The Battle Never Ends

by Arthain

The Tyrant had surpassed death once before. This time wouldn't have been any different save for the determination of one young man and his desire to protect all that he cared for. But what should have been the end instead became a new beginning. A beginning somewhere else. A beginning where Night Raid was still needed.

6. The Haunting Past

Note on the Riser Arc: The Riser Arc is not going to be explored in this story. It wouldn't make sense considering the animosity that currently exists between Rias and Tatsumi. That arc is basically going to unravel exactly as it does in the Light Novel. That's not to say nothing will happen though. Instead of the over-done Riser Arc, we're going to have something unique to Tatsumi which is not going to disappoint… I hope.

Chapter 5: The Haunting Past

Tatsumi's room was what one had in mind when the word 'spartan' was applied. It differed greatly from the rooms of an average teenager. Instead of walls covered with posters, bookshelves filled with games and books, and clothes strewn this way and that, it was barren. The walls were simple and white washed without a single adornment hanging or pinned anywhere. The bed, a large queen size mattress and box spring combination, was pushed up beneath the room's single window. The sheets plain white with a grey duvet folded neatly at the base that could be pulled up if the weather turned cold. Nearby was a utilitarian desk with a laptop, mouse and little else atop it. His clothes were located in a dresser next to the desk, with his school uniforms hanging in a closet next to the door.

There was little else of note, save for a weighted bokkan leaning up against the wall next to the door. The rest of his weights and training stuff were in a storage room downstairs.

"Maybe I should add a little color," Tatsumi mused as he laid back on his bed staring up at the ceiling bored. He rarely spent much time in his room. It was a place to sleep, do homework or attend to his Night Raid duties. The latter two of which he hadn't been able to do much of the past few days. He glared at the mass of tension bandages around his ankle. And it had everything to do with that!

((Your mother must have really panicked when she saw you limping in.)) Bennia said as she sat in the chair at his desk. She was dressed in her usual skimpy blue dress although she had decided set her cloak and mask aside for the time being. ((How bad was it?))

Bennia had still been unconscious when Tatsumi limped back home so she had missed his mother's reaction.

"Really bad," Tatsumi said. His mother almost had a heart attack when she saw him. The look of sheer terror on her face when he had walked in had hurt him. "I honestly think she thought she was going to lose me like she did Mira. I don't think I've been mothered so much since…" since he first arrived in this world. "A long time ago."

((She should let you go back next week.))

"Should," Tatsumi agreed. His injuries had caused him to miss the rest of the school week. Souna was definitely going to have some words with him about that. "By Sunday I should be able to walk without a limp."

He honestly wasn't even that hurt anymore and probably could have gone to school today. The stone fragments hadn't gone far into his back, nothing that couldn't simply be brushed away with your hand. Those injuries were already healed and back to normal. Tatsumi was fairly certain that was abnormally quick, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The real injury was his ankle. He had sprained it pretty bad. The doctor had told his mother it'd take a month. Three days later and it no longer hurt unless he walked on it. Another two and you wouldn't be able to tell he'd even been injured.

Either that doctor was a complete quack or Tatsumi was healing faster than he should.

((What will you do when you go back?)) Bennia asked curiously. ((These devils, Rias and them, they seem different than the one's we've been killing.))

"Different doesn't make them better," Tatsumi said. Bennia just stared at him. "Fine, I know." That wasn't exactly fair. Rias at the very least didn't seem to dominate her slaves, or servants as she called them. They still kept their personalities and quirks from what he'd seen thus far. "I'll admit Rias is better than Gregorious Abaddon, but that's really only relatively speaking. She's still guilty of the same underlying views as Gregorious. They both look at us and see not people, but degrees of usefulness. They both also believe it's their 'right' to use humanity for whatever purpose they deem fit without giving any thought on how it affects us and the people around us."

((So we're still going to kill her?))

That was a difficult question. Rias wasn't as bad as Gregorious Abaddon. "I'm still leaning towards yes. So long as she continues to see humanity the way that she does, she's a threat. The people around her though? Maybe not. Issei and Asia for instance, I think we can let them live. Maybe even Koneko." Those three Tatsumi felt confident he could convince, either through words or food, that they were better off without Rias. "Kiba and Akeno though will need to be eliminated though. Those two won't just sit back and accept Rias' death. They'll search for us." What's more they being alive would make it more difficult to convince the other three they were fine without Rias.

Bennia nodded and smiled. ((I think Rias is the only real threat out of them all. If we kill her with a surprise attack while she's separated, Akeno and Kiba can be killed at our leisure.))

"I was thinking the same." That power Rias had conjured in her confrontation with Esdeath had been nothing to dismiss. Tatsumi wasn't confident he could survive getting hit with that. However it also appeared to have quite the windup time. So long as it was Tatsumi springing a trap, and not her, he was confident he could win.

Then he would have to high tail it to Sensei. She wouldn't have insisted that he tell her unless there was a very good reason for it.

Ding! Dong!

"Another door-to-door salesman?" Tatsumi complained as he cast his gaze out the window. The sun was making its way down towards the horizon. It was about that time, school was finished and parents were coming home. There would no doubt be a slew of salesmen before the end of the day. They always seemed to come out in force on Friday.

Bennia summoned her scythe to her hands and swiped it through the air. ((I could always reap a few souls)) she suggested teasingly. ((This house wouldn't be bothered much after that! Everyone would think it's cursed.))

"Please don't curse my home," Tatsumi begged. "The door-to-door salesmen aren't that bad."

"Tatsumi!" his mother called from downstairs.

"Yes?!" Tatsumi shouted back.

"Why didn't you tell us you had a girlfriend? She's here to see you!" his mother called back excitedly.

Tatsumi's face scrunched up in confusion. Girlfriend? When the hell did he get a girlfriend? He'd consider Bennia one if she wasn't already way beyond that point already. However his mother didn't even know about her, not really.

((Is Tatsumi cheating on me?!)) Bennia gasped as she held her heart like she was wounded.

"I'm as confused as you," Tatsumi replied.

Bennia laughed and floated over to his side. She kissed him lightly before backing away. ((I actually don't mind. A threesome could be interesting! As long as I get enough Tatsumi to be satisfied, I really don't care how many girls you have.))

"I don't know what to say to that." Bennia just laughed at him. Was it because she was a Grim Reaper? Did they have a different set of priorities or morals or something? Tatsumi didn't know very many human women that were willing to share.

At least, that was the way it had been in the old world. Here in this world, the women seemed to be more liberal and open to harems… once again he found himself remarking on the strange differences between this world and his old one.

"Tatsumi!?" His mother called again, there was a worried note to her voice. He needed to respond.

"Just send her up," Tatsumi called back. Might as well figure out who it was. He kept Murasame at the edge of summoning just in case it happened to be someone with ill intentions. Bennia stepped back and hid behind the open door so that whoever it was wouldn't see her.

They didn't have to wait long and Tatsumi was not expecting who it was.

Souna walk through his bedroom door carrying a small bag fill with what looked like school work and… a chess board? She still dressed in her Kuoh Academy uniform suggesting that she had come straight here after her Student Council work had finished. Seeing her here honestly surprised Tatsumi, not because she knew where he lived or anything, that'd be easy information for the Student Council president to obtain, but that she cared enough to come over.

It was the first time Tatsumi had any school friend over at his place. He hadn't even brought Sayo or Ieyasu over yet.

"Tatsumi I—" Souna started as she entered her room. Her words abruptly cut off when she saw him. She roughly cleared her throat and looked away, a slight blush on her cheeks. "Do you wish to finish dressing first?"

