To say that both Issei and Cao Cao weren't enjoying the fight would be blatant lies. They moved in sync, as if dancing a well-known choreography.
Cao Cao was a prodigy unlike any other. Still as a human, he could stand against the strongest enemies this world could thrown at him. His upper and lower body held no lag between movement, his agility almost made it appear like he was ambidextrous as he used both of his arms to wield his spear.
He was calculative and a pure strategist at heart. A second fight against Cao Cao would be even more deadly than the first...that is, if you even managed to survive the first one.
Cao Cao spun the spear to the front, as Issei bent his upper-body back to avoid it, and as it came around Cao Cao's back Issei leaned forwards, as the spear soared over the back of his head, taking off a good amount of his white hair.
Cao Cao spun the spear mid-air and thrust it at Issei's head, but line of white fumes passed by Cao Cao's own head as he barely dodged getting his face cut open, his eyes widening even more, as he remembered that same attack being used on him...by that women.
Cao Cao knew that Issei was different from the previous time they had met. It was almost as if he wasn't holding back anymore. The moves he used were now full. His movement wasn't slightly off anymore. It was fluid and sharp. Besides, his control over Ki energy was surprisingly good. To imitate a sword from pure Ki wasn't an easy task.
Issei remained in that same position for a second, with his body leaned a bit back, left arm extended to the side with his palm thrown back, while the right arm was straight up in the air, holding on the knife. The knife, that he had shot out a line of Ki, making it extend far beyond it's normal, original reach.
He had stolen the idea from Kuroka's and Koneko' s fighting style – to extend the reach of your attack with Ki.
Lowering his stance, Issei glanced at Cao Cao. –''What? Melancholia?''
Cao Cao's gaze met Issei's. He smirked slightly, as his eyes shone slightly. –''Yes. That move made me remember.''
In that second they clashed again, Issei pushing on the butt of his knife with his other arm, as he held back the spear.
A flicker of an eye, and both of them were gone. Their weapons clashed without mercy, as the ground beneath shattered and cracked, throwing dust and parts of the concrete everywhere.
In the ambiant, fake world, only the sound of their fighting was heard.
Issei's instinct of the fight allowed him to spin around, dodge and attack from odd angles without an worry, as Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and suddenly, his became calmer.
Issei shuffled his feet, releasing his knife and letting it fall to the ground, as his eyes widened and he back flipped to his arms, spun around on his palms and did a sweeping kick mid air, while being upside down, leaving an arc of white smoke in it's wake.
Cao Cao blocked with the middle of his spear, but was blown backwards by its strength. Issei flipped to his feet and leaned in his knees a bit, pushing his arms behind his back and relaxing his fingers.
Issei smiled. –''You probably noticed my lacking flexibility and the fact that I use my legs less than my arms to attack, right? Well, I simply like punching better than kicking...but it doesn't mean that I can't kick well.''
Cao Cao shrugged. –''Doesn't matter.''
''It does.'' – Issei smirked back, catching him off guard, as Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly. It was hard to tell if it was surprise or anger, that his glance unveiled. –''I know you based your plan on my lack of skill with my legs.''
Cao Cao nodded, disappearing form Issei's sight, as Issei kicked backwards, blocking his spear.
''Too predictable!'' – He shouted, as he spun around to face Cao Cao, who thrust his spear at Issei's core.
Issei's feet kicked up dust as he slid his right leg to the side and spun on it, switching his body sideways as the spear slid past him.
Cao Cao was a human. No matter how inhuman he was, he still was a human. A human with a frail body, that could never withstand a hit that actually connected.
Issei knew that, as his gaze narrowed and he brought up his left arm in front of his right one, covering his face, and in that second that Cao Cao focused on the left arm, Issei's other arm jabbed at his eyes.
Cao Cao released the spear for a second, as he grabbed into Issei's palm, stopping it just before Issei could jab his eyes out.
In that instant, Cao Cao flew backwards, thrown by Issei's counter grab, his spear slipping out of his fingers.
Cao Cao widened his eyes as he saw Issei roundhouse kick his spear so hard that it flew into air and out of his sight.
As Issei's leg hit the ground, he instantly lunged at Cao Cao, who was sliding backwards along the ground, still on his feet.
Cao Cao's stance changed as he came to a dead-stop and Issei's punch shattered the ground to his side because Cao Cao redirected his punch. Another one, and another and a few more, every single one parried, as the destructive nature of them shattered the road, signs, cars and houses around them.
It was Chinese kenpo that Cao Cao used – the low stance, the perfect parrying...and that single strike, that Issei had finally waited for.
Cao Cao leaned in a bit, his whole body shifting to the side, as he threw a punch at Issei's core. His eyes widened, as Cao Cao's arm struck his chest, right where the heart was.
Cao Cao's guard dropped for a second, but he almost tripped over in the hurry to back off.
