The training time was up, as was the sun. It was burning Rias's back as she stood in her palace's backyard. She took a look at her golden watch and made a rather disappointed expression.
''They're late.'' – She said.
''..Well, Issei always is..'' – Xenovia responded. She was wrapped in bandages so much that she looked like a mummy.
''Maybe something bad happened?'' – Kiba pondered, as he was sitting cross-legged on the grass, dressed in a kimono.
''No, Azazel would have told us about th-'' – Akeno's voice cut off as they heard a voice behind them.
''Yo.'' – Issei's usual greeting sounded the same as always.
Every one jumped and span around.
''Issei..'' – Kiba said, as he looked at the ragged statue of his..but his eyes widened the most at Koneko.
Something about her was off. Different. She had a few scars and her muscle was easily visible. Small, compact but visible. Her sixpack was outlined. She was bare foot and only wearing shorts and a sports bra. Her now long white hair was pulled into a bun on the back of her head.
Issei, on the other hand, was wearing shorts..that were pants some time earlier. His left arm was bandaged up to the elbow and his body fat was a lot lower, making him look more solid. He scratched his head with the bandaged arm as he spoke. –''What's up with the silence?''
''..You just startled us...I didn't sense you two.'' – Rias responded.
''I see.'' – Issei answered, as he looked at Kiba. –''You look a lot more composed than I remember you being.''
''Yeah.'' – He said, as he got up. He stretched a bit. –''Up for a spar?''
Issei shook his head. –''Not now. I'm really tired.''
''I see.'' – Kiba responded, not even bothering to hide his disappointment.
''Rias.'' – Issei spoke, as he turned to talk with her. –''..Where's Gasper?''
''..Last time I heard he was at the Grigori.'' – She responded. –''..to be honest, I'm getting a little bit stressed out about him. He left, without a word. I heard about it from the maids a few hours later..''
Issei didn't respond, as he sighed. –''This could be good or bad...But I assume this means good.''
''..?'' – Rias looked at him. He didn't look back at her.
''..He seems convicted. To become stronger. To be able to protect himself.''
Koneko suddenly spoke. –''..He was different about things ever since the attack of the rebels.''
''..Did he seem..indecisive?'' –Issei asked as he looked downwards.
Koneko nodded.
''Then I'll assume it will be good news.'' – Issei said and looked towards Rias. -''..Was your training beneficial?''
''Yes.'' – She responded bluntly. She didn't stammer on the question because she had become more powerful. She had acquired a special attack. –''What about the two of you?''
''..I got around understanding a bit more about my Balance breaker.'' – Issei dodged the subject with a rather shallow answer. –''..Koneko on the other hand got a lot stronger.''
''..I wouldn't say a lot stronger, but I understood a few things.'' – Koneko waved Issei off.
''That's good to hear.'' – Rias answered, but was silenced when Issei turned to Akeno who was simply observing the whole ordeal.
''..Did you finally accept your power?''
Her eyes widened, as her calm statue disappeared. –''..How do you know about it?''
''It isn't important.'' – Issei shrugged it off. –''I'll ask again. Did you accept your power?''
''Yes.'' – She glared at Issei. –''..I couldn't fully utilize it..but I got pretty far.''
Issei nodded and spoke. –''Anyways, I'll go and do my own stuff for a bit.''
''Stuff?'' – Rias asked, but Issei was already walking away.
Akeno looked at his back with narrow eyes. –''..Does he always have to be a jerk?''
Koneko widened her eyes, but didn't say anything. She knew Issei was indeed a jerk from time to time.
''Koneko.'' – Rias smiled at her. –''What can you tell me about your training?''
Koneko touched her shoulder as she fidgeted a bit. –''..I became stronger. Mentally.''
The rain, the cold, the lack of sleep and the threat of Issei who was always pursuing her for those 48 hours, everything that had happened flashed trough her mind as she smiled softly. –''Before, I assumed he was a good teacher but now I can say, without a doubt, that he is a great teacher. He's a bit...alright, a lot different and a bit of an ass..but he puts his all in what he does. There were no shortcuts or slacking off while we trained..''
''..So that's why your eyes seem different.'' – Kiba said as stared right at her. –''..What exactly happened?''
''..I'm now sure of my own power. He helped me realize my limits, my fears...I destroyed them.''
