that with you, so again, call one of us if you're in trouble."

She stammered, before looking away from me. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Huh?" I asked her, confused now.

"What do you mean you sure as hell ain't doing that with me?! Is there something wrong with me?!" She said, stepping forward, now seeming angry.

Basara quickly grabbed her shoulder. "He didn't mean it like that! Right Arata?"

My mind went numb, how was this my life? Did the girl want me to want to fondle her?

I didn't have the energy to argue and just sighed, turning away. "Jeez… it'll be a miracle if any of us survive this."

And with them both staring at my back, I walked down the halls.

A good hero makes the best out of the worst situations! The most important person to keep morale up for is yourself after all! Miya's advice said in my head.

Sighing, I looked down the hall. "Well… let's try just that Miya. I did promise after all… I'll do this for you, and for you… Kurumi."

If only I had just gotten to see her, talk to her… one more time.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Your class of first years will be in the west wing of the school," The teacher said, getting up from his chair and walking with me towards the door. "Come on, I'll show you, and then you can introduce yourself to your class."

"Oh, um… right, thanks," I said, almost forgetting I was in school for a second.

I had been taking a good look at the teachers. Demons weren't stupid, if they were going to infiltrate the school they'd impersonate a teacher, but so far his arm hadn't tingled, and he couldn't sense any magical power. Of course, some demons and other beings could hide their magical signature, but there were tell tale signs that you could look for, at least that was what Miya had taught him. The school had a lot of winding hallways, but not many places one could feasibly hide, I'd seen access up to the roof, but didn't have time to snoop there yet.

So, I finally accepted the fact I'd need to actually go to class. I wasn't late yet, but I was cutting it awfully close. I'd found the faculty room, and presented the papers dad had left to one of the teachers, after that, I turned my mind to try and at least try and enjoy myself that day. I also wanted to take my own advice, the same I'd given Basara and Mio, the most important part of being at that school was going to be keeping a low profile and letting the attackers come to them.

I followed the teacher outside, as he started talking about policies, lunches, exams, and other things, but I wasn't really too focused on what he was saying. My eyes were on the windows, the dark hallways, every kid I saw lingering around before the first class. My dad and Basara had wanted me to try and enjoy myself, wanted this school and this 'family' to be a second chance for me to be happy.

But old habits died hard, and I was going to be damned if I failed my first mission, the first heroic vow I'd made because I got caught up playing school. It was the one thing I still had left in this world.

"And we have a culture festival, sports festival, dozens of great events!" The teacher explained as we turned a hallway, he smiled and tried to sound welcoming. "Along with a great many clubs! Ah, and here is the infirmary, we have a great staff here as well-."

"Compliments are always welcome sir, I thank you," A soft voice said, and that was when I finally felt something.

I turned right away, instinct almost making me pull out me pull out my sword. However, when I turned around, I realized it wasn't exactly what I had originally thought. The feeling I had wasn't a feeling of strong magic energy, or dark magic like I was expecting from a demon. It was more like a warm soaked towel being placed on the back of my neck, and then another, and another, the pressure of the heat almost overwhelming, but soothing at the same time.

Now who… are you? I wondered, stepping out from behind the teacher who'd been escorting me. The woman I saw was tall, with long black stockings up to the middle of her thighs with heels. She had on a white nurse's coat, and a very tight green sweater showing her massive chest. Her green eyes behind red rimmed glasses were just as mesmerizing as her chest was however, and I… couldn't stop looking. That feeling of pressure on the back of my neck grew, as her eyes finally fell on me, that pressure changed to my head pounding like a drum.

I even winced and grabbed the back of my head, but when I looked up, she was still looking at me with no particular emotion on her face. It was unsettling… but also, I couldn't help but feel myself blushing. It was almost unbelievable how beautiful the woman was, and she was a nurse here at a high school?

"Ah, Ms. Hasegawa lovely to see you as always! The compliments are very well deserved," The teacher said, looking back at me. "Arata, this is our head nurse, Ms-."

"Chisato Hasegawa, you can call me whatever you like," The nurse said, her eyes still staying trained on me. "And your name?"

It was odd, my arm wasn't tingling, I didn't feel like I was in danger, yet I couldn't shake the headache, or understand why I felt such a massive presence looking at her.

Maybe it's just because I think the school nurse is hot… maybe I'm overthinking things, I thought, as I realized both the teacher and nurse looked at me now.

I cleared my throat and straightened myself. "It's nice to meet you ma'am, I'm Arata Tojo."

"Arata… yes, a lovely name that is," She said, taking another step closer, and I could smell the perfume she used now. Her smile was soft, gentle, I blushed, but that presence didn't go away. "I hope that we can get to know each other well throughout the rest of the year."

I stammered, unable to figure out what to say. "I… um… well, thank you, ma'am."

