When Koneko stepped into the occult club, at first, she assumed she was alone, but she wasn't.
After hearing a soft snore, she turned around to look at the source of this rather peaceful sound.
..And it was Issei.
''..Huh?'' – She let out a quiet sound at the view. Issei was sleeping on his side, on the sofa in the middle of the room. One of his arms was under his head, while the other was hanging loosely over the edge of the sofa. On his face was a soothing expression.
His mouth was just a little bit open, as his shoulders moved slightly on each breath.
The afternoon sun, shinning in trough the window enveloped Issei and Koneko.
The view was rather...tranquil.
Koneko leaned closer, taking a closer look at Issei's sleeping face. His skin was about 2 shades darker than her's, if Koneko had to guess it was from the years spent abroad – after all, the missions he told were scattered on about everywhere on the globe.
Her eyes lingered on the scar situated on his eyebrow – from distance she always assumed the scar was something gained from the years on of constant battle and survival, but up close it seemed like the scar had a meaning. Like it had a purpose. A sense of reason, it felt like it was cut there, deeply, in a shape of a diamond by someone.
''..'' – She raised her hand, moving it closer to Issei's white hair. It twitched, as she hesitated for second, but then she touched his white hair.
-!
She let out a small scream in fear as her hand was pulled forward and Issei rolled over her arched back.
His wide, globe like eyes set on Koneko...and then they softened. He gently released his grip on her hand and smiled at her.
''..Yo.''
''...I'm sorry.'' – She apologized. She felt as if she intruded on Issei's calm slumber.
''..Don't be.'' – Issei chuckled. –''..I'm a bit too twitchy. ''
Koneko looked sideways, showing off an ambiguous expression. Issei drove his hand trough his hair, pulling it backwards. –''Do you want to touch my hair?'' - He asked, seemingly humored.
''...Can I?'' – She asked, with a small, almost unnoticeable, half-blush.
A smirk took over his face as he sat down, crossing his legs. Koneko stared for a second, but then put her hands on his head.
She felt as if Issei had twitched, but she didn't comment on that. He wasn't the only one who disliked to be touched. She simply passed it off as a quirk of sorts.
''..It's soft..'' – she said, as she rushed her hand trough it. It was from that close, yet she couldn't see even a single spot of gray or any other color. It was as white as the evening snow in December. –''..You don't bleach your hair, do you?''
He snickered, looking at the ground. –''..I don't.'' – he waited for a few seconds before talking again. –''Extreme stress does things to your body...bad things. ''
Issei hadn't noticed that Koneko had moved her other hand into his hair. She kept playing with it.
Issei closed his eyes and exhaled. He realized that it actually felt good. To have someone touch his hair.
..And in that moment, the rest of the Occult Club came in the room.
''..What is this, exactly?'' – Rias asked, in a dull tone.
In that split second, Koneko pulled back and Issei back-flipped into the sofa, in a normal sitting position.
''Nothing!''
''Nothing!''
They both answered at the same time.
The sunlight filled room stayed rather silent until the arrival of Sirzechs.
He stepped to the front, in his full glory. His face adorned by a rather professional expression – most likely from years and years of experience from being the Satan.
''I've gathered you here, today, to talk about news. As some of you might know'', -He looked at Issei. –''The peace treaty will be signed here. In this room, few days from now. ''
''..Brother, that's rather..'' – Rias raised her voice, but got kindly silenced with a wave of Sirzechs hand.
''Don't worry, Rias. Everything will go as planned and it will be safe.''
''..Is it a 100% that the peace treaty will be signed?'' – Kiba asked, as he held his hands in front of his face.
''Well, the pretext is that it's a meeting to talk about the peace treaty..but it will be signed. There is no doubt about that.''
''Ara, that's good.'' – Akeno smiled, as he gave Sirzechs a cup of tea.
''Thank you, Akeno.'' –He said, with a smile. –''But now, back to the topic at hand – I am allowing Gasper to come outside of his hiding. You are strong enough, especially with Xenovia and Issei.''
''Are you sure, brother?" – Rias asked.
