I know that a lot of people were disappointed in the original chapter, and I know that it's frustrating when there are huge plot holes that seemingly everyone but the author can see. So I decided to try and add extra scenes and such to help explain this chapter more. I don't know if this will satisfy anyone who was unhappy, but I hope it's a step in the right direction. I didn't change anything about the core chapter, but instead supplemented it with extra scenes to explain some things. I hope you guys enjoy this more than the original.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story. It really helps to know that people actually care enough about this story to write a review. It certainly makes me more inclined to write this story. Thank you so much to CrazySasori, who has given so much help. To be honest, with all of the help you've given me, this may as well be your story.
Since people think that Kallen and Lelouch make a far better pairing that Kallen and Gino, I'm going to agree with that. I'm going to be honest though, I actually like the Lelouch and Rias pairing more. Also, I know that the Gino and Kallen scene this chapter might be a little rushed, but I want to build up Lelouch's group so he can go ahead and destroy Riser(if you couldn't tell, I kind of hate Riser Phenex). Since Issei isn't the focus of my story, the church scene might be a little rushed too. Despite all of this, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 3
Issei sat and listened to Asia's story. He knew how lonely it must have felt for her to be an outcast, and all he wanted to do was to comfort her.
"I'll be your friend. We already spent the day together. We've talked and played together today. We're friends!"
Asia's eyes began to fill with tears of joy, "Issei."
"Oh how fucking sweet! A Devil and an outcast nun!" A voice cackled.
"Freed!" Issei growled, clenching his fists.
"Since I'm feeling generous today, I'll make a deal. You give me the girl and I don't kill you, how does that sound?"
Issei stepped protectively in front of Asia, "No, you're just going to hurt her."
"Well of course! She ran away from our church and she must be punished. But there's no reason both of you have to die today." Freed said, already getting impatient.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
Issei turned around to see Asia walking towards Freed.
"No Asia, don't!"
Asia smiled, "It's okay Issei. I'm happy that at least you were my friend." She smiled before Freed grabbed her and ran away.
"No, Asia!" Issei began running after them but lost his footing and slipped. He lay on the ground, defeated.
"Asia!"
Kallen had to stifle a groan as she felt Gino nibbling on her ear again. She had a ton of homework to do and he was not helping. That thought reminded her of how behind she was in school from her work with the Black Knights. Back then, she wasn't just a student, but Lelouch's queen.
Lelouch. He had sacrificed himself so that his sister could live in peace. But why was he so eager to leave everyone behind? Didn't he know how much she loved him? How much she needed him? He was so eager to satisfy everyone but himself. It killed her whenever someone spat on his name. If only they knew what he had done for all of them, then they would celebrating him. But no, he had follow through with that stupid plan of his. She had shown her love for him, was that not enough? Did Euphemia and Shirley really mean that much to him so that he was willing to die?
That stupid Suzaku didn't even have enough sense to talk him out of it. She gripped her pencil tightly as she thought about how he had ruined everything.
"Thinking about him again, huh?" Gino asked, suddenly more serious. He knew that Kallen was in love in Lelouch and that she would never truly love him. He wasn't deaf to her cries of Lelouch's name during sex. He wasn't blind to the fact that the only time she truly smiled was when she woke up and thought that she was with Lelouch, not him.
He loved her so much more than Lelouch ever did! Why couldn't she see that? Kallen had told him some of the truth behind the Zero Requiem, but he still didn't exactly see Lelouch in the same light she did. Good intentions or not, he was still a liar and a murderer. How could she love someone like that?
He figured that he was a good enough replacement for her. He had the same blond hair and same blue eyes. From far away, one could mistake him for the Demon Emperor himself. She needed someone to take Lelouch's place, and it just so happened that he fit the bill. He was nothing more than an actor for her.
Still, he loved her enough to accept that this was the only way. If he didn't play this part for her, he honestly thought she might hurt herself. He knew how bad it hurt when you wake up and you realize that someone you care for is gone forever. He had felt it with Suzaku, who had been his best friend in the world. Maybe that was what attracted him in the first place. She was the only one who really understood what he had gone through, and he didn't want her to go through the same thing. Even if it meant that she would never love him, it was worth it knowing that at least Kallen was living on.
"No way, I'm just a little stressed out." Kallen replied with a fake smile that didn't fool anyone. They both knew the truth.