The rain drowned out every other sound except for Issei's voice. Back when he said those words, they echoed trough her head, making her understand.
''..Fear..is self imposed. Fear is created by you. Fear is molded by you. Fear stops you from doing certain things. It stops you from reaching the top...so along the way you have to destroy said fear...but self-imposed means you created it..and everything you create – you can destroy.''
''..Oh?'' – Xenovia said, as he looked at Koneko's body. –''Your body is certainly more solid than before..but your limits? Did you reach your limits?''
Koneko smirked towards her. –''I destroyed my limits. After all, limits are meant to be destroyed...at least that's what Issei thinks about it.''
She left, leaving an ambiguous feeling on Kiba's mind.
''..they both are hiding something.'' – Rias simply stated. –''..But we'll wait and see. Koneko...lost the doubt. She is now confident in her self. As much as I don't want to admit it, he did something I couldn't. C'mon, let's go inside. It seems like Gasper isn't returning today.''
Sirzechs took a sip of wine from the extravagant glass that was placed on his desk. On the other side of said table, Azazel was spinning the red, almost purplish drink in it's glass.
''..The kid is somehow joined in this, right?'' – Azazel said.
''..It's possible..but I don't know. My underling simply disappeared. Without a trace..almost as if he was wiped from this earth. The guy he met before disappearing..also disappeared like a ghost.''
Sirzechs looked at the documents on his desk with a stern eye.
''..Do you think he is working together with Maria?'' –Azazel took a sip from his glass, emptying it.
''..I would doubt that.'' – Sirzechs threw the documents against the desk, only this violent outburst revealed the anger that was hidden behind his poker face.
''..Anyways, how is your progress with finding the queen bitch herself?'' –Azazel asked, his voice tone held a little bit of...ridicule to it.
''..I can't find anything. She is like a ghost. Ever since she disappeared she hasn't appeared anywhere.''-Sirzechs sighed. –''But you already knew that. Who is she, anyways?''
''I didn't know it, I just guessed it.'' – Azazel said, as he poured himself and Sirzechs another glass of wine. –''...As you know, there is little known about Maria. So little, that it doesn't even matter.''
Azazel chuckled for second. –''..So a women just shows up from out of nowhere, her strength is unmeasured, her goals are a fog and her reason is also unknown...''
''Indeed. That's just what happened. What is known that she is extremely intelligent, strong and capable of strategic thinking and leadership...'' – Sirzechs looked sideways, his eyes focusing on a single point. –''..Why did she take Issei anyways?''
Azazel tilted his head sideways. –''..Like you said, we don't know her goal..but it was stupid to assume that she has a goal...unless you take into consideration Issei...and judging by that flutter of your lips, you did take him into consideration.''
He simply nodded.
''Issei was taken as someone to accomplish a certain goal. He has the power, the strategy, the experience..to do what he was asked.'' –Azazel chuckled. –''But that women failed. She gave Issei over to Margit. His teacher that was a lot more human than she thought. She gave him hope, taught him respect, love..the opposite of what she needed to teach Issei.''
''..This Margit women taught Issei a lot more than that. He is a cold-blooded murderer...'' – Sirzechs leaned forward in his chair, putting his right hand under his chin.
''..She taught him love, compassion and how to kill. How to survive.'' – Azazel clicked his tongue. –''What you have to understand that Issei is fucked up more than you could ever believe. I would even go as far as to say he has two, or even more personalities.''
''I'm listening.'' – Sirzechs leaned back in his chair.
''..The kid snaps. He snapped when he was in the gathering of young devils..It took less than a second for him to switch from the aloof guy who was uncomfortable in a suit to a cold blooded murderer.
''..It would make sense, indeed.'' – Sirzechs pondered. –''..In some cases, under extreme stress your mind can split to protect your sanity...but Issei doesn't have one.''
''..You could say that, even though it's cruel.''
''I'm a man who doesn't deal with empty compliments, you do know that yourself.''
''..Anyways, we got off the topic at hand.'' – Azazel smirked as he downed the glass of wine. –''..If Issei had been under Maria the whole time...''
Sirzechs sighed. –''..Don't even mention that.''