The Issei that he had struck was just an after-image. A feat that experienced Ki manipulators could do. Experienced people with good control could do it, but Issei shouldn't have almost any control over it.
Issei slid over the ground on all fours backwards, and lounged at him like a tiger at his prey, his right arm going back, as his left shoulder took the lead.
In that moment, Cao Cao could have sworn he saw a flutter of red hair.
''BALANCE BREAK!'' - Cao Cao shouted, grasping at the air...and pulling his spear out of nowhere. In a split second that one of the 7 orbs that appeared above his shoulders shone in a slightly warmer tone, and he disappeared from that spot.
Issei went trough with the attack and completely shattered the road for a few tens of meters, including a house and a few cars. He leaned back up, and as he turned around, his body gave off an white fumes, as if it had been overheated.
His drenched back and face, together with his wild white hair sticking to his face gave up his exhaustion, even though he held a composed demeanor in front of that man.
Cao Cao floated in the air, his clothes were ruffled up and he was visibly tired by the fight, as his labored breath gave that up.
''My spear...is my alone. Even if it gets thrown into the deepest abyss, it will still return to me when I call for it.'' – Cao Cao glanced to the side, avoiding Issei's eyes. –''However, back there you overwhelmed me to such an extent that I couldn't regain it without my balance breaker.''
Issei's demeanor softened a bit and he let out a slight chuckle, together with an aloof smile. –''...Cao Cao..don't you think this is a bit unfair? You have a balance breaker for that spear?''
He rubbed the backside of his head and his chest moved, as he exhaled heavily. –''Give me a break, will you?''
''..I call it The Polar Night of Chakra Valdine.'' – Cao Cao responded, spinning the spear in a rather show-off manner. –''It is a sub-species balance breaker, that I created.''
Issei let out a small chuckle. –''You couldn't have made it's name even longer?''
''..It is a suitable name.'' - Cao Cao felt a drop of sweat slide down his forehead. –''You have become...stronger, Hyoudou.''
Issei's gaze lowered, as he smiled. A fake smile.
''It is a shame...that we are on the opposite sides of this battle.'' - Cao Cao stated, in a ambiguous tone.
Issei touched his face, trying to calm his slightly convulsing muscle. Well, he was hiding his face as well. Those few seconds of rest felt like days, as he grasped at his own face, and ran his palms upwards, trough his sticky hair and pulled it back, uncovering his eyes.
His dull, bloodshot eyes. He was pushing his limits by spending his Ki so much. He wasn't a Youkai that could absorb the energy around him on the fly – he needed a lot of time and concentration for that.
He was a simple fake.
He inhaled and exhaled, looking up at Cao Cao, who was waiting.
The red gauntlet on his arm began to shine in a green light, as he pulled his palms into fists.
[BOOOOOOOOST!]
''Thank you for waiting.'' – Issei spoke, as he turned to face him. –''Let's fight.''
Cao Cao nodded and disappeared in an instant, teleporting himself to the side, with his spear's balance breaker power, as Issei flew past his previous location, with his fist extended.
Cao Cao's spear shot out beams of light towards the now falling Issei, who shot out a bit of Ki from his left arm, using it to spin around mid-air and raised his gauntlet-covered arm.
Brilliant red shone, as the attack was redirected towards Cao Cao, who disappeared in an instant.
CRACK
Issei's legs crashed against the concrete ground as he sent rubble everywhere, and slid backwards.
Cao Cao appeared in front of him, but Issei had already raised his gauntlet clad arm, as it smacked away Cao Cao's spear with an abundance of Ki, using the same inertia to spin himself around and to began running away from Cao Cao.
The concrete gave in on every single step Issei took to run from Cao Cao, as he moved in a speed that rivaled a sport's car, while Cao Cao was teleporting after him and shooting light attacks. His black shirt and even his sticky hair ruffled, as he dashed trough hundreds of meters of the city space in seconds, dodging the light attacks.
In that sliver of a second, he realised how unreal it all was.
He blinked and the scenery had changed again. He was now in the middle of the city. The fake, dead city, because without the Gremory peerage and Khaos Brigade, no one else was there.
The amount of buildings provided a good enough cover, as Issei slightly slowed down, just enough for Cao Cao to send a wave of light attacks his way, as he inhaled deeply and spun on one leg, to face Cao Cao.
Still sliding along the concrete, only now backwards, he exhaled, after hearing Ddraig.
[BOOOST]
A giant wave of fire, coming from Issei's mouth appeared in front of Cao Cao, who easily teleported trough it, swiping his spear down at Issei's body, who quickly shuffled back, and grabbed a car.
The metal gave in under Issei's dragon claw as swung the car at Cao Cao like a bat.
Cao Cao teleported to the other side of Issei mid-attack, as the car ripped trough empty air, and Issei's balance went off from the weight and inertia of the car.
The released car went flying into a nearby building, as Cao Cao's spear closed in on Issei's heart.
It went trough, but the impact warped Issei's chest.