"Okay, I'll leave you alone. We'll have plenty of time to spend together at the fair tomorrow." Gino said, trying to flash his famous smile, but finding himself unable to. He had a lot of trouble smiling like that recently.
"Asia!" Issei yelled as he stormed up to the newly built doors of the church with Kiba and Koneko. Lelouch followed closely behind. It was his first act as a member of the Occult Research Club, and it was a valuable way to assess the other members.
So far, aside from Issei, no one else really intrigued him. Issei meanwhile, was becoming more interesting. He led them to this church to rescue a nun of all people. Lelouch found that the oddest things motivated him.
Lelouch focused some energy and easily blasted the doors off of their hinges with a powerful wind. Inside, they could see Asia tied to a cross and crying for help. As the group moved inside, they found themselves surrounded by exorcists.
"We walked into a trap." Lelouch snarled, furious that he had allowed himself to be caught.
"All of you Devils are so fucking stupid!" Freed cackled.
"Freed, how did you take control?" Raynare asked in surprise. She had expected Kalawarner to take control, but the fact that they had let a human take command just proved to Raynare how weak her subordinates really were.
"It doesn't matter because in the end, you're all going to die!" He said, laughing maniacally, "Starting with this bitch!" He said, glaring at Asia.
"How vulgar." Koneko deadpanned as she picked up a pew and tossed it at him. The man moved surprisingly quickly and dodged the pew as it shattered behind him. He pulled out his sword and before anyone could react, quickly drove it through Asia's chest.
"No!" Issei yelled. He fell to his knees and buried his face in his hands. Using this moment of weakness, the exorcists decided to attack. Lelouch quickly put up a barrier to protect the group.
"Issei! Pull yourself together. I know how terrible you feel, but if you die now, she'll have sacrificed herself for nothing!" Lelouch ordered, hoping that Issei would respond.
"I failed to protect her." He muttered, but suddenly rage overtook him and he stood up with fire in his eyes.
"Give her back!" He screamed and his Sacred Gear responded with, "Dragon Booster!"
Lelouch gave a little smile and took down the barrier, setting Issei free. Issei instantly dashed into the crowd and began to swing away at exorcists with his new found power.
"Boost!" The Sacred Gear cried out again and Issei seemed to move even faster.
"Promotion, Knight!" Issei yelled and he instantly became a blur, quickly taking down several more exorcists.
Kiba followed his lead and using his enhanced speed, began to clash swords with several exorcists. Koneko meanwhile, was dealing out massive amounts of damage by hurling everything in sight, much like a catapault.
Lelouch almost yawned as he began vaporizing exorcists left and right. He began to focus energy inside of his right hand, creating a large fireball. He tossed it right at a group and watched them burn. Alone, he probably could have taken all of these exorcists, but with Issei, Kiba, Raynare, and Koneko joining him, it was a piece of cake.
It was hard to watch, but the anger that had overtaken Issei finally allowed him to use the Boosted Gear.
Lelouch summoned a lightning strike that obliterated most of the remaining exorcists while Raynare was by his side, deflecting any attacks that came at him. Suddenly, a winged figure crashed through a window and landed in front of a panting Issei. Rias and Akeno floated in through the hole that Kalawarner had made when she was thrown through the window. The Fallen Angel quickly glanced around for any signs of help, keying in on a familiar face.
"Raynare! Please, you have to help me!" She pleaded. Raynare looked to her friend and back at Lelouch, the conflict evident on her face. Lelouch almost frowned at her indecision, but saw how hard the decision could be to make. Knowing what would sway Raynare, he captured her lips in a chaste kiss. Once they broke apart, she turned back to Kalawarner.
"Sorry Kalawarner, but I cannot betray my king." Raynare replied with resolve, cuddling up next to Lelouch.
Lelouch smirked. She certainly would be loyal to him, that much was sure.
"Step out of the way, Issei, I'll finish this. Tend to Asia." Rias ordered, appearing with Akeno. She stood in front of Kalawarner and vaporized her with a blast of crimson energy.
"You bitch!" Freed came out from his hiding place and caught Rias off guard. Rias looked up in surprise and put her arms up to block an attack that never came. Lelouch had instantly reacted and blasted Freed away from her with a blast of lightning.
"Thank you." Rias gasped out. Without Lelouch, there was a good chance that she could have died.
