Rias told me that she would send someone to fetch me after school. I was barely paying attention but I nodded that I understood anyways. My attention was on the other students that looked at the both of us as we walked onto school grounds. Since we got onto campus, almost immediately eyes landed on us and just as quickly I could hear the murmurs and whispers of girls and guys alike talking. And the thing was I was able to hear them and their gossip, but it wasn't like they were keeping quiet. My eyes turn to Rias so I can judge her reaction, but she just kept walking. Head held high and eyes looking ahead with a small smile on her face; she looked like a Queen in her kingdom. Her face calmed me, well until I heard a smart aleck say something that irked me ever more. I turn my head and glared at the dude until I couldn't see him.

" Taizen, you listening?"

I blinked and lift my head. Rias was looking at me with a raised eyebrow that amuse gleam in her eyes.

" Ah, yeah," I lied. I cleared my throat and rubbed the back of my head." You know you can just call me Tai."

Rias nodded with a small smile," Alright, Tai. I have to go now, I'll have someone come and get you after school. See you later."

Rias placed a hand on my shoulder before running it down my arm as she walked away. I blink and watched her head up the stairs, not able to help notice her hips swaying from side to side before turning away. With all of the excitement going on I wasn't able to ask Rias what I wanted to know. I wanted to know when I was reborn as a devil and why I couldn't remember it. Every time I thought back all I could recall were boring days. I meant it when I said my life sucked.

With Rias out of sight, I checked out my surroundings. Students, boys and girls, all moving around and doing their own thing. As I thought about it none of them was aware that there was devils among them. Hell, I didn't know they existed until I became one myself; even now I'm still not sure if I truly believe it. Funny how knowing something makes you feel like an outcast among others. I yawned, rubbing the little sleep still in my eyes. I was never a morning person but I felt even more wiped out than usual. I went outside, the cool, morning breeze hitting my face and running through my hair. It was there that I almost bumped into Karin,

" Woah, easy there," she said putting her hands on my chest to prevent me from pushing into her.

I looked at her, she was wearing the school's uniform like always. Her light brown hair was in a long pony tail that settled on the mid of her back. Green-hazel eyes stared at me, seeming to pop out do to the small amount of eyeshadow and mascara on her face. Girls weren't suppose to wear makeup at school but it was a rule that the school didn't really enforce. Usually an girl had to wear makeup to the point that it was obviously noticeable before a teacher said anything. Karin never got in trouble for it though, she wore too little but yet it was enough. Most of the times I hardly pay much attention but when I do I would notice how cute my friend really was and I would stare at her like I was now.

" What? I got something on my face?"

Karin's voice snapped me out of my trance and I shook my head to clear my thoughts away." No. Just you're looking better than usual, who's the lucky guy?" My teasing always led her to rolling her eyes and telling me I was stupid.

" Ah but you didn't deny it. So who is it?"

" No one. Tai."

" Is it Senji?" I nudged her.

" What?! No!"

I laughed and tried again." Is it Vic?"

She glared at me," You really want me to smack you, don't you?"

I snickered, casually putting an arm around her and guiding her close to me. I reached out with my other hand to ruffling her hair playfully. Karin swiped my hand away but she didn't pull away from me. In fact she leaned more into me. We stood there like that, no one said a word and just let the breeze hit our faces.

As I thought about it, I was always closer to Karin than I was to Vic and Senji. We all were great friends- that what I believed anyways- and got along great. After all we been together since grade school.

I knew Karin first because she use to live down the street from me before moving to a different neighborhood. While Senji and Vic were great guys -though perverted and nerdy- that I could goof around with and have fun, Karin was the friend I went to for counseling. She listened to me vent; gave me small advise that end up helping. She saw things in a completely different perspective than most people. It was one of the things that was attractive about her.

When I was ten, I had a crush on the girl. Though she was demanding and had a 'take charge' attitude there was something about her I like, even if she reminded me of Angelica from Rugrats. I would purposely argue with her just to make her mad but also because it was amusing. Over the years during middle school I realized my attempts to court Karin where all fails. She either wasn't interested in boys or just not me but over time I eased back into our regular friendship.