"I was just showing Arata to class 1-a, Ms. Hasegawa," The teacher said. "I'm sure you're busy, it was nice-."

"Actually, I'm quite bored at the moment," Hasegawa said, turning from me to the teacher. "I'll show Arata to his class, why don't you go and get some work done yourself."

Arata didn't think anything of the idea, it didn't matter to him, but he narrowed his eyes up at the woman as she spoke. He was looking for any signs of magic being used to her to enchant the mind of the teacher to get her to agree.

She seemed harmless enough, but Miya always said, it's often the most harmless looking ones who are the most dangerous, I mean just look at me!

And I knew this presence, this pressure I felt had to be something.

"Ah, well you do have a point," the teacher said, smiling at Arata and bowing. "Have a nice first day Mr. Tojo, Ms. Hasegawa will show you the way."

Nothing. I couldn't see anything at all, I hadn't expected anything, yet still… I was confused. Not wanting to be late, I bowed, and the teacher left.

Maybe I really am just overthinking things, I thought, watching the teacher walk around the hallway corner. But still… what is this? Is it power, magic? I must be going-.

"I didn't bewitch him or anything," Ms. Hasegawa said, making me spin back around. She smiled softly and shook her head. "You were looking on him as if I used some magic spell to make him agree to leave. I hope I haven't scared you, if I made you uncomfortable that wasn't my intention."

I stammered, my heartrate going up, as I could practically hear it beating in my chest. I saw her looking at me, and she looked and sounded genuinely apologetic. That made me feel bad, was I really going to get to the point where I just assumed every random school nurse was a demon in disguise?

Kurumi really would have had a field day with me nowadays.

"No! I'm sorry, y…you didn't do anything," I said, bowing frantically again. "I've… just had a well… really, really long last few days. I guess you could say I'm exhausted."

"I see… yes, I can see bags under your eyes, are you getting enough sleep?" She said, taking another step forward, and leaning down towards my face. "Yes… you do show signs of a lack of sleep."

"I… I… well, I really haven't been but uh it… it's…" I stammered; red faced as her face was inches from mine. She wasn't much taller than me now that I saw her this close, I continued floundering with my words as she looked my face over. "It's okay really I… what… what are you doing?!"

"Checking your temperature… mhm, yes, you are a bit warm," She said, her hand placed over my forehead now, so close I could practically feel her breath. "I believe you should come see me after classes are done today should you feel any symptoms of being sick. Lack of sleep can accelerate these things and-."

"Please, please don't touch me!" I said, backing up, and moving her hand away from my face, looking at her again. "Now that makes me uncomfortable."

She looked puzzled for a minute, but eventually bowed. "Please forgive me. I just can't help myself, I always wish to do all I can when I see a young student such as yourself in distress."

"I'm not in distress!"

"That's exactly what a young man in distress would say," She said again in her soft voice, still smiling at me as if she was only looking to help.

I stammered and tried not to show my true reaction. What guy wouldn't get all red faced and nervous when a nurse who looked like this smiled at them like that?! Still, I sighed, and looked back at her again, shaking my head.

"Look, I'm fine, just need more sleep," I said, walking past her. "I'm not in distress I'm clearly fine. Now, I need to get to class, please show me the way."

I tried to put as much finality into my tone as possible. Normally, when I talked like that, Basara, Dad, anyone really tended to fold. People naturally didn't know how to respond when someone talked like that.

Ms. Hasegawa, however, didn't seem like most people.

"Only if you promise to come to the infirmary if you feel any symptoms," She said, walking in front of me, crossing her arms under her massive chest. "That's the only way I'll show you."

"Are you serious right now?" I said, staring to be more annoyed then anything. I groaned and with a healthy roll of my eyes nodded. "Fine, I promise if I'm ever in distress at school I'll come to the infirmary."

She smiled again and nodded. "Very good… just remember Arata Tojo. Humans become sick from much more then just physical injuries. True distress… true pain, it can come from anywhere, and sometimes the only way to heal it, is to speak with someone."

She turned and started walking down the hall. I stood shell shocked for a minute trying to process what had just happened. It was only 8 in the morning, and I already had a headache.

She may not be a demon… but she's just a bit weird, I thought, following Ms. Hasegawa down the hall.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

I normally counted myself as a great student. I got better grades then Basara, which was one of two things-the other being cooking-I was better at then him. Ms. Hasegawa thankfully for my brain didn't have anymore cryptic messages and left me at my classroom with only a goodbye and a reminder to come to the infirmary if I started feeling sick. I'd barely paid attention and answered basic questions when I wrote my name on the board and introduced myself, before going to a seat that thankfully was in the back of the class.

And as odd as my encounter with her was, Ms. Hasegawa was right when she said I was sleep deprived, because for most of the class I was drooling on the desk.

