Chapter 39: Politics

Gabriel found herself sitting on the front porch of what anyone would assume was a simple Shinto Shrine similar to countless others scattered throughout Japan.

There were all the standard features of a Shinto shrine. Beautiful torii flanking a short set of stone steps leading up to a cobblestone path that ran the length of the front yard to the Haiden, the hall of worship. Off the main path at the end of smaller, lesser cobblestone paths were the other expected features such as the purification font to wash one's hands and face, the Ema where wooden plaques bearing prayers and wishes hung, a small traditional Japanese home for the Shrine Maiden, and behind the prayer hall, the Honden, the main hall where Kami was supposed to be enshrined.

In truth, it was anything but a simple Shinto Shrine.

Beneath its simple, surface appearance was something far different. Anyone sensitive to the divine would have felt something off right away and those that decided to take a closer look would have found even more oddities.

The surface of the tall posts of the torii flanking the stone staircase were delicately carved with angelic motifs. The font was filled with holy water, purified and blessed by an Angel. The wooden plaques on the Ema were all prayers to the one true God. The Hall of Prayer, despite its exterior appearance, had been set up inside to mimic a typical Christian church and Instead of a statue to a Shinto God, there was a statue of the Messiah, God's son.

Then there was the aura coming from the Honda, the shrine in which Kami was supposed to be housed. There was no mistaking that feeling. It was the heavenly realm she hailed from. There was a staircase to heaven there, one that most likely led to the home of the woman that sat beside her even now.

The one that went by the name of Tsuchimikado Natsume in the human world. Gabriel knew her for who she really was, Ariel, the former Virtue of Courage.

Her eyes darted this way and that across the front yard of the shrine as Xenovia and Sayo dashed about, engaged in a little friendly spar. There were a few restrictions. No flying and no Durandal. Just pure physical combat and whatever natural divine power they had. Even with the restrictions she thought Xenovia would have little trouble with Sayo. Just as she had before with Bennia before, Gabriel had found herself in err.

It was true that Xenovia couldn't bring forth even a quarter of her power without Durandal, but Sayo was easily holding her own against Xenovia. She was quicker than Xenovia and fought smarter. Was the woman sitting beside her that much better a sensei than Gabriel or did Sayo simply have that much potential locked inside her?

Gabriel was careful to keep her outward appearance was as demure and gentle as always, showing none of the turmoil she felt within.

"You've taught her well, Ariel," Gabriel said approvingly as she continued to watch the two dart across the yard.

"The potential was always there," Ariel said lightly, her hands slowly clasping and unclasping in her lap. "I've rarely seen someone so driven before. Humans are usually just so content to take things as they are."

"Is that what drew you to her?" Gabriel asked. "It is… odd for someone such as you to take on an apprentice, especially in recent times."

A bead of nervous perspiration ran down the side of Ariel's face. "It was just time."

"Time for what?" Gabriel asked gently. She was far better at keeping her own composure as she questioned the supposed Fallen Angel at her side. She didn't let any of her internal feelings show on her face.

Tatsumi had been right about Sayo. She was a Brave Saint, and not a Fallen one. Those brilliant white wings splaying from her back were all the evidence Gabriel needed. She was a true Angel, no more and no less than the likes of Xenovia or Irina.

Gabriel almost wished she had been Fallen. This caused unpleasant and concerning thoughts to plague her mind.

"It was just time," Ariel said softly, looking anywhere but at Gabriel. "With Humanity being aware of our existence, I can't do it alone anymore."

Gabriel laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Do what alone, perhaps there is something Heaven can do for you."

She did look at her then, a pained look in her eyes, "please, Gabriel-san, I can't. You can't. This is my burden. My duty."

Duty. Fallen Angels had no duty. Or rather, it was more accurate to state that they'd discarded their duty in favor of earthly desires.

"I won't push any further," Gabriel said, letting her go. She wasn't really here to figure out what Ariel was doing, but rather to work out the strange inconsistencies between the reality she saw before her and what she had always known to be absolute. "I'm simply surprised you've managed to secret yourself into the Brave Saint system."

As far as she was aware, only the four Great Seraphs were part of it, although there were plans to expand it to the lesser Seraphs shortly.

"Ah," Ariel looked away, blushing. "Michael-sama knows more that he's allowed to share and…" she hesitated for a moment and when she continued, her voice was quieter than before. "Azazel-san can be very accommodating under certain circumstances."

"Oh my, did that pervert demand something inappropriate?" Gabriel asked softly. Inside she was ready to rip the man's head off. She already knew what Azazel would have demanded of her, which only made the situation all the stranger.

"It's nothing," Ariel said quickly. "Sayo-chan doesn't know. It's done. I just want to forget about it."

Gabriel let out a soft sigh and nodded. "Alright." She didn't fault anyone for wanting to forget that man's touch. He had his uses, but that didn't change the fact that he corrupted everything he got his hands on.

If Michael knew of it, then Gabriel wasn't going to question it any further. She trusted her brother's judgement. He'd never do anything that would bring harm to Heaven. Still, she made a mental note to make Azazel's life as miserable as possible the next time she saw him.

Beside her Ariel fidgeted nervously, casting little looks her way whenever she thought Gabriel wasn't looking. Nervous and fearful. She hadn't shown her wings since Gabriel had arrived. There was a reason for that. Were they black as night or were they pure? Was she afraid of disappointing Gabriel by displaying her status as a Fallen One or did she fear what the implications of being Pure might entail? By all accounts they should be black, but nothing that was happening here followed logic.