It was an afterimage, that Issei left, as he himself lunged backwards, violently, without being able to control the power of his dodge.
DONNNNN.
Cao Cao observed as Issei crashed into a wall and it sent spider-web pattern around himself. He coughed up a bit of blood and exhaled deeply, white fumes coming out of his mouth.
He lunged forwards and rolled, as a bolt of light went above his head, hitting his earlier position.
Issei's teeth clenched together, as he unleashed Ki from his legs and left a line of shattered concrete in his wake, as he charged Cao Cao.
Issei's gauntleted fist made sparks as it met Cao Cao's spear's middle and Issei leaned forwards, his left fist coming from below the spear.
Cao Cao didn't mince his movement, as he spun the end of it to himself, blocking that fist. Issei pulled back, as he felt a burning sensation, and a hint of burning skin's scent hit his nostrils.
He stepped backwards and spun around, as Cao Cao simply nodded to himself and stepped backwards as well.
Issei's leg slid over the concrete and as he kicked, his face pulled into a painful expression.
''SPLIT-HEAVEN!'' - A wave of white fumes followed, as he went trough with the kick. Cao Cao teleported away, and a milisecond later the place where was standing, and the building behind him was cut in two, in a 45 degree angle, as the windows shattered, and it began to fall apart, throwing dust and rubble everywhere.
The dust enveloped Issei, who remained standing, clutching at his chest.
It was hopeless. Koneko couldn't find the right times to attack without disturbing others. Besides, it was already hard enough to strike the enemy in front of her. He could control his 4 swords without a hint of difficulty, as he clashed two of them with Xenovai and Kiba.
He was strong.
Too strong for her to handle, and team work didn't work as well as it could. It was simple, really. The whole peerage trained. Some trained more than others, but the fact remained that they trained for themselves. To improve themselves. To become stronger themselves. There never was effort to become stronger as a team.
Koneko let out a small, amused chuckle. It was probably Issei's fault. He trained by himself, taking her along with himself. He was the one who put the rift there, between the Occult club.
Koneko jumped into the air, dodging a random burst of magic, as she turned her head towards the other enemy.
She saw in an instant that Rias and Akeno were having trouble in dealing with him. Her crimson red and Akeno's blinding lighting mixed as they exchanged attacks.
Her thoughts stopped, as she charged at her enemy, jumping just in the middle of attack that was meant to hit Rossweisei.
The knife in her hand instead of blocking, shattered, as she saw the man smirk.
''Aaagh-!'' – She could only stutter out, as she felt the dark, cold blade slide into her chest. She recognized the iron taste, feeling the blood back up in her throat.
Her strength disappeared, as everything went black, a few moments before that she only heard screams.
Issei ran his nails over his chest, drawing blood, as that pain was much more pleasant than the wringing pain he felt on his heart.
He coughed, finally being able to take a breathe.
''Haaa...AaaaaHaaaaa...''
He was dizzy, as he felt ice cold sweat run down his back and forehead. The warm blood now dripping down his chest felt overly sticky.
He inhaled deeply, and slammed his foot down, as a whirlwind of his own Ki blasted away the dust that surrounded him. –''Not yet.''
He said, to no one in particular. Maybe it was to himself – to to convince himself, that he could still go on...but the truth was that he was hitting against a wall. The absurd amount of Ki that he was withdrawing from his own body was a lot more than he could actually handle. His reserves were quickly diminishing.
Cao Cao swiped sideways, as Issei's eyes widened and he stepped backwards, his right arm punching at Cao Cao's head, who dodged under, spun around, moving his spear downwards.
Issei jumped up, avoiding the spear that was about to cut off his legs.
Their eyes met mid-air. Cao Cao's calm dark eyes and Issei's bloodshot, narrow gaze. At that moment, Issei couldn't really understand, if he had seen correctly – he could swear that Cao Cao smiled slightly.
The time that seemed slowed down kicked back in full force, as Issei landed and pulled back his gauntleted fist. Like a spring it rushed at Cao Cao heart, but it was blocked by his spear, that he held up like a shield.
DON.
''Stron-!'' - The ground beneath Issei shattered, as Ki expelled from his legs, as he twisted his fist and pushed it forward. –''GERRR!''
The Ki blast from his fist blew Cao Cao away, who before crashing trough a wall teleported himself away.
A few seconds later, they clashed again, as Issei's fist went for Cao Cao's face, he froze up for a second.
He hit the wall.
Ki didn't expel from Issei's arm and the back of Cao Cao's spear hit Issei in the chest, throwing him back like a ragdoll.
Even though he wanted to swear, he didn't, because the pain of Cao Cao's spear combined with crashing against the ground a few times didn't allow it.
Cao Cao raised his spear towards the still rolling Issei, and shouted. –''Balinakaya Ratana!''
Issei pushed up against the shattered concrete and jumped to the side, while extending his gauntleted hand. – ''PHANTOM BULLET!''