Tatsumi glanced down at himself. He had forgotten he'd just finished some light exercises earlier, ones that didn't require his feet. All he had on were a pair of loose fitting grey pants. His chest, which Bennia had often compared to the chiselled perfection of an artisan sculpture, was exposed. Souna couldn't be that sheltered, could she? He would have thought she'd seen a number of naked male chests by this time. Just going to the beach you'd be exposed more than you'd probably ever want to see.

Now that Tatsumi thought about it, Souna didn't really seem like the sort of person to entertain that sort of frivolous activity.

"No, it's fine," Tatsumi said. "I just finished some light exercises. I want to take a bath first before I think about dressing." He had to admit seeing Souna a little flustered was also a driving reason. She was always so composed it was nice seeing her like this.

"I see," Souna said, turning back to face him. He could see she was struggling to keep her eyes off his chest. "I had thought you were skipping school like before, but a quick call to your home cleared that up. You look healthier than I expected. Your mother made it sound as if you were on your death bed."

"That sounds like her. She can be rather over protective." Tatsumi said as he sat up. He watched Souna's eyes dip to his chest before jerking back to his face guiltily. It took everything Tatsumi had not to laugh. "It's my ankle." He pointed to the tension bandages wrapped around his left ankle. Souna seemed almost relieved to have something else to focus on. "It's still sore and to my mother that might as well mean it's about to fall off. Her worry borderlines paranoia ever since… Mira died. If it was me I would have come to school the next day, but mother wants to make sure."

Souna nodded in understanding. "Yes, family can be like that. My own onee-sama would probably invade heaven itself if something were to ever happen to me."

"Ah, that could be bad," Tatsumi said, remembering the overwhelming destructive power that Serafall had displayed that one time. She made Esdeath's control over ice seem like child's play. Tatsumi really didn't want to see what would be the resultant collateral damage if Sensei and Serafall ever got into a real fight. He shuddered just thinking about it.

"That's my reaction as well," Souna said. She made her way over to his desk and started to pull out various books and notes. Behind her Bennia silently slid around the door and left, but not before giving Tatsumi a wink and mouthing 'threesome.'

A sweat drop rolled down the back of Tatsumi's head. Did Bennia seriously think that's what was happening here?

"Tatsumi?"

He quickly jerked his head away from the now empty doorway to Souna. She had finished emptying the bag, creating a small little pile of papers and notebooks on his desk. "Are those notes from the past three days?" Tatsumi asked.

"They are. When I heard you were actually hurt I had notes made for you. The weekend will give you time to catch up. I'm confident you're more than capable of doing so." She made her way over to his bed and gestured. "May I?"

"Sure," Tatsumi said hesitantly. He eyed Souna suspiciously as she made herself comfortable on the edge of the bed, curling her feet under her. He quickly averted his gaze when he realized her position exposed her white panties. Then she pulled the fancy chess board he bought for her from the bag along with two sets of chess pieces. "Chess? I can't even escape it here?"

"Of course not, you've missed three days, that's three hours," Souna said as she adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose. She gave him a little smile. "I say three hours tonight should suffice to make up for what we missed over the week."

"But dinner…"

"Your mother has graciously invited me to eat with your family tonight," Souna sounded more than a little pleased by that. "She seems to be under the impression that we're in a relationship."

"Please don't encourage her," Tatsumi begged her. "She just wants grandchildren. She'll be pushing you into the bath with me by the end of next week if you let her."

"Don't be ridiculous…" she trailed off and stared at him. Her gaze was intense as she searched him for falsehood. "You are serious?"

"Very."

"Hmmm," Souna mused thoughtfully. Tatsumi just boggled at her. Was Souna actually considering that? There was no way! "Regardless of what may happen, your mother has offered and it would be rude to decline, especially after I have already accepted. Besides, it gives us time to catch up both on our games and other topics."

Tatsumi let out a long sigh. There was no getting out of this situation. "Just… don't say anything at dinner." It was going to be very awkward with Souna there. "My family isn't as… solid as it first appears." He could see the questions dancing in her eyes. "You'll understand. Just don't bring it up when you do."

"Fair enough," Souna said as she placed the last chess piece on the board. When had she had time to set it all up? "Then let us begin. I have been informed it will be a couple hours before dinner. Your mother is cooking up something special on account of my being here." She gave him a little smile. "Black or white, which do you prefer?"

His gaze momentarily darted to her panties. "Uh, both? I mean white."

"I shall keep that in mind then." Was Souna laughing at him? It seemed like she wanted to. "For now, white it is." She turned the board around so the white pieces were on his side but for some reason Tatsumi had a feeling she wasn't talking about just chess pieces.

Tatsumi pushed those thoughts away and focused on the game before him. He had to remember his meta-game, his overall strategy. He needed to play down what he could do while still appearing as if he was improving. He adopted the same defensive type style like Souna used against him. It guaranteed he lost every time, there was no way he was beating Souna at her specialty, but in each loss there were small victories. Each game Tatsumi tested a new move, or set of moves, to see how Souna would react to it.

He became so engrossed in the games that he didn't even notice the time until his mother called out saying it was dinner time.

That was when reality came crashing back down on him. Souna was going to witness several things he rather wished she didn't. Nervous sweat started to bead on his forehead. There was Bennia as well. He didn't know if Souna could actually see her or not. Sensei and Bennia had both said that only normal humans couldn't see her. Special humans like Tatsumi, or those with Sacred Gears, could. Even those with an inactive Sacred Gear like his father could hear her. If Souna had even a fraction of the power her sister did, she probably could see Bennia. Either way, it was going to raise questions.

"I believe your mother has called us for dinner, Tatsumi," Souna said as she gathered her legs under her and slid off the bed. "It would not do to keep her waiting."

"Ah, right," Tatsumi said as got off the bed as well. "Just remember what I said before. You may see or hear strange things just… please, whatever you do… just go along with it."

"Should I be worried?" Souna asked archly.

"No," Tatsumi said as he looked towards the kitchen. His heart tightened painfully. "It's… our burden to bear."

"I see," she adjusted her glasses before sidling beside him. She grabbed his arm and pulled it around her shoulder, causing him to lean against her. "Dinner is getting cold, Tatsumi."

"I can walk on my own," Tatsumi insisted as he tried to pull away. Souna wouldn't have any of it. She wrapped her own arm around his waist and pulled him close to her side. She was far stronger than her petite frame suggested!

"I'm sure you can. However, I noticed you have no crutches here. Putting undo pressure on your injured ankle will only cause it to take longer to heal. I expect to see you at school on Monday. I don't want to hear that you hurt it again by walking on it too soon."

Tatsumi knew that tone. There wasn't any arguing with Souna when she was like this. Either he accepted her aid or she may very well pick him up and throw him over her shoulder. "Fine, you win," he said, letting her guide him out of the room.

"Of course, I always win."

Tatsumi let that go by without comment as Souna helped him down the stairs and through the living room to the kitchen. His mother was there, setting five places at the dinner table. Her eyes lit up happily when she saw the two of them. Tatsumi could almost envision sparkles shooting from them. Perhaps this wasn't so bad. It made his mother happy and Souna was very soft.

He shook his head of that thought and instead focused on Souna. Did she see Bennia or not? The little Grim Reaper was already sitting at her spot, Mira's spot, at the table. She looked up and gave them a sad, pained smile when they arrived. Tatsumi gave the best smile he could in return. He felt Souna tremble under his arm and he noticed her gaze flicker to Bennia for the briefest instance before darting away.

