Note on Character Presence: Since there are now so many characters intertwined with Tatsumi's life, do not be surprised if 2 or more chapters go by without someone appearing. Tatsumi is probably the only one guaranteed to be shown in every chapter. Everyone has a role to play and I can't just justify inserting someone into a chapter just so they can say a few lines and disappear. I'd rather when someone is in a chapter their role has some real meaning and isn't just used as a cameo or reminder that they exist.
This is actually common in published novels when you have a story long enough to be broken into a trilogy or more.
Chapter 17: Settling In
Hades, Realm of the Dead, the Lowest Level of Underworld Worth a Damn. It had various names and none particularly friendly. The names fit the place. It was a dead world, a wasteland as far as the eye could see. The living could not survive here while the dead wallowed in agony and despair, saddled with burdens and tasks forced upon them for all eternity.
The light of the artificial sun, the moon and the stars that lit up the surface of the Underworld didn't reach this deep, dark place. Green and blue luminescent algae and fungus grew on everything. They gathered particularly thick at the very center of the realm, the one place where the most activity occurred. Their light glimmered off a large structure, the largest in the realm and one that very much at odds with its desolate surroundings.
It was a huge, ancient Greek shrine. The structure loomed over the landscape atop a large hill, the same hill Sisyphus was forced to eternally roll the bolder up and fail before reaching the top. The home of Hades, the Lord of the Dead, and all the Grim Reapers that served beneath him.
The interior was unlike anything else in that Realm. It was as if all the light, brightness, color and life had been stuffed inside this one place. The place oozed decadence. Golden ornaments hung from the ceiling. Statues of platinum encrusted marble carved by the greatest artisans to ever live stood side by side with paintings done by the most famous of painters such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The entire place was so gorgeous it didn't belong in the Underworld, let alone Hades of all places.
In the very center of the large Greek shrine was a ritual area. It was vast, beautiful, and eerie all at the same time. A large statue depicting the trinity Gods of Olympus – Zeus, Poseidon and Hades—loomed over the room from a recess in the far wall. The center of the room was dominated by a complex ritual circle capable of performing any magical task that Hades so desired. Millennia of time and effort had gone into constructing it just right. Each visible rune was made up of thousands of smaller runes which in turn where they themselves made of even smaller ones. It was a master piece the likes of which no one else had accomplished.
No one else simply had the time to accomplish it. Not much happened in the Underworld and that made Hades a very bored God. The God, who looked nothing more than a large skeleton wearing the vestments of a priest, sat on a Throne of Bone and Flesh between that ritual circle and the statue of the Trinity Gods.
Most of his Grim Reapers were out doing their duties, but a select few were there to entertain him. Pluto was there, he usually was unless there was some urgent task that needed to be seen to. At the moment he was using the ritual circle to watch a pair of young female Grim Reapers kill each other in an arena he had set up elsewhere.
[Is there any news about that task I sent Apate to do?] Hades asked Pluto.
The Ultimate-Class Grim Reaper, one of his strongest, tilted his head slightly. ((There has been. Do you wish to hear it now or afterwards?))
Afterwards? Why would he… oh. Hades understood. One of the female Grim Reapers had taken a little nick. They were immune to each other's weapons, but their clothes weren't. Hades lapped up the sight of the topless Grim Reaper and resolved to invite her to his bedchamber, if she survived. He may be all bone, but that was by choice. He had a reputation to uphold after all. The God of the Dead should look the role. However, even if he was the God of the Dead, he was still a God. He could manifest flesh if there was a need.
Such as the need that would very shortly arrive in his bed chamber. Things were just so cold here without Persephone to keep him company. Her mother had taken her back not too long ago, which meant Hades was free to play around with his Reapers until she returned.
A grim smile came to Hades' skeletal face as the topless Grim Reaper proceeded to beat the face in of the other with her fists. It didn't take her long to reduce the other woman into a dead, lifeless mess. Hades rang a little bell on his throne, it wouldn't be heard here but it would be at the arena.
The topless Grim Reaper suddenly paled through the viewing portal and a resigned, despondent look came across her face as two Ultimate-Class Reapers, Moros and Oizys, took her away.
Satisfied that he would be satisfied later, he gestured to Pluto. [You can start.]
((Yes, well Apate was successful, as was reported last time. She stole Athena's underwear, the used one she soiled while pleasuring herself, and sold it on D-Bay. Odin was quick to buy it up. She just found out about the theft and sale.))
[Good, and the proceeds?]
((In your account in the human world. It's not much use down here as you know.)) Hades nodded. There was no need for currency in Hades. He just took what he wanted and there wasn't anyone to tell him no.
[How did she take it?]
((About as well as you expected. She erupted in a fury and demanded Odin return the stolen underwear. The perverted old man refused of course. Athena is trying to drum up support to lay siege to Valhalla but there really isn't much appetite to wage war against an entire pantheon over a pair of used panties, especially with Cao Cao and Vali laying siege to it already.))
Hades smiled grimly. [Fafafafafa, I can only imagine her face. The so-called 'virgin goddess' having her unmentionables stolen and sold. She probably wants them back because there's proof on them she's not as pure as mankind seems to think she is. That old man, Odin probably knows that and will demand some 'service' to return them.] Hades cackled loudly. That was all within his predictions. There was a certain Valkyrie close to Odin that would take a video for him, which he could then sell for even greater profits, and greater anguish, amongst his fellow Gods and Goddesses.
It was just so boring down here that sometimes entertainment needed a little helping hand.
((Only the Angels are pure,)) Pluto said stiffly. ((And that's only because they're forced to be pure by that ridiculous system that governs them. There isn't a man or woman, God or Mortal, that can remain celibate for thousands of years.))
[Even my dear Persephone has developed a bit of a wild streak,] Hades mourned sadly. He threw Pluto a sly look. [Isn't that right, Pluto?]
((I have no idea what you're talking about, Lord Hades.))
[Well, I suppose I can let her have her fun so long as she entertains me when I need her to.] Hades turned his gaze back to the viewing portal. [It's not like I don't have my own fun when she's not around, which reminds me… Dis Pater!]
There was a long, drawn out sigh as another ultimate-class Grim Reaper phased through one of the walls. ((Yes, Lord Hades?)) The ultimate-class Grim Reaper asked. ((And I would like to remind you, that's not my real name… even if some backwater yokels decided to erase Dis from the books and throw his epithet at me.))
[Bah, you're whatever I feel like calling you,] Hades said, waving away his concern. Hades would never admit that he'd been the one to convince those backwater yokels to erase Dis from the books. The man had annoyed Hades to no end with all that wailing and complaining. Well, he could now wail and complain impotently at the far corner of the Realm of the Dead, far away from anywhere Hades wanted to be. [Where's that daughter of yours?]
'Dis Pater' tilted his head to the side and started at Hades with confusion. ((Nemesis? You sent her into deep cover. Do you not remember?))
[Did I do that?]
((Yes, something about having her deal with those annoying Satans you so dislike.))
[Ah, right, that.] The little darling had even volunteered to be reincarnated to help, although if Hades had heard correctly that reincarnation had encountered issues on account of Dis Pater's drinking problem. Still, even with that issue she should still have power enough to do what needs to be done. The Satans couldn't guard against what they didn't know existed. [She'd better reacquire those wonderful assets of her. If she decides to go flat this time I'll have words with her. She's a delectable flower that I never got to pluck before. I won't miss this time.]
((She's already been plucked and on numerous occasions,)) He informed him. Hades scowled angrily. He lost his chance again! ((In fact, I expect a grandchild from her soon.)) He paused briefly. ((Would Themis not take some objection to your actions?))
[Bah, who cares about that old crone? She's too spineless to do anything with all that power she has. If she doesn't use Nemesis, I will.]
The Grim Reapers followed him, Hades, for a reason instead of their mother Nyx or the Blind Titan, Themis. Hades actually did stuff, stirred the pot, caused cries of anguish to echo across the world. Nyx spent most of her time sleeping while Themis just stayed in her room all day painting nude pictures of herself, although no one really knew how the blind Titan could paint anything let alone of herself.
Or so well! Damn but was she good. Even Hades had to admit that much. He had several of her portraits in this very temple.