A whirlwind of light exploded towards Issei, blowing away everything ahead of Cao Cao, completely demolishing half of the city, and tearing a literal hole in the sky.
The pure destruction of his attack shook the city, taking away the sound for a short moment.
Cao Cao's torn clothes and hair ruffled in the wind that his attack had created, as he observed. The dust settled, and he saw Issei's crumbled statue leaning against a wall, clutching at his chest, barely able to breath.
[BURST]
The cracked sacred gear on his hand crumbled to dust, as Issei clutched his chest once again.
''The limit, huh?'' – Cao Cao spoke and spun around his spear.
The ground shook, and the sky began to throw off sparks, so suddenly even Cao Cao lost balance for a second, while Issei fell to his knees, his head almost hit the concrete, but his hands stopped that, as he pushed them against the ground.
''Aghh-...Huhhhh...fuck-!''
As his body spasmed, he coughed up blood, and began to breath again. Short, fast and painful breaths.
Cao Cao stood in front of Issei, who was kneeling in front of him.
At least, that was how it looked.
''Ahh...I..'' – Issei said, and inhaled, ignoring the stabbing pain in his chest. –''...Can fight.''
He said, but his shaking hands and cramping muscle said a different thing. Issei could only raise his head, as he looked upwards, glancing at Cao Cao with only one eye.
The ground shook even more this time, not stopping this time. The sky began to crumble.
Cao Cao sighed. –''Looks like I destabilized this fake dimension.''
Issei didn't respond.
''This fight...was exhilarating.'' – He said. –''I won't kill you. Yet. Grow stronger, Issei Hyoudou.''
Cao Cao turned around and tapped the ground with the butt of his spear. A few seconds passed, when George and Siegfried, who was carrying a bloody mess of Beelzebubz on his shoulder, and a handful of robbed and masked other magicians appeared by his side.
George looked towards Issei's kneeling position. He raised his hand, but Cao Cao shook his head.
''He killed-!''
''I understand how you feel.'' – Cao Cao responded cutting off George, his eyes narrowing. –''But this isn't the time. Remember why we came here?''
''To make a statement.'' – Siegfried responded in George's spot.
''Correct.'' – Cao Cao nodded. –''This mission wasn't about killing Issei Hyoudou, it was about sending a message to Sirzechs.''
George nodded, but noticed the ruffled state of Cao Cao's clothing...and the dried cut on his cheek.
''Let's go, before this whole space crumbles.''
They disappeared, as Siegfried smirked at Issei.
The silence that remained was disturbed by Issei's voice.
''Fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK!'' – He shouted, as he banged his head against the concrete. It made a dull sound. –''It hurts...''
A small while passed, as Issei watched blood drip down his head. With shaking hands, he pushed his own upper-body off from the ground and got into a sitting position. With shaking legs, he barely got up and stumbled to the side, banging himself against a damaged car. He tried to inhale deeply, but instead he got into a coughing fit, because of the pain.
His eyes narrowed, and he banged his fist against the car's window, shattering it to tiny pieces.
He raised his gaze and noticed the fog, that was closing in on him.
The ground and sky shattered, as he felt a strong pulling sensation. Almost puking out more blood, he was warped back to his house's backyard.
''Great...'' – He spit out those words, as he used the wall of his house to get himself up and began to stumble towards the school, not giving attention to his dirty, and torn clothes.
Rias Gremory was shaking.
Her hands, her legs, her heart. It was fear that tainted her.
She tried to comprehend how strong the people she had fought was. The sight of Koneko being impaled, the sight of Xenovia being slashed across her chest and the sight of Kiba getting his arm chopped off wouldn't leave her mind for ever.
She slouched her head against the desk and grabbed into her hair, covering her face.
Everything she had built almost crumbled to dust in a matter of minutes.
Her family would have been killed, if it had been the attacker goal to kill – fortunately enough, they withdrew when they obviously had won the fight.
Rias had called Grayfia who took care of her peerage member almost immediately, but still she feared the worst – Koneko was impaled by one of that monster's swords.
Her trance-like thoughts were scattered, when the door to the occult club office was banged open by someone.
She raised her hands, ready to attack, and so did Akeno and Rossweisse, while Gasper tried to push himself even deeper into a box. He had tried to be without it, but after a such a day, he couldn't help himself.
They calmed down, after a second, when they noticed that it was Issei.
He stumbled inside the room and immediately threw himself against a wall, clutching his chest in pain.
''Ahhh...'' - He exhaled, and looking down at his own feet, as beads of sweat rolled down his face. –''...Status?''
''..Issei..'' – Rias widened her eyes, not understanding what he said.
''Where are...the rest?'' – He asked, taking a pause between words.
''...'' – Rias didn't respond as the words escaped her.
''Toujo, Xenovia and Yuuto were injured quite severely. '' – Rossweissei responded in her stead. –''They are in an underground hospital.''