My stupid brother getting our step-sister off nine times in the middle of the night really didn't help me out any, I groaned, pulling my head off the desk and wiping the drool after I heard the bell. I wiped my eyes, yawned and rubbed my eyes when the sun came and hit them through the window.

Yawning again, I stood and stretched, but felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up, am I crazy… or are people already staring at me?

I turned to the rest of the classroom, where dozens of guys and girls were standing and getting ready for lunch.

And I groaned, andddddd of course they are. For fucks sake what did I do? I know they're not upset about me sleeping in class.

I had trained for more then half my life in the Hero's Village, my father was Jin Tojo, my mentor was Miyamoto Tanaka, I wasn't scared of a few glares from petty high school boys. Still, I needed to not draw attention to myself, and whatever it was they all seemed angry about was making that hard.

"What the hell…" I muttered to myself, sighing as I packed up my bag. "Maybe I am just scary-."

"Man, how's it feel to have all the boys in school glaring at you like that on your first day?" A voice said, making me spin around.

My brain stung, but I slowly nodded. "You… I remember you; I saw you yesterday."

It was the kid that I'd met inside the convenience store getting ice cream for Basara and my dad. I'd stored the interaction in the back of my head, because it had felt like the first time I'd actually made a friend my age.

He had the same aloof smile he'd had yesterday, with his hands stuck in his pockets. His shaggy black hair was a mess to around his ears, and his brown eyes were full of amusement. He scoffed a laugh and held out his hands, bowing in a dramatic gesture.

"It seems I left an impression! Ha, and I remember you too," He said, holding out his hand to me again. "Arata, right?"

Oddly enough, I actually smiled, it had been the first time all day.

"Yeah, that's right, and you're… Kaneda right?" I said, shaking his hand. "The one who also has an insufferably perfect older brother, was yours mad you didn't get his ice cream?"

I laughed in my head, ha look at me making small talk, Dad would be proud.

Kaneda laughed, leaning on my desk. "Haha, no thankfully he wasn't. But I do gotta admit, you had a point about yours being insufferably perfect as well, words already starting to get around."

My chest dropped to my stomach. "…. What? Oh, for fucks sake, what did he do this time?"

He laughed again and leaned forward. "First you gotta tell me, are you seriously living with Princess Mio?"

I crossed my arms, looking at him confused. "Princess… Mio? You mean well… Mio?!"

Kaneda nodded, smirking. "Aha, Naruse. From what I hear, earlier in class when your brother was introducing himself, a scuffle occurred, and Mio got up yelling about you her living with you guys."

GOD DAMMIT BASARA, DAMMIT MIO IT'S BEEN FOUR HOURS.

That had to be a new record for the shortest amount of time it'd taken someone to blow their cover.

I sighed in my head, annoyed, well if any undercover demons in the school didn't know where Mio was staying after school they certainly do now!

Groaning, I met Kaneda's eyes and nodded. "Yeah, it's true. She lives with us, she's our stepsister."

"Stepsister?!" He said, his eyes going wide as he laughed again. "Haha, talk about lucky for you! Mio's an idol in this school, a princess so not many guys are going to be very happy with you guys all living together."

I looked around the classroom at the guys glaring again. "Seriously? That's why they're all staring? For fucks sake Basara…"

"Yup, that's probably why," Kaneda said, patting my shoulder. "And to make things worse, apparently your brother was putting the moves on Princess Yuki too, she's another one of the upper class idol girls. Her and Mio, the jewels of the school, and apparently your brothers bagging them both."

My eye twitched, I'm locking him in his room with nothing but a porno magazine I swear to fucking god.

I groaned, rubbing my hands along my face. "And lucky me, now all these insecure jackasses think I'm going to start stealing all the girls in this class huh?"

Kaneda chuckled and shrugged. "Well, you also did walk in with Ms. Hasegawa, I'll tell you, every guy in the school gets 'sick' at least once a week to go see her."

For fucks sake why is everyone so goddamn horny the last two days, I thought, thinking about the porno game that Maria tried to leave in my room yesterday morning.

I tried to keep my cool, I shot the glare back to all the guys in the classroom, and pulled my bag up over my shoulder.

"Well, they don't need to worry about me," I sighed, looking at Kaneda. "I got more important things to worry about."

He smirked and shrugged. "Fair enough, although I certainly wouldn't mind waking up and walking down into the kitchen to see Princess Mio in pajamas every… okay, sorry, I won't finish that thought."

He finally turned and saw me glaring at him now. New friend or not, I was ready to hit him. I may have thought Maria and Mio were more trouble then they were worth… but they were still family. I wasn't going to let someone talk about them like that, it just wasn't who I was.

"Good…" I said with a sigh, looking around the room at the glares. "I just wish I had somewhere to eat lunch now, hate having people watch me eat."