((Of course, Hades, that's why we follow you and not them. Still, it would be best to remember she doesn't go by Nemesis at the moment.))
[You say that like there's anyone here that would leak that to anyone that matters.] The only ones allowed in this inner sanctum of his were his most trusted Reapers, and the toys he broke and discarded after he was done with. [How goes that mission?]
((She's managed to ingratiate herself with the Sitri and the Phenex families.))
Hades nodded, that was good. [That's not a bad position for her to be in. She can kill Serafall Leviathan more easily that way.] He waved Dis Pater away. [Go see her, Dis Pater. Stress how important it is to keep her primary mission a secret. She's to kill Serafall Leviathan if the opportunity arises, but not at the expense of being exposed.]
((She knows, but I will do as you request,)) 'Dis Pater' said. He bowed low and disappeared through the floor. That ability to phase through objects was something only a select few of Hades greatest Reapers were allowed to do.
[Nemesis better not fail her mission or I have a special punishment for her.]
He said that every time, but he really meant it this time! She wasn't going to get out of trouble by pulling that adorable, sleepy-eyed look on him again! He'd taken several adorable little Grim Reapers to help train strengthen his resilience.
((I do not believe it will be a problem. She appears to be dedicated to it,)) Pluto said. ((It's not often she goes so far as to be reincarnated, or have her memories locked away.))
A necessary sacrifice. Retribution was difficult to mete out against the powerful. They were always on guard so drastic measures were often necessary to get close. [Have her memories returned yet?]
Pluto nodded. ((They did, yes. There was a sufficient shock to her psyche three years ago. She contacted her father not long afterwards.))
[Good, good,] Hades was pleased with the way things were progressing. If all went well, Nemesis would rid him of a couple of those more annoying bats. Then the upper reaches of the Underworld would be ripe to kick over with help from certain interested parties within the Khaos Brigade.
The pot did need to be stirred every now and then and it was dreadfully boring down here.
x~X~x
It took Tatsumi awhile to realize it was the ceiling of his own room that he was staring up at when he awoke. The large, elaborate nature painting that stretched across the entire breadth of the ceiling was something he was still getting used to. His old room had been plain, barren, spartan, possessing only what was absolutely necessary. His new room was something completely different. The bed was enormous, wide enough that it required four sets of pillows and could easily fit ten or more people. Tatsumi had wanted to replace it immediately until Bennia pointed out the benefits of being able to just roll over and leave things until the morning whenever their activities made too large a mess.
It had a desk he could work at like his old room, but instead of being a small, simple plain thing this was a hulking behemoth that curved about in a C shape. It had more surface space than a buffet table and more drawers than a kitchen had cupboards. His laptop and extra monitor seemed like a tiny spec on that monstrous thing.
Tatsumi wasn't even going to begin on the dresser which easily covered an entire wall! Nor the walk-in closet that was larger than the entirety of his old room! He'd forced the butler to get rid of the paintings and statues. The furniture was too much as it was.
Butler… the place had a butler. It was simply so large it required one, along with a dedicate staff of maids, to take care of it.
He turned his head to the clock on the bedside table, 4:30 am. It was time to get up. If he wanted enough time to get in some training before school he needed to be dressed and outside by five. Tatsumi gently wrapped his arms around the sleepy Grim Reaper clinging to his chest and slowly sat up.
Bennia let out a cute little groan as she tilted her head and stared sleepy-eyed up at him. ((It's too early Tatsumi!))
"Sorry about waking you," he said as he pulled her off him and laid her back down upon the bed. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips causing a pleasant noise to rise from her throat. "I can't stop training just because we've got more people to help us."
Bennia let out some more cute little grumblings before she cracked her eyes open and gave him an absolutely adorable sleepy-eyed look. ((…fine, I'll be waiting for you in the bath when you get back…))
"I'm going to try the hot spring in the basement this time." Apparently that was Gabriel's work. Somehow she'd managed to convert an entire subterranean level into an elaborate angelic hot spring that looked as if it had been plucked straight from heaven and dropped in his house.
That woke Bennia up in a hurry. Her eyes became lidded as a warm smile spread across her lips. ((Even better!))
"Can you let other people know? I don't want to walk in on Najenda or Akame bathing." Bennia let out a groan and rolled over onto her stomach, burying her face into her pillow. "Don't think you can laze about forever," Tatsumi told her as he swung his feet over the side of the bed and stood. "One of these days I will drag you out there with me."
((NOOO!)) Bennia's muffled wail came up from the pillow. ((Never! I'll never train! I have to maintain this perfect girlish figure!))
Tatsumi just chuckled as he grabbed a pair of pants off a nearby chair. The blasted chair was as lavish and gaudy as the rest of the room. Pulling them on he grabbed the weighted bokken from beside the door and headed into the hallway.
His destination, outside, and it was going to be a journey to get there. One he wasn't sure he'd succeed within the given time frame. To call Night Raid's new base of operations colossal in size would be an understatement.
The estate centered squarely upon the final resting place of Tatsumi's old house. One wouldn't have known that Kokabiel spear of light had completely wiped out everything in a half mile radius around it if it weren't for the very spacious property resting smack dab in the center of an otherwise crowded suburb. All traces of that destruction were gone and in its place was a large, luxurious estate surrounded by almost a square mile of perfectly manicured grounds.
The property itself was for all intents and purposes, a large, beautiful park filled with picturesque gardens, sakura trees, gazebos and water fountains topped with beautiful statues of Devils, Angels and their fallen counterpart. A complex set of marble paths gracefully wound their way throughout the garden, connecting with every point of note. A wall twice the height of an average adult with an emplacement of spikes at the top encircled the entire property keeping out the honest and curious.
It was a garden Tatsumi doubted he'd ever have enough time to fully explore on foot.
There was only one visible entrance, a large double gate wide enough for cars to pass each other. There were two of them, anyone could enter the first, but permission had to be asked inside the first to pass the through the second.
Tatsumi had tested those gates the moment he got here. They looked like wood, but they weren't. Even hitting it as hard as he could with Incursio equipped hadn't left any noticeable imprint on the door. Not even a Tank was getting through it. The walls had been the same. They might not keep out the supernatural, but no human was entering the property on foot or by vehicle without Tatsumi's permission.
From the gates it was a straight shot up to the estate, only deviating when it got near as it circled around a large, extravagant fountain that had all the members of Night Raid ringing it, each of them serving as a different water spout. Tatsumi stood in the center with Bennia, Ravel, Mine, Xenovia, Najenda and Akame circling him.
That was when one reached the large, sprawling six story estate Tatsumi was trying desperately to make his way out without getting lost. This place was insane in its size. There were more rooms than Tatsumi knew people. He could literally invite every single person he'd ever met and knew the name of over the course of his entire life to stay the night and still have empty rooms to invite more.
Bathrooms too for that matter.
The bedrooms only accounted for half the rooms in the place. There was a room for everything, and they were all fully furnished. There was even a dedicated foosball room! Tatsumi hadn't even known what foosball was until then.
Tatsumi stopped at an intersection and frowned as he tried to remember which direction he needed to go to get outside. Was it left, right, straight, diagonally upwards or down that spiral staircase? Why anyone thought having a six-way intersection was a smart choice he'd never, but he suspected it was Azazel trolling him. He had already encountered a couple other additions that man added to the estate that wasn't really needed.
Such as one particular room that was a sadists wet dream come true. That place was already locked up as tight as Fort Knox.
"Take your next left and follow the hall to the end and take the stairs down four levels." A deep, baritone voice came from behind him.
Tatsumi spun around and found an older gentleman standing behind him. He appeared to be in his early fifties sporting a full head of hair that was starting to turn grey in just the right way to give him that distinguished look. The way he dressed, held himself, and looked screamed 'butler.' Tatsumi wouldn't have been surprised if a picture of the man was beside the dictionary definition. He looked perfectly normal aside from the fact that Tatsumi knew he hid a pair of black devil wings.
Tirade, the Steward of the estate and a devil, a reincarnated one at that. He had been reincarnated a couple hundred years ago when Butlers were still a big thing.