''How serious?'' – Issei looked upwards, still using only one of his eyes.
Rossweissei's eyes met with Issei's. –''Koneko was impaled by a sword, Xenovia was slashed and Kiba lost his arm.'''
Issei, still leaning against the wall with his back, backhanded the wall and punched trough it. –''Goddammit.''
He slid down into a sitting position and raised his head upwards, glancing at the cieling. –''What happened?''
''At first, Diodora and a person with 4 arms attacked, but we held them back until Koneko killed Diodora. It all got bad when Cao Cao and a person with Glasses appeared. Cao Cao went after you, while the other one attacked us with magic...he was way too strong.'' – Akeno responded, sitting on the couch.
''Georg...and Siegfried.'' – Issei responded. –''They are two of Cao Cao's lackeys, the ones that I didn't kill...way above your level.''
The room went quiet from how blunt the answer was.
''What?'' – Issei asked, and coughed a bit, as he clutched at his chest. –'' I'm saying the truth, am I not?''
''Are you alright, Issei?'' – Rias asked, dismissing his previous sentence.
''I'm fine.''
He lied, of course. Overspending the Ki in your body was an awful thing to do. Issei felt as if his heart was being wringed from outside to inside, together with the coldness of his sweat, the cramps in his muscle and the pain when he was able to take a breathe.
''You fought Cao Cao, right? Did you defeat him?''
Issei let out a chuckle. - ''I didn't. He allowed me to live. I am not strong enough.''
An uncomfortable silence fell in the room.
''Did you see it, Gremory?'' – Issei began again. –''The strength, that these people have?''
''..Of course.'' – She responded, her eyes narrowing a bit.
''They could have killed you all easily, the same with me. But they didn't. Want to know why?''
''...Issei.'' - Rias spoke, trying to quiet him.
''Listen.'' – Issei voice came out cold. –''They simply sent a message to your brother...the Khaos Brigade, that is. Do you know what it said?''
Silence.
''That we are weak. Too weak. We are too insignificant and incompetent to even be killed – we don't pose a threat to them.'' – Issei answered and smirked, showing his teeth. –''Gremory, how do you like this view into the real world?''
''Hyoudou!'' – She shouted, her eyes going wide.
''What? You can't make me shut up. I am stronger than you, and the strong trample the weak. Understand? I am not some high-level devil that will follow just rank. I WILL SPEAK WHEN I WANT TO SPEAK!''
''I KNOW THAT I AM WEAK, ISSEI!'' – Rias screamed at Issei, making his eyes go wide. –''I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO RUB IT INTO MY FACE, YOU BASTARD!''
''...Hahahahahah-!''- He began to laugh, but his laughter was stopped by sharp pain in his chest. –''Aghh-!''
''I understand it. Of course I do...but what can I do now? There is no need to be so aggressive, especially now.''
Issei sighed. –''The enemy doesn't wait...''
''I know...'' – Rias sighed this time. - ''...When we were training...I learned how to use an attack that was similar to my brothers. Of course, it's power isn't comparable to my brothers...but the complete destruction effect was the same.''
''And?'' – Issei asked.
Rias chuckled. –''That power was simply blocked by...George, you said?''
Issei simply smirked at that sentence by Rias. –''Cao Cao's men are not your average joes. They are all strong. To match him...you would need to train relentlessly.''
''Like you, you training maniac?'' – Rias pulled Issei along.
''More than me.'' – Issei responded and slowly got up.
''Where are you going?''
''Home. I need to rest and change.'' – He said, touched his ripped t-shirt.
''We are going to the hospital soon, what about you?'' – Akeno asked.
''Don't worry, I know how to get to it.'' – He said, and stumbled trough the open doorway.
Issei guessed that it was the class-time, as no one was outside of the classrooms, so he was able to move across the streets quite unseen, even with his torn and banged up body.
When he came around his home, he decided on jumping into his room by the use of the window, from the fear of his mother seeing him.
He grabbed some clothes from the cluttered closet and went on for a shower, spending most of it leaning against a wall, trying to breath normally.
The clash of his cold sweat against the boiling water made him lethargic.
Having brushed off the scrapes and wounds with soap, he dried off and changed into a pair of black joggers with bands at the bottom and a black, white striped t-shirt. He threw the old clothes into the trashcan.
With a white towel in his hair, Issei opened the door to his room and was met by two gazes.
The hazel eyed, cat-like Kuroka narrowed her eyes and smiled a bit, leaning against the window sill, dressed in her usual black tight-fitting pants and a black button-up shirt, with rolled up sleeves, that was obviously too big for her. The upper part of the shirt was unbuttoned, showing off a bit of her ample cleavage.
Issei let out an amused sigh, realizing that it was his shirt.
His gaze then focused on the second pair of eyes, the one he wished he could ignore, but he of course couldn't.