Kaneda's eyes lit up. "Alright, lemme make it up to you! I promised to show you around didn't I? I'll even show you the best place to eat lunch, what do you say?"

A part of me wanted to turn it down. I knew I still had some areas of the school I wanted to investigate, just to make sure there were no magic traps or anything of the like. Still, having someone who knew the ins and outs of the school like Kaneda could help me, I'd be able to tell even with someone. And he could probably show me spots that teachers wouldn't.

So, I nodded, picking up my bag and tiny box lunch Maria had given me. "Sure thing, you said it's the best place to eat?"

"The best I promise ya! I was gonna meet my cousin there anyway he's a second year I'll introduce you," He said, turning with a smirk. "By the way, I think I'm gonna call you Ari, I've never been one for formal titles, you mind?"

I shrugged. "Not the worst thing I've been called, I don't mind."

"Awesome! Come on now my friend," He said, walking towards the door with his hands in his pocket.

I followed, fishing my phone of my pocket, and when I saw the text that lit up, I stopped for a moment.

From: Basara

I figured out something important. I'll tell you next time we're alone, we can't talk about it with anyone else around, even Mio.

That made my hands tingle, and I let out a shaky sigh. Basara… what are we getting ourselves into?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"HA, you're the only one I've ever heard complain about Ms. Hasegawa feeling them up," Kaneda laughed, holding onto a brown paper bag as we rounded a hallway. "Seriously, what you described sounds pretty awesome to me."

My face flushed red, and I rolled my eyes. "She just grabbed my face out of nowhere a minute after meeting me! Worst part was she started spouting some cryptic oddly profound stuff afterwards."

Kaneda waved his hand. "Ah, don't worry about that, she does that with everyone. Nobody leaves that infirmary without a life lesson. What I wanna know, is how your brother could have bagged Princess Yuki, Mio makes sense since you're stepsiblings, but her? She's a tough one to crack."

I shrugged. "Basara's naturally charming, has been since we were little. It's annoying, I honestly can't really blame them for staring at him, he's insufferably perfect."

The name Yuki sent chills down my spine. I had obviously never been as close with her as I was with Kurumi, but she was the older sister to the one person I ever really loved in a romantic way. She'd always look after me, smile at me, tell me how good a job I was doing. She of course had loved Basara, and Basara had loved her back, he always tried grabbing her butt.

I honestly didn't blame him for that part because I did the same thing to Kurumi who'd always been pretty well developed for her age.

But Yuki was a part of a much larger group of girls, boys, and adults who always fawned over my brother. It was deserved really, Basara really did seem perfect, especially to me.

"Ha, I bet he is, but don't sell yourself short Ari," Kaneda told him, as they turned down what seemed to be a maintenance hallway. "Remember what I said about younger brothers?"

"You think we're always overshadowed, which makes us work harder and it often makes us more special, still really like that idea," I told him, looking at him as we walked. "What about yours? Does he not go here too?"

"Nah, he's a bit older," Kaneda said. "He's got a lot on his plate right now, but I love him cause he always does make time for me. He's-."

"Hey! It's you, isn't it?" A voice said.

I stopped, and Kaneda stopped with me. My eyes went down the hallway, and I found the voice had been another guys. He was one among a group of four, all crowded around a staircase that had been clearly where Kaneda had been taking him. For a second, I thought Kaneda had led me into some kind of ambush, but dismissed the idea when I saw the annoyed look on his face.

"Afternoon fellas!" Kaneda said, holding out his hands. "Enjoying out lunch period? Fantastic, now me and Ari here are just gonna head up and-."

"I know you heard me," The one in the middle said, the tallest one with beady brown eyes and short close cropped blonde hair stepped forward from the others. "You, you're the brat that's living with Mio Naruse, right?"

Kaneda stepped in front of me. "Look, we all wish we lived with Mio too friend, but just because we don't doesn't mean-."

"I am, and what of it?" I cut Kaneda off, stepping back in front of him again.

That made the guy pause for a second, as the other three all got up to join him. I looked back to Kaneda and didn't let him try to step in again. I had situations like this happen plenty of times before.

Plenty of kids in the Hero's Village had come up to me just like this, asking me the same questions just different.

Are you really Basara's younger brother?

You're the one who goes over the Nonaka's house all the time right?!

If I beat you, I'll get back at your brother who beat me!

All equally stupid questions or statements, but all had been things I got into fights for when I was younger. Being Jin Tojo's son, Basara's younger brother, it made me a target for people like that who were just eager to prove themselves or had a grudge from their parents.

There was only one way to deal with them.

The big guy was clearly an upperclassman. He scoffed and looked at his friends. "The other guy was small, but can you believe how puny his brother is-."