That was all Tatsumi needed. Souna could see her. He wasn't particularly surprised. Now he only hoped Souna wouldn't ask any questions.

Thankfully she seemed to take his advice and kept quiet as she guided him to the chair beside Bennia. She eased Tatsumi into his chair and turned to the one at the end of the table. "Is this my place?" Souna asked politely, gesturing to the place set between Tatsumi and his father.

"Yes, it is," Tatsumi's mother said happily. The joy bursting from her was so palpable Tatsumi had to turn away. It was painful to watch. "It's so good to see my Tatsumi getting ready to settle down." Her smile twitched and her head started to spasm. "If only Mira would… Mira would… Mira would… Mira would… Mira would…"

"Ah, mom I think the potatoes are burning!" Tatsumi quickly shouted, pointing into the kitchen.

That snapped her out of her episode. "My goodness, you're right! I'll be right, make yourself comfortable, Souna." His mother quickly left the dining room for the kitchen to check on the potatoes.

"Tatsumi, what was that?" Souna whispered urgently. Her eyes were wide with shock.

"Our burden," Tatsumi whispered back, "just pretend it never happened and no matter what you do, pretend my sister doesn't exist!"

He could see that explanation didn't satisfy her in the least, but his mother was returning from the kitchen with his father. Dinner was quickly served, a delicious smelling dinner of cooked fish, vegetables, potatoes, and a variety of spices. No matter how good it smelled though, it all tasted like ash to Tatsumi.

"Be sure to eat everything Mira."

((Yes mother))

"Tatsumi, pass the salt to your sister."

"Yes mother."

The dinner continued on in uncomfortable silence, broken only by his mother's cheerful ambling and constant comments towards her dead daughter. Tatsumi did his best to ignore the pain in his heart. It was always like this. His mother refused to believe Mira was gone even to this day. It was completely Bennia's fault she was like this.

And Tatsumi was thankful of it. This was still better than the listless, dead thing that had shambled about the house during those first few months after Mira had died. Neither he nor his father wanted to go back to those times. No matter how painful it was now.

"So Souna-san, how is Tatsumi doing at school?" his father said unexpectedly, causing Tatsumi to start in surprise. He could only stare at his father. How long had it been since he last heard him speak? Two years? And he'd never spoken at dinner, not since Mira died. Tatsumi had actually forgotten what his father's voice sounded like. "He tells us so little about what goes on there. We only ever see his grades so we don't know much of what goes on."

"I'm sure everything is fine, Tatsumi is such a good boy," his mother said cheerfully.

Souna gave him a quick sidelong glance before responding. "He's diligent and gives his everything in all that he does. He has graciously accepted my offer to join the Kendo Club, officially making it co-ed. Tatsumi instructs his kohai and the less experience members very well and as a result we've seen a significant improvement there."

"Your offer?" his father asked.

"Ah, my apologies. I haven't formally introduced myself," Souna said. She tilted her head respectfully. "I am Shitori Souna, the Student Council President at Kuoh Academy. I, along with the Director, make most of the decisions about the direction of the school."

Stars were literally shooting out of his mother's eyes now. Tatsumi had no doubt in his mind that his mother approved of this union.

"It's good to see that Tatsumi has become friends with someone as respectable as you," his father said. The relief in his eyes was almost as painful to see as the sparkles in his mother's. "What about friends? Has he made any besides yourself?"

Souna nodded her head, "he has. Two in particular come to mind. Second year students like him, Kamihaja Sayo and Nijo Ieyasu. Whenever club activities don't keep them busy, they're often together." A little frown came to her lips. "I daresay he's closer to them than me."

His mother whirled on him, her eyes wild and filled with madness. "You will fix that right away!" she ordered him.

"Wha?" That came out of nowhere.

"How can you keep a wonderful girl like Souna hanging in suspense? I raised you better than that!" She screamed at him. Suddenly she burst into tears. "How can you be so cruel? Don't you love your mother anymore?" The tears abruptly stopped and the wild look was back. "I order you to spend more time with her!"

"I spend every lunch period with her though," Tatsumi said quickly. His mother was going crazy again. He tossed Bennia a quick look. She was shovelling dinner into her mouth as quickly as she could. "Souna is just exaggerating."

His mother's eyes flared dangerously. "How dare you—"

"My own duties often keep me too busy to do much after school," Souna said quickly as well, interrupting his mother. Her face was calm and composed but she had a white knuckle grip on her skirt. Souna was beginning to realize just how unstable his family really was. "Rest assured, Tatsumi is not leaving me hanging. He has treated me with nothing but respect since day one."

His mother was all smiles again, the wild look disappearing as if it never existed. "I'm so happy to hear that!"

((I'm finished, mother)) Bennia said, pushing her plate forward.

"I see you've finished your meal, Mira, good, please go wash up and get ready for bed."

((Yes mother)) Bennia said as she pushed her chair from the table and made her way upstairs.

That was the signal that dinner was over. His mother collected Bennia's empty plate and her own untouched dinner and took them back into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that," his father quietly apologized to Souna. The raw pain in his eyes made Tatsumi's heart clench again. "Please don't think worse of Tatsumi for this. It's not his fault." His father turned to him. "It's not your fault."

"Yes it is," Tatsumi said as he got up.

He turned his back to them and left, limping his way back to his room. He flopped onto his bed and buried his face into his pillow. How could his father say it wasn't his fault? He had murdered his own sister. Mira was dead because of him. He had strangled her to death with his own hands. He hadn't even bothered to look for alternative ways of saving her.

Mira's death. His broken mother. His father's pain. Bennia's suffering. It was all his fault. If he hadn't been so lack in his training he could have saved her from being killed in the first place. Stopped her from ever being drawn to that cursed room. The Tatsumi of the old world, the him that had taken down Shikoutazer, could have obliterated Gregorious Abaddon before he even touched his sister.

Tatsumi let out a choked sob. It hurt so much! He would give anything to see his sister's smiling face even once more. But that was impossible. She was dead because he had been too weak, too stupid, too naïve, too complacent.

It was all because he had wanted to leave behind that life of death and misery and be happy. He knew better now though. There was too much death on his hands, too much blood, for him to ever be allowed that.

A weight settled on the bed next to him and a gentle hand touched his back. "Tatsumi…"

"Now you know how broken my family is," Tatsumi said into the pillow. "You're free to find someone else."

"I'm disappointed that you would think so little of me," Souna said, offended. She started to rub his back comfortingly. "I'm not going to walk away because of something like this." She paused. "I won't ask you to explain, but if you ever need someone to talk to about it. I'll be here to listen."

He rolled over onto his back and stared up at her through blurry eyes. If she noticed he was crying she didn't give any indication. "Sometimes I wonder what you see in me."

"Obviously what you refuse to see yourself," Souna said. She gave him a little smile and patted the chess board still on the bed. "I believe you still owe me an hour?"

Tatsumi actually laughed. That was Souna for you. "Fine, you want one last game? Be prepared to lose."

"You're still ten years too early to be thinking of defeating me," Souna said smiling. She managed to seat herself on the end of the bed in the same panty revealing position as before and had the board set up before Tatsumi managed to sit up. "White?"

"Yes, I prefer white," Tatsumi said. He was ready to do his counter-attack.

Tatsumi didn't hesitate with any of his moves. He knew exactly what he needed to do and how to counter Souna every step of the way. Learning chess was far too difficult for someone like him, but learning how a single person played chess, and how to best counter them? That was something he could do.