He strolled over to the burnt exorcist, who looked to be in excruciating pain.
He leaned down next to his ear and whispered, "Thank you for making my job easier." He pointed his index finger up against the side of Freed's head. He focused for a moment and a large icicle lodged itself in the exorcist's skull.
"Asia." Issei weeped for the loss of the blond girl. Rias kneeled down beside him.
"Do you know what this is?" She asked, holding up a bishop.
"A bishop piece."
"Yes, now I already used a bishop, but I still have one more." Rias placed the bishop on Asia's chest.
"I command thee, Asia Argento, on my name, Rias Gremory, become my servant and once more return thy soul to this land and become a Devil. Thou shall now live a new life with great joy as my bishop!"
The magic circle shined brightly and the bishop embedded itself inside of her chest. As the light died down, Asia's eyes began to flutter open.
"Issei?" She called out weakly.
"Issei, you're her senior Devil now, so make sure you protect her." Rias said.
"Right Buchou!" Issei replied as he hugged Asia.
Lelouch yawned as he observed the scene from his place leaning against the doorframe. Coming along hadn't really taught him too much about the others, although he did save Rias' life, so he supposed that would benefit him later.
"The school fair this year will be a collaboration between Kuoh and Ashford to signify the improving relations between Britannia and the rest of the world." Rias announced to the rest of the Occult Research Club.
"Because of this, I think it'll be a good time to get more contracts signed, as there will be twice as many students." Rias continued, "So Issei and Asia, you'll hand out flyers and Lelouch and Raynare will take the requests."
Lelouch nodded absent mindedly, busy reading a book.
Lelouch groaned as he heard another request for a kiss from one of his fan girls. He had already filled out ten requests along the same lines. At least he was getting them to sign the contracts without any problems.
"Hey Kallen, do you think we should actually try these out?" Gino asked as they looked over the flyers that a boy had handed them earlier. He had explained that they could fulfill basically any wish.
She shrugged her shoulders, "I guess it couldn't hurt."
"I wish I could see Lelouch again." As the words spilled out of her mouth, she instantly regretted them. Gino looked sadly away, not needing another reminder of what he was not, or specifically, who he was not.
The contract began glowing purple and before their eyes, a black haired figure appeared out the ground.
"You summoned me, so let's get this over with." Lelouch said, guessing what the request was from his previous fifteen contracts. He grabbed Kallen by the shoulders and gave her a quick kiss, eager to get it over with so he could get the contract signed. Instead, he received a punch to his face.
"What was that, you creep?" Kallen yelled.
Lelouch looked up at the person who just punched him and her companion and suddenly noticed power radiating from both of them. There was no doubt that they were both harboring Sacred Gears.
"Kallen?" He exclaimed in surprise at the sight of his former queen.
"And how do you know my name?"
Lelouch looked to his right, "Gino?"
"Answer her question." Gino said sternly. Lelouch was taken aback by the change in demeanor the normally cheerful blond seemed to have undergone.
Hesitantly, Lelouch nodded.
"Gino, Kallen, remember who I am." He ordered. Their eyes rimmed with red as they fulfilled his request. Instantly, their minds remembered the true form of Lelouch, rather than the form implanted in their minds by Sirzechs.
The memories came rushing back in their true forms, forcing Kallen to relive each one. The first time she saw him in class. Their kiss. The sight of Suzaku stabbing him.
"Lelouch?" Kallen asked, fully expecting him to be a ghost. But in that moment, she didn't care if he was real or not. With tears streaming down her face, she hugged him. He patted her on the back, trying to convince her that she was not dreaming.
Meanwhile Gino looked on in a mixture of surprise and jealousy. On one hand, Kallen could actually be happy now, but on the other hand, it was clear that her future didn't lie with him.
"But how? Wasn't it a part of your plan to die?" She asked, still in disbelief.
Lelouch hesitated for a moment, but decided to come clean.
"I'm a Devil now. That was never a part of the plan." Kallen looked at him in disbelief and he continued.
"So, what was your request anyways?"
"I wanted to see you again." He smiled a bit. Kallen still loved him.
"Well, you got your wish fulfilled." He said, pulling away from her.
"Are you just going to leave me?" She cried out.
He nodded in response, "I have a new plan that I have to work towards."
Before he could take one more step, Kallen's voice rang out.