"Oh man, a short joke right off the bat, very original," I said with a sigh, shaking my head. "Look, I don't give a damn about your insecurities. If Basara didn't kick your ass, you either weren't worth his time, or you were too much of a wimp to get face to face with him like this, so you came to find his little brother, is that right?"

The guy stammered for a minute, his friends pausing as well. He really was at least three heads taller then me, but he made me more annoyed then anything.

He seemed to find his courage and took another step forward. "You got no idea what you're talking about kid. I just wanted to see the face of a kid who thinks he deserves to live with someone like Mio."

"Well if you have to know, it wasn't really my choice, our parents got married," I lied. "Do I gotta spell it out for you? When a mommy and daddy love each other very much, sometimes they-."

"Shut your mouth brat," He said, reaching out his hand. "A girl like that, tits that big, you gotta know every guy in this school would do her, I know I would, she probably gets down all the time… huh?! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

He had tried to shove me, but when his hand touched my shoulder I didn't move. My hand moved on its own, and I grabbed his wrist, squeezing it and not letting him pull it back. He tried to pull, but I kept squeezing, eventually, his friends all seemed to realize their mini 'boss' wasn't joking, and he actually was stuck.

Something had been triggered, I had no idea why it was so sudden, but something about the way this guy had talked, what he had said really, really had pissed me off.

"What… what the hell you think you're tough?!" He yelled, as he still hadn't freed his hand. "I'll show you tough-. GAH!"

He had tried to punch with his free left hand, but I caught it. I quickly moved my hand to his other wrist, and then with a turn twisted both of them around. He yelled, and fell to his knees, as I yanked on both his wrists, and looked down at him. Kaneda didn't say anything, only backing up, as the three other kids, all larger as well backed up.

"Gah my… my hands!" The guy yelled, trying to pull free. "Let go of me you-."

"I yank a little more, I break them both," I told him, looking down at him. "Now… do you wanna say those things again?"

"Huh?! What… what are you-. GAHHHH!" He yelled as I twisted even harder.

"I said," I hissed, feeling my arms tingle, and I knew outside storm clouds may have been rolling in over the school, "do you want to repeat what you just said about Mio to me?"

"N…no! No, I don't!" He yelled, suddenly not wanting to act tough anymore. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Ha I… I was just joking around ya know! Come on, ever guys likes to talk about tits they'd-. GAHHHHHHHHH!"

"I don't give a damn about your petty jealously, or anyone else's. Say what you want about me and my brother, I don't care, he doesn't," I said, narrowing my eyes down at the gut. "But you can tell everyone else too, if I ever hear you or any of them talking about Mio like that again… well, I'll show you just how many bones I know how to break."

"O…okay! Okay, okay, I'll tell them, I swear, just GAHHHH!" He yelled, as I finally let go of his wrists and tossed them to the floor.

"My brother has a lot longer of a fuse then I do, but when his goes off, it's even worse then mine," I told him, looking from him to the other three kids. "Now all three of you, get the hell out of our way."

And all three of them did. My entire body was tense, if I hadn't been careful, lightning probably would have started shooting off my arms, and through my eyes. Luckily, I'd been able to cover it, and after I finally knew the four guys turned the corner away from the hallway I was able to breath out a sigh of relief. The bubbling and hot feeling I'd felt along my arms, on the back of my neck it was finally gone, and I looked down at my sword hand to realize it still wasn't tingling.

That had been my own anger bubbling over. I tried not to hurt regular humans, it wasn't fair, my strength, it was something they couldn't fathom, but I'd just felt something snap.

They may be trouble but… they are my family, I thought, sucking in a breath and turning around.

"Sorry you had to see that," I said, rubbing the back of my head. "I may have gotten carried away."

Kaneda scoffed. "Ha are you kidding?! That was fucking awesome! They were definitely upper classman, remind me never to say anything about your stepsister again."

I suddenly felt embarrassed. "Well, I… I know she's pretty and all, but still, I won't-."

"I get, I get it!" He said, smirking as he put his arm around me and we started walking up the steps that the kids had been blocking. "You know, you're a pretty good brother Ari."

A good brother huh…? I never thought I'd be described as that, I thought, as we finally got to the door, and Kaneda knelt down.

I looked up at the sign above the door and realization hit me. "The roof? You like to eat lunch on the roof?"

"Aha, normally it's locked, but looks like my cousin's already here," He said, opening the door, and I followed him as the breeze hit me. "Ah! I guessed right haha, hey Yahiro, wow, look at you cuz, you got yourself a friend! I managed that too."

The roof was spacious, and the sun was bright as I stepped up next to Kaneda.

My jaw dropped. "Basara?"

My brother stood up from who I assumed was Kaneda's cousin. "Arata!"

We locked eyes for a moment. Over the years I got good at telling what he was thinking, what he wanted to say just from the look he gave me.