Souna was a defensive, methodical player. Tatsumi went on the offensive from the start. He plowed straight ahead, sending his knights, pawns, bishops and Queen on the offensive, leaving only the rooks to protect the backline. Souna quickly responded, taking his pieces as quickly as he took hers. However true to her play style she tried to both protect her forces and attack Tatsumi at the same time. It split her forces and her attention. By the time she realized what Tatsumi was doing it was too late and on turn twenty-three Tatsumi shifted his remaining bishop up diagonal from her king. The bishop was protected by a knight and the only other escape route for the King blocked by his other knight.

"I believe that's checkmate," Tatsumi said.

Souna stared at the board in shock for several long moments before she finally lifted her eyes to his. She was utterly bewildered. "How?! You were never this good when we played before!"

"I know," Tatsumi said as he stretched back, he let out a satisfied grunt as his bones cracked. "And truth be told, I'm still not that good." He grinned widely at her look of disbelief. "I'm not good at chess but I didn't have to learn chess, I just had to learn you. You play very defensively. I attacked aggressively from the start, throwing caution to the winds as I went for your king. You had grown complacent by my earlier games. You felt you knew how I played and what I was capable of. It was a surprise attack and by the time you realized that, it was already too late. If you had reacted a couple turns earlier than you did, I probably would have lost." Tatsumi shrugged, "that strategy won't work a second time which was why I had to make certain that it would work the first time before I tried it. This probably is the first and last game I ever take from you."

Instead of being upset, Souna smiled. Tatsumi's breath hitched in his throat as that wide, beautiful smile lit her face up. Had she always been this beautiful?

"It is not often someone proves me wrong," Souna said warmly. "You truly are far more than you make yourself seem."

Tatsumi coughed uncomfortably and looked away. "I wouldn't say that. It's just that I feel it's better to go on the offensive. You can't always sit back and wait for an opportunity to come, sometimes you have to create that opportunity yourself."

"Yes… you are right," Souna agreed. She seemed to have come to some sort of resolution. She reached into a pocket in her skirt and pulled out a pair of tickets. She offered one of them to him. "You will be free next Sunday?"

"I should be," he said as he took the ticket. It was an invitation to a play. Not just any play either, but a re-enactment of a famous Japanese play, and the tickets were VIP! They'd have their own personal booth! Why was she offering one to him… why did she even have these? "These are…"

"A ticket to see a play, yes," Souna said. Her cheeks colored as she became embarrassed. "I have its matching pair. Go on a date with me."

Tatsumi felt his cheeks heat up. "Wait, this is something girlfriends and boyfriends do." This felt completely different from his relationship with Bennia.

"Am I somehow inadequate?" Souna asked, her eyes flashing dangerously. They promised a great deal of suffering if he said anything but no.

"You want to be my girlfriend?"

"Yes."

She said it with such finality that there couldn't be any doubt. Tatsumi just sat there staring at Souna, his face probably as red as hers. He didn't know what to do or say. This was the first time a girl had actually confessed to him. Bennia had just been a natural evolution. This was a legitimate confession that had real emotion in it. She was very serious about this.

Which was all the more confusing. Why did she like him? Tatsumi didn't recall doing anything that would attract someone like her to him. Sure he played chess and ate lunch with her every day, bought her a fancy new chess board, agreed to taste test her food even if he couldn't taste food, beat Kiba in a sparring match which made her look good, wasn't a pervert like Issei and didn't place her on a pedestal like everyone else…

Ok, maybe it wasn't so strange after all. He had been at Kuoh Academy long enough to realize he was quite literally the only boy that treated her like a real person and not an idol to worship like Saji did or someone to fear like Ieyasu. She probably didn't have very many options and while Tatsumi didn't think he was particularly vain, he knew he wasn't lacking in the looks department either. Training every day had sculpted him a body that shamed most professional body builders.

But what about his own feelings? He didn't dislike Souna by any means. She was intelligent, beautiful, and if he was forced to admit it, probably just the sort of girl he needed in his life. Someone strong willed enough to kick his ass in the right direction if he ever strayed. She was a sharp contrast to Bennia who was so playful and mischievous.

Bennia complicated things though. The two of them were already lovers.

Souna placed her hands on her hips. "Well?"

She wanted an answer. He could at least agree to the date. Just because they dated once, didn't mean anything more had to come of it. "It's not that I don't want to. You're everything a guy could want in a girlfriend. I'd love to but there's… a complication."

"You mean that little Grim Reaper whom your mother mistook for your dead sister?" Souna asked bluntly.

Tatsumi winced. "You could see her." That was what he had thought but her words dispelled any doubts he may have had.

"I could, yes," Souna replied, nodding, "she is not the first supernatural entity I have met."

"We've been friends since we were four," Tatsumi said quietly. "She's the reason I was able to pull through the worst period of my life with my sanity intact. I can't push her away for anyone, for any reason."

"I had a feeling that was the case and I won't ask you to." Her eyes flickered to his fingers and face became firm. "I don't see a ring on your finger though, or hers. That means you're still available and your mother seems to approve of me as well. I won't lose to her." She bowed her head and started for the door. She paused in the doorway. "I'll see you at the venue next Sunday at seven sharp, goodnight Tatsumi."

Didn't even give him a chance to turn her down. It was probably for the best. "Alright, I'll see you there. Goodnight, Souna." A thought occurred to him, something Bennia had mentioned to him earlier. He wanted one more little victory before the night was over. "And you don't have to worry about Bennia, she wants a threesome with you."

Tatsumi laughed as Souna stumbled and nearly fell. Souna's face was a flaming crimson color as she fled from the house.

~o~

Sona softly closed the door to her bedroom before leaning back against it. Her heart was thumping in her chest and her face still felt like it was on fire. She couldn't believe she had actually asked Tatsumi out. It was all part of her plan to take him as her knight, to convince him that not all devils were monsters. That was what the logical part of her mind kept telling her anyways. Her heart was something quite different. It had almost caused her to lose her courage.

What if he said no? What if he laughed at her? What if that Grim Reaper, Bennia, had her claws in him too deeply for Sona to work her way in? So many worries had plagued her. None of that should matter though. She just needed him as her knight.

That was all she needed him for… right?

Tatsumi's face came unbidden to her mind. That smiling face, wild hair, and chiseled chest. A burning ache appeared between her legs. Her eyes went wide as a wave of desire surged through her and her demonic blood boiled with need.

Realization came crashing down upon her. "I like him," she whispered. That was why she was feeling this way. Why her heart was racing, why her face was burning and why her body ached. "I want him." That couldn't be right though! She swore to only ever marry someone who was smarter than her.

But what did it mean to be smarter? He had outsmarted her in his own way. He had been the only person to ever beat her at chess in recent years and he hadn't done it by simply being better than her, but by outsmarting her. By utilizing her own skill against her through use of an unorthodox method. That was exactly what she wanted in a man, what she needed. She didn't want someone who was simply better than her in all regards, someone who didn't need her intelligence and would set her aside, but someone who thought differently, who found unique and interesting ways she couldn't see.

"Marriage? I'm already thinking of marrying him?" Sona whispered to herself. She had it bad. She needed to be careful lest she became like her friend, Rias. Sona Sitri wasn't one to give into her carnal urges, no matter how much they urged her forward. "Besides, he has that Grim Reaper."

"…don't have to worry about her, she wants a threesome…"

Her face went crimson as Tatsumi's words came back to her. The Grim Reaper wasn't going to be an issue. The only thing that would stop her from having Tatsumi was herself. Her legs almost gave out from under her as another wave of desire surged through her. She clutched her chest, gasping as she clung to the door.