" You okay there, Tai?"

I looked down into hazel eyes and hummed my response.

" I don't get it," she shook her head.

I raised a brow looking at her funny." Don't get what?"

" How you can space off like that so easily. And you been doing that a lot lately, what's up?"

'Oh nothing, just that last night I was ambushed my girlfriend and two goons who turn out to be all Fallen Angels. They stabbed me with light spears or some shit like that and tried to kill me. Best part was I woke up with Rias Gremory in my bed naked and hugged up all over me saying that she was a devil and I was too but she was my master. Not only that but apparently I was killed and reborn as a devil about two months ago and have no memories about it.'

I thought about telling her but there were flaws in doing that.

First one, she wouldn't believe me.

Second she would thing I have finally lost it for playing too many games-though I haven't really played anything for some time now- and need professional help.

In the end I just shook my head.

" Nothing's wrong. Just had an crappy night is all. I need to get new pillows or something."

A total lie but she didn't need to know that. Karin frowned and lightly touched my face with her hand. I could feel the coolness coming off of her and I almost leaned into her touch and closed my eyes, but instead I merely looked at her.

" You sure, Tai? You know you can tell me anything." She was trying to coaxing me into spilling my beans, confessing to her like I would to a Father or priest, (I honestly didn't know the difference, but that wasn't the point.)

I took her hand in mine and nodded my head," Yea I'm fine. I'm just missing Aiko is all."

Another fat lie.

However, it was what Karin said next that surprised me. She looked at me, a confused expression on her face.

" Who's Aiko?"

"..."

I was silent, waiting for the question to process through my head. Who was Aiko? Was this some kind of joke? I remember telling her and the boys about Aiko, I even showed them a picture of her. Vic and Senji started bitching at the exact moment and Karin mumbled how she didn't look that pretty out of jealousy in Aiko's appearance.

Karin was still looking at me, waiting for my response. But I answered her question with one of my own.

" What you mean 'Who's Aiko?.' I told you, Senji and Vic about her. I even showed you a picture of her.

She rose a brow and gave me a funny look." You didn't show us anything. At least me anyways."

I was still in disarray before shaking my head. Lately I been lost and confused about a lot of things." Hold on," I told her, digging into my pocket. I grabbed my phone and flipped it open. I didn't own a fancy phone like the i-Phone or an Galaxy or whatever. I already owned a laptop so I didn't need a complex phone that could barely fit into my pocket. Plus I hardly used my phone for anything besides calling or texting one of my three friends about homework or where to hang out.

The home screen flashed on showing a picture of a photo of me and my father. Didn't know why I used it as a wallpaper but I just did. I went through my menu and looked for my photo gallery. I scroll through the little amount of pics that I had to find the one I was looking for. It wasn't there.

" The hell?"

" What is is?" Karin asked leaning more against me to see what I was doing. I could smell the shampoo that she used in her hair. Green Apple.

" It's not in here," I muttered scrolling up and down my phone again. It should had been the most recent one but instead it was a picture of Vic shoving a meatball sandwich in his mouth, barbecue sauce all over his hands and face.

Karin looked at me with disbelief and a hint of impatience; arms crossed over her chest and lightly swaying from side to side." Well?"

At this point it wasn't so much as trying to prove Karin that I did have a girlfriend, rather, use to have a girlfriend, but more to prove to myself I wasn't going crazy. I knew it wasn't a dream, I woke up with a hot, naked girl in my bed for crying out loud.

" Hold on, let me check for her cell number," I insisted exiting out of the photos and into my contact list. That too was small, only consisting my mother's number, Karin, Vic, Senji, and a teacher or two that sometimes tutored me when I was falling behind.

There was no trace of Aiko's number anywhere.

" I don't get it. It's not here," I mutter to myself. It was like Aiko vanished from the face of the earth. This whole thing made my head hurt, my temples slightly throbbing.