Whatever it was he wanted to tell me… it really was important. It looked like he'd been about to blurt it out then and there. It'd been a while since I'd seen him with such an on edge look to his eye. Still, I shot him back a look that clearly was telling him 'just wait', and the message got through.

Still, what could Basara have to tell me that's so important?

"Ahh would you look at that," Kaneda's cousin-Yahiro- said, turning to Basara. "This the famous little brother you told me so much about Basachi?"

Basara composed himself and nodded. "Yeah… Arata, this is Yahiro, Yahiro, this is my brother Arata."

"Nice to meet you Arata," Yahiro said, smirking at Kaneda. "And look at you little cousin, I didn't know you were capable of making friends."

"I'm full of surprises," Kaneda smirked, sitting next to his cousin and opening his bag lunch, he then looked at Basara. "And you, you must be Arata's insufferably perfect big bro!"

Basara stuttered and looked at me. "You called me insufferable?!"

"Insufferably perfect, take it as a compliment," I said with a sigh, sitting next to him and going to open my lunch.

We sat and ate for the next half hour or so, it was nice, and felt oddly normal. It'd been a while since Basara and me just sat and ate lunch together with friends. Kaneda and Yahiro told them some about the school, themselves, the best spots in town. Basara and I both responded in kind, telling them within reason all we could about ourselves.

However, the entire time until the bell rang, I could feel Basara keep looking back at me, as if he were debating pulling me over and telling me his news then and there. It was kinda making me nervous, and by the time we heard the bell and started walking back towards class, I hadn't been able to get a minute alone with him as he'd gone off with Yahiro, and I went with Kaneda.

Jeez Basara… what's got you so on edge?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Ugh… I never thought I'd be so excited to go home," I said, slipping on my shoes and going to close my locker, as the sun was gently starting to set.

The day had felt longer then it actually was, but it turned out Ms. Hasegawa really was correct. I'd slept through most classes, and I was fully ready to let Basara make dinner that night. I had full plans on locking myself in my room for at least a two hour nap, before going to work reading some of the old combat guides and manuals I still kept in my room. I needed to get refreshed on the abilities of my sword, I still knew all the abilities, all the combos and attacks I could use, but some of the forms and movements were hazy.

I told myself I'd start focusing on school tomorrow, but for now I needed to ready myself for whatever it was that was going to come. Dad wouldn't have gone on a mission by himself unless he really did expect something big was about to happen. I knew how much it hurt Basara to use his sword, how much pain it brought him, so I was going to make sure I was ready to do all I could. This was my first vow, my first mission, and I'd pass it.

I had always thought Kurumi would be with me for my first mission, but that obviously couldn't be the case now. So, I'd do it for her. I was a coward, I hadn't gone to see her before leaving the village, she probably hated my guts now, and I couldn't blame her.

So, to at least make myself feel like I'd made it up to her, I'd be the hero she always thought I could be.

"But first… a nap," I yawned, getting closer to the school gate. My eyes scanned for any signs of Mio, Basara or Maria, and when I didn't see them I scoffed. "Jeez where are they… what the hell?! Damn, Basara, what the hell's the problem?"

I had pulled out my phone to call him, and saw seven missed calls from Basara, and then an additional fifteen text messages. All of them said the same thing, asking where I was and to find him before heading home.

"For gods sake, he's acting like my mother," I said, pressing his number and holding up the phone, when I finally heard the click I scoffed. "Hello, is this my overprotective mother? For fucks sake Basara, what do you want-."

"Arata! Where are you right now?!" He said, sounding urgent.

I scrunched my eyes, turning in place as kids walked by me. "Out front where we came in. Where are you? I don't see any sign of you or Mio."

"I had to stay a bit later, Mio should be with Maria on the way home," He said, and I could hear he was out of breath. "Arata, listen, you have to come meet up with me, right now!"

"I can just start walking home, I'm sure you'll catch up," I said, rolling my eyes. "What's gotten into you, what do you have to tell me, is it something bad?"

"It… it's well…" He hesitated, his voice going quiet over the phone. "It's… not bad, per-say, it's actually pretty great, but Arata I need to talk to you about it first-."

"And I thought I overreacted," I sighed, hefting my bag up over my shoulder. "If it's good news, why do you need to talk to me before-."

"Arata."

The voice. It was so, so soft, so kind, it sounded on the verge of tears really. All the other chatting kids voices all seemed to go quiet, as all I could hear was the voice of the girl who had said my name. Goosebumps ran up my arms, down my neck, the hairs on my arms and legs stood up, as I had to heave because I'd stopped breathing. I didn't want to believe it, didn't want to believe that was the voice I heard, it couldn't be possible, I'd given up the idea of ever hearing it again.

"Arata! Arata, are you there?" Basara yelled over the phone. "I'm almost-."