None of the maids were human either. There were two from each faction, although Tatsumi had yet to meet them. The place was so large it might be weeks before he ever did. The two devils maids were supposedly reincarnated as well and the Fallen Angels had been born Fallen Angels. The leaders of the three factions had chosen those they felt would be least intrusive and offensive to Tatsumi.
He'd rather they weren't here, but he hadn't really been given a choice. This place was so enormous it required a dedicated staff to keep it cleaned and maintained. That wasn't something Tatsumi or any of his friends had time to do.
"Thanks," Tatsumi said to the steward.
"Of course, Tatsumi-sama, it is my duty to serve you. I will see that the ingredients you requested are prepared by the time you finish your morning exercise."
Tatsumi felt his eye twitch. He didn't like being spoiled like this. It had taken several hours of intense debate and discussion followed by an ultimatum and a flat out order to simply get the man to let him cook anything at all. He wasn't going to push for more. He was going to duplicate his mother's cooking no matter what.
His parents were dead but he refused to let everything about them die as well.
"I'm no lord, you can drop the -sama."
"So you say, Tatsumi-sama."
Tatsumi just sighed as he walked away, going straight. At the next intersection he follow Tirade's advice and took a left and followed it to the staircase. After another ten minutes of walking he finally entered the main lobby of the estate. He did his best to ignore the gargantuan golden chandelier that hung from the ceiling. There were supposedly half a million lights in it. Even Bennia had stopped counting after fifteen thousand.
Excessive didn't even come close to describing it.
As Tatsumi walked outside he couldn't help but feel that he was being mocked. He and Bennia had lived simply before. Covert, quietly inside his parent's home. No one knew where to find him, and the only way to reach him was through a website. That was the way Night Raid should be. A hidden group of assassins striking out from the darkness.
Now it was like this.
They couldn't have painted a more obvious target on their backs if Tatsumi broke out paint, a brush and marked the estate with a giant red and white target symbol.
What's done was done though. It was a far too late to complain, and more than a little ungrateful if he did. All of this had been free. He'd just have to make sure any future hideouts were suitably well hidden. It might even be useful. Their enemies, and Tatsumi wasn't naïve to think they didn't already have some, wouldn't bother looking for those other places if there was such a visible one for them to attack.
Despite the moon and stars being hidden behind the clouds the lights coming from the estate itself was enough for Tatsumi to make his way about the darkened property. The air was still, nary a breeze to be had, yet Tatsumi found it relaxing out here. It was neither too warm nor too cold, and the sounds of cicadas chirping to each other was cathartic.
He found a nice flat patch of grass nestled between two perfectly manicured rows of flower to do his morning exercises. He quickly went through his usual series of warmup stretches and as he finished the last few he felt a familiar pair of eyes on him.
He threw an amused look to the side where a pair of golden eyes peered out at him from between a bunch of tulips. "Good morning, Koneko."
It surprised him to see her here. He didn't doubt that Koneko would be able to find this place or get over the wall, it really wasn't designed to keep people like her out, but he'd heard from Sona that Koneko had been hurt rather badly during the peace conference.
"Morning Tatsumi-senpai," Koneko said quietly as she stood. A twinge of worry wormed its way through him. Koneko had never been an expressive person, but even for her she seemed rather subdued. There was the tension in her shoulders and arms she normally did have and she looked very unsure of herself.
"Are you alright?" Tatsumi asked her gently. "I heard you were hurt."
"…I'm fine." She stepped hesitantly out from the row of flowers and paused. "Tatsumi-senpai?"
Something really seemed to be bothering her. "It's alright, I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
She rushed forward and barreled into him, knocking him back a step. His legs almost gave out from under him in surprise. Even as his mind quickly tried to process what was happening her arms came up around him and he found her hugging him tightly.
"…thank you Tatsumi-senpai," she whispered into his chest. He could feel the thick emotion in her voice. The joy, the satisfaction… the relief. That last one was so strong he could feel her body shake with it. "Thank you so much. I… I saved Gasper-san. Tatsumi-senpai made me strong enough to save."
So that was what this was about. He couldn't stop the smile that came to his face, didn't even try. His arms came up around her as he returned the hug. "I didn't do much, Koneko. I just gave you the tools to do it yourself and showed you how. You built that strength, and more importantly, it was the strength of your own heart, the strength to never give up, that ultimately saved him."
She shook her head back and forth, rubbing her face against his bare chest. "Tatsumi-senpai helped me get stronger."
There was just no reasoning with her. Tatsumi let out a small pleasant noise as he gently pushed Koneko out to arm's length. "It was still mostly you though. So how is everything now? How are Issei and Asia?" He didn't particularly care much for Rias and the others.
"…They're doing good," Koneko said slowly. Her eyes suddenly lit up and a huge smile came to her face. "Kiba-senpai woke up!"
"Oh?" That boy had been in a coma ever since the Kokabiel incident. Tatsumi remembered Michael handing something over to Rias during the peace conference. Guess it worked? That was unfortunate. Tatsumi felt guilty the moment that thought hit him. He didn't hate Kiba by any means, not anymore, but the thought of Rias regaining another tool to use for whatever flighty goal entered her mind didn't sit well with him. He was a horrible person. Tatsumi gave Koneko the best smile he could before continuing. "I'm glad to hear it. Don't beat yourself up over it anymore, got it?"
"Mmhmm," Koneko said, nodding happily. "Kiba-senpai is stronger than ever! He said with his friends support he was able to attain peace and balance. Azazel-sensei said that he attained his Balance Breaker."
Balance Breaker? What the hell was that? He'd have to speak with Gabriel tonight, if she'd have him, about what that was. It sounded like Kiba hadn't just woken up, but had awoken stronger and more capable than before. "Wait a minute…" something Koneko said didn't sit well with him. "Azazel-sensei? Didn't he die?" He remembered the guy getting a giant hole punched through his chest and his spine ripped out. People not named Tatsumi generally didn't survive that.
"No? Azazel-sensei is new advisor for the Buchou's club."
The leader of the Fallen Angels advising, and most likely training, the little sister of a Satan. Weren't there laws against that? That was either going to end up horribly wrong, or it was favoritism at its finest. He shook his head, scattering those thoughts away. There probably wasn't anything he could do about it so it was best just to ignore it.
"You still up for some more training?"
"Yes!" Koneko said as she eagerly leapt backwards to make room for herself.
Tatsumi stopped her before she could start. "Did you bring a change of clothes? I'm afraid to say I don't have spare ones your size here." She was wearing her Kuoh Academy uniform and it was bound to get sweaty by the end.
Koneko paused, her head tilting to the side in a thoughtful pose. "…oh. I forgot."
Tatsumi thought she might have. She'd grown too used to Sona's pampering. "Well, maybe you can join me tomorrow when you have a change too—wha?" Tatsumi's train of thought slammed roughly into a brick wall as Koneko undid some buttons on her uniform and let her skirt drop to the soft, dew covered grass. A few more buttons later and her top followed suit, leaving her in nothing more than a set of blue and white striped underwear.
She smiled happily at him. "…won't get dirty now."
"You're fine exposing yourself like that?" Tatsumi asked, trying his hardest to keep his eyes from dropping low as he repeated 'I'm not a lolicon' mantra in his head over and over.
She nodded her head once and started to stretch. "…yes. You're not Issei-san." She paused. "…besides, Tatsumi-senpai is topless too." She reached behind her back for the clasps to her bra. "I should be too—"
"No, no, it's quite alright," Tatsumi said quickly, rushing to stop her before she could unclasp her bra. He roughly cleared his throat and looked away, praying that Koneko didn't notice the tightness in his pants. He really was a horrible person. "I just didn't have time to grab a shirt. You don't need to go that far. Besides, people might misunderstand if they see us." He quickly made his way back to where he'd set his bokken down. "A-Anyways, now that the whole sweaty uniform issue is dealt with." He bent down and picked up his weighted sword and did a few quick swings. The first set of exercises were unique to each other them. Like him, she had a pair of leather gloves that had gravity spells placed upon them. "I want to see you do two thousand punches when you finish stretching."
"Yes Tatsumi-senpai," Koneko said happily.