''Yes. You got the point.'' – Azazel got up from his seat. –''..Maria failed to create the monster that would help her complete the plan that she has...For now we should focus on getting to know two things – Maria and who she is..''
''..And her plan..her mission..her end goal.'' – Sirzechs finished the sentence.
''Yea.'' – The governor waved in a relaxed manner. –''..I have to go. I need to speak to Gasper.''
The crimson Satan raised his head. –''..He's still at the Grigori?''
Azazel gave him back a satisfied smile. –''Yeah...and he's battle ready.''
With that he disappeared. Sirzechs spoke to himself quietly as he looked at the giant pile of paperwork by his desk. –''..I can't wait to see how Gasper has changed.''
The amount of time he had spent looking over Issei, the Zero Army, the Suicide Squad had just became larger and larger..so large that he didn't have any time to spend on his actual work.
He sighed and took a stack of papers from the top as he spun a pen in his free hand.
Blurry sounds, blurry backgrounds, vivid faces. People in general. A lot of fighting. Not the ''for your life'' fighting but simple training. Red hair that fluttered in the wind...black messy hair..smoke from cigars...Slade always did smoke a certain brand...The clashing of blades as two people moved in a circle...some time passed until Issei understood that one of the two light-haired people was him.
When Issei blinked, it was as if he had opened his eyes for the first time. The sky was moving a lot faster than he was used to. The white marshmallow like clouds ran forward without stopping. Issei lowered his eyes to the horizon, realizing that the horizon had blended with the ground. He was floating in a sea.
The sky blue water reflected the sky, giving the illusion of a never ending sky. He moved his hand, sending a circular wave into every direction.
''..Ah.'' – Issei spoke. –''A dream.''
He opened his eyes for the second time. This time, a porcelain ceiling.
Right. He was taking a bath. Suddenly, knocks to the door. A rather shy voice spoke from the other side.
''Mister..Hyoudou..can you hear me?''
''...Yeah.'' –He answered, his voice sounding a bit lower than he intended.
''I..brought you towels and a change of clothes.''
''You did?'' – Issei asked, not bothering to hide the surprise in his voice.
''..Yes. It's my job. '' –She answered. –''Should I bring them in?''
''If you don't mind.'' – Issei answered.
The doors opened with a loud click. The maid stepped inside, showing a slight blush at the sight of Issei's face and chest. The rest of his body was submerged under water.
''Just leave them wherever.'' – Issei said to her.
She nodded and put them on a counter-top by a giant mirror. Issei drove his hand trough his hair and stopped the maid just before she could exit the room.
''..Could you please bring me hair scissors?'' – He asked.
The maid quickly nodded and just as quickly ran off.
Issei smiled. –''..Very innocent.''
He decided to wait until she returns and then get out of the bath. Who knows how much she would blush if she would catch him butt-naked. Maybe even faint.
The maid returned quietly and placed the scissors on the desk. Issei thanked her and she left with a small blush.
He got out of the bath, using only one hand to hold on to the golden railing. His other was resting at his side. The arm was bruised and slightly purple - as if burned.
His feet were met with a chilling sensation against the cold tiles. He sighed and dried himself off. After putting on the yukata and tying the middle of it with a red sash, he looked in the mirror.
His hair had grown out a lot in the past two months. The backside was hanging to his shoulders while the front were almost down to his mouth, so he had kept them either swept back and tied into a knot on the back of his head or awkwardly pushed them to the side.
Koneko had commented that he kind of reminded her of a Korean boy-band member. He chuckled and began to cut the hair. He cut the front side to such a length that it ended just above his eyes. The white strands fell on the counter . He hadn't really ever cut his own hair– most of the times his hair was just cut by Kuroka or Margit.
Just as he was about to cut the top part shorter, the doors were opened again. Issei put down the scissors and turned around.
''..Oh.'' – The dull-sounding voice that belonged to none other than Koneko.
''Yeah.'' – Issei simply nodded.
Koneko wasn't going forward, neither backwards. She simply stood there in the doorway, holding a yukata and towels with one hand.
''Come in if you want.'' - Issei simply told her. –''..Although there are about 20 other bathrooms in this palace.''
''I came to talk as well.'' – Koneko spoke as she moved forward and dropped her stuff on the same counter that Issei was standing next to.
''..Hmm?'' – Issei span around and leaned against the marble counter.