I ended the call, whatever he had to say, it couldn't have been more important than me turning around then. My bag fell to the ground at my feet, a few people looked, but I didn't care. My chest felt like it was about to explode, my stomach tingled, and my hands shook as I turned around, and I finally saw her.

It hadn't been a lie; I really had heard the voice I thought I heard.

And I cried, because if she was here… then that meant Kurumi could be too.

But still, that didn't mean I hadn't wanted to see her.

"Y…Yuki…?"

She smiled, she had gotten even more beautiful from when she was younger. Her bright blue hair was just down to her shoulders, held up and in place by a white headband. She wore the same girls uniform as Mio had, a black skirt, white shirt and orange tie down between her chest. Back in the village, everyone had thought she was one of the most beautiful girls there, and Arata couldn't argue it could be the case, although he would always say it was her younger sister Kurumi.

Her eyes were even more striking then he remembered. Her and Kurumi had the same golden eyes. I couldn't stop looking, at my side, my hand continued shaking, my legs did too, they felt like they were going to give out at any second. For a minute, I thought she was some ghost, or some demon playing tricks on me. No, this couldn't be Yuki, me and Basara's Yuki, the one we'd spent so much time with, been attached practically at the hip too at the village.

Basara had been right, what he had wanted to tell me, it was great news, more then great, even more then that. This was quite possibly the best thing that had happened to me since I left the village.

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah… hi, Arata."

And as I stood there frozen, unable to say anything. She just tilted her head, smiled, and walked over to me.

When she hugged me, I almost melted. For a moment I was frozen still, I couldn't move, she was so, so warm, so calming like she'd always been when I was younger. If not for Yuki, I never would have even met Kurumi. She'd been the one to introduce me to her younger sister, Basara and I never would have been as social as we were then without Yuki.

I never would have known about Takemikazuchi if not for Yuki. I had no idea why Basara couldn't have just told me, who cares if Yahiro or Kaneda knew? We could've said she was a childhood friend without any other implications. Now, Kaneda's story about Basara, 'bagging Princess Yuki', made sense, I had to assume Yuki was just as shocked to see Basara walk into her class, to see us as we were to see her.

This… this is real, it's really happening it… it's Yuki!

"Y…Yuki… Yuki…" I said, saying her name over again, tears starting to come down my face more. Still with her attached to me, I looked down at her. "You… you're… here…"

"Mhm… yeah, I am," She said, still with her arms around my waist as she looked up at me with her soft, beautiful smile and big golden eyes, which were watery themselves. "You've gotten a lot bigger. You're finally taller then me."

"Y…yeah…yeah…" I said, sobbing and finally, finally, feeling myself move. "Y…Yuki!"

And I hugged her, so hard I almost knocked her over, but she regained her balanced, digging her head into my chest, as the tears I cried fell onto her head.

It was so much more then, than just seeing an old friend, seeing Kurumi's older sister. Yuki was so much more than that, she was a reminder.

A reminder that all those good times I once had, when I used to smile and actually feel contempt with my life, when I was happy actually happened.

Yuki reminded me of a time that I wasn't afraid, and I had someone who understood me.

"Yuki… Yuki…" I said her name over and over like it was a lifeline, my arms shaking as I didn't want to let go of that hug.

"Basara… he didn't hug me back," She admitted, squeezing me harder. "I… missed you both, I missed you… Arata."

"I…I missed you… Yuki," I said, sobbing, as I kept hold of her and looked down to meet her golden eyes with my teary blue ones. "K…Kurumi is she… is she here or…"

"No… she's still back at the village," Yuki said, still holding onto me, but smiling and wiping one of my two cheeks. "But… if you want, I'll tell you about how she's been, I'll even show you pictures and… and if you want, I'll even send her a message for you."

And then, I was finally broken, I cried, nodded, and buried my head into her shoulder. I felt her pat my head affectionately, just like she had when I was younger each time I came over her house to see Kurumi.

Basara… how in the world can this be anything except the best thing we've had happen for the last five years?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Basara

"Slow down Basara!" Mio complained from behind me. "Seriously, what's the big idea?!"

"Yeah!" Maria complained too. "Arata's a big boy, he can walk home himself I'm sure."

"Just hurry and keep up!" I urged the both of them. "I need to find Arata before… damn."

It turned out that Maria and Mio both had actually been waiting for Arata and I after school. I found them both as I had been running from the back of the school towards the front trying to find Arata before he could leave. I cursed myself for not just telling him at lunch when I saw him about Yuki, but I had thought I'd be able to see him before I left.

Also, Yuki being back was going to lead to a much deeper conversation. Because, I knew right away Arata would do nothing but think of all the great things that would come now, he was probably elated to have someone from the village, especially someone like Yuki back in his life. The fact it was Yuki made it even better for him, Yuki could tell him about Kurumi, and probably even contact her for him.