They'd been close during the Great War, there hadn't been many female Angels in the higher echelons of Heaven and the few had been close-knit. Even Haniel, who became Esdeath after her fall, had been part of them.

Gabriel kept silent, knowing what it was doing to her. The worries and concerns that plagued her mind. She could just be here to visit an old friend, but she knew Ariel knew better. What it was Gabriel was here for was making her very nervous.

Which meant there was a great deal she didn't want Gabriel to know about.

When the silence finally became too much to bear Ariel spoke. "Gabriel-san, h-how have you been—"

"Sayo, your charge," Gabriel said softly, bringing Ariel up short. There was a tightness in her shoulders that hadn't been there before. "She's not pure of body, is she?"

Ariel said nothing, her eyes focused straight ahead on the girl in question. Her left hand, which she probably thought was hidden, gripped her hakama tightly.

"You don't need to hide it," Gabriel said softly. "Tatsumi is her friend. The two of them were close long before you found her. But it's not him, it's the other one. Ieyasu."

"I can't." Her voice was barely more than a whisper.

"I haven't asked anything," Gabriel said lightly. "Are you really Fallen?"

"You're not allowed to know," Ariel said. "Kill me if you must. I—"

"I'm not going to kill you," Gabriel said, shaking her head softly. "Do you really think so little of me? I have no intention of harming you or Sayo." She turned to Tatsumi's friend. The pure joy on her face as she sparred with Xenovia. There was no way Gabriel would do anything to taint that. Regardless of what Sayo did in her private life that was the face of someone totally devoted to His teachings and her Duty to Heaven. If anything, Ariel had more to worry about Gabriel stealing her away then harming her. "There are simply so many confusing happenings. To learn that Father isn't dead and chose not to return to us…" she held her hand to her chest. How did she feel about that? Elated that He was still alive. Worried that He had refused to return because they'd disappointed Him in some way.

Ariel's face was full of shock and surprise, "He's alive?"

Gabriel nodded. "He's simply chosen not to return to us." She gave Ariel a gentle smile. "Like you I'm just trying to find my place with Him absent."

Ariel bit her lip and looked away. "I can't say anything," she repeated, "but…"

"But what?" Gabriel coaxed gently. It seemed dropping that nugget of knowledge had indeed jarred something loose. Anything was more than she once had.

"Why do Angels Fall?"

"Because they let impure thoughts take precedence over their Duty to Heaven and the teachings of Father," Gabriel said without hesitation. That was common knowledge. It only took a singular moment, but that alone was enough to cause an Angel to forever Fall. Or at least that was what they'd all assumed. "The moment the System detects that, we Fall."

"Yes," Ariel said softly. Her eyes hadn't left Sayo once. "The answer to your question rests with the Brave Saints. That's all I can say."

The Brave Saints? What could she possibly—

Gabriel gasped sharply as her mind turned ever so slightly and she was able to see it from a slightly different angle. Brave Saints were humans. They were part of the system, albeit indirectly. They could still fall just as easily as any Angel. They were, for all intents and purposes, an Angel. An Angel in all ways except one.

Their birth.

The humans that were made into Brave Saints were devoted followers of the faith, true. Their loyalty and dedication were without question. But could one truly state that they'd never had an impure thought? Not a one? Not even as a babe? Even as adults, were they all chaste and pure? That never at any point in their life did they doubt their duty?

And yet they were made into Angels without issue. The system did not care what you once were, only what you are now. Which meant that any Angel that Fell, could also rise again, even more so if the 'Fall' was orchestrated, intentional, in order to fulfill a greater duty placed upon them. If the system deemed that she must be one way, and He had asked her to be another. She would fall despite carrying out His Word.

A Duty to fill the gap left behind by His death.

"You're both," Gabriel said softly. Everything was clicking into place now. Her attention shifted to Sayo, Ariel's Brave Saint. "So long as she never places Ieyasu above whatever duty you've given her, and her faith in the teachings of Heaven, she will never fall. No matter how many times she's with Ieyasu."

Or how many children they had together.

That was the trick. The secret. It was so obvious. The answer had always been there, she'd always known it, so why hadn't she seen it until just now? What was different?

There was only one answer she could think of. The same reason so much had changed these past few years. The same reason that had forced her to come face to face with truths she hadn't even considered before. The same reason that had brought her to this very shrine.

Tatsumi.

It was all because of him that she had her answer. He'd forced her to change her point of view. To look at a situation from a different angle. Because of his words she had grown—

"That's not fair, Ymir," Gabriel whispered under her breath, ignoring the curious look Ariel sent her way.

Whether she wanted it or not, Tatsumi wasn't the only one that was changing. Everything around him was as well.

x~X~x

It felt like it'd been an eternity since he'd last been here despite it having only been a few months. His feet still knew where to take him. He didn't even need to think as his they carried him through Sona's home. The large estate looked exactly like it had the day he'd moved out into Night Raid's new base of operations.

He missed it.

It was certainly a better place than his current home. It didn't take ten minutes walking to get anywhere for one. Sona was a very practical woman and her home reflected her personality. Tatsumi liked that. Her room wasn't buried deep in a maze of corridors and stairways. It was a single short hallway from the main lobby from which everything of importance could be found off.

He slowed as she reached her door and knocked softly.

"You don't have to knock, Tatsumi," Sona's muffled voice floated through the door.