''..How do you feel?'' – She asked that, as she leaned against the counter, in a way that mirrored Issei.
''..What do you mean?'' – Issei raised his eyebrow.
''Your mental state.'' – Koneko shrugged.
''I'm good.''
''Good?'' – Koneko asked. –''Not ''fine''?''
Issei looked at the tiles. They were reflecting the ceiling.
''Yeah.'' – Issei responded. –''..I'm good. Better than fine.''
She smirked. –''..You did seem a lot more focused. Smiled a bit more. Didn't show those scary eyes anymore. Was it because of the forest? The training?''
''Combined, I guess.'' – Issei answered, but before he answered there was a short pause. His eyes narrowed a bit. –''..Scary eyes?''
She twitched, as if she had been caught of guard. Issei assumed she let that slip on accident. –''..Don't worry, your eyes are not scary for me...they just sometimes are for other people...I think Akeno is one of those people.''
Issei sighed. –''..Sorry. I've learnt to control a big portion of my demeanor, but I guess I'm forgetting the eyes.''
''Don't apologize.'' – She dunked Issei in the shoulder. –''I'm just mentioning that, that's all.''
''I see.'' – Issei smiled at her.
She dodged his eyes but smiled as well.
''Anyways, I'll cut my hair and be gone, give me sec-'' – Issei took the scissors but Koneko snatched them out of his hands.
''..Give me these..'' – She said, as she pulled closer to Issei. Before he could object she began to straighten his haircut. -''..Hm?''
She brushed her hands through his hair and pulled them into a knot on the back of his head. Issei looked in the mirror. The front of his haircut was now rather tidy with the back and sides pulled into a knot on the back of his head.
''..I look like a freakin' chinese samurai knockoff!'' – Issei commented.
''Shuddup!'' – Koneko silenced him. –''..It looks good. Makes you look older.''
He grumbled. He wasn't one to care for a modern or stylish haircut, but versatility and sight mattered for him.
''..Don't snare, you just pull them into a knot and you are good. Besides, it will not disturb training or hinder your sight...Kuroka will like it as well. I guarantee.''
Issei just sighed softly.
''Now shoo-shoo.'' – She said with a small grin. –''Let a girl take a bath.''
He raised his shoulders in a giving-up gesture and walked away, closing the doors behind him.
Koneko smirked even more. She took of the sweater she had thrown on and looked into the mirror. She gawked as soon as she did.
''..I have a freaking sixpack...''
Kiba jumped to his side as he dodged a kick. As he spun around, he brought up his sword and swiped towards Issei's face. As he leaned backwards, another sword was rushing towards him.
Sparks flew as Issei blocked the sword with the metallic tonfas that he was holding in both hands. Their eyes met for a second as Issei kicked upwards into his stomach.
It was the next day and the two of them were sparring.
He quickly released the blade and caught the leg. He span it, to make Issei fall over, but Issei pulled his leg out before Kiba could do that. With the inertia Issei created he span around and jumped-kicked downwards to Kiba's face.
He blocked with his elbow, but was thrown sideways from the force. As Kiba's knee hit the dirt Issei swiped his hand in an arc where Kiba's head was. Kiba threw himself backwards, dodging and back-flipping to his feet...for that second.
As he landed, Issei was already there. He swiped again, but this time at his legs. Kiba was trown 90 degrees in the air as Issei's tonfa hit his legs.
Only then did he understand that Issei was reverse-gripping it...but alas, he didn't have time to think about it. He let out a small grunt from the pain of getting kicked in the side...and he was sent flying by a punch in the face.
He had flexed his muscle to absorb some of the damage, but well, he couldn't strain his face.
As soon as his body touched the ground he got up to his feet. The few meters between Issei and him was nothing at all for the two of them. In a flash they could be at each others throat.
Issei stepped to the side, as a throne of swords appeared just where he was standing a split second earlier...but that was just a distraction. Without a sound, two swords had appeared in his hands...in a second they gone. Issei slid back and tilted his upper-body to the right, in an almost impossible angle as he dodged one of the flying swords.
..With the other one, he however span on his heel, letting go of his tonfas, and caught the swords hilt in his right arm. He grabbed the hilt with his other hand, that was bandaged, and charged Kiba.