But I had looked at it with a very different view. Of course I wanted to be happy to see Yuki, and I was, I truly was.

However, she would only be here for one reason. The Village I speculated had probably sent her to observe Mio, which means they saw Mio as a potential threat. And now, if they figured out Arata and I both were here protecting her, that we were her stepbrothers, that was going to lead to something else, something much, much worse.

Fighting demons was one thing, but if we had to fight someone from the village? Fight another hero, another god weapon or spirits? That would be difficult given our current state, with the added mission of protecting Mio from regular demons. I knew how the elders of the village thought. If they were going to send anyone here, they were going to send Kurumi along with them.

And if they sent Kurumi here as an enemy? That would only break my brother even more then he already was.

But… I couldn't break his heart then.

"What the heck is… ohhhhh Arata!" Maria said, cooing as they watched him from afar. "I knew it! I knew he probably had intense sexual desires! Seriously, nobody screams blue balls more than Arata does-.

"Maria!" Mio yelled, turning to look out at Arata, before scoffing. "Yuki again?! Seriously?! You're both childhood friends with her?!"

"Well, it makes sense that his brother would be friends with her too Mio," Maria explained, smirking as Arata and Yuki clung to their hug with each other. "I think this is adorable! Although, I will say that I never thought Arata would be so forward with a girl! Seriously, I'd need an ice scrapper to get those two apart!"

"This isn't funny Maria!" Mio said, her tone softening, as now she sounded worried. "This means Yuki is a part of the hero clan as well… doesn't it Basara?"

Maria scoffed before I could answer. "Oh come on Mio, just because an old childhood friend's shown up, doesn't mean they're about to run off, right Basara?"

"No, you're right Maria, we're not going anywhere," I told them, turning to look at them both. "But Arata and I need to talk to Yuki alone. Why don't you two head home alright?"

I felt horrible, because I had lied to them.

The truth was, I really didn't know. If the village send a mission against Mio, against the two of them, which now was a real possibility… if they sent Yuki and Kurumi to fight them… he didn't know.

He truly didn't know if his brother would be able to raise his sword against them.

Next Time, Episode 3: A Decision: Reunited with Yuki, Basara and Arata are elated, especially Arata, since it means that he can finally send a message to Kurumi, and see even a picture of her again for the first time in years. Basara however, knows that Yuki being there means much more then just a happy reunion. However, before they can worry about the Hero Clan, different enemies show up. The people after Mio's power are making their first move, and now, Basara and Arata are going to have to be ready.

A/N: Chapter 2 done! Haha, if you're reading this and read my other stories as well, you'll know I'm trying to get done all the half chapters I have done of all my stories before focusing on one and going forward. If you read my profile or other story ANs, you'll also know, that Arata Tojo, is one of my seven characters who are going into a massive crossover event down the line! All seven characters are going to come together to face a common threat in the Fate universe, and Arata Tojo will be present!

I think I may focus on this story first, since Testament of Sister New Devil is substantially shorter then the other OCs I made animes, like SAO, DanMachi or Fairy Tail, but I'll decide that later!

Now, back to this story, for you people who read chapter one and thought 'oh well, I guess Arata developed fully in just one chapter', well you were wrong lol. Arata may have accepted the mission, made the vow to protect Mio, but he still has a lot of personal trauma to work through.

Arata as you all can tell is a very, very bitter character, he's afraid to commit to this mission, but for the sake of his new family, and his old one he's going to give it his all, and on the way he's going to become a very, very different person.

However, he isn't completely hateful. As we saw, he won't stand for someone slandering or disrespecting his family, even Mio. We see just how emotional he gets just seeing Yuki again, someone from a happier time in his life, I think that scene where he sees Yuki again is sweet because it shows just how vulnerable he is, he's just a kid after all who had his whole life uprooted, and now he's finally seeing someone from that life he loved again, and of course, Yuki is the sister of the only girl he's loved, so it really hits him hard.

We also meet a new original character for this series Kaneda Aoi! As he's been introduced, you can all probably guess where his character is going, but he's set up to be a good counter to Arata, they'll have a great dynamic together, and I look forward to that.

Also, as Basara illudes too, we're getting awfully close to Kurumi coming back, what's going to happen when Arata after bonding more with Mio and Maria, has the one girl he ever loved sent after him? I can't wait to write that, and as I said, I may have this story be the focus because since with S1 and 2 of Sister New Devil, there's only I believe 22-23 episodes plus the OVA.

FYI, I'll be stopping this story there where the anime ended. I have no idea where to find the LNs for this series unfortunately, so if any of you know where I can find English versions please let me know, if I have them, I'd be happy to continue on past where the anime left off!

Okay, so that's it! Please, leave a review if you got time, let's show the fandom for this show is still alive haha, I'll see you all next time!