Karin lightly giggled and placed a hand on my shoulder." Man, you almost had me there."

She smiled and I couldn't help but think it was a smile of relief of some sort." If you're not careful Tai, you'll end up like Senji and Vic. Too desperate to get a girl that it'll be all you think about."

I wanted to tell her that I wasn't lying, that there really was a girl name Aiko. I've kissed her, touched her, held her. I still remember how soft her lips were and how her fingers danced around on my skin when she teased me.

The bell rang for us to get to class. Karin pulled away from me and nudged me lightly with her elbow." Come on, lover boy. Let's get to class."

I still wanted to protest but I decided it was better not to. My head hurt and I just didn't have the energy anymore. Class sounded like a good idea.

I needed a nap.

DxD

I mostly slept for two classes.

Pre-Calculus and Gym. In math I just stood my text up on my desk and laid my head down. When it came time to go outside I dressed out and when the coach wasn't looking went off to the trees and laid under them in the shade. In each class I tried to sleep when I could, hardly doing anything. It was when we had break and lunch did I stay up. I mean I had to eat some time during the day. To make the story short I slept most of the school day. Homework and tests where the last thing on my mind. In fact the only thing I wanted was a soft pill so I could sleep in comfort.

It was the last twenty minutes of class that was the best. The teacher wanted us all to silently read until the bell rang.

I was startled awake from the squealing and shrieks of school girls. I shot up in my seat, eyes wide and looking around almost in a panic.

" Nice of you to come back from the dead." Senji was sitting on my desk, pushing up his glasses up his face while holding a manga in his hand.

" … Get off my desk," I said groggily, not in the mood for his bullshit.

" Man, I forget how grumpy your ass gets when you wake up."He followed that with another smartass remark and before I could say or do anything he jumped off my desk and stood up.

" Now I wonder what this guy is doing here."

I followed Senji's gaze and to somewhat my surprise, yet annoyance, Yuuto Kiba was standing there, the girls surrounding him like moths to a flame.

" Ahh! It's Kiba!" Squealed one girl.

" Look at him, he's so handsome! Just like a real Prince!"

I swear don't those girls ever shut the hell up?!

Kiba greeted them all kindly, saying hello and how lovely they look and so on. It was rather sickening if you ask me. I suppose he doesn't mind his personal space getting raided by love-sick girls.

While Prince Charming was busy pleasing his fangirls, I got up and grabbed my things. There was no way I was going to get anymore sleep with this guy around so I decided it was time to leave." Come on, Senji."

I didn't wait for my four-eyed friend to follow and head out the door, no one taking much notice in our absence.

DxD

The afternoon breeze felt nice. Both me and Senji walked home in almost complete silence-well almost complete silence. Senji kept on talking about new video games and live action movies that were suppose to come out. I only grunted and gave single word comments. Most of the time I just tuned him out, too tired to actually pay attention to much of anything that he was saying.

" You must be really tired if you're this out of it," Senji commented. I merely shrugged my shoulders.

" Yeah, and I'm going to sleep when I get home."

" Hey Tai, you think I will ever get a girlfriend," Senji asked as he gazed at the golden colors of the sky.

" Not this crap, Senji c'mon we been through this." I sighed rubbing my face with my hand. I was too tired and so not in the mood to hear him talk about his none existing love life.

" No, no, hear me out," Senji said looking at him." I been thinking. They say that there's someone for everyone, right?"

I nodded but realizing that he wasn't looking I clear my throat." Right, I guess."

" Well maybe somewhere out there, there's the perfect gal for me, ya know?"

" Or boy? There can be a perfect boy for you out there," I teased.

" Fuck you, man!"

I laughed and shook my head," Sorry Senji. You're my bro and all but I like a woman's touch. Not your greasy fingers."

" Shut up!... You think I have greasy hands?"

I laughed again.

DxD

Senji and I took an detour on our way home to get some ice cream. By the time we got to his street it was already dark out. Street posts flickered on, giving us light on the way." You wanna stay over for dinner, dude? We can play some games afterwards and all that."