Kiba materialized a sword in his hands, but his time it was different. If the one in Issei's hand was a simple, generic long-sword, then that sword was different.
As the swords clashed, Issei was stopped in his tracks. Kiba, with a fluid movement had thrown Issei forward and dragged down his sword with his own. As Kiba's sword hit the hilt of Issei's, Issei let it go.
In that moment, Issei grabbed onto Kiba's hand pushed him forward. As Kiba slidded to the front, Issei jumped back.
Kiba's eyes narrowed as he swiped his sword in Issei's direction. A giant blue flame appeared from the blade and was shot at Issei. He clicked his tongue and raised his right arm.
[BOOOST!]
The gauntlet of the Heavenly Dragon appeared and he whispered to himself.
''Phantom bullet.''
The gauntlet shone bright green, but nothing happened...for a second. Before the wave of blue flames could hit Issei it stopped, as if it had hit an invisible wall.
With a loud bang, the flame disappeared and a red ball of power was thrown in reverse – towards Kiba. He dodged to the side, letting the ball of energy past him. A second later he widened his eyes and turned around.
Behind him, in the distance, a mountaintop was gone.
''What was that?'' – Kiba screamed at him.
''..A thing I wanted to keep hidden.'' – Issei said as the gauntlet disappeared...but Kiba's will to fight had not, as he lunged at Issei.
''Stop hiding things from us!'' – He shouted, but his demeanor was rather calm for his voice.
Issei backed away, kicking up sand. Kiba jumped to one of his side's, but Issei had predicted that and intercepted him.
He grabbed onto his wrist, span it downwards and with a flick, Kiba had let go of the sword on reflex and Issei stabbed it into the ground. Kiba's eyes widened as Issei backhanded him in the face, punched him in the ribs and kicked him in the knee.
As his balance was gone, Issei stepped in even closer, smashed his leg on Kiba's foot and jabbed him on the chest.
''..I win.'' – Issei stated.
In a split-second Kiba was on the ground, gasping for breath.
''Ahh...ahha..'' –He coughed. –''..that's..a new one..''
Issei looked at him from above.
''..of course. I have a lot of tricks I have yet to show.'' –He outstretched his hand to the kimono-clad knight.
Kiba grabbed onto his arm and got up.
..Only then did they notice that it had started to rain. Issei took the tonfas he had earlier dropped and stuffed them into the back pocket of his pants.
They went inside and sat down on the stairwell.
Kiba hid his arms in the kimono he was wearing while Issei took out the tonfas and dropped them on the floor.
''..Say..Issei.'' – Kiba began. His voice was serious, but also slightly held back. –''You are too good with dealing with a sword.''
''Not really.'' – Issei jerked his head. –''..There's no secret to it. I just simply know a lot moves and tricks when fighting against swords.''
''You're lying.'' – Kiba stated. He didn't have anything on Issei. He just simply said that Issei was lying...and Issei didn't call on his bluff.
''I am.'' – He responded. Kiba widened his eyes a little. Even though it was a small, insignificant lie, Kiba couldn't tell the difference.
''..So..tell me the story.'' – Kiba said, as he looked sideways at Issei. He was sitting down, leaning his back against the wall. He looked upwards and sighed slightly.
''..I guess I have to.'' –He looked at Kiba. –''..Well..the short story would be that back in the day I had a friend who was really good with swords...he actually has a sacred gear that's similar to yours.''
''..What is it?'' – Kiba asked, and judging by his eyes he wanted to know. Badly.
''..I don't know anything specific, just that he can create blades like you.''
''..Tell me about him.'' – Kiba was interested in this person.
''Oy, oy, really?'' – Issei asked with his eyebrows raised high.
''..Yes.''
Issei let out a chuckle. –''..He is arrogant. He was back then, he was when we were friends, teammates, comrades...and he is now...but unlike most cases, the guy can hold his own...he deserves to be arrogant.''
''..He's that strong?'' – Kiba asked.
Issei looked upwards again. –''..It's hard to say..because he is missing something right now to be at his full power..but he is strong...If he went all out, without holding back...I don't think I could defeat him.''
''..Without balance break, I assume?''
''..With it.'' – Issei smiled.
''I'm just assuming, but you were the leader of Suicide Squad, right?'' –Kiba asked and Issei nodded. –''..Wasn't this person under you then?''