"I want to come with you." She had already lost him once, she wasn't going to lose him again.
"No, you're living a normal life now, I can't take that away from you."
"Do you know how many sleepless nights I've had since you died? I can barely force myself out of bed some mornings. I didn't have anything to live for anymore. I used to be your queen and now I'm nothing. All I want is to be by your side, why can't you see that?" Kallen said with tears in her eyes.
Her life without being Zero's queen was purposeless. Being a part of the Black Knights, fighting against Britannia. Those things gave her a purpose. But now, Ohgi was prime minister, Nunally was the Empress of Britannia, Suzaku was Zero, heck, even Tamaki had a bistro to run! How was it that she was the only one who was left behind?
Lelouch could only look back in surprise.
"Okay." He replied, "But know that if you become a Devil, your life will completely change." He warned.
"The life I'm living now means nothing to me. I have nothing to work towards. I just want to know what it feels like to have purpose again." Kallen said coldly, not caring that Gino could hear her.
"All right." Lelouch summoned a magical circle, "Lie down in the circle."
He pulled a queen piece out of his pocket and placed it on her chest.
"I command thee, Kallen Kozuki, on my name, Lelouch Murmur, become my servant and once more return thy soul to this land and become a Devil. Thou shall now live a new life with great joy as my queen!"
The piece slowly sunk into her chest and the circle began to glow brightly. As it finished sinking in, Kallen took her first breath as a Devil.
"Gino, are you going to join her?" Lelouch questioned.
"I don't know if I can." He admitted. He couldn't help but feel uneasy around Lelouch. After all, he did essentially lie to all of the about his death and while Gino wasn't one to hold grudges, Lelouch did schedule him for an execution. But Kallen seemed perfectly fine with trusting Lelouch.
"I'll never pressure you into doing this you know. The only request I have is that you do not tell anyone that I am alive."
Gino nodded, "I figured as much."
He looked at Kallen who was now sitting up and staring dreamily at her new king. As much as it hurt him to see that, he could never be angry at Kallen. All he wanted to do was to protect her and keep her safe from harm.
He cursed himself for loving her so much as he replied, "I'll do it."
Gino took his place inside of the magical circle. Lelouch carefully fingered his two knights. He didn't want to use both already, but given that Gino had great potential as a knight, he decided that it was worth it. He placed both on top of Gino's chest and began the incantation.
"I command thee, Gino Weinberg, on my name, Lelouch Murmur, become my servant and once more return thy soul to this land and become a Devil. Thou shall now live a new life with great joy as my knight!"
Gino saw red light cloud his vision and felt two knights sink into his chest and embed themselves inside of him.
Rias and Akeno were busy enjoying tea when the door to the Occult Research Club opened, revealing Lelouch, followed by Kallen, who was wrapped around his right arm, Raynare, who was wrapped around his left arm, and Gino, who followed a short distance behind.
"All right, I've gotten fifteen contracts signed." He informed them. As he did so, Issei, Asia, Koneko, and Kiba walked in.
"Who exactly are these two?" Rias asked, a little irritated at the way Kallen and Raynare were staring at Lelouch.
"Kallen is now my queen and Gino is now my knight." He introduced the two students standing next to him.
"Ara ara, Lelouch, you are more of a sexual beast than Issei!" Akeno remarked before sipping some tea.
"Right…" Lelouch replied, a bit embarrassed by Akeno's remark.
"Well, this is Akeno, Koneko, Issei, and Kiba." Rias went down the line, introducing the members of her club.
"Kiba!" Gino smiled and wrapped his arms around the blond.
"Hey Gino, how's it going?" Kiba replied with a laugh.
"Oh Lelouch, if you only told me that Kiba was here, I wouldn't have hesitated to become a Devil!" Gino exclaimed.
"Ara ara, Gino sure is affectionate." Akeno observed.
Gino placed his right arm around Kiba, "Well of course I am! Kiba's been my best friend in our dojo! By the way, did you know that regular people have dojos too?"
"Buchou, Asia and I finished passing out flyers." Issei interjected.
"Good. Well then, I think everyone is free to go home." Rias clapped her hands together.
As soon as the room cleared out, Akeno laughed, "Ara ara, you're jealous of Kallen and Raynare, aren't you?"
"No!" Rias immediately replied, although the blush on her face didn't agree with her.