''Of course. Even you have grown more powerful recently.'' – He smiled at her, approvingly. Issei raised an eyebrow at her. He hadn't noticed that.
''For those of you who don't know, Gasper is Rias's bishop. Gasper is a daywalker half-vampire with an incredible talent and a sacred gear.''
Xenovia's eyes went wide, but after a few seconds, she asked.- ''What is Gasper's sacred gear?''
''It's called ''Forbidden Balor View.'' It's a sacred gear that's enables Gasper to stop time with his eyes. The problem appeared when his ability began to become stronger...and It didn't stop, so we had to lock him away.''
''..What do you mean with ''..didn't stop?'' – Issei asked, with a complicated expression.
''Quite simple. His power grew out of control. He can't control it and it activates at random times. There is a pretty good chance of him reaching Balance Break soon. ''
''Without training?''
''..Yes.'' – Sirzechs stared Issei in the eyes for a second. There was some sort of an unspoken Exchange with them. –''..And you know how dangerous a Balance breaker is, right?''
''..Well, for one, if you use a balance breaker like I have when you are too weak to handle it, the aftermath is deadly.''
''..Huh?'' – Sirzechs sounded genuinely surprised. – ''The balance breaker system is made in such a way that it actives only when you are ready...Are you saying it was different for you?''
Issei looked at the ground as he twirled his fingers for a while, trying to decide if he should answer. –''..It was...I needed the power. Badly. Trough my despair and screams, that power was born. With the help of Ddraig. I went mad and destroyed everything in sight...I was in a coma for a month after that...Had I not been such a broken being, I would be dead right now. ..''
Silence. It encased the room.
''..Issei..'' -Sirzechs spoke slowly. –''..I thought only Juggernaut drive made a person go mad?''
A small smile, but Koneko caught the display of his desperate and angry emotions running rampart.
''..Yes.'' – He began. –''But when you don't have a sanity to destroy, it doesn't matter if it's balance break, juggernaut drive or your naked fists...but well, anyways. A lot happened to me. Not that it matters, not here, not now.''
''..Indeed.'' – Sirzechs gave Issei a court nod. –''Now then, let's go meet Gasper.
They walked trough the hallways until the door with the stop signs and warnings all over it.
''The bishop stays here all the time and does the devil contracts trough the computer. Coincidentally, Gasper makes the most income out of everyone.'' – Akeno spoke, as she took the lead.
Sirzechs snapped his fingers, and a big magic seal disappeared from the door.
She opened the door, and together with the door opening, a high pitched screech attacked the peerage's ears.
Issei flinched, almost reaching for his hidden knife, but stopped as Koneko raised her hand in front of him.
''Let's go inside.'' – Akeno spoke, with a rather forced smile.
''NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!'' – the same voice screamed, seemingly really disliking the presence of other people.
Rias, exhaled slightly, and took the lead. – ''Good evening, Gasper. You seem well.'' – She smiled.
''W-w-w-WHYYY?'' – Gasper asked, with despair mixed with the high toned voice.
''The seal is off, Gasper. You can go out.''
'''B-b-but I don't wanna! I'm fine here!''
Issei, followings Koneko's lead, walked inside. The room was rather cutely decorated, with plush animals, pink-shaded furniture...and a coffin.
A rather goofy expression on Issei's face appeared, as he spoke, looking at Gasper.
''Ah. I didn't know it was a girl.''
''..Gasper is a cross-dressing boy.''
Issei pushed his palms into his face, grasping it. After a few seconds, he screamed into the air.
''THIS WORLD IS UNFAIR!''
Gasper, getting frighted by this, froze time. Issei blinked, and Gasper wasn't there anymore.
He let out a rather dull sounding ''huh?''
''This, is his sacred gear.'' – Sirzechs said, as he pointed to Gasper, who was hidding in a corner. –''..Although he can't control it.''
''Gasper.'' – Rias calmly spoke to him, in a soothing tone. –''These are my new pieces – This'' –She pointed at the white haired pawn. –''Is my pawn. He took 8 pieces, so he will be the only one.''
Issei looked at him with a stern expression, but seeing Gasper start to shake, he relaxed his statue and smiled at him. He raised two extended fingers to his forehead and saluted.