~o~
Tatsumi let out a pleasant sigh as he eased himself into the hot spring. The warm waters curled about his limbs, wrapping him in a cocoon of warmth and comfort. A light mist clung to the surface of the hot spring creating a thin veil that was just thick enough to make anything that lurked beneath the surface hazy and indistinguishable. The cool air and warm water made such a pleasant contrast that Tatsumi felt like lulling off to sleep right then and there. In the very center of the hot spring was a large marble statue of a naked female angel that looked suspiciously like Gabriel. The water cascading from the marble vase resting on the shoulder of the statue created a pleasant noise.
This place, at least, Tatsumi was glad they had gone all out on.
"Enjoying yourself?"
Tatsumi jumped in surprise, splashing water all over the place. His head whipped to the side and there, across the pool, was Najenda and Akame. The white-haired commander of his old Night Raid was lazing easily back against the far side of the pool with one upraised leg crossed over the other. Akame had her chest up in the air and her head back in the water as she washed some sort of conditioner out of her long black hair.
He averted his gaze so quickly his neck cracked.
"Ah, sorry Najenda and Akame." Tatsumi quickly apologized. He'd been so focused on the hot spring he hadn't bothered to look and see if anyone else was here. He had trusted Bennia to… Tatsumi palmed his face groaned. "Bennia never told you I wanted to use the hot spring this morning, did she?"
"No, she didn't," Najenda said from across the way. She sounded more amused than upset.
"At least we know why she was giggling as we entered," Akame said softly. She didn't sound upset by his presence either.
"That we do," Najenda said, still chuckling. "That girl of yours is certainly interesting."
"Interesting doesn't even begin to describe her," Tatsumi said dryly. Bennia was a lot of different things, but normal wasn't one of them. He put his back to Najenda and rose from the water. "I can leave—"
Before he could take a step a metallic hand clamped down on his shoulder and forced him back into the water. "Don't be such a prude, Tatsumi, we're not going to bite." The metal fingers released him and the hand was drawn back with a loud whine. "I'm far too old and have seen far too much to care about flashing a little naked flesh. Besides, this gives us the opportunity to speak without anyone else listening. Sometimes I wonder if those girls of yours are attached at the hip."
There was probably a pun in there. Tatsumi got comfortable in the hot spring again, making sure to keep his gaze averted from Najenda and Akame. Even if she said they didn't mind, she would hit him if he ogled. They both still looked rather remarkable, despite their age. Keeping active in the Kingdom had seen to that.
The gentle cascade of water reached his ears as Akame slowly climbed to her feet. "Some of them are. At least that little girl, Bennia, was last night."
"She's not little, she's just… small." Tatsumi protested lamely. Short, flat chested, like the majority of the women drawn to him.
"That's the same thing Tatsumi," Najenda gently reminded her.
"Najenda… what do you think—" He jumped in surprise when a pair of familiar arms came up around him. "A-Akame?" She'd gotten even better if she could move through a pool of water without making a single sound.
"I was never able to do this before," Akame said quietly. She squeezed him tightly, squeezing his shoulder between her breasts. "We need to present a strong front before others, no matter what we're feeling inside." Her embrace tightened. "It really is great to be able to see you again after so long."
Tatsumi relaxed into her embrace. "I feel the same," he whispered, his voice soft and head bowed. He didn't even take note of Akame's breasts, it wasn't important. He laid a hand over his own heart and wrapped an arm around her in turn. His heart ached, but it was a pleasant one. Filled with warmth and a deep yearning finally fulfilled. A part of him, a significant part of him, just wanted to burst out with joy. "You have no idea how good it feels to hear your voices again. To know that you both survived, that Esdeath was beaten and there was peace… that everything wasn't for nothing. That all their deaths meant something."
That his death had meant something.
"It wasn't for nothing, Tatsumi," Najenda said from across the pool, "you don't have to worry about that. A new era of peace has truly been ushered in, even if a pair of women with more power than maturity decided to spice things up with their rivalry." Tatsumi wasn't surprised in the least. Serafall and Gabriel were both eccentric and odd people by themselves. Throw them together and things could only go very wrong for someone. "But never mind that. You were about to say something earlier, Tatsumi?"
That brought Tatsumi back to the present with a start. He quickly realized what he was staring at, Akame's breasts and the sweeping curves the curse of Murasame had engraved upon her pale skin. His head snapped up, focusing on the statue in the center of the pool spouting water. "Ah, yes, I was." He really hoped they mistook the heat in his cheeks as a by-product of the hot spring and not his embarrassment. "I wanted to ask what you thought of all this?" Tatsumi asked, gesturing to everything. Her opinion meant a lot to him. The Night Raid Tatsumi had created had become something different from Najenda's. They didn't have secret bases all over the world… they had one obnoxiously flamboyant and in your face home that anyone with an internet connection and five minutes to their name could find. Their existence wasn't whispered in hushed tones in dark alleys, but celebrated and lauded the world over. Tatsumi wasn't a secret to anyone and Bennia wasn't to the ones that mattered. "Sometimes I wonder if I've perverted the Night Raid name."
"You haven't," Akame said firmly before Najenda could speak. She pulled back a little and turned him around so his back was to her. "I think you're trying too hard."
Trying too hard?
"I agree with Akame," Najenda said. The water splashed as if she shrugged or shifted position. "I've always believed the best plan is a flexible one. Night Raid exists for one purpose, to protect the weak by eliminating those that prey upon them. The method is hardly relevant and you know as well as I do that by the end of that war, none of us were particularly secretive nor were our bases well-hidden. Remember your battle against Shikoutazer? Even if we erased Night Raid from the history books, we're burned into the memories of millions for the rest of their lives, and the lives of everyone they pass our tales down to."
He had forgotten about that. Not the battles themselves, but the repercussions. Tatsumi did have a very flashy battle with Shikoutazer that culminated with his transformation into an honest to god dragon. Najenda had led the revolutionary army. Akame had literally walked amongst the ranks of the soldiers to bring down Esdeath and even Mine was well known for having killed Budo.
By the end, none of them had been secrets.
Tatsumi jumped when he felt a pair of soapy wet breasts press against his back. "Akame?" What was she doing and how in the world was she managing to stay absolutely silent this close to him?
"That woman, Serafall, showed me some of these Shonen mangas you mentioned before," Akame said as she began to scrub her breasts up and down his back. Her hands joined her breasts and Tatsumi found four himself beneath the ministrations of four very soft touches. "This is supposedly the way things are done here in this world? Whenever a man and a woman share a bath it's courtesy for a woman to wash the man like this."
What the hell sort of manga did Serafall show Akame? "I think Serafall may have been playing a practical joke on you… at my expense." It would be something that hyperactive devil would do. "I think this is something only lovers do?"
"Oh stop being such a child, Tatsumi," Najenda scolded him from across the way. "We've all fought together, bled together and you even died for us and our ideals. This is hardly something you should feel particularly embarrassed about, not that it isn't adorable in its own way."
"It is, isn't it?" Akame agreed. He could feel her chest shaking slightly behind him, like she was laughing at him. "He's acting the same way Wave did when Kurome washed his back that first time."
Najenda laughed. "And the second, fourth, and… he never did get used to it, did he?"
"He always enjoyed it though. I think I can see why my sister always did it despite his protests."
He was enjoying it, very much so. He cursed his body for reacting to Akame's naked, soapy breasts being rubbed up and down his back and in equal measure wished it'd never end.
Tatsumi coughed and cleared his throat roughly. He tried to be as inconspicuous as possible as he positioned a hand over his privates. "A-Anyways…" He felt Akame silently laughing behind him again. She had noticed. "So this is all fine then? Being out in the open like this?"
"It can still be used to your advantage," Najenda's voice became stretched, taut like she was speaking while stretching. "Everyone knows you, or will eventually. There's no point in hiding your existence. For those that are well-known, there is a different method of getting things done behind people's back."
"Deflection," Akame said softly. Disappointment flooded through Tatsumi as Akame pulled back. It disappeared a moment later when she gently took his arm, the one he was using to cover himself, and pulled it back between her breasts. She began to rub her body up and down his arm, his hand often finding itself placed between her legs. "It is a technique we've used several times, both before you joined and afterwards."