"I know that it's going to be hard to trust me after what I've done." Lelouch sighed as he leaned against the railing. He and Gino were currently standing alone out on the balcony of his castle.
Gino nodded, "That would be an understatement."
"Do you know what my goal was?" He asked Gino, who shook his head in response.
"I wanted to create a gentler world for Nunally." Lelouch finished, lamenting the fact that he could never tell her the truth, "But I can't do that until the Fallen Angels, Angels, and Devils are at peace with each other."
Gino nodded slowly. He still didn't trust Lelouch entirely, but he did want to make the world a better place for his Empress. After all, as the Knight of Two, it was his duty. He may not understand that much about the world, but he did understand how important duty and honor are.
"All right Lelouch. I will do everything in my power to make sure you achieve that dream. Not for you, but for Empress Nunally." Gino said, kneeling before his king.
"What are you doing?" Lelouch asked.
"I'll have to act as your personal knight to make sure that no harm comes to you. We can't make the world a gentler place if you're dead." He had to admit, Lelouch was incredibly important. He knew that no human alive and probably no Devil either, could strategize like Lelouch. Even if he didn't like the guy, he had to keep him safe. Actually, he did like Lelouch, but he would be lying if he wasn't jealous of the fact that Kallen was in love with him instead.
"I'm Kallen Kozuki." The red haired queen said sweetly, drawing stares from the male student body.
"And I'm Gino Weinberg." The blond haired knight said with a dashing smile, making all of the women and some of the men in the room swoon.
"They've just recently transferred to Kuoh Academy from Ashford Academy, so I hope everyone gives them a warm welcome." The teacher announced to the class before directing the two to the empty seats in front of Raynare and Rias respectively.
Somehow, Lelouch doubted that would be a problem as the two received numerous phone numbers upon the moment that they sat down. By the end of the day, it was common knowledge that the "Beautiful Corner" had expanded with the Third Great Lady of Kuoh Academy and the Third Great Prince of Kuoh Academy.
Not only that, but the rumor that Kiba, Lelouch, and Gino were all in a relationship had spread like wildfire. On his part, Gino did not do anything contrary to the rumor. Whenever he saw Kiba, his infectious smile broke out and he got touch feely with the blond pretty boy.
With Lelouch, he always acted like a knight, offering to carry his king's books and escorting him to class. Although Gino could hear squealing whenever he did that, he didn't mind. After all, he had dealt with his own fan girls back at Ashford.
Lelouch was getting rather annoyed with the fact that the fan girls in Kuoh seemed to have a strange obsession with yaoi while Kiba continued on as usual, not minding the extra attention.
Meanwhile, the Perverted Trio was steaming at the fact that the Princely Trio of Kuoh Academy was now better known and vastly more respected than themselves. Most of their anger was directed at Gino and Kiba rather than Lelouch because Issei had convinced Matsuda and Motohama that Lelouch was a "Harem God."
In addition, Sona and her queen were also slightly peeved that Kallen had knocked them down a spot in overall popularity.
"What should we do?" Tsubaki Shinra asked her president.
"I think we need to meet with Lelouch." Sona responded. Tsubaki nodded and left to do her president's bidding, but not before swooning at the way Gino escorted Lelouch and Kiba to their classes with his arms around the two.
Lelouch was on the verge of falling asleep in yet another class when he got summoned by the Student Council.
"What is this about?" He asked suspiciously.
"The president would like to speak to you." Came the reply. As he stood up, Gino did as well.
"Gino, sit down." Lelouch ordered.
"No, as your knight it is my duty to accompany you." Gino replied, drawing some familiar squeals from fan girls.
Lelouch rolled his eyes, "Fine."
He was led to the student council room, which he noticed was empty aside from a black haired girl sitting behind a table with a chessboard set up on top of it.
"I assume that you're the president." Lelouch said, shaking her hand.
"Sona Sitri. And you must be two of the Princes of Kuoh Academy." Sona replied, subtly looking over the two men. While Gino's emotions were easy to read, Lelouch was an entirely different case. He always had the same emotionless stare and was a master at hiding his true thoughts.
"Lelouch Murmur."
"And I'm Gino, his favorite knight." Gino added.
"Gino, you're my only knight."