She was glad she was alone. If Tatsumi was here there was no doubt what her body would force her to do. The damn thing was frustrating her. It was like as long as she had no interest in a man her feelings and desires were content to remain dormant. Now that she'd made her mind up on someone she wanted they came surging forward, determined to make up for lost time.

Of course with those desires and urges came new worries.

Was she good enough?

Sona pushed herself off the door and forced her legs to work properly. There was no way she, Sona Sitri, the heiress of the Sitri family, was going to give into the instinctual urge to mate. She made her way over to her vanity. She undid some buttons and allowed her school uniform to slid to the floor. Standing there in front of the mirror in only her panties it was easy to see all her flaws.

She didn't have beautiful and exotic hair. It was straight, black, short, and while soft enough, was nothing to be proud of. Her face seemed rather plain to her and did Tatsumi find her violet eyes creepy? They weren't a natural human color after all. Did he suspect that she was a devil because of them? And not for the first time did Sona wished she didn't need glasses. She liked them and all, but she felt more attractive without them. Did she want to trade being able to see Tatsumi clearly just to look a little better? She bit her lip. She wouldn't be able to see the play either.

"Argh! Why am I fussing so much over my looks!" Sona growled as she kicked the chair beside the vanity. How vain was she to worry over her looks like this? If Tatsumi didn't like her the way she was he wouldn't have accepted.

She ignored the voice in the back of her head that reminded her she hadn't really given him a choice.

If only her breasts were a little larger. Tatsumi may have hinted that Rias and Akeno were too large, but on the flip side hers were almost too small. If she could just be as large as her onee-sama, she'd have more confidence in them.

"No, stop thinking like that," Sona told herself. This was utterly foolish of her. What was she? Some love sick teenager? Rias would be laughing if she saw her right now. She shouldn't be worrying about things she couldn't change like her eye color or the size of her bust, but what to wear. That she could control.

Making her way over to her wardrobe she threw open the door wide and stared at her dresses. What she needed was something soft and elegant, that screamed sophistication yet at the same time was revealing enough to draw and capture Tatsumi's attention. It needed to cover, yet emphasize her breasts, make them appear larger than they were. Her legs were a strong asset, those she was proud of. So the dress would need to show them off and, if she positioned herself properly, what she wore underneath her dress.

Even before she had finished going over the list of things the dress needed to accomplish she had gone through everything she had. She realized in horror that she had nothing to wear!

"Argh!" She screamed. She had to go shopping! She hated shopping! Everyone knew who she was and everyone would be staring at her with that same burning question in their eyes 'why do you need that dress?'

The room started to shake as the pounding of footsteps grew ever closer to her room. Sona's eyes went wide in horror. No! She hadn't meant to draw attention to herself! The door to her room was kicked off its hinges and her sister rushed inside in a panic.

"So-tan! What's wrong! Are the Angels attacking?! Did the monster I left in the closet come out?" Serafall asked in a panic as she buzzed around the room in a whirlwind of pink and sparkles. She stopped when she realized that none of that was actually happening and hopped over to her sister's side. "Why are you standing there half naked?"

"It's nothing, onee-sama," Sona said as she face palmed. "I'm not in trouble." But what was that about a monster in the closet? She'd have to check that before going to bed tonight.

"You shouted for some reason," Serafall pointed out. She threw herself at Sona, wrapping her arms around her neck as she rubbed their cheeks together. "You can tell your onee-sama anything! You know onee-sama will do anything for you!"

"I said it was nothing!" Sona cried out. She couldn't tell her sister! Who knew what she would do if she found out Sona was going on a date with Tatsumi.

"Aww, you can tell me…" she trailed off and sniffed the air delicately. Sona's eyes went wide. Oh no, she quickly tried to throw her sister off her but she clung to her despite her best efforts. "You're aroused! Your body is all heated up. I can feel the desire surging through it…" Serafall gasped and squealed happily. "Did Sona-chan fall in love?!"

"It's none of your concern," Sona said stiffly. There was no use trying to deny it. Even if her sister did act like a four year old sometimes, she was still Serafall Leviathan, one of the most powerful devils alive. She could be terrifyingly perceptive at the most inconvenient of times. "I just realized I have nothing to wear."

"So-tan is going on a date!" Serafall shouted happily. "This means shopping! I could use a new magical wand too. We can make it a date of our own!"

"Onee-sama, please…" Sona begged.

"I won't hear of it Sona-chan! You and I, we're going on a date on the town tomorrow!" Sona just sighed. She couldn't say no when her sister looked so happy and she did need to get a new dress. "So, who's the lucky boy that captured my So-tan's heart?"

Sona swallowed hard. That was a very dangerous smile on her sister's face. It was the smile of someone who was going to go murder someone else if she heard something she didn't like. "You know him, it's… Tatsumi."

Serafall blinked and her smile disappeared. The magical girl persona disappeared and suddenly it was the Leviathan that stood before her. "He's breaking apart, Sona. It won't be easy to repair him."

"I know," Sona said, looking away. She had seen it at his place. That family was one on the edge. Each of them leaned on the other and if even a single one shifted out of place they'd all fall. "I ate dinner with his family tonight and…" she shook her head. That had been the single most unpleasant dinner experience she had ever been a part of due to no fault of anyone actually there. "I don't think his sister died under normal circumstances. A simple murder wouldn't leave scars that deep." Tatsumi wouldn't blame himself for her death if it was that simple.

"I agree, but the only person that knows the truth is Tatsumi," Serafall said. "Right or wrong, whatever happened there caused him to feel that it's his responsibility to save the world. He's done so much already but the world is tearing him apart faster than he can fix it. He's barely holding on." Serafall stared at her hands as if remembering something. "The scars he carries go deeper than they should. I've seen those eyes before… on those carrying a burden so heavy they're no longer capable of finding joy in life." She gave Sona a sad smile. "I like Tatsumi too, but he's going to take far more work than you seem to think."

"Nothing worthwhile is ever easily obtained," Sona said. Her sister's words concerned her a little, but more about Tatsumi's well-being than her own. "I will make Tatsumi mine and once I fix him, I'll be able to show off a man better than all others."

Serafall's smile went wide as she glomped Sona again. Leviathan was gone and her sister was back once more. "So-tan is completely right! And for that you need the sexiest dress you can possibly get for your date with Tatsumi! We're definitely going to town tomorrow!"

"Not too sexy," Sona tried to refute her energetic sister. "I don't want to appear desperate."

"Oh don't worry about it, Sona-chan! With someone like Tatsumi you need to attack with everything you have! Don't give him a chance to run! Pounce! Pounce! Pounce!"

A sudden feeling of dread washed over Sona as her sister went on and on. She just knew that this shopping trip was going to end in disaster. She only hoped that whatever dress she ended up with was at least decent enough to wear in public.

x~X~x

"You feeling better?" Ieyasu asked Tatsumi as he settled in at his desk. There was an overly concerned look on his friend's face. "Heard you nearly died or something."

Was that the story being passed around the school? It would explain the looks of relief on the Kendo Girls he'd seen while walking to Homeroom, or how half the class seemed to be leaning in towards him to hear his response. Tatsumi just waved away his concern and tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. "That's just my mother over exaggerating. I just hurt my ankle and to her that might as well mean my entire leg was about to fall off."