''Yo. I'm Issei Hyoudou. You can call me Issei.'' – He spoke, in a tone that was as friendly as he could.
Koneko stared at Issei, while he simply rubbed the backside of his head. She found him suspiciously odd..as if he was acting.
''..H-H-hello..'' – Gasper spoke, looking at the ground. He was visibly discomforted with their stares.
''..And this'' – Rias pointed at the blue haired girl–''Is Xenovia. My Knight. She joined recently and is an owner of a holy sword.''
''I'm Xenovia.'' – She spoke in her usual, daft tone.
Gasper, being weirded out from her completely silent stare, blushed.
''..N-n-nice t-to meet you.''
''Now then Gasper.'' – Rias spoke. –''Let's go outside.''
''..Noooo! I don't want to. I can't!'' – He screamed.
Koneko touched his hand and spoke to him. –''Let's go, Gasper''
Anda she pulled him, a second later, after another shriek, the boy was gone. Now he was covering in a different corner.
Rias softly sighed and went over to him and hugged the terrified boy.
''..He is very timid and a shut-in, as you can see...'' – Rias spoke, as she drove her hand trough his hair. –''..But he is my bishop. For now, he is a first year in the Academy..and before being reincarnated, he went trough some painful experiences related to his power..and as such..he is pain.''
...
''..A mutation piece, was it?'' – Issei asked, as he sat on the window sill. The setting sun was warming his back.
''..Yes. It's a rare piece that is stronger than usual 1 piece.'' Rias nodded.
''..Only one in ten high leveled devils get one, and Rias was one of them.'' – Akeno spoke. –''And Gasper has that piece in him...but that isn't a problem. The fact that his power increases while he's unconscious.''
''..That's a rather scary power.'' – Issei answered.
''..It is...And in time that power will grow into a balance breaker, as my brother told you.''
''..And what about it?'' – Issei asked
''I want you to help him. At least, for now.'' – Rias spoke, looking him right in the eyes. –''..You know a lot more about balance breaker than me..and about fear. The boy needs some male-bonding.''
''..Huh?'' – Issei was rather flabbergasted at Rias's intentions.
''I want you to man him up.'' – Rias spoke, with a small blush. –''If anything, then you are manly. You know how to handle pain, fear and stress.''
''..I know how to block it out when it's needed..but I didn't learn it in a day. I learned it from the battlefield..as I did half of the things in my life.''
''But you can give them further. To give your experience to Gasper. You can speak to him.'' – Rias paused for a while. –''..I trust you..with Gasper.''
Issei sighed. –''..You give me no choice, do you?''
''..Please?''
Issei got off the window sill and began to walk to the door. –''..Not like I can disobey you, right?''
A small smile later, he was out of the door, leaving Rias with a complicated expression.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, the grin on Issei's face was growing in size.
''..Everything is like you said, Maria..'' – He muttered to himself.
..
''..Gasper.''
The knocks on the door echoed trough the empty hallway. Gasper didn't answer.
''..Not going to answer, huh..'' – Issei sat down on the floor and slouched against the wall next to the door.
''..But I know you can hear me..Gasper.'' – Issei simply stated. –''..Are you afraid?''
''...'' –Issei heard footsteps coming closer to the door on the other side.
''..Your power is strong and you are talented at everything..isn't that right?''
''...''
''..I also, possess a strong power. The Welsh Dragon resides in my scared gear. It's called the Boosted Gear. Have you heard of it?''
''...Yes...'' – Silent, but clear answer from Gasper. Issei smiled and continued.
''..Unlike you...I am not afraid of my power. ..'' – Issei paused. –''Ddraig, the Welsh dragon is my partner. He has been with me trough thick and thin...trough loss and gain..trough everything...and he has helped me.''
''..But you don't understand...My power doesn't help me. It's against me!'' – The door's blew open, with the half-vampire in the archway. –'' IT HAS A FREE WILL!''
Issei got up and stepped forwards. Gasper stepped sideways, touching the narrow halway's wall with his back. Issei looked downwards on him.