"But I'm still your favorite." Gino replied, leaping onto Lelouch's back. Sona had to hold back her inner fan girl at their exchange. Not only were the two ridiculously handsome, but just knowing that they were dating Kiba made them even hotter. Sure, she might have had a crush on Kiba, but the thought of him with Lelouch and Gino was way hotter.
She cleared her throat and pushed all thoughts of yaoi out of her mind, "Um, well, I thought that we should play a game of chess. I think that a game would really help us to get to know each other."
Lelouch nodded and took some black pieces. She was instantly interested.
"Any reason you choose black?" Sona asked.
"No, not really." He said, putting on his poker face. Outwardly, he was exuding a sense of calm, but inside, his mind was working frantically on his strategy. After Sona made her first move, Lelouch countered with his own. Gino watched the battle of the two minds, completely overwhelmed by the strategy of the two.
"So, I assume that the student council is composed of your servants." Lelouch asked, trying to make small talk.
Sona nodded, completely focused on the game. Lelouch took a look at the current board and decided to move his king.
"Why do you move your king?"
Lelouch smiled and recited his favorite phrase, "If a king does not lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?" Sona thought about it for a second. That phrase seemed very familiar, almost as if she had heard it on TV or something.
Lelouch yawned as he put Sona into checkmate. She knew he was a high ranking Devil, but he seemed so lazy.
"Thank you for the game." Lelouch managed before he fell asleep. Looking at his sleeping form, Sona couldn't help but admire how handsome he was when he wasn't scheming.
"Sorry, but we have a meeting today after school." Gino apologized, picking Lelouch up in his arms bridal style.
"It's fine. It was actually a very entertaining game." Gino nodded and carried his sleeping king out of the room.
Tsubaki opened the door for them and once they left the room, she immediately put her hands over her heart and tried to fan herself.
"I assume that you like them?" Sona asked her vice president.
"Sorry, but the princely love they have for each other is so dreamy! Don't tell me that you aren't at least impressed by Lelouch. After all, he is the first person to ever beat you in chess." Tsubaki replied, knowing full well that Sona refused to marry anyone who couldn't beat her in a game of chess.
Sona nodded, "He is impressive, isn't he?"
Lelouch awoke to find himself in Gino's arms.
"You can put me down." Gino nodded and let him out of his arms.
Lelouch composed himself before he entered the clubhouse, where Rias was pacing back and forth.
He noticed Grayfia and asked, "What's going on?"
Grayfia took Lelouch aside while Akeno brought out some tea for everyone.
"Riser coming to take Rias back to the Underworld, where they're going to announce their engagement." She informed him.
"So this is what Sirzechs told me about?" Lelouch asked, receiving a nod from Grayfia.
"Also, there's one more thing. Sirzechs wants you to offer to marry Rias so the Gremory Clan doesn't try to arrange another marriage." She added.
"What? Sirzechs wants me to marry his sister?" Lelouch replied, thinking he must have heard wrong, but the nod Grayfia gave him informed him that he had heard right.
Rias began speaking, "Okay everybody, I actually have something to announce." Before she could finish, a magic circle and a wall of flame appeared in the center of the room.
"My lovely Rias, I have come to see you." A blond haired man that Lelouch instantly recognized as Riser Phenex walked out of the flames and stood next to Rias.
"I know it's sudden, but let's go visit the location for the ceremony. The date's been set, so it's better to get it over with." He informed an annoyed Rias.
"Let go of me Riser!" Rias said, pushing the blond Devil away.
"Who is this guy?" Issei asked, getting agitated at the man who was bothering his Buchou.
"So, you haven't told your servants about me?" He chuckled.
Grayfia began to explain, "This is Riser Phenex. He's a pure blood high class Devil and is the third son from the legendary Phenex family. And also, he is the spouse of the next heir of the Gremory family."
"But Buchou is the next heir of the Gremory family…" Issei trailed off, putting two and two together.
"I already told you, I won't marry you Raser!" Rias snapped at the Devil, who wasn't getting the hint.
"Well, your parents are pressing about this issue. After all, they're afraid that the Gremory Clan will go extinct. Isn't it natural for Pure Blooded Devils to protect the household by joining together? You and I both know how valuable a pure blooded offspring is."
"I won't marry you. I'll marry someone who I think is good." Rias replied.
"Who will you find that you think is good? That pawn of yours? You and I both know that your parents would never accept that." Riser asked, confident that Rias would not be able to answer.