I shook my head," Naw, I think I'll pass."

" Ya sure?"

I nodded my head and placed my hands behind my head," I'm sure. I don't really feel like doing anything today."

" Yeah, I can tell. Alright man I guess some other-huh?" Senji stopped, looking up ahead." Who's that?"

I looked ahead spotting a man standing under a street light. He wore all black, a black fedora on top of his head was shadowing his face. I frowned an uneasy feeling coming over me, just like the other night with Gai and Uzu trapped me and Aiko, I mean Jacell, in the alleyway.

" What you think he's doing?"Senji whispered.

" I don't know, man. But he is creeping me out though," I admitted before seeing a alleyway. It would delay getting to Senji's place but we'll be avoiding the guy up ahead." Let's go that way," I pointed.

Senji didn't protest and he followed me.

" I know he was rather far away, but that guy was a creep," Senji stated the obvious. He gave out a light, nervous laugh, trying to ease the tension that now thicken the night.

I didn't say anything and just kept walking at a fast pace, Senji had to jog a little to keep up. I didn't like this feeling I had, it was crawling up and down my spine like some kind of bug. All I could think about was getting away.

" Holy shit, dude!"

Senji's outburst stopped me in my tracks. I looked up and just like before that man all in black was standing under a lamppost.

" The fuck," I muttered stepping back. This time the man stepped forward.

" Fuck, dude he's coming closer!" Senji stood behind me.

" I can see that Senji. Now shut up and let me think."

Out of the four of us, Senji wasn't a fighter, he was the nerdy one. The fighting was always dealt by me since I was the one who was always involved in them. So natural when there was trouble Senji and at times Vic would shuffled behind me like I was some kind of shield.

" Let's make a break for it," Senji suggested.

" And go where, Sen?" I swear he was even more annoying when he was scared but I didn't blame kid was a shrimp compare to most guys. The man in black came closer.

" What is a stray devil doing with a human?" The man's voice was cold and hard." No matter, I suppose you're the one I'm here to finish off. Those fools are so insufficient."

" The hell is he talking about?" Senji squeaked. I still didn't answer and stepped back, pushing my friend back as well.

" What do you want!" I demanded standing my ground. The best thing I can think of is to distract this guy so Senji could get away.

" I am Nardo and I'm here to discard of you, and this poor human as he lost his way." Suddenly black feather wings sprouted from his back. So he was a Fallen Angel too. Just fucking great.

Senji was freaking out even more, I could hear his voice shake in fear. I can picture him close to pissing his pants. Poor guy had no idea what was going on and now might lose his life. But I couldn't let that happen;problem was I didn't know what to do. Last time I faced a Fallen Angel I pretty much got screwed over.

" Senji, get out of here. I'll hold him off." I dare not take my eyes off of Nardo not trusting him not to attack when I wasn't looking.

" YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" A yellow spear appeared in the man's hand as he bellowed. I swear to God I hate those things with my life. He threw it and I turn towards Senji." Move!" I shoved him off to the side while I leaped to the other. I wasn't even thinking, my body just moved on its own.

There was an explosion right where we were standing, dust and dirt going everywhere. I shield my eyes to protect them from loose gravel." Senji! You okay!"

" Tai! Help!" I looked up and standing above Senji was Nardo with his spear of light posed at his throat. There were across from me, between us was a crater where the spear had landed.

" May God have mercy on your soul!" He pulled back his weapon, Senji's eyes widen with tears spilling from the corner of his brown eyes.

No! I got up and ran over there, refusing to let some asshole kill one of my best friends. My heart beating loudly in my ears, going as fast as I could to reach them.

Nardo thrust his spear directly down towards Senji's heart.

I ran faster.

" Tai!" Senji called out for me. Desperate for help.

" Senji!" I extended out my hand and leaped towards them.

Blood splattered on a wall that night.

A/N: Cliffhanger!

So tell me what you think of this chapter. Shouldn't take that long to update again so you know the fate of Tai and Senji. Read, review, enjoy. See ya later! :P