"Force of habit," Tatsumi apologized as he opened the door and entered the room. He took a quick glance around the room as he closed the door behind. Everything was still as he remembered. Tall wardrobes filled with clothes lined one wall while the bed dominated the other. The kotatsu she had in the middle of her room, the one Tatsumi had broken in a fit of rage, had been replaced as well.

The floor, as always, was spotless and not a thing could be found out of place.

Sona herself was sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at him. She wore her usual nightwear, a simple transparent blue chemise that did more to emphasis her curves than hide them.

"Thank you for coming, I know things must be busy over at Night Raid, what with you having gone so much these past few weeks."

Tatsumi winced. There was definitely an edge to her voice. As relieved as she'd been to learn of his return, she didn't entirely forgive him for worrying her so, even if it wasn't his fault.

"It'll take a while to catch up on everything," Tatsumi agreed, "I'm glad Ravel is here. She's been a life saver."

It wasn't much of a stretch to say that behind Tatsumi himself, Ravel was the most important individual in Night Raid. It was her handling of affairs during his absences that had kept things going straight. With her there, managing things, it allowed him to focus on completing missions without worrying about Night Raid sinking.

"You've truly had an eventful past few weeks," Sona said, patting a spot beside her on the bed. She continued as Tatsumi made his way over to her side. "I wasn't entirely joking about the leash."

"I'm not going—"

"I know," she said quickly, holding up her hand to stop him. "I'm not talking about a physical leash, really. Or anything to restrict your movements but… you're going to be targeted more in the future. It would be nice if we had some way to find you when it happens again."

"You're certain it'll happen again, aren't you?" Tatsumi said dryly as he lowered himself to the bed beside her.

"Yes," she said. "It's not a question of your ability, but rather knowing what some of my people can be like. I worry that even my own mother might try something."

That concern wasn't entirely unjustified. Her mother had tried to make a move on Tatsumi during the Elder Devil Gathering and it had only been the timely arrival of Athena that had saved him from that confusing situation. That was something Sona was better off not knowing about.

"Maybe for all of Night Raid," Tatsumi mused. "I'm not the only one that is at risk of being targeted."

Sona looked surprised for a moment before she gathered her composure once more. "I was certain you'd resist."

"I'm not wearing a real leash," Tatsumi told her flatly. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. She didn't resist, nuzzling her head into his neck. He continued in a more moderate tone. "But something isn't a bad idea. It'd have to be done properly though." It wasn't a bad idea in principle, but there needed to be ways to disable it. Anything they created to track their members could be hacked into, hijacked, or duplicated by others. There wasn't going to be a perfect solution but they could do something. "There are times when we have to go dark for our missions and anything that we used to track our members can be taken control of."

"We can think about something later," Sona said. Her arms snaked around his waist, holding him tight. "This is nice."

"It is," Tatsumi agreed as he just sat there, enjoying the moment. A sense of peace and contentment washed over him. It was refreshing, like a layer of dirt and grim being wiped away. This place, here, had been a bastion of healing for him after his parents had been killed and his home destroyed. He hadn't known Sona had been a devil at back then, but even so… if Sona hadn't been here, if this place hadn't been here. If all he'd had was Bennia and a cold, lifeless apartment, things would have turned out differently. Darker and colder. "If you'll have me, I'll be here more often."

"You're always welcome here, Tatsumi," Sona murmured warmly. "I wish you'd visit more often." There was a hint of irritation in her voice now. "I love them both but my onee-sama can be difficult to deal with at the best of times and Lilian-san eagerly goes along with whatever she says."

"I will," Tatsumi promised. His fingers trailed across the surface of her chemise. Her stomach twitched beneath his touch and he felt something off. It was so minor, so insignificant, he wouldn't have noticed if Sona hadn't twitched nervously. "Are you alright?"

"You can be inconveniently observant at the worst of times," Sona muttered under her breath. She let out a little sigh. "I was going to tell you soon… I just wanted to be sure first. The tests aren't always right."

"Tests?" Tatsumi asked, now genuinely concerned about her. Was she sick? Was it serious?

"I wanted a couple months to be certain but… there's a very good chance you're going to be a father soon."

"Oh, I see, so you're not seriously—wait what?!" She was pregnant? Sona was… he was going to be a… he couldn't believe it. He pressed a hand against his chest. A wave of warmth washed over him like he'd just been swaddled in a fresh, warm blanket. Relief seeped into every fiber of his being, relaxing parts of him that hadn't even known had ever been tense. Joy, excitement, so many emotions followed afterwards, swirling through him. This was what he had always wanted. To be a father. Was this what he missed when Taven was born? But no, this was more important. He was expecting a child soon. His lineage, his bloodline. "Are you certain?!" he whispered, his voice hoarse.

She lifted her face and kissed him lightly. "As certain as I can be, yes." A little mischievous smile briefly flittered across her lips. "You should see your face right now."

"I don't care," he whispered as he embraced her tightly. "A father. I… after so long." Taven was there, of course, but that was different. That had been the son of his from another life. A son of Tatsumi that the Tyrant had managed to implant a piece of himself into. This was a legitimate child but more importantly…

He'd be here for it. Watch his child grow up. Take their first step, say their first word, grow into their own.

"You're not just the Tyrant, Tatsumi," Sona whispered. Trust her to see straight through his words to where the feelings were coming from. "You do have a son in that other world."

"Well, yes, I suppose I do," Tatsumi agreed slowly. He gave her a warm smile. "But this is different." It felt different. He loved Mine and felt he could come to love Taven as well, but he hadn't been there for Taven. He hadn't watched him grow inside Mine, come into the world, take his first steps, speak his first words, swing his first sword. He was just handed a full grown child and told, 'he's yours.' While he cared about Taven, and was confident that in time he would come to love him fully, this was different. It felt different. "It's our child."