''..He was.'' –Issei responded, but with a slightly lower tone. He had spoken too much. Again.
''..If you say that currently you couldn't beat him, then that means even back then you didn't stand a chance...couldn't that had lead to an overthrowing? A coup d'etat?''
''..If the Suicide Squad had been any other group, then yes..but suicide squad was..different. They had respect for me and I respected them...and as I was the legacy of Margit...they accepted me...but that's another story for another day.'' – Issei finished and went quiet.
The already rather dark sky had become even darker and muskier. The raindrops hit the sill of the window that was just above the two of them. Issei got up and walked over to it. The rain just got heavier and heavier. He let out a slight sigh.
''..Looks like were not sparring any more today.'' –He said, as he turned around and leaned against window sill. –''Unless you want to spar in the rain? I wouldn't mind.''
Kiba smiled. –''No. Besides, It's getting quite late. The meeting before the fight is soon, isn't it?''
''..Ah. Right.'' – Issei responded and his eyebrows raised for a second. He had forgotten about it.
''..You'll be fine this time, right?'' – Kiba asked, calmly.
''Yes.'' – Issei responded with a slight smile...and he wasn't lying this time. –''Let's get to the main palace, shall we?''
Issei extended his arm to the knight who was sitting down. He grabbed into it and got up.
Issei walked trough the hallway, as he was trying to tie his black tie...and it was obvious he was failing. After about 3 seconds he threw it away and opened another one of his white shirt's buttons.
The white shirt was a bit tight on his shoulders, and it was rather constricted to move his arm's around. He was wearing a white glove on his burned hand.
He pushed trough the double doors and arrived at end of the stairwell that lead to the main entry. On the bottom of it, Kiba, Xenovia and Koneko were already waiting for the rest of the peerage. Their raised their eyes. Issei nodded and continued to climb down.
Koneko was wearing a nice black dress and a brown cardigan on top of it, Kiba was wearing a silver-colored suit with a white shirt and Xenovai was wearing a blue, tight dress that suited her build...and not to mention, it looked exquisite.
Kiba, Koneko and Xenovia, the three of them looked great. On the sight of them, people would assume royalty...but it wasn't so with Issei.
Of course, the suit he was wearing was top notch. It most likely cost more than his parent's house...but even with that, Issei couldn't pull of classy. It could be his facial scars, his washed out hair, or the always narrow eye, but if Kiba would be called a knight, then Issei would be called a mercenary...
..and rightfully so.
The black suit didn't feel right at all on his shoulders.
''You look very good, the three of you.'' – Issei smiled and put his hands into his pockets.
''Thanks.'' – Kiba responded with a wave.
Koneko's simple hair was now cut shorter, but still it was longer than she had when he met her.
''Thanks, Issei.'' – Xenovia looked at Issei, as her eyes lingered on his hair. –''..You're not bad yourself...besides, the new haircut suits you a lot.''
Issei gave her an aloof smile and leaned against the wall near Kiba.
A few minutes later, the hallway was filled with a sound of heels. It was Rias and Akeno, with a few maids around them. They were carrying umbrellas.
They simply nodded and the peerage followed them trough the front exit. They were greeted by carriages, as the rain wasn't letting off.
..Did the Gremory really had to exaggerate everything in life?
Issei thought, and carried on with getting in the carriage.
The bad part was the fact that the meeting was happening in the same place as the one almost two months ago..and the other bad part was that even the greeter recognized him, judging by his face.
Issei simply smiled at him passed him. He, as always, entered the ball last. He looked around as some people moved towards Rias to greet them. Overall, the atmosphere of this meeting was different. There was calm music playing in the background and people were chatting and standing around groups, having drinks, as the maids were walking around with drinks and some exclusive food.
Issei slipped away in an instant. He walked around, and listened in at the conversations..unnoticed. On the most part, people were talking about the fight...some were talking about the fight between the Sitri and Astaroth...about how the Sitri lost to his peerage.
Issei stopped and noticed a certain someone at the edge of the giant gathering floor. It was Saji. He was dressed in a suit and his head, including one of his eyes was bandaged. His hair was spiked up from them. His right arm was hanging in a slingt.
Issei looked at him as he half-heartily sighed and was zoned out. Issei moved up to him, but he didn't even notice.