"Well, I could always take Lelouch. He's pureblooded and a Duke, so my parents would accept that." Lelouch wondered for a moment if Rias was in on Sirzech's plan.
Riser snorted, "You mean that loser? He barely looks like he could run a mile, much less give you an offspring."
"Why you!" Kallen was about to leap at Riser for insulting Lelouch, but found herself held back.
"Don't do anything hasty." Gino chided.
Lelouch nodded, "He's right." Then he turned to Riser, "Well then, if you're so confident in a victory, why don't we have a Rating Game? If I win, I'll marry Rias, if you win, you'll marry Rias."
Riser felt a smirk form on his face from the issuing of a challenge.
Rias looked at Lelouch, "Wait, marry you?"
Lelouch stared back, "Or would you rather marry Riser?"
"Hah! I accept. I'll warn you now, I've never lost a Rating Game before, unless it was on purpose. If you still want to back out, you can." Riser warned.
"I accept those conditions." Lelouch said, with no hint of worry in his face. Britannia had never lost a war before, but that never stopped him.
Riser's grin was now ear to ear, "Since I feel sorry for you, I'll even give you ten days to train."
"Aren't I the king? Why do I have to carry this stuff?" Lelouch gasped, trying his best to carry a backpack up the mountain where Rias had offered to train him.
"You need to be in shape if you even want to think about being my husband." Rias replied.
Lelouch was ready to give up as he saw Gino, Kallen, and Raynare pass him by with backpacks three times as big. His only solace was found in the fact that Issei was struggling almost as much as he was.
"Come on you two, hurry up!" Gino yelled back happily, glad that Lelouch was struggling. He figured that he was due some sort of payback for almost being executed.
"Gino, I swear…" Lelouch began muttering obscenities as he tried to force his legs to keep moving.
By the time they reached the mountainside mansion, Lelouch was ready for a nap. As soon as he finally was allowed to drop off his backpack in his room, Lelouch collapsed in a heap on the floor.
"All right, let's get changed." Rias announced.
"Changed?" Lelouch groaned.
"Guys, I'm going to change, so please don't peek." Kiba said shyly.
"No guarantee." Gino playfully teased, flashing his famous smile.
"All right, I'm just going to take a nap." Lelouch said, trying to get to his bed.
"Not so fast Lelouch, we have to do some training today." Gino said, grabbing Lelouch and unbuttoning his shirt.
"Are these guys really dating or something?" Issei muttered to himself as he watched Gino try to pull off Lelouch's pants.
"Gino! Taking off my pants is not in your job description!" Lelouch screamed.
"Come on, I'm doing this as my knightly duty. You're like King Arthur and I'm like Lancelot." Gino replied, successfully pulling down Lelouch's fly.
"Only boyfriends would do this kind of stuff!" Lelouch replied, at this point, just trying to make sure that Gino didn't take his boxers off as well.
"Well, we're both boys and we're friends, so technically, I think we're boyfriends." Gino replied, pulling down Lelouch's pants, leaving him in just his boxers.
"These guys really are gay." Issei said to himself after witnessing the exchange.
Eventually, Gino forced Lelouch to change and meet with everyone else who was waiting outside.
"So Buchou, what are we going to do?" Issei asked in anticipation.
"Well first, Kiba and Gino will train together, seeing as they're both knights." The two blond boys shared a smile.
"Raynare, you and Issei will train with Koneko." Issei and Raynare shared nervous glances at the stone faced girl.
"Kallen, you will train with Akeno since you are both queens and Asia, you will train in magic with them as well." Akeno giggled, making Asia and Kallen uneasy.
"Finally, Lelouch will train with me since we are both kings."
Kiba and Gino were viciously sparring within minutes, all traces of friendship forgotten for the time being. Gino was falling behind the faster Kiba, who quickly disarmed him.
"Blade Breaker!" Gino's hands cried out and two golden swords appeared just in time to block Kiba's attack.
"So that's your Sacred Gear." Kiba said before moving in to attack once more.
Meanwhile, Issei and Raynare were being tossed around like rag dolls by Koneko, who somehow managed to do it all while eating an ice cream cone.
"How is she so strong?" Raynare yelled as she flew in for another attack, only to be blocked.
Koneko finished her ice cream and instantly went on the offensive, sending a powerful punch in Raynare's direction. She instinctively put her arms and to her surprise she blocked it.