Her green eyes fluttered a bit, as her red lips pulled into a curly smile. She was sitting on the only desk in Issei's room, having crossed her pale, slim legs. A red choker covered the scar around her neck, while the straw-yellow hair of hers was stylized into a single braid, with the bangs on the front pushed to the side.
She was wearing a black, one-piece dress that covered her cleavage, but showed off her shoulders. It ended a half-way above her knee, while down from there white thigh-highs covered the rest, coupled with black platform shoes.
''My, my, you look adorably horrible...'' – Maria said, with a hint of ridicule to her voice, as she brought her slender arm up to her face. The black nail polish was a complete opposite from her milk colored skin.
The corner of Issei's mouth twitched, before he spoke. –''I feel even more terrible than I look, trust me.''
She let out a small chuckle. –''So, how was it?''
Issei brought his right arm behind his head. –''Better. Although I would have died if he hadn't spared me.''
''You wouldn't have. I knew that he wouldn't kill this time.'' - Maria looked Issei into his bloodshot eyes. –''Did your attacks ''reach'' him?''
''They almost did...until he balance broke his spear.'' – Issei looked down. –''It is completely ridiculous.''
''It is.'' - Maria smiled. -''Do you think you will be able to ''reach'' him?''
Issei's eyes narrowed. –''I will not ''reach'' him...I will overtake him. I just need time.''
Maria uncrossed her legs and shimmied off the desk.
''I trust you. If you need time, I will give it to you.'' – She said, as she moved closer to Issei.
She raised her hand and placed it on his chest.
''However, time is not infinite. Sooner or later it will start. Even ''I'' can't stop time.'' – She smirked and looked upwards, meeting Issei's eyes.
''I would advise you to push yourself more, but your heartbeat is irregular.'' – She sighed, cutely. –''Really...you are helpless by yourself, huh?''
Maria turned around, sliding her hand off Issei's chest. –I'll go then. Kuroka, heal him.''
''Maria, wait. I need something we spoke about earlier.'' – Issei said, before she could teleport away.
''Mmm~?'' – She hummed, cutely.
''I need the passports. For them.'' – He said, and went quiet.
In the silence, the three of them heard a bit of bustling coming from the first floor.
Maria tilted her head back, smirked, and disappeared from the room in an instant.
Issei grabbed his chest and exhaled, as Kuroka quickly moved closer to him, pulling him into a hug, as she rested her head against Issei's chest.
Issei's arms wrapped around her back and he pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head.
''You heard about Koneko?''
''Of course.'' – Kuroka responded, her voice being muffled by Issei's chest. –''I already visited her...she is fine. But she will have to stay in the hospital for a few days.''
The warmth, and the soft sensation of her familiar body calmed Issei down. Kuroka, as if understanding that, rubbed her head against Issei's chest even more.
''Sorry. I should have been the-'' – Issei began to speak, but that was cut off by Kuroka's hand, that tugged at his white hair, making him wince playfully.
''Not your fault. Don't apologize for things like that.'' – Even though her voice sounded quite agitated, Issei knew she was hiding her smile. –''Let's concentrate on things at hand, yes?''
''Mhm.'' – Issei nodded and released Kuroka from his grasp.
Her slender fingers interlocked with Issei's blistered ones, as she pulled him downwards. They both sat down, cross legged, facing each other.
Issei's cheek turned a bit red, as he looked at her, from close range. There was something about her, that made his head spin, making it a mess of fuzziness. Maybe it was the way her skin glistened, the way her alluring eyes fluttered, her gaze, or maybe it was the shirt that she was wearing.
It was his shirt, but seeing her wear it made his heart skip a beat. Seeing his situation, it meant his heart skipped a few more beats than that.
Kuroka caught on, and squirmed her fingers, as she looked into Issei's eyes. She grinned, as her lips parted and she slid her tongue over her upper lip.
Issei broke eye contact and spoke up. –''Stop teasing me, I don't know if my heart right now could handle the blood flow.''
He turned his eyes back to Kuroka, who this time looked away, dodging his gaze. She held a small, rosy blush on her cheeks.
Issei burst into laughter, and so did she soon after.
A small while later, after the two of them calmed down, Kuroka began to actually heal Issei and fill his Ki reserves, as she pushed her Ki into Issei.
The Ki that entered Issei's body felt excruciatingly good and bad at the same time, as drips of sweat began to form on both of them. Issei felt the pain in his heart go away, but at the same time, his nerves felt as they were pulled on, like strings, while the almost-unbearable heat burned his body from inside.
''It feels like that, because I am using my natural, youkai Ki...It is a bit more ''pure'' and natural than yours'' -Kuroka explained. -''Please don't force yourself so much...you could have killed yourself.''
''Can't be that bad...right?''
''That bad.'' – Kuroka exhaled. –''The Ki is the life force, as you know. Ki taken from the life around you is like the yin, and your literal life force, the life of your soul, is like the yang. Once you draw too much from one of them, you die. The Yin side, the ''outer'' Ki disbalances your body's functions, while if you spend the ''inner'' Ki, your lifeforce, well...you die, obviously.''