"I like the way you say that," Sona said softly. The edges of her lips quirked upwards. "Bennia may have been your first love here, but I'm having your first child." Tatsumi did a double-take when a mischievous look came upon her face. "How do you think she'll take it?"

Tatsumi started sweating bullets. "She's probably not going to accept any of my excuses any more. I think she'll only be a few months behind you."

"Only if we tell her," Sona said.

That was true. Bennia didn't know yet and he didn't need to tell her. She'd chew his ear off if he kept this from her, but then she'd probably chew his ear off regardless. "I guess she'll find out with everyone else."

"My victory," Sona said, sounding strangely competitive.

He eyed her strangely. "Did I rub off on you or something?"

"I'm not a simple, one-dimensional person, Tatsumi," Sona said dryly. "I'm just as competitive as any other woman, I just don't see the need to flaunt it like the others."

"Ah," Tatsumi decided to let that go. He really didn't want to ruin the mood. His gaze shifted to the bed. "Do you want to get more comfortable?"

A soft smile came to her lips. "That sounds nice, but first…" the smile changed to a frown. "The reason I asked you over."

"I'd rather just enjoy this," Tatsumi said.

Sona let out a small chuckle. "I do too," she agreed, still chuckling, "and we will, afterwards, but first I need to speak of my next Rating Game."

"Oh, it's been decided already?" Tatsumi asked. The last one had been rather exciting to watch.

"Yes," Sona said, "First the results of the other games. Diodora Astaroth surprisingly defeated Seekvaira Agares while Sairaorg Bael didn't so much win, as completely crushed, Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas."

"Not particularly sad to see that guy get crushed," Tatsumi said, remembering the comments the devil had casually tossed about during the Young Devil Gathering.

"Neither am I," Sona agreed, "however when I say crushed, I mean crushed. That vulgar fool is no longer fit to lead a peerage, mentally or physically." So much for the precious treasures of the future. Oh well, that was one piece of fool's gold that Tatsumi wouldn't cry over being broken. "Not a particularly large loss in my view but it did create a somewhat problematic issue in determining who would fight next. Sairaorg is, undoubtedly, the strongest King amongst the six of us and while he was going to get a pass to fight the victor between the Rating Game of the other two winners, Diodora Astaroth has specifically requested to fight Rias."

"That doesn't sound good," Tatsumi mused. Did Diodora Astaroth think Rias would be an easy victory to follow on the back of his previous? Or was there some other reason he wanted to fight her? He knew nothing about the guy so it was impossible to tell.

Sona didn't seem nearly as concerned as he did. "I'm confident Rias will emerge victorious," she said. She had complete faith in her friend. Tatsumi didn't have nearly as much faith in her, but at least Koneko was there, and Issei. Those two could probably pull her through to victory somehow. "The issue is that no one wishes to see me fight Seekvaira Agares. Everyone just assumes I would win."

"You would though." Especially with Hikaru and Tsubaki's terrifying sacred gear.

"Perhaps, but therein lies the problem, there's only one other peerage to face."

"Oh," Tatsumi could see where this was going now. Sairaorg Bael. He was supposedly the strongest devil of their generation, but that had been mentioned before anyone realized Hikaru was part of Sona's peerage or Tsubaki became so dangerous. "You have Hikaru and Tsubaki…" he trailed off as Sona raised her head and shook it from side to side.

"Combine your strength, determination and hard work with Issei's ability to overcome any obstacle through sheer guts alone, and you have Sairaorg."

"That's not good." It didn't paint a particularly advantageous situation for Sona, but why was she telling him all this? Unless she wanted to hire Night Raid's services again. "Do you want Night Raid to eliminate his peerage before the game?" he asked, presenting the same offer as before.

It was more of a joke really, he knew she didn't like to win her battles that way and Tatsumi had little reason to single him out.

Sona gave him a deadpanned look before shaking her head. "No, not that, but I will need Night Raid's assistance."

"You'll have to pay," Tatsumi told her. "I love you, but I can't let Night Raid's operations be swayed by personal feelings."

"You'll be paid," Sona promised. "Especially since I need you to do something extra dangerous."

"And that is?"

"Alter the rules of the game."

That wasn't going to be easy. He wasn't even certain that was possible. It would require that a set of documents, either digital or physical, would be kept somewhere to server as the master copy to be handed out to the competitors and the moderator.

"They're going to restrict Hikaru again, aren't they?"

"Yes, they will," Sona said. "They want to see my dream crushed and while many hate Sairaorg, they respect his strength. They'll go back to plotting against him after he's crushed me in the Rating Game."

"We'll do what we can," Tatsumi promised, "but in the morning. We can go over the details then."

"Thank you," Sona said softly as she trailed her fingertips across his cheek. Her body heat up as a hungry desire began to smolder within the depths of her lavender eyes. "Now… you mentioned earlier getting comfortable?"

"I believe I did," Tatsumi said as he leaned in to kiss her.

Her arms came up around his neck and the two spent the rest of the night in each other's arms.

x~X~x

The smell of cooking wafted through the room as Tatsumi worked busily within the familiar kitchen. Everything was exactly where he remembered it being from before. That was one thing Tatsumi liked about Sona. She was meticulous and orderly. It didn't matter how much time passed between visits, the place would never be unfamiliar as everything would be exactly where they'd been before.