''..Having a rough day?'' – Issei asked.
He twitched and raised his head towards Issei.
''..you.'' – He simply said. Issei smirked.
''Yes.'' –Issei raised his left arm. –''..Long time no see.''
He half-heartily shook it. –''Two months, I guess?''
''Yeah.'' – Issei responded. –''I heard your peerage lost.''
''..Heh.'' – Saji responded and let out a chuckle. –''..Came here to laugh at me?''
''Not really.'' – Issei shook his head. –''I came to talk...what happened?''
''..He was too strong. Many times stronger than we thought. His magic power was endless...and I failed to do what I needed to...if only I could have done my part, it's possible that then, we could have won it...but I was too weak.''
Issei put his hand on shoulder. –''...I know the feeling of weakness...the pain..the disappointment in yourself...the feeling of uselessness..but you shouldn't give up.''
''..'' – He just looked at Issei.
''..Listen. I don't want to act or pretend I know a lot about you, or the peerage you're in..but once I was told, that we fall..to get up.''
''..What is that suppose to mean?'' -He chuckled, in a rather derivative way. –''That we fail for a reason?''
''Yes.'' – Issei responded. –''I'm not going to stand here and lie to you, say that you ''were strong enough'' or other things that would make you feel better.''
In the time that they were talking, a maid had unintentionally sneaked up to them.
''..Excuse me..would you like a drink?'' – She asked.
''No, thank you, we're under-'' – Saji's voice cut off as Issei took a glass of champagne.
''Thank you.'' – He said and the maid bowed slightly and walked away. –''Listen. .take some time off and thing about things..but training is the best medicine for defeat, ya know?''
Before Saji could answer, Issei took a sip from the champagne glass and began to walk away, leaving Saji to look at his back.
Overall, the party was calm, if not for the occasional stare from the people who recognized Issei from the previous party.
Suddenly, the music was turned even quieter.
''Ahem, Ahem.'' – A man with a rather deep voice attracted attention to himself. –''Good evening, to everyone. I hope you are having a good time.''
Issei span around and noticed the only person who had such a presence in this party. Saiaorg.
''..As you know, this meeting, this party, of sorts, is generously sponsored by no one other than The Satan..Sir Sirzechs...and the purpose of this party is well known to everyone here..'' – Saiaorg raised his arms in the air. -''To relax before the battle. Previously, the Astorath and Sitri fought..and the battle was a letdown..in my opinion. It didn't have the drive, the hype, the struggle to keep a crowd entertained.''
The crowd began to whisper, as Sona was put into the spotlight. Before she could respond, Saji almost literally jumped in front of her and spoke. –''We fought as well as we could. You might talk us down now...but don't get burned.''
His eyes met with Issei as he stepped back into the crowd.
''..Now that's what I like to hear...but you said something very specific just now..that I should watch out...from Hyoudou, isn't that right?''
Another silence as Issei felt the surge of uncomfortable stares. Somehow, in someway everyone knew just who he was...he disliked it dearly.
''..I'm not going to say anything.'' – Issei responded, as he looked in his indigo eyes. –''For men like me, for men like you, there is no need for words.''
''...Why didn't you just say for men like ''us?'' – Saiaorg asked as he stared down Issei.
In comparison, Issei looked like a small child to the mountain of a man that was Saiaorg. But being a few inches shorter than the average male, Issei was used to it. The overall underestimation of his power because of his height had helped in certain situations.
''...We might be the same kind..'' – Issei cracked one of his fingers. –''..but we're a whole different specie in general.''
Something happened in that second. Something, that no one in the room quite caught. Kiba widened his eyes, but he didn't quite catch it.
''..Are you challenging me?'' – Saiaorg asked.
Issei didn't answer. It might have been a slight flutter of killing intent, the look in Issei's eyes, or the confidence his body was showing off..but the action was decided. Saiaorg charged Issei without batting an eye.
Rias didn't even have enough time to react to anything. In that second, it was like the previous meeting..just this time she wouldn't be able to stop him. Not Issei, not Saiaorg.
The guests all stepped backwards as Saiaorg threw a simple punch towards Issei's face. Issei didn't budge.
''He intends to take it?'' – A voice from the crowd shouted, just as Saiaorgs fist was about to connect..