Ieyasu let out a relieved sigh. "That's good. After you bolted that other day I was worried. You didn't come back to school for the rest of the week and I thought…" Ieyasu glanced about the classroom and noticed everyone listening. "Well, you know. That it had happened to you too."

Ieyasu had thought he'd been killed by Raynare. He really should have called Ieyasu or Sayo so they didn't worry. He just wasn't used to having people he could call aside from Bennia. Phone calls could also be traced so he didn't like using them unless there wasn't any other option. "Someone like that isn't a problem for me," Tatsumi assured him. Esdeath was a different story but he didn't want to worry Ieyasu about that. "She's been dealt with."

He couldn't keep the bitterness from his voice. Dealt with, sure, but Esdeath was still there and Asia had been reincarnated into a devil. That was no victory to celebrate about.

"If you're sure man," Ieyasu said giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Sounds like something happened. If you ever want to blow some steam I'll come at you with everything I have during club."

"That might be nice," Tatsumi mused. To just spend an afternoon beating Ieyasu down with his shinai was cathartic. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because."

Ieyasu winced playfully, "I would never try to be anything more than your punching bag! How can you even think that?"

Tatsumi laughed. Any further conversation was cut short as the bell rang and their homeroom teacher, Yuri-sensei, entered the room exactly on time as if he had been waiting outside. Yuri-sensei was one of those no nonsense teachers that all but worshiped the ground Souna walked on. His balding head shone brightly whenever the light hit it just right, like the man waxed it every day. He made his way to the board and quickly wrote 'Class Visitation' in big letters on it before turning around to face them.

"Everyone, please be sure to inform your parents that Class Visitation is just next month. While I know many of you hate this yearly deal, it's truly an important time for your parents to see how you're—" The homeroom teacher was interrupted by a polite knock on the rear classroom door near Ieyasu and Tatsumi.

Yuri-sensei scowled and stomped his way over. He never did like it when anyone interrupted him. He jerked the door open. "Yes, how many I help… oh, are you lost little girl?"

Tatsumi peered around Ieyasu to see who it was but the homeroom teacher blocked most of them. All he could make out was a pair of black shoes and red knee-high socks.

"Not anymore," replied a small voice that tickled a very old memory.

A beating heart smacked off Tatsumi's face.

A shower of gore and blood followed as a powerful detonation obliterated Yuri's body, sending his head bouncing sailing across the room. Through the rain of blood and bone fragments Tatsumi could see a young girl dressed like a small shoulder baring frilly dress the color of fresh blood that didn't even begin to cover her black panties. Tatsumi paled when he recognized her, Aria. When she locked onto Tatsumi a wide, vicious smile split her lips. Her pupils dilated and an ear piercing scream erupted from her throat.

And a pair of black devil wings sprang from her back.

"Get down Ieyasu!" Tatsumi roared, pushing his friend away even as screams began to erupt throughout the classroom. Tatsumi couldn't even begin to worry about anyone else as the devil, Aria, launched herself at him.

Murasame appeared in his hands in an instant, but Aria was faster. Tatsumi's reaction was delayed by throwing Ieyasu out of the way. She slammed into him before he could bring Murasame down upon her and threw him back onto his desk. It collapsed beneath their combined weight, sending metal legs and wood fragments scattering about the room. Murasame was sent skidding across the floor with the desk fragments.

Tatsumi quickly grabbed the Aria's wrists and forced them apart. He had no idea what it was she had done to the homeroom teacher but he wasn't letting her place her hands on him. She howled at him as she thrashed above, jerking Tatsumi this way and that as she tried to break free.

He had only an instant to react as she shifted her tactics, narrowly moving his head and neck out of the way as a mouth filled with razor sharp teeth came down upon him. Pain ran up his shoulder as her teeth dug into his flesh. She shook her head viciously from side to side like a dog trying to tear meat from a bone. Tatsumi grunted painfully as he tried to shake her loose while not releasing her wrists. He could actually feel her sucking on his flesh. She really was trying to eat him!

Suddenly she let go of his shoulder with a loud cry of pain, rearing back as her little red dress came undone. Tatsumi quickly shot a glance past her and saw Ieyasu standing above her, Murasame was in his hands and its edge was slick with blood. Tatsumi idly noted the girl only had one wing now. Ieyasu brought Murasame down on the little girl's back a second time causing her to scream once more as the second wing was sheared from her body.

Her strength disappeared with that second strike. She presented an opening as she tried to turn her attention to the new threat. That was all Tatsumi needed. He quickly dropped her wrists and wrapped his arms around her neck. Pushing through the searing pain in his shoulder he wrenched on the Aria's head with all his might. There was a sickening snap as her neck broke beneath his grip.

Tatsumi quickly threw the girl aside and scrambled to his feet. "Thanks," he said as he took Murasame from his friend's shaking hands. He let it disappear but kept it on the edge of his consciousness so he could bring it back in an instant.

"What the hell is going on?" Ieyasu shook with both fear and adrenaline. "Yuri-sensei just… and that girl… was she trying to eat you?! I don't even know how to begin…"

Tatsumi laid a hand on Ieyasu's shoulder, his good hand belonging to the shoulder that hadn't been ground into dog food. "It's alright, it's over now."

"That wasn't because of Raynare was it?" Ieyasu asked, panicking. He was probably thinking there'd be more attacks.

"No, she was here for me and me alone." Tatsumi made his way over to the Aria and rolled her over onto her back. It really was her, that blond hair and blue eyes were the same as he remembered. The personality wasn't all that different either. Aria hadn't been much better than a sadistic animal back in the Empire. There were no identifying items on her person so he didn't know which devil family she belonged to. Still, it was strange that a devil would seek him out though so Tatsumi could only think of one explanation. "This was a revenge attempt. Not all devils and fallen angels appreciate my attempts to protect humanity."

"How many have you killed?"

"More than twelve, less than a hundred." He honestly didn't know. It wasn't something he kept track of. He wasn't doing this for fame or recognition. It was just something that had to be done.

Suddenly a concerned Souna burst into the room followed by Tsubaki. The looks on their eyes suggested that they were expecting the worst and they weren't disappointed. "What is going on…?" Her eyes darted about the place taking in the blood soaked room, the terrified students, the dead devil laying on the floor and Tatsumi's injury. Her face paled a little. "Oh no."

"Sorry Souna, it seems my past has caught up with me a little," Tatsumi apologized.

Souna shook her head and crossed her arms beneath her chest. "This isn't your fault," she said. Her eyes fell upon the dead devil again and she sighed before muttering something under her breath Tatsumi couldn't quite make out. Something about how she should have known better.

"Souna, what's going on?" Rias asked as she charged into the room as well with Issei and Asia in tow. The latter two both shied back at the amount of gore splashed about the room. Rias didn't even seem to notice. Instead her eyes went to him and then the dead devil nearby. She rubbed her forehead and sighed. "This isn't good."

"I'm not apologizing for kill her," Tatsumi told Rias flatly.

"That's not what I was referring to," Rias said. "Please, can you step outside?"

Tatsumi's narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why?"

"So I can alter the memories of everyone in this room," Rias stated firmly, "or would you rather they remember this," she gestured to all blood and the head sitting on a desk in the middle of the room.

Tatsumi bit back a retort. He wanted them all to know that devils were horrible monsters… but not like this. A quick glance about the room was all he needed, anyone needed, to realize every last one of them was traumatized. Tatsumi was numb to this sort of thing because of the Empire back in the old world.

"Fine." If Rias was willing to help them preserve their innocence, then he wouldn't stop her. "But only alter that."