Koneko's frown became almost curved up as she watched Raynare finally understand the strength of being a rook. Koneko was actually a little concerned because Raynare was much faster than most rooks and with the proper training, she would be a very dangerous piece.
Kallen and Asia were trying their best not to be intimidated by Akeno's demonstration of her lightning powers.
"Ara ara, are you scared?" She giggled.
Kallen stepped forward with resolve, "No."
Akeno smiled and launched a steam of lightning at Kallen. While she was brave before, Kallen suddenly found herself scared when lightning was actually coming at her.
"Absolute Demise!" Kallen's right arm instinctively moved on its own as a large metal claw appeared. As the lightning met the claw, the claw was able to reflect it back at Akeno, who quickly dodged out of the way.
"Ara ara, a Longinus Gear." Akeno observed as Kallen inspected the claw on her right arm. It was essentially the same in appearance as the Radiant Wave Claw, although she didn't know if it had the same destructive power yet. All she was sure of was that it could reflect magical attacks.
Lelouch was surprised to find that his training session with Rias actually turned out to be the easiest at first. First, she instructed him to watch his other pieces train so that he knew what their abilities were. She then took him to a secluded spot and drilled him on battle tactics.
After that, she took him on a run to increase his stamina, which she thought was pitiful at best.
By the time they had returned to the mansion, Lelouch was ready to collapse on his bed. However, as he did so, he could not force himself to fall asleep. He decided that getting a glass of water would be the best course of action.
As he entered the kitchen, he flicked on the lights, illuminating the pitch black room. He got himself his glass of water and gave a sigh of relief as the cool water washed over his dry throat. He took a moment to appreciate the moonlight shining into the living room and as he did, he noticed a familiar figure.
"Rias?" He called out. The figure turned its head at the noise, confirming his suspicions.
"Oh Lelouch, you're still up?"
He strolled over to her and took a seat next to her on the couch. He took a look at her face, now adorned with reading glasses. He had to admit, her face was actually kinda cute with glasses on. He turned to face the same direction as her, staring out of the window and into the moon.
"Why were you so willing to step in against Riser? That wasn't any of your concern." Rias asked.
Lelouch looked at her, not willing to tell her about the contract he had with Sirzechs.
"Well, it's my duty as a part of the Occult Research Club to protect our dear president. If I didn't I would imagine that either Issei or Kiba would have stepped up. We all care about you." Lelouch answered, deciding that would be an acceptable answer.
Rias smiled at his answer, "Thank you. I just I wish more people cared for me in that way."
"Well, I'm sure plenty of people like you. After all, why else would Riser want to marry you so badly?"
Rias' face dropped, "Riser's just like everyone else. They all love me because I'm Rias Gremory, the next head of the Gremory clan. Nobody ever likes me for just being me."
"Well, I for one like you for you." Lelouch said.
"Really?" Rias asked with a hint of hope in her voice.
Lelouch nodded, "You really are exceptional sometimes. There's no one else in the Underworld who cares about their servants like you do. Not to mention, you're one of the most beautiful women I've ever met." Lelouch chose his words carefully, trying his best to satisfy Rias.
"You really think so?" Rias asked, blushing a little.
Lelouch flashed a smile.
"Of course."
"I have something of my own to say." Rias began, blushing a little, "I feel the same way. You're the both the scariest and most mysterious man I've ever met. But for some reason, I can't help but feel attracted to you."
Before he knew it, Rias' lips were assaulting his. He felt himself get pushed back on the couch and unlike his time with Raynare, he wasn't imagining Euphie in her place. In this moment, he felt no guilt, no regret, no fear.
For the first time in a long time, he didn't think about his past. All he could think about was the crimson haired Devil who was forcing her tongue into his mouth.
I know that the romance between Rias and Lelouch might seem rushed, but I couldn't resist at least having one of them confess their feelings for each other. Lelouch might not be feeling anything special, but in due time, he will. They're honestly pretty good with each other. Unfortunately, once Kallen finds out, it's very likely that all hell's going to break loose. I hope that this chapter was at least somewhat satisfying. The next chapter is the Rating Game against Riser Phenex and while I don't want to spoil anything, I can't wait until Lelouch lays the smackdown on him. Please leave any response in the form of a review of PM. Thanks for reading so far!