She might update, but never move. The old toaster was gone, replaced with a shiny new one, but it was in the same place as the old.

Numerous slabs of thick, Canadian bacon sizzled on a black frying pan in its own fatty grease, momentarily left on its own as Tatsumi flipped the eggs on the other frying pans. He reached over and hit the lever on the toaster, sending four slices of white bread into a crispy death.

He wasn't alone. A curious onlooker had appeared early in the preparations. At first she'd stayed out of sight, sending only cautious looks around the corner every so often. But as the wonderful scent of breakfast filled the air caution was overruled by a hungry stomach that gurgled loudly every time he flipped the eggs.

Tatsumi quickly made his way over to the fridge and grabbed a block of butter. The toaster dinged just as he made it back, sending four slices of perfectly toasted bread shooting into the air. Without even looking he snagged a plate off the island behind him and caught all four slices before laying them beside the butter.

Beside him Lilian's eyes sparkled excitedly. Tatsumi just smiled as continued to do his best to put on a show for the little girl. Eggs did acrobatic flips in the air. Bacon strips all but danced across the surface of the pan. A butter knife, heated to the extreme by a quick spit of flame, sparkled with melted butter as Tatsumi made even the simple task of buttering toast seem magical. Through it all, Lilian watched with fascination.

Sometimes it was the little things that were the most exciting.

Putting the last finishing touches on breakfast, Tatsumi grabbed a plate and laid out three strips of bacon beside two sunny-side up eggs cooked to perfection and a couple pieces of buttered toast.

"Careful, it's hot," Tatsumi said, smiling softly as he held the plate out to Lilian.

"I know," she said quietly as she took the plate from him with an excited and hungry look on her face. "Thank you!"

"No problem," Tatsumi said, still smiling as the little girl rushed over to the table, eager to start eating.

He noticed a minor issue right away.

Tatsumi quickly grabbed a knife and fork from the drawer next to the sink and spun them through the air. They hit the table and skidded across it to position themselves perfectly in front of the little girl who was just now sitting down. She looked startled at first, then thankful. He grabbed a glass and went over to the fridge. He grabbed a carton of orange juice from the fridge and poured the girl a glass of juice before he headed back to the stove.

"Ooo! If you're that good with little Lily-tan, I can't wait to see how you are with Sona-chan's children!"

"It's only natural to protect the future." Tatsumi said. "Sona's child, our child, I will protect no matter the cost." Taven was the son of the Tatsumi that died, this was the child of the Tatsumi that lived. It was a minor difference, but an important one.

That was one thing that race didn't differentiate between. Children were precious to everyone. He'd burn this world a thousand times over if that was what was required to protect his child.

He doubted it'd ever come to that though so it wasn't a thought he had to entertain seriously.

He threw a glance towards the voice. Serafall stood in the large archway between the kitchen and the dining room. He quickly averted his eyes, flushing a little as he did so. Serafall wasn't wearing much. Just a soft blue towel loosely draped across her shoulders that did nothing to conceal her naked form.

"Just finish with your bath?" Tatsumi asked, coughing lightly as he returned his focus to breakfast. He still had two more meals to make, one for him and one for Sona. The second meal here was for Serafall.

"I did!" Serafall said cheerfully. She bounced across the kitchen and stopped at his side, leaning forward to get a closer look. "Does it taste as good as it smells?"

"See for yourself," Tatsumi said as he finished artfully positioning the bacon, egg and toast together. "This is yours. It's not much, but I wasn't sure what I was allowed to use."

The soft blue towel dipped dangerously close to the element as she reached out for the plate. He reacted on instinct more than anything else as he grabbed it and pulled it off her shoulders, folding it in four before setting it on the counter beside him.

Serafall gasped theatrically and quickly covered her bare chest. "Oh no! What is this onee-sama to do! Tatsumi-chan has fallen for her magical charms! But I dare not return them! My So-tan would be so devastated if I stole her Tatsumi-chan away! What is this onee-sama to do?!" Serafall wailed helplessly to the ceiling.

"What!? No! The towel was about to burn and you're the one that walked in here naked!" Tatsumi protested quickly. That was when he noticed the mischievous look in her eyes. "You did that on purpose."

"Maybe," Serafall said, sending a sparkle flying his way with a wink, "and I don't think my So-tan would mind so much if I joined in."

Tatsumi groaned. "Please don't turn into another Bennia, I can't deal with two of you." He deliberately ignored that other comment she'd made. He was not adding to his harem. No matter how beautiful Serafall was or how much he wanted to…

He shook his head violently, banishing those thoughts along with the image of a naked Serafall laying beneath him upon a bed.

"She knows how to have fun," Serafall said, grinning widely. "But don't worry Tatsumi-chan! I'll always be your lovable magical girl Levia-tan!" She left him with those words and a sly wink before she made her way over to Lilian's side.

Tatsumi just sighed and quickly grabbed a second pair of utensils. They went spinning across the table top like the first pair, stopping just before Serafall.

He accepted Serafall's cry of thanks with a nod and went back to preparing breakfast for Sona and himself. It was almost six thirty, Sona would be waking soon, if her sister's loud, energetic voice hadn't already woken her. He grabbed some fresh strips of bacon and slapped them into the frying pan. Eggs followed into the two pans and more toast into the toaster.

The good thing about this meal is that it didn't take long to make. It didn't take long for it to draw Sona to the kitchen either. It was only a couple minutes later that a refreshed looking Sona walked in, wearing her usual Kuoh Academy uniform.