Kuroka explained, her hands still placed on Issei's, who was staring at her intensely.
''The fact that you, a non-yokai, a reincarnated devil who doesn't have a bloodline that allows it, can control Ki, is very interesting. Basically, you can use Senjutsu.''
''Does simply expelling Ki from my limbs even count as Senjutsu?'' – Issei chuckled.
''Yes.'' – Kuroka purred. –''Your control over it has gone up significantly, but your reserves are not large. They are decent, yes, but nothing spectacular.''
''Can I train my reserves?'' – Issei asked, his eyes hinting at curiosity.
''Of course. You have trained it over the years, as you trained your body.''
''Can I speed it up?'' – Issei asked. –''Making my reserves bigger?''
''...Not really. With rigorous training and often Ki manipulating, you could use less Ki, but keep the strength of those attacks.''
''I know. I spent way too much Ki uselessly. I used ''Split-Heavens'' kick on Cao Cao, and that was probably my downfall against him.''
Kuroka froze for a second. –''Did you just say ''Split-Heavens''? It requires an absurd amount of Ki...'' - She looked downwards. –''No wonder you spent so much.''
''Guilty.'' – Issei would have rubbed the backside of his head, but his hand was being held by Kuroka. –''I just want to use more moves. My teacher used magic to enhance her attacks, I can use Ki now. Although...''
His voice trailed off, before he finished the sentence.
''Mmm?''
''...Saiaorg uses ''inner'' Ki, right?''
''Yes. He uses the long life-span of a devil to his advantage.''
''..I'll have to do that as well. The attack where he used Ki like whirlwind almost killed me right there, on the spot...I need to copy it.''
Kuroka's fingers locked into Issei's palms. –''You shouldn't. Your body, your soul...was ravaged back on that moon-filled day. Even though you have the lifespan of a devil, it is unstable. You shouldn't spend it. It's dangerous.''
Issei smiled gently. –''I won't lie to you...I'll probably use it.''
''I know.'' – Kuroka released his hands. -''But I want you to promise you will only do it when it is unavoidable.''
''Promise.''
Kuroka purred, seemingly happy with the answer.
Their eyes moved to the window of Issei's room, as a black-clad person appeared there. She brought her left hand up to her chest and then relaxed her posture. Her short black hair fluttered at the stray wind coming from the window.
''Fleimel.'' – Issei acknowledged her.
''Sir.'' – She said and took out two envelopes, handing them to Issei. –''Maria had these prepared before hand. Passports, VISA cards filled with money and some other important documents.''
''Thank you.'' – Issei took them and got up.
''Is that all?''
''Tell Gilgamesh I need to talk with him later.''
''Yes, sir.'' – She said, and disappeared as quietly as she arrived.
For a small while, only silence accompanied the two of them.
''Are you sure?'' – Kuroka asked.
Issei nodded and went over to his closet. A small while of ravanging trough a bag later, he took a folded paper out of it.
''Let's go.''
The two of them exited his room and went downstairs. His father was already eating, whilst his mother cooked.
She glanced back at them, with her amber eyes. –''Oh, I was just about to call for you. Dinner is ready.''
Issei smiled and sat down. A short while later, the four of them were eating. They exchanged a bit of small-talk about school. Issei spoke some nonsense about average grades, even though he didn't really have any idea about most of the subjects.
It went on for a nice while, until Issei cut it.
He took away the fakeness.
''Mom, dad...I need to talk with you.''
''Of course. What is it?'' – His father responded, glancing at him.
''These months that I have spent here with you, have been a big lie.''
Their eyes widened.
''What do you mean?'' – His mother asked, completely cluelessly.
Issei looked at Kuroka and nodded.
She looked into both of his parents eyes...and their gazes changed.
''..Wh-Who are you?'' – His mother asked Kuroka, who got up and leaned against the counter, a bit away from them.
The magic that was controlling them was taken away in a single instant.
''Mom...to tell the truth, I don't really know how to say this. Everything I told you about what happened to me was a lie, well, except for the fact I was kidnapped.''
Both of his parents were tense.
Issei smiled ruefully and continued. –''A lot happened. Things I rather not mention and I'd rather you not hear, but...you know, how as a kid, everyone wants to be a hero? At least us guys...I became the exact opposite of that. When I was a kid, I wanted to defeat villains...I wanted to defeat people like myself.''
''What...what exactly are you?'' – His father asked, his voice cracking at the start.
''I am a mercenary.''
''Soldier for hire?'' – His father asked.
''Don't be ridiculous.''
Issei slid his hand into one of his pockets and took out the folded paper, sliding it to the other side of the table. His father opened the worn down, gritty paper.