..but it didn't.
It stopped barely an inch from his face.
Saiaorg's eyes narrowed, as Issei looked at his. Something went unspoken between them – they didn't need words.
''I see.'' – Saiaorg nodded. –''Your conviction is admirable. Let's not cause a racket here.''
''Indeed.''
Saiaorg pulled his arm back and turned around. –''As you can see, I and him, we both are ready for the fight that will happen tomorrow. And as of now, I can clearly say – it will be a fight of a lifetime...you can count on that. I hope you can enjoy this evening fully.''
He said, waved and walked into crowd, that bombarded him with questions. Issei still felt the burning stares from people...and from the peerage he was in.
He moved towards them, easily understanding why they were pretty angry. It was simple really.
''..You have a good chance to prove yourself. Everyone of you.'' – Issei stated as he arrived. –''They are underestimating you. Severely.''
He looked at Rias. She smiled slightly. Akeno still was looking pretty angry, as her eyes narrowed even more.
''..Thank you, for not fighting here.'' - Rias said.
Issei nodded, and turned to walk away. His eyes still lingered onto Akeno, and thus he bumped into someone. The obviously girl fell down with a cute sound. Issei extended his arm and looked downwards. –''..Need help-?''
His eyes widened as he noticed who the girl was...and her eyes widened as well. She had fell down on her butt...and now she was shuffling herself away with her arms. In her eyes, the undeniable look of fear and terror was reflected at Issei.
A women with a mask that covered half of her face jumped in between them.
''Don't.'' – She simply stated, clearly allowing Issei to hear the tone of her voice. Anger. Disgust.
The girl who he had knocked down was the little sister of Riser Pheonix...and the women who came in to protect her was Riser's rook..Isabella, if Issei remembered correctly.
Issei's eyes widened without him realizing. The words he said, came out cold and quiet.
''Don't look at me with those eyes!''
The flutter of killing intent was enough to force her to step backwards in fear. Her legs were shaking...and Issei turned around once again. He disappeared into the crowd before Koneko was able to catch up.
..He had taught her some things about blending in...but in the end, Issei was extremely skilled and versatile in crowds.
...
The cold and lonely wind fluttered Issei's clothes. He was wet to his bones, and yet he couldn't muster up the reason to give a shit about it. The rain...suited the way he was feeling right about now.
..It was really odd. Issei had mood swings...ever since the beginning, he's had them...but this one was different. He had felt somewhat..nice before..but that was because of the training in the mountains.
He was standing on a tree top, just hiding behind a bush of leaves and bark. It stopped the rain, but didn't quite stop the wind. His arm moved to his chest, but stopped right before it...right before the summoning mark, that was left there by Kuroka.
..It wasn't the time, nor the place to call her. He let his hand fall down to his side.
''..It's quite funny, Ddraig.'' - Issei muttered.
[What is?] – The deep voice responded.
''..I never run from fights...from the conflicts...and yet... I ran now.'' – Issei said with a lot of pauses in between words. –''And this isn't the first time. The words..the attention..can hurt me.''
[..I wouldn't call this running away...more like..dodging from the pain.] – Ddraig spoke calmly. [..It is actually more common with people who wield the Sacred Gears...that physical pain hurts far less..than the mental one.]
''...'' – Issei didn't answer, as he was too deep in thoughts.
[Just remember...that you have blood made out of iron...and a heart of glass.] – Ddraig said..with an ambiguous sound to his voice...and went silent once again.
Issei sighed and jumped off the treetop. It was getting too late. He had to rest before the fight.
I...am sorry.
I really am.
It took me a freaking month to do this.
Ara, I feel like a certain manga author from South Korea. (You get a free question from the future of this fantiction if you can guess who)
Anyways, as always, Azazel is plotting, Sirzechs is as well. Issei is unstable, the peerage is stressed and angry..Koneko now has a more defined sixpack and I need to write faster. Everything is as it's needed to be.
Next chapter is the fight. The fight between The Gremory and the Bael.
And yes, the blond little nun loving shit defeated Sitri...and don't worry...He will get everything..everything that he deserves.
Till next time, and I will be faster, I promise.
(this time for real)
Leave a review if you liked it, or if you have any questions. Hell, leave a review if you didn't like it, and explain why!