"Of course!" Rias actually looked offended by that remark.

Tatsumi made his way from the room and to the far side of the hallway. Surprisingly Ieyasu followed him. He leaned his head back against the glass looking out into the courtyard and stared up at the ceiling. Tatsumi could see that he was trying to come to grips with what he'd just seen.

"Nijo Ieyasu, you should remain behind as well." Souna suggested as she joined the two of them in the hallway. "This can't be a pleasant memory."

"A bit worse than watching Issei get killed, ya," Ieyasu agreed, his voice quivering. Tatsumi looked away as Souna shot him a glare. He hadn't told anyone else that Ieyasu and Sayo had seen what happened to Issei. Too late to keep it secret now, oh well. "But I think a part of me will always remember. I don't want to forget, just in case I have to think fast again in the future."

"You're certain?" Souna asked as she returned her attention back to Ieyasu.

"I am," Ieyasu said.

"I see, well, it is your choice and I for one will not deprive you of that," Souna said. She glanced over her shoulder at her the Vice President of the Student Council. "Tsubaki, see about getting the room cleaned up if you will."

"At once, Souna. I'll get the other members to help." Without waiting for a response Tsubaki turned on her heel and started for the nearest janitor's closest even as she pulled a phone from her school uniform.

"You've seen this sort of thing before, haven't you, Souna?" Tatsumi asked her. She had just seemed far too blasé about the entire situation. She hadn't batted an eye at the carnage, only the body. It seemed really odd.

"I have," Souna said, not denying it one bit. She eyed Ieyasu briefly as if wondering how much she should say before continuing. "I've told you before that I've encountered a number of super-natural entities. You've no doubt seen my sister's power. Power draws power. She ends up in any number of strange and sometimes unpleasant situations and I am often caught in the middle of them."

The bitter way she said that last bit convinced Tatsumi she was telling the truth. That sort of emotion couldn't be faked. It was the same emotion Tatsumi had felt after watching Serafall obliterate a devil in town. It was the whole 'what the hell did I find myself in?' type feeling.

Rias stepped back into the hallway from the class. "They're asleep now. When they wake up they'll believe that Yuri-sensei has taken sick leave for an undetermined amount of time." She eyed Tatsumi's injured shoulder. "If you'd like I could have Asia-san heal that for you."

"Only if she wants to," Tatsumi fired back. "It's her power. She decides who it gets used on."

"I don't mind, Tatsumi-san," Asia said happily. She made her way to his side and laid her hands upon his shoulder. "You stood up for me at the Church. I thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart." A warm glow enveloped his shoulder and he could feel the muscle and tendons pull themselves back together.

"Thank you," Tatsumi said as he admired the perfect, flawless skin on his shoulder. "At least my mother won't worry about me a second time." Asia power truly was miraculous. He hadn't seen Kiba or Koneko since the Church incident, but if Asia's power could heal him that quickly then those two had probably survived. There was no way God would have let her escape from his grasp if he was still alive. "Do you have a spare set of clothes I could change into, Souna? If I walk home with a torn shoulder there's going to be questions."

"I'll see what we have available," Souna said. "I certainly wouldn't want you to use your torn uniform as a reason to miss more school."

He didn't miss that much school, did he?

"Just who was that chick anyways?" Ieyasu asked as he stared past them back into the classroom.

"Someone that should have known better than to come here," Rias said flatly. Her eyes were full of anger and determination. "Aria Zepar, a daughter of the Zepar family." She grimaced as if swallowing a bitter pill. "When you think devil, it's usually them and their actions that most people envision." She placed a hand on her chest and gave Tatsumi a weak smile. "Trust me when I say you won't be punished for this Tatsumi. Any devil that comes to this area here must inform me first and she didn't. Even aside from that she broke more rules than I have time to recite right now."

"That's good to hear," Tatsumi said dryly. "And I'm sure Yuri-sensei's wife and children are going to be thrilled to learn I'm not going to be punished for killing his murderer."

Rias stiffened, her mouth gaping open unsure what to say.

"That's enough Tatsumi, that's hardly fair to say to Rias," Souna scolded him. "She had nothing to do with this."

Maybe, but she was still a devil and he didn't like her. Still, he was probably more at fault than Rias was. Aria had come here for him and Yuri-sensei had died as a result. "I suppose you're right." He gave Souna an apologetic smile. "Mind if I take the rest of the day off?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, "and why would you need it off?"

"So I can arrange to have Yuri-sensei's funeral services paid for," it was all he could do for the family. "In a way I'm at fault for his death. This… is all I can do."

Her face softened. "That's fine, and you, Ieyasu…"

"Yes?" His friend asked, eyeing her warily.

"Go home and try to forget this. Rias and I will both take steps to ensure this type of thing doesn't happen on school grounds again."

Ieyasu smiled weakly. "Thanks, I think I will."

Tatsumi gave Souna a grateful smile. "Thanks, Souna." She just nodded her head and turned her attention to Tsubaki who was returning with Saji and several other members. They had mops and pails of water in their hands. Tatsumi threw an arm around his friend's shoulder and guided him away from the classroom. "Come on Ieyasu, let's go. I can at least see you to the school gates before I go get a new shirt and coat."

"Heh, thanks, I really need to take my training to the next level." His friend stared at his hands. They were still shaking in fear. "I wonder if I can find a sensei like you did."

"Anything is possible," Tatsumi said encouragingly.

One thought clung to Tatsumi's mind the whole way. This time, in this world, he had managed to save Ieyasu and Sayo from Aria.

~o~

Unpleasant.

That was the best word Tatsumi could use to describe the affair of arranging to have a funeral paid for. Watching Yuri-sensei's children wail as they clung to their mother hurt his heart in ways he didn't know it could. She had put on a brave front for her children, despite her eyes telling Tatsumi she wanted to do the same. Tatsumi hadn't looked away. He had memorized their faces, took in their feelings, their pain. Took them all into him. He would never forget Yuri-sensei, no matter how many memories Rias altered.

Someone had to. Someone needed to remember the truth. Tatsumi would remember and grieve with them.

Yuri-sensei had been a victim of Tatsumi's own efforts to protect humanity from devils. A contradiction if there was ever one, but a contradiction he'd have to embrace if he wished to continue walking forward. Yuri-sensei wouldn't be the last human to die because of him.

Knowing that hadn't made it any easier to accept, though, and each wail sent a sharp pain straight through Tatsumi's heart.

At least there wouldn't be any financial burden on the family. Tatsumi had paid for the funeral service, coffin, escort, and burial. It was done anonymously of course, and a lump sum would be sent to their joint bank account later.

It wouldn't heal their hearts, but at least it would help them survive so others could do that healing for them.

"Didn't even get to finish home room before more shit hit the fan," Tatsumi muttered as he made his way upstairs to his room. He'd come home after arranging things. Thankfully today was one of the days Sensei had allowed him to spend with his friends. Ieyasu wasn't in the mood to do anything though and he didn't blame him.

Sayo was probably already at his side comforting him as she could.

((You smell like embalming fluids.))

Bennia was standing next to his desk, her nose wrinkling in disgust. He had been so engrossed in his own thoughts that he hadn't even noticed that she was there.

Her words suddenly registered. "Wait, I don't stink."

((Yes you do.)) Bennia suddenly grinned mischievously. ((Already making preparations for your own funeral?))

"Hardly, but that might not actually be a bad idea." His life was anything but normal. He could die at any time. The least he could do was make sure there wasn't any financial burden for his parents.

Although he doubted his mother would survive his death.