Both of his parents looked at it. It was a photo. 15 people, all dressed in black, with various kinds of weapons. A waving black flag with a white ''SS" symbol was above them all. Issei was the second smallest one of them all, standing right in the middle, with a assault riffle handing from a sling at his side. A women with flowing, blood red hair had her hand around his shoulder. Issei's expression held a slight, almost unnoticeable smile. A girl with black hair stood on one of his sides, with a complete pokerface, while on the other side a man with golden hair stood with his arms crossed. Right behind Issei, a man with messy black hair and a slight scruff stood with a slight smirk, his gaze was turned to the women that had her hand around Issei.
And there, in front of Issei, stood a short, petite girl with pale, unblemished skin. one of her hands held a ''V'' symbol and her eyes held unarguable evil.
After a long while of looking at it, they placed the picture back on the table.
Silence filled the room, mixing with the already high strung atmosphere. The expressions on Issei's parents faces were difficult to describe. Complete and utter despair would come close to it, but it was mixed with surprise and a hint of fear.
''The Issei that was kidnapped is not the same Issei that stands in front of you. I changed a lot. So much so, that you would be correct to not call me your son anymore.''
The high pitched sob of his mother filled the room, making Issei wince, of the sight of her tears.
His father sighed. –''...No matter what happened to you, it doesn't matter. You are my son. My only son.''
Issei looked into his eyes...he wasn't lying.
''It breaks my heart to say this...but I will remove you from my life. The things that happen around me are too dangerous...if you remain around me, you will killed or taken hostage.''
His father froze. –''Remove?''
''Kuroka.''
She, who had moved behind them, touched both of their heads. A second later, both of them slouched over the table.
Issei grabbed the photo and put it back into his pocket. He then opened the envelopes and looked at the passports.
Meanwhile, Issei noticed his parents appearances change slightly. The wrinkles on their faces disappeared and their hair changed colors. His mothers became darker and shorter, while his fathers hair became pure black and lost the unusual structure, becoming straight.
Kuroka was holding her eyes close and concentrating, shifting their memories and appearance. –''...What are their names?''
''Aoi and Hirako Suitopi.''
She nodded and a few seconds later, his parents began to move again, while Kuroka went back to sit next to Issei.
''..What were talking about, dear?'' – His mother asked his father.
''Something about...?'' – His father responded, but then his gaze locked onto Issei. –''Who were you, again?''
He smiled. –''The new owner of your old house, Mister Suitopi.''
''Ah, just Hirako is fine.''
Issei nodded and spoke to them. –''You spoke of moving up to the sea side, to the countryside, right?''
''Ah yes, taking the train straight there. We have the money to afford it...winning the lottery was very fortunate.''
''I would assume so, yes.'' – Issei nodded with a smile. –''Childhood dreams can be fulfilled like that, don't you think?''
His mother smiled and answered. –''Indeed. Maybe now, when we can afford a dream house, Hirako over here would finally agree to a child, haha~''
She playfully jabbed at ''Hirako'' who smiled and sighed slightly.
''Ah, your train will come soon...'' - Issei said, still holding on his gentle tone.
Both of his parents jumped up, in surprise.
''You're right, we should go!''
''Of course.'' – Issei pushed the passports and other documents to the other side of the table. –''Don't forget these.''
''Oh my, how did they get there?''
His father grabbed them and they walked to the front entrance. While his parents put on clothes, Issei remained quiet, looking at them.
They turned to open the doors. ''Well, take care of the house, okay? I and my husband lived here together with...ara?''
''Let's go, Aoi.'' – Issei's father grasped her hand and stepped outside, pulling her gently. –''Well then, was nice meeting you...um, what was your name again?''
Issei leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms. –''Doesn't matter. Hurry, if you want to make it.''
''Right!'' – Issei's father answered and they both got into their car.
The car pulled out of the driveway, and after a horn sound, they were gone.
Issei went inside, shutting the door behind him.
Wracked with grief, he felt an immeasurably sized pit in his stomach, but he couldn't cry.
Tears didn't run from his eyes, as he ''lost'' his parents.
Kuroka hugged him. –''This decision was correct. They look different and they have no memories of you...no one will ever find them, if they would want to use them against you.''
''I know.'' – Issei said. –''This isn't the time to be sad...Let's go, I need to visit Koneko.''
Issei put on some sneakers, and then after a cute humming sound from Kuroka, they disappeared from the now empty house.
Goodbye mother, father. I am sorry that I was such a lousy son.
Author's notes.
Yo. Been a while, although this chapter is a lot longer. About 8k words?
Anywho, how are you? I feel pretty shitty, fuck school, fuck future, fuck it all.
Writing is nice. I can escape the reality for a while.
A lot happened this chapter, don't you think?
I still can't write sad scenes for the life of me, but I hope you enjoyed.
''Suitopi'' is a flower. It means ''goodbye'' in flower language.
Anyways, thank you for reading, I hope you liked it. I explained a bit about Ki, because I took my (the breakers lmao) spin on it.
See you next time, if I make it trough the night.