"This large estate is actually a blessing in that regards," Najenda picked up for Akame. "This is your base, Night's Raid's base. Everyone knows that. Everyone will expect you to be here, and you should be whenever it matters most. However, because everyone's eyes are drawn to this overly flashing estate—"
"No one will be looking for me anywhere else," Tatsumi finished for her. It was like a magician's trick. Draw people's eyes towards flashy movement in one hand while the real work was being done out of sight with the other.
"Exactly. The same goes for you, personally. You're still an enigma. No one here knows how you, the Tyrant, are capable of doing what you do and until they do, they'll never be able to develop a counter to it."
"Or just hit me with such overwhelming power that nothing I do has any meaning."
"True, but again, that's why you need to make it seem you are here when you're really elsewhere. Overwhelming power is irrelevant if there's no target or it hits the wrong one."
Akame released his arm before pulling his other one over to replace it. This wasn't so bad anymore, it was more pleasant than embarrassing. That Akame seemed to be so clinical about it, and not sexual like Bennia would no doubt have been, made it easier. "Or you can simply strike at them from the shadow before they can even bring that overwhelming power to bear. Even the most powerful, the Satans and the Seraphs, can be brought down in a single strike if they're caught unaware."
"And even Gods can die," Najenda added. "Besides, you have plenty of overwhelming powerful friends that wouldn't mind lending you a hand when your own strength isn't enough. One of the things I intend to teach you is to toss that pride of yours aside. If you're going to lead Night Raid, you're going to have to learn how to use every resource at your disposal, even those not officially affiliated with our group."
Najenda was telling him to use Serafall, Gabriel, and anyone else at their level as much as possible. He didn't want to rely on others. Relying on others meant putting them in danger and he had already seen too many friends die, but she had a point.
Akame let out a sudden little murmur that drew Tatsumi's attention. "Najenda?" Akame asked as she slowed and stopped at the apex of a scrub. "Can you see?"
"Yes. I'm not surprised. He hasn't even noticed. It seems that even if they're one and the same, there are still a few parts of them that are separate."
"What are you two talking about?" They were obviously talking about the two halves of himself, Tatsumi and the Tyrant.
"Just this," Akame said as she touched his hands. That's when Tatsumi realized that his hand was doing more than just resting between her legs. He quickly forced his hand around, and his fingers out of Akame.
"I'm sorry," Tatsumi quickly apologized. How could he have done that to one of his oldest friends?
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Tatsumi, Akame knew the possibility of a slip was high even before she started," Najenda said. "She's not as innocent in those matters as she was seventeen years ago."
"Kurome always seemed so happy with Wave," Akame said as way of explanation. He felt her shake her head slowly from side to side. "It never worked out for long. No one could replace—" she stopped suddenly.
That was an odd place stop. "Replace who?" Tatsumi asked.
"Nevermind that," Najenda said quickly, cutting in. "Regardless this is all something I suspected when I heard you'd started a harem. Men have always been fascinated by the thought but few really try to turn that thought into reality, even when given the opportunity to do so. You never struck me as the sort of individual that would… the part of you that's made up of what the Tyrant once was is a different story."
An unsettling, yet strangely warm, feeling bubbled in the pit of his stomach. "What do you mean?"
"The Tyrant is naturally a creature of evolution and adaptation. It adjusts to its surroundings and the situations it finds itself in. This all stems from a core trait: survival. Its desire to survive transcends everything, even death itself. Despite its ability however, it has been killed twice and in this world where there are countless entities that can effortlessly throw around enough power to obliterate it a dozen times over, total annihilation is only one bad decision away."
"It's adapting," Akame said softly as she started up again, once more rubbing her naked, soapy body up and down his arm. He made sure to pay attention this time so that his hand didn't flip around again. It was more difficult than he thought it'd be. There was a strong pull to just let nature take its course. "You're adapting."
"If you can't guarantee your own survival, then at the very least you're going to guarantee the survival of your bloodline," Najenda said.
"You have extra bits inside you. Glands that weren't there before. I was able to feel them through your back." That was Akame, never one to forget her mission no matter what it entails or how small it was. "You have a new aura about you, like a scent. It… is distracting, makes me want to be around you more than I should."
Children. He wanted children. To create a new generation so that even if his existence was erased, at least a part of it would live on somewhere in some way. "Do these glands of mine have an affinity towards short, flat-chested women?" Tatsumi asked dryly. As absolutely ridiculous as that sounded, it would explain a lot.
"I don't think that's the glands, Tatsumi," Najenda said, laughing. "You've always been partial to those sorts of women."
"That's just lingering attachment to our Mine coloring your desires," Akame said softly as she let his arm drop back into the water. "That too may change in time, with the proper incentive." He felt her shift and water cascade as she stood. He ignored the disappointment that welled up inside him as she left and returned to Najenda's side.
"You are correct, Akame, the busty ones are starting to gather around him as well."
"Ha, ha, very funny," Tatsumi grumbled under his breath.
Tatsumi let out a sigh as his old friends had a long laugh at his expense. It was nice to see and hear the both of them again, but some things he could do without. Still… having an explanation for why this harem just sprung up around him was sort of nice. It never did seem very logical to him. The more women you had the less time you could spend with any particular one and beyond a certain point you were simply not giving any of them the attention they truly deserved.
"The harem is a forgone conclusion, isn't it?" Tatsumi asked.
"It is," Najenda said, still chuckling. "About all you really have any choice over is who. Your girls are the ones that'll decide on how many."
"I won't be a part of it," Akame said softly. She was already back at Najenda's side. "Najenda and I are heading home after we're done helping you here. This world already has a Najenda and an Akame." It made sense, even if it was painful to hear. He didn't want either of them to leave but knew it was selfish to keep them here. The old world was their home, just like this world was now his.
"You don't really need any more either," Najenda added, "there are plenty of women in this world willing to become a part of that. I doubt you'll be lonely once we're gone."
"No one can replace you two."
He could feel Najenda's smile from across the room. "Well wasn't that nice? Straight from the heart without hesitation."
"You will be fine with everyone here," Akame assured him.
"Speaking of them…" Tatsumi paused. How best to phrase this? "Did I make a mistake with any of them?" He wanted Najenda's opinion on the new members of Night Raid but wasn't quite sure how to ask.
"That's still to be seen but what I can tell you is that it wasn't a mistake to give them a chance," Najenda's voice held a seriousness to it now. "No one can do everything alone. Sometimes you just have to take a chance, like I did with you. They may turn around and bite you, or they might end up sacrificing their life to save the world." She let out a small chuckle. "I'd be wary of that Xenovia girl, but the other two I think you can trust."
"Why Xenovia in particular?"
"She follows you because Gabriel asks her to. Her loyalty is to God first, that Seraph second and you a far distant third, if you're even that. Mine is independent and similar enough to our own that I'm sure you two will become fast friends and that Ravel child…" Najenda let out another soft laugh. "Saving her from Esdeath has earned her undying loyalty. I wouldn't be surprised if she ended up as part of your harem before the year's out."
"And Bennia?" Najenda had only said two others so she had avoided saying Bennia for a reason.
"Something about her feels off. The eyes don't match the body. Someone like that I wouldn't normally trust but…" There was the soft sound of popping joints as Najenda let out a small pleasant noise. "If she was going to betray you specifically, she'd have already done it. I've also seen the way she looks at you when you're preoccupied. Her feelings are genuine, I don't doubt that. I don't believe she'll ever betray you."
Tatsumi could read between the lines. "But she might betray the others…"
"Maybe not that Sona girl or the others in Night Raid because of how much they mean to you. But anyone else? It's a definite possibility."
"She's a killer, like I am," Akame said softly. She was back with Najenda now, having arrived there as silently as she had left. "Do not trust her with protecting anyone."
Tatsumi hadn't planned on it, but for a completely different reason. "Not sure Bennia could remain serious enough long enough to be of any use guarding someone."
Najenda let out a soft laugh. "Yes, there is that too." The former leader of Night Raid was silent for a time before she continued. "That girl though, I don't think there's much I can teach her. I saw her fight during the attack on the Peace Conference. Her style is too unique, and that scythe of hers doesn't need any strength to be effective. All she needs is speed and that's not something she needs me for."