((Might be a good idea considering Esdeath is back.)) Bennia said as she tapped the laptop. She had their Night Raid e-mail open on it.

Tatsumi gave her a sharp look as he quickly made his way over to his desk. "What do you mean?" Bennia had made sure to proxy jump through a dozen different servers across the world before finally logging in. It would make it more difficult to track them.

((We got a request just this morning.))

"What has Esdeath done now?"

((From what I've read, it's more like what hasn't she done?)) Bennia frowned and peered over his shoulder at the e-mail. ((This one is different than the others though. I didn't accept it right away because I felt you should read it first.))

To: Night Raid
From: Azazel
Subject: The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?

Yo, Tatsumi and adorable little Grim Reaper girl!

How are you doing? Fine I take it? I heard you and Serafall's little sister are going on a date. Good man! Good man! She's far too serious for her age and could use a good man to loosen her a little, if you know what I mean. *wink* *wink* *nudge* *nudge*

Alright, I suppose that does it for pleasantries. I would like to formally introduce myself, I am Azazel, the Governor General of the Grigori, or the Fallen Angels as you know us by. All the Fallen Angels ultimately report up to me. There is, however, a small faction amongst the Grigori that don't agree with the direction I am taking our people and have decided to strike out on their own.

Kokabiel is so terribly impolite like that.

Now, now, I don't expect you to deal with the likes of Kokabiel, but he has some rather key officers under his direct command that are stirring up trouble. You've already encountered one of them, you know, that cute girl, Esdeath? Lovely little child, a little too hung up on the whole torturous death thing though. Totally my fault, I never should have given her that knife for her first creation day celebration.

Well she has unfortunately started to cause a lot of problems in your area, much to both mine and even Kokabiel's consternation. I'm sure you're aware of her sadistic tendencies? Yes? Good, because she's enjoying them to her heart's content not far from your school. I have it on good sources that she has taken numerous individuals captive so that she can 'enjoy' them properly. While yes, some are devils and fallen angels, there are also a number of human captives. I'm sure you'd like to see them freed? All that I'm asking is that while freeing the humans you also free the others. They're not nearly as bad as you think they are.

Especially that little Ravel girl. Poor thing. She's immortal so Esdeath is having a field day with her. My scout reported watching her die at least a hundred times over the span of a single day. Her mind might not last much longer.

Which comes to my next point. I need Esdeath eliminated, or at the very least her little playground broke up and chased away from the city. Once she's elsewhere I can deal with her personally. I obviously don't expect you to accomplish this without help. Unfortunately, I can't come myself to deal with her since that would draw out Kokabiel, or worse, Sirzechs himself. If that man knew Esdeath was 'having fun' a mere five-minute flight from his little sister he'd level the city looking for her.

And speaking of leveling the city, whatever you do, DO NOT TELL SERAFALL! There are no words in any language to describe the level of hatred she holds for Esdeath. Sirzechs might level the city, but Serafall would just pick Japan up and throw it into the sun.

As you can see, it's best that this is done quietly and discreetly.

Which is why I intend to send one of my own, someone who's used to taking out individuals in covert operations and whose power won't draw every devil, angel, and fallen within a hundred miles to you. I apologize for her attitude in advance. She's a bit of a tsundere but she gets the job done well.

Attached is a picture of her, you know, in case you're one of those men that use looks to decide who they work with. You do seem to be a magnet for those that aren't particularly well-endowed.

Anyways, I hope to hear from you soon Tatsumi,

Azazel,
Governor General of the Grigori

P.S. I know Serafall, try to get royalties on this pictures she's guaranteed to take and sell of you and Sona-chan on your date!

"What the hell is this?" Tatsumi said as he finished reading the e-mail. If this wasn't so obviously very serious he'd think it was a joke. The leader of the Fallen Angels was contacting him asking him to kill another Fallen Angel, Esdeath of all people, while at the same time sending one of his own, probably another Fallen Angel too, to help!

Enemy of my enemy indeed. If Esdeath really was loose here in the city torturing humans, that needed to be stopped. Tatsumi honestly didn't think he could kill Esdeath, but there was a possibility of at least saving her victims. That took precedence over everything, including his own personal feelings. He even agreed with keeping Serafall out of this. He wasn't sure if this Azazel was exaggerating about Serafall throwing Japan into the sun, but Tatsumi knew she was mind numbingly powerful and any battle between her and Esdeath would cause an unbelievable amount of collateral damage. There was little point in saving Esdeath's victims only to end of killing even more in a battle between Esdeath and Serafall.

But to ally with the Fallen Angels even temporarily?

((That was my reaction too,)) Bennia agreed. ((I know of Azazel from my father. He's a veritable pacifist from what my shitty father has said. He's much more interested in his own research which revolves around creating artificial Sacred Gears than messing with humans.))

"So he's good?"

((He's a Fallen Angel, he's not good,)) Bennia corrected him. ((He doesn't lose sleep if a human dies but he doesn't go out of his way to harm humanity either.))

"Are we sure it's him though?" Tatsumi asked.

Bennia shrugged. ((I don't know. I've never met him but my shitty father did call him flighty and carefree.))

"Let's see who he wants to send with us," Tatsumi said as he brought the mouse to the attachment. He froze when he saw the name. "It can't be..." He clicked on it and the image popped up on the screen.

It was. Tatsumi could never mistake that face. Those vibrant pink eyes framed by long, eye watering pink hair pulled into two long tails. She even wore the same clothes, that familiar pink frilly dress, although there were minor differences. The frills and designs that had been a darker shade of pink back in his world were in this one as black as the six wings that sprouted from her back.

A wave of pain and nostalgia rolled across him as he gently touched the image on the screen, a picture perfect replica of the first person he had ever truly loved. "Mine…" He should have thought about that possibility. If Ieyasu, Sayo, Aria and Esdeath all existed in this world, then Mine would as well. They all did in some form or another. Everyone he lost was alive somewhere. "Bennia, we're accepting."

A chance to see Mine again, even if it wasn't his Mine, was worth allying with the Fallen Angels temporarily.

((Should I be expecting another threesome in the future?)) Bennia asked.

Tatsumi laughed. He could always count on Bennia's mind to travel in that direction first. "If she's anything like the Mine I used to know, then no. She's very possessive and wouldn't be inclined to share."

((The Mine you used to know?))

Tatsumi mentally cursed himself. No one knew he had memories from another world and he intended to keep it that way. "Forget I said that. Just send a reply saying we'll accept the job for tomorrow." He needed time to prepare.

((The usual meeting place?))

"Yes, and Bennia can you visit Sensei while I'm at school tomorrow? I want to be ready to go the moment school gets out. I'm going to need a stronger wire along with whatever else she thinks might work well."

((Will do!))

This time, when he went after Esdeath, he was going to be better prepared.

---

Author's Note: So what do you think? Not much happened, but it's setting up quite a bit while at the same time revealing some of the consequences of Tatsumi's actions. You can't just murder people and expect everyone around you to forgive you the next day. There will be some that will come for revenge.

Let me know what you think of the chapter in a review!

And I apologize for the italics on the e-mail. This site doesn't give me any other means of differentiating it from the regular text.

Note on Sona: That scene with Sona back at her house was difficult to write. I was going for two conflicting natures clashing together. The rational, cool-headed persona that she has lived with her entire life, and the eighteen year old teenage female about to go on her very first date with the very first boy she's ever had a crush on persona. I'm not sure how realistic it ended up being, but I hope you'll forgive any mistakes I might have made.