''You give your power free will.'' – Issei's voice was rather emotionless and cold. –''Take control of it. That's the only way.''
''..but I can't..'' – The cutely dressed boy looked sideways, not looking Issei in the eyes even once.
''You can.'' – Issei smiled, as his voice turned warmer. –''You just need some hard work and dedication.''
''...Really?'' – The answer came after a few seconds of hard thinking from Gasper.
There was something about Issei that made Gasper believe in him. Perhaps, an unwavering belief in himself. Confidence, that wasn't arrogance. Something, that made Gasper want to look up to him.
''Yeah.'' – Issei ruffled the boys hair. At first he seemed timid, but then smiled. –''..Let's go.''
The end of a chapter/~9 months in ar Zero Army.
Voices, vehicles, smoke. The running footsteps as the whole field was filled with people. Like ants they went on about their last minute orders, criss-crossing on and about on top of the burning desert sand.
A stoic white-haired boy crossed trough the crowds, moving
straight forward. As he moved, they made way for him.
The coat of SS squad was tied around his waist. His scarred back was bare and sweaty as he moved with slightly labored breathing. His left arm was in a sling that covered his stomach muscles.
Various bloody bandages that covered scratches and bullet holes were tied around his arms and core. His boots were barely tied and in one of them Slade's Mk23 pistol was half-hidden. His pants were bloody and scratched, but he didn't mind that. He moved upwards, to a hill. On it were people with the same coats as the one he wore.
As he moved closer to the top, wind began to become more powerful. At the top, his coat was swaying in the wind. Margit looked backwards, noticing him, on her face appeared an aloof smile.
''..Yo.'' – She said, as she moved closer to him and stopped him midway before the very top.
''..Yo.'' – He responded with an ambiguous expression. –''It's done, right?''
''It is.'' – Margit spoke. -''The war is over.''
Issei just then noticed the red blood on her coat.
''Margit, are you alright?'' – Issei asked in a concerned expression.
''Oh this?'' – She pointed at the blood. –''Of course I'm fine. Blood of my enemies. It always is...although you can't say the same.''
Her eyes followed over the wounds.
''..Did you use Ddraig?'' – She asked
''Of course. I used the boosted gear and his knowledge.''
''..Ah, I see.''
Their conversation fell short. The awkward silence that they had never experienced, was there.
Issei smiled at her and turned to walk towards the edge of said mountain...but was stopped by a powerful grip on his right arm. He turned around to see Margit with a blank expression.
''...Margit?''
''..Don't look.'' – Her voice was as quit as a whisper, but Issei heard her as if they were the only ones in the whole world. –''It will change you...it will damage you...''
''..No, I have to look.'' – Margit looked downwards with a sad smile as she let go of Issei's arm. -''..I have to see..what I have done.''
Issei slowly stepped forward. A few steps and in front of him the view over an entire country.
A country that had been burned to the ground. The buildings destroyed, the people smashed like ants. The trampled streets gave off gray smoke that were like signs in the sky.
Signs of a destruction.
''..This is my sin now.'' – Issei stuttered as he couldn't take his eyes off the view. –''..I killed them.''
Margit used her elbow to pull Issei close to her chest. She didn't let go of him. ''..This is my sin. I could have tried to have you transferred or taken off this mission..but I didn't...It's my fault that you a here, right now...''
Issei didn't respond.
''...You don't belong on this side. So don't worry about it, child.''
As she let go of Issei, he chuckled.
''..I never imagined you would be wrong, Margit. ..'' – Issei spoke, as he swept back his snow white hair. –''I belong on this side. On your side. ..And I am..on your side...And I will be..forever.''
Margit's red hair swayed in the wind as she held an perplexing expression. Her ruby like eyes closed for a second as she moved her palm in front of her face. Another second later she opened her eyes and chuckled. Her red eyes met Issei's brown ones.
On her face, just for a second, an innocent smile apperead. ''You really know how to make a women happy, don't you?''
''I do.'' – Issei grinned back at her.
They both looked downwards, at the ruined city. A few seconds, or minutes later, Issei couldn't tell how long they were stading there, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
''..Welcome back, kid.'' –Slade was there. –''good to see you are..somewhat..alright.''