"Sensei, erm... I mean Gabriel, thought that perhaps Bennia needed some variety. Something other than just that scythe."
"Gabriel is wrong." Tatsumi blinked in surprise. He had never heard anyone flat out state that with such certainty. It felt rather shocking. "We're Night Raid, assassins. We don't dance with enemies unless its unavoidable, we strike suddenly and without warning. A melee should be avoided at all costs. Besides, she'll never build enough strength in those little arms of her to put any real power behind anything. She just has the wrong build for it. Better to hone her speed so that she can always reach her target. After that, the scythe will do the rest."
"She could add a second blade," Akame offered, "perhaps on the opposite end pointing in the opposite direction. That would eliminate any vulnerability she'd incur if she missed that first strike."
An idea as interesting as it was terrifying, which was probably the entire point. "I'll talk with her. What about Xenovia, Mine and Ravel?" Now was about as good a time as any to learn what Najenda and Akame had discovered during that battle. Weaknesses and strengths the members of Night Raid could work to overcome, and cater to.
There was a little splash across the way as Najenda shifted some before starting. "Xenovia has a powerful sword and a strong, athletic body with incredibly flexibility. However she has no real skill. She just cuts at anything in front of her and trusts her sword to do the rest. She's also lacking a little in the speed department, although I've been told that will resolve itself once she's raised to an Angel. She also tires out quickly, possibly a by-product of that sword she uses."
"Can never be too fast," Tatsumi murmured.
"Yes. Xenovia will best be served honing her speed and stamina… You could help with the latter."
"I'm not taking her to my bed."
"Pity, regardless, the only other glaring weakness was her lack of skill."
"I will take care of that," Akame said firmly.
Tatsumi winced painfully. He knew that tone of voice. Memories of his own training with Akame came flooding the forefront of his thoughts. Xenovia was in for a world of pain, that was certain. Tatsumi had never seen a more skilled swordswoman than Akame, and that included Hikaru. "It was nice knowing you, Xenovia."
"Akame won't break her into too many pieces," Najenda tried to reassure him.
"It depends on her," Akame said softly.
That didn't ease Tatsumi's worries at all.
"Akame isn't being too serious. She's only become a little stricter since she killed you." That wasn't reassuring him very much either. Najenda seemed to realize that and chuckled. "Xenovia will survive, I'm sure. She's tough that one. Now, as for Mine, I'll handle her."
"What's her issue?"
"Same issue our Mine had. She has great control over her light spears and can manipulate them in ways that according to Azazel most Angels and Fallen Angels can't. The power isn't there though. All that fancy manipulation of light is only useful against the weak. The powerful would just laugh it away. I'll work with her on that. If she's like our Mine, I have a fairly good idea why she's like that."
A lack of heart. That was what Najenda was hinting at. Mine's power was directly connected the strength of her will. The stronger her desire, the stronger her belief, the greater the power she could bring to bear.
"What about Ravel?"
"She's the only one that doesn't need any real training," Najenda said honestly. "She knows her role and performs it well. She's long range artillery support. Raw power is something she could always use more of, possibly some variety in the spells she uses, but that's something she'll have to work on herself since it's tied to her magical power. Ravel should always be with someone, aiding them. If she's fighting alone, we've failed not her."
"She'll be happy to hear that."
"I doubt it," Najenda murmured quietly. "She'll probably be put out that every else is working hard to improve while she has nothing to do. We'll need to create some sort of regime for her so that she doesn't feel left out."
"Make her manipulate fire in unique and interesting ways?" Tatsumi asked. "Fireballs and pillars of flames are nice, but being able to curl a river of flame around a corner could be very useful."
"Perhaps, it's something at least until we can come up with some concrete plan. I think she'd be better served with more variety but whether she can manipulate her fire to do what needs to be done, or if she has to branch out and learn entirely different magic, is to be seen." There was another pause. "How invested are you in that Koneko girl you practiced with this morning?"
"You saw that?"
"You didn't do much to hide it."
That was true. "I'm very invested," Tatsumi said firmly. "I don't know what it is but when I look at her I just want to help her." First with her lunch issues, then later with training when she broke down before him in the pool. "I know she's not part of Night Raid and that she's the Rook, a powerful piece for Rias whom we may come into conflict with in the future but…"
"You don't need to justify it any further than that, Tatsumi. That's an important part of you that you shouldn't let go. It was your heart, your desire to help others, that was the defining reasons why I invited you to join Night Raid." Tatsumi raised a hand to his heart. Had that really been a reason? It was so long ago he couldn't remember clearly. Leone had kidnapped him after he'd killed Aria and carried him off to their hideout where he was told he'd work for them in some fashion or die. "Anyone is capable of killing and there's no mincing words about what it is we do. We are killers. It's all the other parts of us that separates members of Night Raid from cold-blooded murderers. We don't just kill, we save. Saving doesn't always involve sticking your sword in someone."
His hand dropped the water misty water, sending small ripples outwards. He slumped forward as relief spread through him. "That's a relief."
"You've done a fine job so far Tatsumi," Najenda said softly. "Far better than I would have thought you possible when I first brought you on board. If you don't remember anything else, remember at least this. Be critical of everything, but never stop helping others."
"I won't."
Najenda chuckled, "that's my boy. And who knows, perhaps you'll draw her in like all the others. You've already started a proper harem here."
"I'm not trying to," Tatsumi muttered to himself. He grabbed a handful of water and splashed it on his face. "The girls just keep throwing themselves at me and…"
"You're too nice to say no?"
And perverted. The part of him that was the Tyrant desired it and so he enjoyed it despite himself. He'd never admit it though. "I'm not adding Koneko."
"I think you should."
Tatsumi's head snapped up and he stared at Najenda and Akame, momentarily forgetting that they were naked in his shock. He quickly averted his gaze again. "What would possibly make you say that?"
"It's strategic," Najenda said. Those words sent Tatsumi's mind racing. "You already have Serafall in your pocket. If you have Sirzechs as well, that's half the leaders of Devil society willing to support you for more than just political convenience." She paused for a moment to let that sink in. "It's probably too much to ask for you to seduce that Rias girl."
"I'd rather choke on my own tongue," Tatsumi bit out. He didn't like Rias at all. Partly because she was a devil, and partly because he just didn't like the type of woman she was. Besides, Issei had already claimed her.
"I thought as much. The next best option is to seduce the people Rias is closest to. Akeno is a bit too close to Esdeath in personality for you to be comfortable and Asia is too taken with Issei for you to have a chance." Trust Najenda to be able to pick all that up in a single meeting. "Koneko is different and she is rather taken with you. Girls don't just strip down to their underwear so easily in front of anyone. Not even in a world like this. Koneko can be your way of influencing Rias, and by proxy, Sirzechs. It's a flimsy connection, sure, but it's a far cry from nothing."
"I'm not going to seduce anyone for political reasons," Tatsumi stated firmly. Especially not Koneko. She deserved far better than that. The only people that had ever shared his bed were the women he cared for and he was going to keep it that way.
Xenovia didn't count because that was Gabriel's bed.
"As you wish. I will warn you though, if you continue to help Koneko as you are she may very well take the decision away from you," Najenda said, sounding amused. "Regardless, I think—"
Najenda was cut off as the door to the room was kicked open with a thunderous crash. Tatsumi whipped around just in time to see a naked Bennia charge towards him, her feet tapping lightly off the marble floor. ((Hot Spring! Charge!)) Bennia shouted happily. When she reached the edge of the pool she launched herself high into the air and tucked her knees to her chest. ((CANNONBALL!)) Water splashed into Tatsumi's face as Bennia crashed into the water nearby.
"Bennia… I don't think the water's deep enough to do that," Tatsumi said cautiously as he eyed the shadowy form just beneath the surface. Even light as she was, he had heard her hit the bottom hard.
The water parted as Bennia broke the surface. Her face twisted in a grimace as she rubbed her rear end. ((Ow… that wasn't my brightest idea.))
"I'm not sure you ever have bright ideas."
((Hey!)) Bennia latched onto him and slowly rubbed her chest against his. ((I have plenty of good ideas! Want to see one right now?))