"Onee-sama, why aren't you dress?" Serafall asked curtly, her ire being drawn that way almost immediately.

"I was going to, but then I smelt Tatsumi-chan's wonderful cooking and my feet just took me here instead of there!"

Sona let out a sigh identical to his earlier one. "She didn't harass you too much, did she?" Sona asked him as she made her way over to his side.

"No more than usual," Tatsumi assured her.

"A simpler breakfast than usual," Sona commented as she looked over what he was making.

"I wasn't sure what I could use and what you had saved for future meals," Tatsumi answered honestly. "I could do something more if you wish."

"Mmm, this is fine," Sona said softly. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and a smile. "It's nice to have breakfast cooked for you instead of having to cook it for everyone else."

"Koneko is going to be so confused when she shows up at my place and—"

"… breakfast, nyan!" Koneko said, suddenly bursting out from the cupboards below the sink.

"HOW?!"

"Smelled it, nyan!"

The back door suddenly burst open and Ravel marched inside. "Don't you dare think you can sneak around behind my back and steal my Tatsumi-kun away!"

Tatsumi just gaped uncomprehendingly at the two girls. What in the ever living hell was going on? He'd only told Akame and Najenda where he'd be. He'd kept it from Bennia because he knew she'd try to follow. Yet this had Bennia's mark all over it. He just knew somehow, in some way, Bennia was responsible for these two being here.

As if to emphasis his feeling he thought for a brief moment he heard Bennia's familiar playful giggle coming from some place far away.

Sona just pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed at the two new arrivals. "Don't try to understand, Tatsumi. This may be one of those things you wouldn't be able to comprehend it even if it was explained. Just make a couple more servings."

That was probably for the best. His mind was making things up trying to come to some sort of conclusion.

"You two will have to wait," Tatsumi said, to the two of them. He'd cook for them, but they weren't butting in line. "I wasn't planning on there being six people."

"…I will wait, nyan," Koneko said cheerfully.

"Don't you dare get in his way," Ravel told her.

"…Same goes for you!"

Tatsumi sighed as he reached for more eggs. "Sona…"

"I'll get another package of bacon," she said, noting as he had that there wouldn't be enough bacon in the current package for everyone. "And another loaf of bread."

"Thanks."

~o~

Sona's office was everything Tatsumi thought it would be. Rich, detailed and functional. Everything here was of the highest quality, but there wasn't more than was necessary.

A large, U-shaped desk dominated the far corner of the room. It was a large behemoth of solid hardwood that would be too heavy and unwieldy for humans to carry. The desk was pushed up against two walls. The front of the desk ran along beneath a window while the left arm was adorned with shelving units for documents associated with the administration of Kuoh Academy, management of her peerage, and other important documents. On the right arm of the desk was Sona's computer, the monitor positioned so that it could only be viewed by whoever was sitting at the desk. Along the outside of the right arm of the desk were a pair of comfortable, cushioned chairs.

There was a massive pin board on the wall next to the desk. On it were all battle strategies that Sona had worked out with Najenda for her first Rating Game against Rias Gremory. Closer to the door was a large circular table with ten chairs neatly tucked around it.

Tatsumi could almost envision Sona standing next to the pin board with her peerage arranged around that table as she went over battle strategies with them. This room would probably see use again very soon with the upcoming Rating Game.

"Please, have a seat," Sona said, gesturing to the pair of cushioned chairs next to her desk. "I'd offer the more comfortable accommodations, but this is the only room in the house I can be certain no one can overhear us."

"I'll guarantee it!" Serafall said from where she leaned against the wall next to the door. Demonic energy suddenly flared around Serafall as she proceeded to ward the room even further against intrusion, placing several more protective layers atop the ones that were already on it. "I won't let those stupid Elders get away with anything else!"

Tatsumi was getting a whiff of politics here. That wasn't good. At least Serafall was dressed.

"Thanks," Tatsumi said as he guided Ravel around the table to the two seats. After he'd gotten over the surprise visit, Tatsumi realized it'd actually been a boon that Ravel was here. As the manager of Night Raid, she should be present at these sorts of meetings.

As Sona took a seat behind the desk she turned to Ravel. "Do you need anything else, Ravel-san?" she asked the young girl.

"No, I have everything I need, Sona-sama" she answered politely as she took the left chair and set the tablet down in her lap.

It was an expensive piece of technology. The Underworld Tablet 4 it was called. The devils had seen what the humans had been creating and had improved upon it and come out with their own version. This one could do everything the best human tablets could do, and more, being further boosted by magical spells. It had perfect facial and speech recognition. It would record every word spoke at this meeting, interpret them correctly, and create a legal document complete with signatures upon completion.

All it required from Ravel was judgement. Which phrases to keep, which to remove, and which to edit. The tablet would create the legal document, she would make it neat and concise.

Tatsumi took the chair next to her. "So, about your request to Night Raid."

"Yes, about that," Sona said as she started typing on the computer in front of her, "as I mentioned last night, we're going to need aid if we wish to beat Sairaorg Bael."

"I never took you for someone to ask for help from others to win your battles," Tatsumi felt the need to point out.

"I don't, but this game has become bigger than just me and Sairaorg," Sona said. A small frown came to her lips as she adjusted her glasses her on her nose. "The Elders are doing everything in their power to ensure I have a swift and humiliating defeat. They're tainting the game with their touch. I just need Night Raid to equalize things. I'll take it from there."

That was about what Tatsumi had expected.