''..I'm alright, this is nothing for me.'' – He spoke as he cracked his left shoulder blade. The sound was extraordionary loud. Slade grinned at him as the people around them looked at them.
..And they didn't have to wait long for the other two to show up. Kuroka and Gilgamesh joined them.
Gilgamesh nodded with a wide smirk while Kuroka was busy bending Issei's arm the wrong direction.
''..I told you..''
POP
''To rest...''
CRACK
''..Because your wounds are more serious than you think...''
CRUNCH
''..but you never listen to me, you little bastard!'' –She let go off his arm and touched his cheek. Her palm turned green with healing ki. –'''..Don't you know I worry about you?''
''..Sorry.'' – Issei rubbed the backside of his head as he felt the healing ki warm him from inside. The feeling was quite lovely, if he had to say.
The small army of about 200 people, in 2 weeks, destroyed a whole country.
And thus, the group overlooked the carnage with smiles on their faces. What they had done was unspeakable, something horrible but yet they could smile.
It was like people say..that with time...people get used to everything.
Koneko jogged trough the streets towards the usual training place. It was inside a forest, not too far from the city, but still no one would ever wander upon it on an accident.
As her feet touched the dark sand of a forest, her step relaxed and she began to jog faster. There was something soothing about a forest, something she couldn't quite recognize, that soothed her.
After a few minutes of jogging and turning on the familiar path, she was met with the usual training spot. In the middle of it, Issei was doing handstand pushups.
''..Yo.'' – She said, with an apathetic expression.
Issei raised his head. –''..Ah, yo!'' – He threw himself in the air and span around.
''..So, why did you call me here?'' – Koneko asked. She had decided to have a rest day, but it seemed like Issei had different plans. But it wasn't like she minded.
''It's time.'' – Issei spoke, as he moved backwards and waved her to do the same. They stopped at a self-made wooden table. On it were two rather small metal briefcases.
''..You have become a lot stronger than you were before. You now know how to use your powers and in time, you will be able to use them to your full potential...but you lack something.''
''..And what is that?'' – She answered sharply, seemingly offended by Issei's gesture.
''A special attack. A power that you can use when it's needed to end it quickly. '' – Issei smirked at her. –''Don't get me wrong, I too like to use my fists but if a quick end is needed, not always is it possible with your bare fists.''
''..So what are you implying?''
Issei opened one of the briefcases and took something small out of it. Koneko looked closer – it was an oddly shaped knife.
''..This.'' – Issei spoke as he span the knife by it's ring at the end. –''Is called a karambit. It comes from Indonesia. ''
He stopped spinning it so Koneko had a better view of it. It was metallic with a red handle. The knife it self was black but with many scrapes that showed the wear and tear.
''..This one is Margit's. People called it ''The Fang''. Her nickname, as you know, was the Bloodhound..and this was her fang. She used it as a surprise kill weapon because in combat, when the enemy takes his eyes off you for a second, you can easily take it in your palm and the next attack, when he dodges your strike while moving to the side...his neck is half-way open.''
He handed it to Koneko. She slowly grasped it. In her small palms, it looked rather large.
''It's a modern karambit, a bit larger than the usual because she used it as a normal knife and to block other weapon strikes...''
Issei became quiet as he turned around and took out another karambit knife from it. This one was with the usual shiny silver finish and around the metal handle was a tightly wrapped black string.
''...This one was made for me by her. After the war, she taught me some assassination techniques and all around the way to sneak and remain inconspicuous. I used mine to strictly kill special kinds of people.''
''..What kind of people?'' – Koneko gave back Margit's knife.
''..Those who hurt her.''
''..You really cared for her..''
''Yes.'' – Issei spoke, as he looked Koneko in the eyes. –''..But that's a whole another story. Open that briefcase.''
Koneko moved closer and laid her hands on it. Her slender fingers slipped over the metal casing.
''..Don't be afraid.''
She nodded and opened it. In it, was black foam and two karambits. She took one of them out. It was black with a white handle. On the left side of that handle was a small, white cat's pawn mark.