Tatsumi did not like that grin she had on her lips. "Uh, no?"
((Too bad!)) He turned his head and forced him to stare at someone else who had come in behind her. Bennia's voice went low and quiet. ((Threesome!))
Tatsumi swallowed hard as a naked Koneko made her way to the pool side. His eyes trailed down her soft curves unbidden causing a part of his body to react. She dipped her toes into the water a few times, testing the temperature before she slowly eased herself into it. He couldn't tell if her slow, carefree movements were born from innocence or something else.
"Ah, hi, Koneko." Tatusmi cursed himself. What a stupid thing to say. He cleared his throat instead and tried to look away. Bennia wasn't having any of that. "I thought Tirade was drawing a bath to use?"
"…Hot spring sounded better," Koneko said as she leaned back against the side of the pool and stretched her arms above her head. "Tatsumi-san is here too."
((Threesome!)) Bennia whispered urgently as she rubbed herself against him.
"Is that all you think about?" Tatsumi whispered back.
((It is when you're naked, I'm naked, and another willing girl nearby is naked!))
There would be no threesome, not today. Tatsumi was not letting these girls force him into something he didn't want, even if a certain part of his body was standing at attention.
"I won't be labeled a pervert for this," Tatsumi said, gesturing to Bennia's iron-like grip on his face. He really didn't want to be punched across the room.
Koneko just gave him a confused look. "…Tatsumi-senpai isn't a pervert. This is Tatsumi-senpai's home and he was here first. Bennia-san is the pervert."
((WHAT?!))
Her grip loosened enough for Tatsumi to wrench his face from her grasp. "That she is, but she's my pervert… even if she can be a handful at times."
"…Tatsumi-senpai needs a real woman."
((Not you too!))
Najenda let out a loud peel of laughter. Behind him he heard water cascade down into the pool as the former leader of Night Raid and Akame stood. "Never change girls, that carefree attitude is what Tatsumi and I fight to protect. As for you, Tatsumi, take care and think on my advice. Akame and I have things we need to do today to set in motion the training plans."
"Ah, see you after school?"
"Of course, there are things we need to discuss as well." He could hear her start across the floor to the change room. "Be sure to remember what we spoke of earlier."
Seducing Koneko.
Tatsumi couldn't say anything in response. He'd no plans to do that, but it seemed that even without plans it may very well happen. Tatsumi was seriously starting to consider that there may very well be something about him that attracted the less endowed girls to him.
~o~
The air was filled with the sound of laughter and conversation as the students of Kuoh Academy made their way about the school yard during lunch. It joined the singing of birds and chirping of insects creating a pleasant cacophony that just screamed normality. Tatsumi could help but smile as he leaned back on the grass, resting on the palms of his hands as he let the warmth of the sun sitting high in the clear blue sky wash over his face.
This was a wonderful place for Tatsumi, a place where the weight of the world didn't feel like it was pressing down upon him.
It was made even better by the company he currently kept.
"I think you're going crazy, Tatsumi," Ieyasu said, laughing.
A little better, anyways.
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying school," Tatsumi said as he sat up and gave his friend a wry grin. Ieyasu and Sayo were sitting next together across from Tatsumi on the green grass. They were all out in front of the main school building having their lunch together. "I have to admit that I am sad that this is the last week. Come Saturday, it's summer break." It was exams all this week, those final tests. Come Friday this place would be a ghost town. Tatsumi didn't even have to come in that day if he didn't want to. He'd already been given a bye for his test.
"Dude! Summer break is the best time," Tatsumi laughed at the excited look on Ieyasu's face. "We don't have to worry about school interfering with our lives! We can so totally hang out at the arcade more or even train if your masochistic." A wide grin came to Ieyasu's face as he flicked his gaze to either side of Tatsumi. "And you have even more reason to want summer. Are you trying to build a harem like Issei?"
"Tatsumi-san wouldn't do that," Sayo said, lightly smacking Ieyasu across the head.
He was, of course, referring to Koneko and Bennia. The two girls sat on either side of Tatsumi. Koneko had one of the box lunches Tatsumi had made that morning resting between her legs as she ate while Bennia, who was dressed as a Kuoh Academy student, was trying to balance her empty one on her nose for some reason.
"No, I don't try to build anything," Tatsumi said as he plucked the empty bento box from Bennia's nose and tucked it away inside his duffle bag. "Things just seem to happen around me. Koneko is just here for the bento, trust me."
"Tatsumi-senpai is a good cook," Koneko said between bites.
"She's my official taste tester," Tatsumi explained, picking at his own half-finished bento box. He popped a delicately season beef wrap into his mouth and frowned. It tasted off.
His frown did not go unnoticed. "Maybe you need a new one?" Ieyasu teased.
Koneko's eyes went wide "No!" Koneko protested loudly, for her anyways. She stole Tatsumi's last beef roll and devoured it. She gave him such a wide-eyed, vulnerable look that try as he might he couldn't be upset that she'd just stolen a part of his lunch. "Tastes fine."
((Something wrong with your bento?)) Bennia asked. ((Mine was just fine, almost like eating your mom's old cooking.)) Koneko nodded her head vigorously in agreement.
"No, it's not that," Tatsumi said carefully as he picked at the rice. This tasted like ash like normal. What had been that strange tanginess before? He had used all the same ingredients before. He'd made sure the lemon was ripe. Tatsumi shook his head. Must have just been his imagination. "I just bit my tongue, that's all."
It was enough to mollify the others but a look of concern lingered in Bennia's eyes. She'd seen through the lie. The concern was gone a moment later, brushed aside for her usual playfulness. ((I'm trying to help Tatsumi build his harem but he's so stubborn)) Bennia said quietly, making herself sound defeated. ((I keep trying to bring in more but Tatsumi is always resisting! Sort of like this morning—))
Tatsumi clamped his hand over her mouth before she could say anything else. "Please ignore Bennia, she's constantly saying things just to get me in trouble."
Sayo gave Bennia a disapproving look as she packed away her own empty bento box. "I'm glad you have Souna-senpai. At least you have one proper woman in your life."
((Why does everyone keep saying that I'm not adequate!?)) Bennia wailed.
"Speaking of student Council President," Ieyasu said as everyone ignored Bennia, "you haven't been eating with her lately. You two have another falling out?"
"She's just been too busy lately." Between trying to run damage control on all the new pictures her sister had released into the wild, dealing with her parents, student council work, tests, and some sort of gathering event in the Underworld happening over the summer, she just didn't have much personal time. "She's assured me that come the new semester she will be insisting that I eat lunch with her again so I decided to eat lunch with the two of you… unless you don't want me here?"
"Of course not, Tatsumi-san!" Sayo said quickly. "Lunch is always better when shared with more people." Her eyes lit up as she remembered something. "Oh, Tatsumi!"
"Hmmm?"
Sayo became very animated as she sat up onto her knees. "We had a special instructor come last Friday to teach us during the Archery club. She was so impressed with my ability that she offered private lessons!"
"That's great!" Tatsumi said as he tried to give Sayo a smile. The sudden offer made Tatsumi a little nervous with everything he knew. Fears of her being taken advantage of by a devil flared up deep inside him. It wasn't very likely. Why would a devil even bother to teach students how to fire an arrow when they could sling magic about? But he worried still. "Perhaps someday I'll see you thread an arrow through a needle point at a hundred meters." The Sayo he had grown up with had bene able to do that, although the needle hole had been large enough to accommodate an arrow head.
((Who's the instructor?)) Bennia asked unexpectedly. Tatsumi shot her a quick look. She still had that same, easy smile as always, but Tatsumi could tell by the way she sat and how she gripped her wrists that she was no longer playing around.
He wasn't the only one concerned about Sayo's new sensei. It was doubtful anyone noticed the change in her demeanor. It was this side of Bennia that Tatsumi appreciated the most. She was playful and mischievous most of the time but when she needed to be serious, the playfulness disappeared.
He and Bennia shared a look and she gave him a quick nod. She knew what to do afterwards.