Another trait Tatsumi like about Sona was being put on display right then. She knew her limits and the limits of those around her. Rias would just try to bulldoze through Sairaorg without any real plans beyond 'train to your limits!' and an overreliance on the power of 'guts.' Sona didn't let pride blind her. Her dream was more important than that.

Tatsumi respected that. He was the same.

Yet he knew this wasn't going to bode well for Sona. The more he heard, the less he liked.

"From what you're saying you'll require more than just training assistance," Tatsumi asked for further clarification.

Sona nodded, "yes, although I will request some of that. I would like to hire Akame-san to train Meguri-san once more and I would definitely like a week or so to strategize with Najenda-sama. Her ideas were invaluable against Rias. I wouldn't have thought to do a long-range bombardment style attack right at the outset on my own."

Sama was it? Well, Tatsumi did suppose that Najenda was both older and her superior when it came to leading people. "Ravel, is there anything pressing that we need the two of them for?" he asked the young girl at his side.

Ravel quickly paused the program on the tablet and swapped over to a calendar. Her eyes danced across it for a brief moment. "Not that I can see, Tatsumi-sama. At least not until later this month." Her eyes came up. "When were you thinking of hiring?"

"Tomorrow, if I can," Sona said. "The game is in two weeks, the same day Rias is set to battle Diodora Astaroth."

"Then I don't see any problem with that," Tatsumi said.

"Yes, the rest may also participate to a lesser extent," Sona added. "I was very impressed at how much Night Raid managed to improve Meguri's, Tsubaki's, and Momo's stamina last time. They wouldn't speak of what happened, but whatever method you used far exceeded what I put the others through."

Tatsumi started to sweat nervously remembering what he'd been told. Next to him Ravel shifted uncomfortably as well. From all accounts those three had been put through a literal nightmare course.

"They… may not thank you," Tatsumi said cautiously.

"Their thanks are irrelevant at this point in time," Sona said in a no-nonsense tone of voice. "I must emerge victorious over Sairaorg Bael in this Rating Game. I won't let my dream die here."

"It won't," Serafall promised. "I'll have Rita-chan and Sonya-chan train Mo-tan and Kusaka-chan. Make proper Bishops out of them." Her eyes darted to Ravel. "No offense Ravel-chan, but your methods were too soft. It was enough against someone as easy as Ria-tan and her peerage, but it won't amount to much against Sairaorg Bael."

"Ah, no, it's alright," Ravel said quickly.

What was going on here?

"Onee-sama! What are you saying? I know the Elders are getting involved but—"

"I don't care," Serafall growled angrily. Tendrils of demonic energy began to swirl around her. "You weren't supposed to fight Sairaorg Bael. They went around behind Our backs to adjust the Rating Game schedule. Well, I'm going around their backs and if they want to complain..."

Her eyes glowed dangerously as an enormous amount of demonic power surged within her. There was no doubt that Serafall would go to war if they so much as even thought about raising a complaint.

"I guess it's too late to change it back?" Tatsumi asked cautiously.

Sona shook her head, "I wouldn't even if we could. It would be taken as a sign of weakness, of cowardice. It'd be even worse than losing. Even if I lost if I put up a good enough fight it would be enough in the eyes of many."

That would put a serious damper on any chance of achieving her dream. Tatsumi knew enough about devils that none of them would follow a coward. This put a new perspective on everything that was going on.

Tatsumi glanced at the three of them, his question in his eyes.

"Ah, well," Ravel decided to speak up when no one else would. "Sairaorg Bael is considered the strongest of the young devils, and by a lot. No one expects him to lose. The bets are on how long Sona will last, not if she will win or lose."

"Just how much politicking is going on behind the scenes here?" Tatsumi asked no one in particular.

"More than any one person can keep track of," Sona assured him. "So we're not going to concern ourselves with what everyone else is doing. We're going to focus on what we can influence."

"Your own peerage and the rules that affect them," Tatsumi said, bringing the conversation back around to what she'd mention the night before.

"The rules have already been written up," Serafall said, her mouth twisted angrily ass she all but spat out those words. "They're going to restrict Hikaru-chan again. They didn't even bother to put in a reason this time. It's so blatantly obvious what they're doing, but there are so few that care…" she let out an angry growl. "'A foolish little child sleeping with an arrogant human that wishes to overturn society to satisfy her childish whims!'" Serafall mocked, doing her best impression of what Tatsumi had to assume was one of the Elders.

Politics, politics, politics. That's all this was. Devil politics. That caused a major issue.

"This brings up a problem though," Tatsumi said carefully. He didn't want to upset an already visibly upset Serafall.

"Which is?" Sona asked. "I'll do what I can to address any issue you might have."

Tatsumi sighed and placed a hand over the tablet, signalling the cancellation of the deal. "This isn't something Night Raid can help with."

Serafall took a step forward, concern clearly written across her face. "I can get you into the administrative—"

"It's not that," Tatsumi said. "It's the very principle the request is built upon." He let out a resigned sigh. Last night he'd let emotions do the thinking. Excitement over having a child had made him want to do anything to help Sona. But now that morning had come and he'd had time to think about it… "Night Raid doesn't get involved in internal politics. Just like I refused to place Night Raid under the control of the Prime Minister where we'd be wrapped up in international politics, I have to refuse this. I can't get involved in internal devil politics."

"But—!"

"It would ruin Night Raid's impartiality."

That brought Serafall up short. Across the desk Sona bowed her head, her eyes closed. She too, knew where this was going. Neither of them could fault him or his next words.