''..This is?''
''Yours. Both of them are.''
Issei moved closer and showed her how to hold it properly. The index fingers went trough the ring and the other fingers grasped it.
''..I don't know what to say..''
''You don't have to say anything. As my teacher gave me two, I am giving you two.''
''..Two?'' – Koneko looked at him. –''But you use one of Margit's and one of yours, right?''
''Yeah. My second one is with Kuroka.''
''..I see.'' – She spoke.
''Now, I'll show you something.'' – Issei spoke, as he took the karambit from her. He held it backwards, as such, he would hit with the blunt side of the blade.
He stepped back a few steps and smiled at Koneko. –''Come at me.''
She narrowed her eyes and jumped at Issei. Her right hand, pulled into a fist rushed straight at Issei's head. The attack now was polished, skillful and precise.
Issei used his palm to hit it into the air as he span around and Koneko felt something brush against her thigh.
The karambit. She understood that her arterie would be cut.
Not even a second later second swipe against her other thigh.
''Wha-!?''
A third swipe against her neck.
Suddenly, her breath was taken away as she felt sharp pain in her chest. She couldn't tell what it was for a second,but then realized it was Issei's knee.
She collapsed on her knees, not being able to breathe. She felt the sharp edge of the blade being placed on her head, gently.
Issei had moved swiftly like a lighting bolt, perfectly and deadly.
She began to cough, finally being able to breathe.
''..Issei..that..was...'' – She tried to talk.
''Don't talk now...'' – Issei spoke, as he helped her get up. –''..And I'm sorry for that. I had to show how dangerous this thing is in a trained persons hands. ..Will you be able to hand it?''
Issei extended the blade towards Koneko.
''..Issei...'' Koneko looked Issei in the eyes.-''..Why begin to use it now? After all this time?''
''..I'm a bit rusty...and..you have noticed me be anxious, haven't you?''
Koneko nodded.
''..I need the power. I need my upper hand. I need my ace in the hole...It's because someone I know from a long ago will be an enemy for us...and he is the only human who could ever match Margit...''
''...Who is he?''
''..The wielder of the worlds strongest Sacred Gear..The Spear of The Setting Sun...the spear..who killed god..is in his hands.''
''..That's ludicrous...'' - She didn't want to believe.
''..That's the truth..now...will you accept the power I want to grant you?''
She took a deep breath and took the blade from Issei.
''Good.'' – Issei smiled. –''Now then. I'll show you the basics of a single-handed karambit fighting.''
..Somewhere, a man was training. His body was covered in sweat, as his massive body dodged a magic attack. His eyes, full off conviction locked on the attacker as he teleported, no, he dashed in such a speed that it seemed like teleporting at the attacker.
With one blow, the attacker thrown in the air, almost collapsing.
The man leaped after him. He caught him mid-air and landed with him in his grasp.
He put him down on the ground.
The attacker, muttered something...quietly...
''..Thank you, Sairaorg -sama..''
Yo. Was it really 15 days since the last update? Man, does time runs circles.
Anyways, a new chapter.
War is officially over now. Gasper, the trap, is revealed. Issei is scheming something. Can you guess what?
Karambits. Yes. The deadly knives.
..For someone who will, (possibly) want to ask, ''wasn't tonfas her weapons?'' - yes. Tonfas are her favorite non-lethal weapons...but how did I introduce her character again? Wasn't something along the lines of ''weapon master''? Ah, yes, it was.
I revealed the fact Issei was in a coma for a month.
Issei revealed Cao Cao to Koneko. Their teacher-disciple relation is just becoming stronger...as is her power.
HamJabroni Inc You can never know with Issei, can you? Haha~
victor1706 Black aura, or rather, Koneko can see emotions..black aura in this case means sadness/anger, something along those lines.
And about lemons...I will think about it after the fight with Vali. This isn't the time for sex...I think.
Well then, tune in next time to see the meeting of the factions and (possibly) the fight with Vali.
Can you guys guess why I put the Sairaorg part there?
Anyways, as always, thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed it, or have any questions, please leave a review.