Sayo paused, her head tilting to the side as she adopted a faraway look. "I think her name was… Natsume?" She nodded her and smiled. "Yes, Tsuchimikado Natsume." That was a name to look into. "She was dressed like a Shrine Priestess, which I found odd but she was definitely very good with the bow." Sayo's face became serious. "I don't want to be helpless ever again."
"I don't think you'll ever be that," Tatsumi said, smiling. He gave Ieyasu a sidelong look. "Any new sensei for you too? Or are you still with the Kendo one?"
Ieyasu adopted a forlorn expression as he let out an exaggerated sigh. "No, nothing for me yet."
"Well, don't give up, someday someone will take pity on you… maybe."
"Gee, thanks Tatsumi, that's just the sort of reason I want someone to train me, because I'm pitiable," Ieyasu said dryly causing them all to laugh. Even Koneko let out a little smile. "I'm just going to be mopping about during the summer, waiting for you two to finish doing whatever exciting things you're doing."
He shifted to the side, allowing the blood to flow through his ass once more. Damn thing had fallen asleep. "I'm not sure exciting is the right term to use for my plans," Tatsumi mused.
"What are you planning?" Sayo asked.
Out of the corner of his eye he watched as Bennia slipped a gold bracelet off her wrist. It was a special device that made her noticeable by humans. She took off into the air without a word and headed towards their base. She'd have something for him by the time the day was over.
"I'm going to see Hikaru," Tatsumi said as he returned his attention back to his friends. He was also planning to murder a number of devils in a small, localized area of Hell, but he couldn't very well tell his friends that.
"You found him?" Ieyasu asked, looking startled. "I thought he dropped off the face of the earth!"
He did, actually, but Tatsumi couldn't tell them that either. "Considering where Hikaru moved to, it could seem that way. Anyways, I'm planning on meeting up with him this summer." Best to keep her gender a secret for now. He wanted to see Ieyasu's face when he reintroduced her. "He's had it rather rough these past three years but if all goes well he might be joining us at Kuoh Academy next semester along with Bennia." That was the cover Bennia had right now. She wasn't an 'official' student yet. She had simply been here seeing what the place was like. Whether she actually joins them next semester would depend on the situation at the time. "I'm sure Souna will want to have him in the Kendo Club as well."
"Oh man, with the three of us in there…" Ieyasu shook his head and started to laugh. "Can you imagine if we made a team with the three of us on it? We'd totally dominate."
Tatsumi grinned at Ieyasu. "Not sure we really need you for that."
"Hey! That hurts!"
Tatsumi chuckled and enjoyed the rest of the lunch in silence as Ieyasu and Sayo bandied barbs back and forth. It was nice to just relax with his friends like this. He hadn't felt this light, this at ease in a long time.
If only the every day could pass like this.
~o~
"What do you have for me?" Tatsumi called out to Bennia as he entered his office.
His lover stood behind the enormous solid oak desk that dominated the room reading something off the screen of his laptop. Unlike the rest of the estate, this place at least seemed to be more utilitarian than opulent. Bookshelves lined the walls but they stood bare, waiting for him to fill them with relevant books and documents. The light was bright enough to allow one to read without straining their eyes, yet not so bright as to be offensive. What's more there were no windows. The only way into this office was through the door Tatsumi just came through.
Although there was an exit in the floor just beneath the desk if Tatsumi needed to make a quick escape. It dropped into the training room on the bottommost sub level where there was an escape tunnel leading off the property.
Bennia looked up from the laptop as he entered and smiled. ((I found out quite a bit! Although I'm still not sure if we should be worried or not.))
He made his way around the desk. Two additional monitors were set up on either side of the laptop, providing extra space to put things on display. Bennia had filled both them and the main laptop screen with information. Bennia was quiet as Tatsumi quickly read everything she'd found about this Tsuchimikado Natsume.
A pretty woman with long purple hair and almond colored eyes. Like Sayo had said, she wore a shrine priestess outfit, or something similar to it. There were a few differences. Every picture Bennia had been able to find of her had her wearing the same thing. Her family owned a shrine in eastern Japan, one large enough to house multiple families and apparently did. There was something about the main house and branch houses here but it didn't go into much detail.
Everything he read about her seemed perfectly normal. Attended a normal school, won archery competitions, worked at her family's shrine after she graduated, so on and so forth. Nothing about her actions stood out as strange or odd, which did a great deal to ease Tatsumi's worries.
Worries that wouldn't entirely disappear on account of the few troubling facts that did pop out. The first being that she had absolutely no reason to show up here at Kuoh Academy and a quick talk with Sona after school discovered that she hadn't been invited either.
But all that was insignificant compared to the largest issue, the primary reason why Sona hadn't invited her here. According to her obituary, Tsuchimikado Natsume has been dead for twenty years. It wasn't a violent death, just a mysterious one. No body, no blood, no violence. Just one day she disappeared. Her family spent years looking for her. Eventually a body showed up and they declared her dead.
However, Bennia had found an autopsy report on the body. Even if the individual had looked like Natsume, the blood type had been wrong. Someone had pulled one over the authorities to make it look like her body had been found so that the search would be dropped.
Tatsumi had a feeling it had been done by Tsuchimikado Natsume herself considering the fact that her name popped up on several other occasions throughout history with the oldest one dating back to 400 AD. There was even an ancient mural to go with that one, and while the etched painting was faded, there were similarities between what was drawn there and the pictures they had today.
((What do we do?)) Bennia asked Tatsumi once he had finished reading them.
"I honestly don't know." It was obvious that Tsuchimikado Natsume was something more than human. Beyond that, Tatsumi couldn't say. Angel? Devil? Fallen? Youkai? Something else entirely? It was impossible to tell. He feared it could be a Devil or Fallen Angel looking to get back at him, but none of the one's he'd dealt with so far had been particularly subtle. Did they even know that Sayo and Ieyasu were his close friends? Wouldn't it be better just to kidnap them if they knew? Why bother going through this elaborate ruse? Then there was Natsume herself. While she seemed to have been alive at several different points in history, never once did it ever mention her doing anything terrible. She lived entire lives here, and didn't just show up for a few years before disappearing. Catastrophic events didn't follow in her wake, at least not in any of the information Bennia had found.
((I'm not getting any bad feelings from this)) Bennia supplied helpfully.
Tatsumi blew out a sigh as he straightened, tilting his back to work out a kink. "Neither am I. I worry because I think I should worry, not because of anything we've actually discovered. Being immortal isn't a crime." If it was even that. Perhaps she simply had a Sacred Gear that allowed her to be reincarnated. Tatsumi shook his head. That was it then. He'd made his decision and he was just trying to justify it now. "I'll need to convince Sona that I need at least a couple days a week to eat with Ieyasu and Sayo. Just to keep an eye on how she's doing."
((I'll keep looking whenever I'm bored)) Bennia said cheerfully. ((Maybe I'll learn some super juicy secret that'll let me blackmail her into our bed!))
And there went the seriousness of the situation. "You're not blackmailing Sayo's sensei into our bed."
((Awww, you never let me have fun!))
Tatsumi chuckled and rubbed Bennia's hair playfully. "You play enough for the both of us as it is. Anyways, can you gather everyone for me? It's time to let everyone know what our next steps are."
((You haven't even told me what your next steps are.))
Tatsumi wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her to his side. "Sure I have. It's the same plan we've always had but could never actually do until now." A sense of eagerness and excitement began to rise up inside him. It was finally time. "This Saturday, once school is done and out for the summer, we're heading to the Underworld for some hunting. Now that we're not only allowed, but are encouraged, to kill any Devil that preys on humans, it's time for Gregorious to get what's coming to him." Tatsumi paused. "After we take Hikaru from him."
A strange smile crossed Bennia's face. ((I'm looking forward to meeting Gregorious Abaddon. That's one man who needs his foolish pride punished.))
"He needs far more than that punished" Tatsumi said grimly. "I'm going to enjoy inflicting soul shattering agony upon him."
((That sounds like a wonderful idea!))
Author's Note: Leave a review and let me know what you think! I added a section with Ieyasu and Sayo to remind everyone they're still alive. It'll be a long while before they show up again (not until after the summer break in which I'm going to pack in a lot). Anyways, the next chapter is the beginning of the end of the Gregorious Abaddon arc! Look forward to it!