"We're the neutral party that stands between all species, keeping the peace and maintaining good relations. Everyone can trust us because we're neutral. If we show demonstrable preferential treatment for this or that political faction, then that neutrality can be called into question."

"And then your actions themselves, which once were protected no longer would be. The Elders could use that as a reason to Undermine the Satan's authority," Serafall's voice was barely more than a whisper. For as childish as she usually acted, there was a sharp mind behind all that. One didn't live for thousands of years, with much of that being at the top, without picking up a few things.

It went beyond that. No one could trust them. Not just the devils. Tatsumi couldn't let his personal feelings for Sona bleed into Night Raid's operations.

"Training her members of her peerage is one thing. That we can still do." People of all sorts of backgrounds were brought in to help training the peerages. It was even expected. No one faulted Night Raid for doing it earlier against Rias, so no one can fault him now. A precedence of acceptance had already been set. "But we can't do anything more than that. Night Raid can't directly influence this Rating Game."

It hurt to reject Sona like that. Personally, he really wanted to help her out. Not just because he liked Sona, but because he wanted to stick it to all those Elders as well. But again, those personal feelings were even more reason why Night Raid couldn't.

There was a slightly pained expression on Sona's face when she lifted her head. "I understand, Tatsumi. I won't ask again. It was selfish of me to think I could use Night Raid as a tool to further my own political ambitions."

"I do want to help," Tatsumi said gently, "for you, and to stick it to those arrogant pieces of shit. Night Raid just can't though."

"I understand," Sona said, letting out a soft sigh. That was not the answer she was hoping for, but she understood. "At least I can get some training out of it. That's something at least."

"We can do that," Tatsumi said, leaning back in his chair. "Ravel, can you work out the details with Sona?"

"Yes Tatsumi-sama," Ravel said respectfully.

Ravel and Sona quickly got down to working out the details. How many hours each day, which days of the week, for how long, the members that would be trained and by whom and in what way, and so on and so forth.

As the two hashed out the details Tatsumi stood and made his way over to Serafall. She watched him approach, crestfallen, but with a little glimmer of curiosity as well. This was another side of her Tatsumi wasn't used to. She was always so sure of herself, so full of energy. It made Tatsumi realize there was a real person, a real woman, behind that façade she often wore.

"Sorry that Night Raid can't help," Tatsumi whispered quietly so that only Serafall could hear.

"It's not your fault," Serafall whispered back. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before they shifted back to her sister. "This is just one Rating Game. So-tan isn't even expected to win. I just wanted to…" her hands clenched tightly into fists. "I hate my people sometimes."

"I think it's more accurate to say that you hate certain members of your race," Tatsumi corrected her.

She looked startled for a moment before she let out a small little laugh, causing the discussion across the room to pause for a moment as the two girls glanced curiously their way. "You're right. I love my people, I just hate those old fools that think their way is the only way."

"Humans aren't much different in that regard," Tatsumi said. "Politicians are scummy people, but most regular people are genuinely nice individuals. Rare is the individual that doesn't become corrupted by power."

"Yes," Serafall agreed. Her eyes suddenly grew unnaturally sharp. "But all that isn't why you're whispering."

A brief smile flickered across his lips. "No, it's not. Night Raid, can't help you," Tatsumi said, "but Nakimori Tatsumi, the simple human? Well, I've heard he's a lustful man driven to make decisions based on his lower half. I'm certain that there's some way you and Sona can convince such a sexual deviant to help you."

"Simple, right, well, I suppose a few of those Elders did call you that," Serafall said, a soft little smile coming to life across her lips, "and did I hear that correctly, Tatsumi-chan?"

"Hear what?" That look in her eyes suddenly made him very nervous.

"You said So-tan and 'I,' could convince you. Has Tatsumi-chan fallen for the onee-sama as well?"

He flushed heavily as an image of a naked Serafall spread out beneath him on a bed flashed across his mind again. "A-Ah, that's not what I meant," Tatsumi protested hastily.

Serafall just laughed. "I know, but a magical girl can dream, right?"

A laughing Serafall walked away, leaving a blushing Tatsumi facing an empty wall, desperately trying to find some deeper meaning to her words so that they didn't sound so much like an open invitation.

Note on an Angel's Fall: I tried to incorporate as much actual lore from DxD as I could while putting my own spin on it. There are some things in that universe about an Angel's fall that just don't match up, such as there being a special 'room' that allows impure thoughts and actions, and yet a Fallen Angel doesn't have the option to become an 'Angel' again if they repent their ways and purify themselves. It makes me think it's not the 'impure thought' itself that is the issue, but the emphasis placed upon it by the individual. There's something more there that's not being explained so I'm creating my own interpretation that incorporates as much from the Universe as possible.

Final Note on Tatsumi's Harem: Koneko and Ravel are two individuals I've wrestled with from the start of my story. Not only are they young, there's a real, significant age gap between the two of them and Tatsumi. Did you know I've written three different sexual encounters with Ravel to date? I've deleted them all because they always felt off. There will be something, but I have to cook things to make it palatable for myself to swallow.

For Koneko it's a different story. Unlike Ravel who looks mature for her age and act mature when the situation calls for it, Koneko acts and looks the age she is. I can't even bring myself to write one for her or hell, even think one up. I don't know how to handle her without feeling like a disgusting pervert. As a result, there isn't going to be one for her in this story, not even a hint of one. There needs to be like a 3-4 year time skip before I can even consider doing it.

Author's Note: Anyways, leave a review and let me know what you think! We're about to see some real stealth action soon!