Chapter XVI

Yep, it is time for the next chapter of Chaos Pawn of the Gremory. Hopefully the wait was not too excruciating for everyone. Sad to say there likely will not be an A/N Invasion by any characters after chapter fifteen, since it was seeker who did the best at coming up with those. If you can all accept that little failing, we will get on with the reviewer responses. I would like to thank my coauthor Bakuto Masaki before getting there though. Now, let us go.

ultima-owner: Glad you liked it.

correnhimself316: Cool. Easy to follow was not exactly at the forefront of my thoughts but I am glad it came out that way regardless. I am, it is a nice trope after all. You say that as though there is any doubt that she will. Yeah, he did not stand much of a chance against Super Kabutard (my new favorite nickname for him by the way), which will become more evident as more about his current state of being is revealed. Hmm...let me see. Right now he is not really even at Super Devil levels, far from it in fact. If he does, as you mentioned, Boost to the highest point he has so far in the series with Mangekyo and Susano'o at full power, he could possibly reach lower Super Devil levels, but even then he would be hard pressed to beat someone like Sirzechs. Loved your detailed review by the way.

Chayner: Yep. No, his powers were not really downplayed, he was merely playing around with everyone. He did not consider them enough of a threat to put in any real effort into his attacks. But yes, you got pretty close to the point with him holding back just to pour salt into the wound of Kazuma's weakness. He is a cockroach, isn't he? Not any major reason why, I cannot really think of anyone I would have chosen instead. There are a few other characters that would have a closer relationship to Erza than Byakuya or Renji, but I do not want them showing up just yet, I want to keep them a surprise. As usual, thoroughly enjoy your reviews, especially with how much detail you put into them.

conan . lagace: Thanks. Also, sorry for having to space your name out like that but FF's nuclear approach to spam deleted your name if I did not do that.

Well, that should just about do it for this reviewer response. Shall we move on to the actual story?

Kazuma stood in the dimly lit streets of Shinto Teito, wielding Clarent against Byakuya Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper sent to retrieve Erza.

Behind him, Kuroka stood between the two of them and Uryu and Erza, the two of whom managed to defeat Renji Abarai, the other Soul Reaper sent to retrieve Erza.

Erza's eyes widened as Kazuma prepared to fight Byakuya. "Kazuma, stop this, you cannot beat him in your state!"

Kazuma narrowed his eyes as Boosted Gear once again increased his power. He activated his Mangekyo as the aura for his Susano'o formed around him before the right half of the ribcage formed. "Stay out of this Erza. I'll handle this bastard. Kuroka, get Uryu and Erza out of here."

"What?! No way! You can't just kick me out of-!" Uryu argued as Kuroka knocked him out with an elbow to the back of the neck.

"Oh just shut up, nya," she growled before throwing him over her shoulder. "You should come too, nya."

Erza tightened her fists in protest. "No, I will not leave here."

Kuroka sighed in annoyance and turned to Kazuma. "The glasses kid was easy, Kazu-nya. I don't think I'll be getting her to go, nya."

Kazuma sighed in annoyance. "So be it. Just get Uryu out of here. I'll handle the rest."

Kuroka nodded in understanding before leaping away.

Kazuma nodded in appreciation before turning back to Byakuya. "Alright, now, it's time to put an end to this."

Byakuya silently narrowed his eyes.

Kazuma dashed forward and vanished in a burst of speed.

Byakuya vanished in an instant as well.

The ground that was between them suddenly exploded as their blades collided in the middle.

Kazuma snarled as Byakuya pushed against him. 'This guy's no pushover.' As his gauntlets Boosted once more he gained enough extra strength to push Byakuya back. He then swung Clarent forward, shouting, "Demon Fang!" as he did, sending a stream of blue energy surging towards the black-haired Soul Reaper.

Byakuya raised his arm, his Zanpakuto aiming at the ground. In one swift, almost invisible, motion he swept his blade in front of his body, dispersing Kazuma's attack.

"Tch," Kazuma hissed before charging forward, vanishing.

Byakuya glanced around before vanishing as Kazuma reappeared, slamming his sword into the spot Byakuya had been standing.

'Damn…even at a Five Times Boost my speed is lower than this guy.' He then surged energy from his foot as he shot forward.

Byakuya raised his blade to defend but raised his eyebrows as Kazuma passed through him. Byakuya's eyes widened as he felt a sharp pain down his back.

After passing through Byakuya, Kazuma swung down, slashing down the Soul Reaper's back.

Byakuya turned back to Kazuma surprised and angered. He calmed as his eyes narrowed. "It seems I can't hold back on you."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow but had no time to react as Byakuya rushed up to him faster than he could react, though he could see it perfectly as Byakuya ran Kazuma through with his Zanpakuto. Kazuma's eyes widened as a powerful, burning pain surged through his body.

Byakuya then remarked, "To devils, Zanpakutos are the same as Holy Swords."

Kazuma trembled momentarily before coughing up blood that splashed on the ground in front of him.

Byakuya pulled his blade from Kazuma's abdomen as the latter stumbled forward before falling to his knees and then onto his face.

"Damn…it…" Kazuma cursed as he felt his body stiffen from the pain. 'I forgot how it feels to be burned by holy weapons from the inside…'

Byakuya raised his sword up above Kazuma's torso and prepared to pierce his heart.

However, Erza ran up to Byakuya swiftly. "Stop!"

Byakuya glanced at her disinterestedly.

Erza clenched her fists tightly as she trembled. "Please…leave him be…I will go with you…"

Byakuya stared at her silently for several moments, examining her expression. He then lowered his blade. "Grab Renji."

Erza nodded weakly, turning to Kazuma. "Please, do not continue this. Spend your last moments and live."

Kazuma attempted to reach out to her but the searing pain from Byakuya's Zanpakuto made movement impossible. 'Dammit…Erza…stop, dammit!'

Ddraig emitted only an angry growl.

Erza hoisted Renji on her shoulders as Byakuya extended his sword forward and twisted it like a key, causing a door to appear in the air and open, allowing the three to enter it and vanish.

Kazuma remained conscious for only a few more moments before passing out.

Kazuma slowly woke up as he felt his senses reactivate. Though he noticed the lack of intense pain coursing through his body.

As he opened his eyes he looked around and noticed the odd, old-style wood paneling above him. 'This…isn't my apartment…' He soon realized he was lying on a futon on the floor of the room he was in. He then noticed one other oddity, he didn't have any clothes on. 'Well…that's weird…' However, when he turned to the side he saw a strange red tuft sticking out from the under the blanket. Kazuma narrowed his eyes as he lifted the blanket before raising an eyebrow. "Now this…is strange…" He looked over the nude body of the redhead, twitching an eyebrow as he watched her large bust move as she breathed softly in her sleep. "Did we…have sex last night? If we did, I forgot. And that's a damning thought, I always make it a point to remember every time so I can improve."

After a moment the busty redhead trembled a moment before slowly opening her eyes. She then slowly sat up and looked at Kazuma. "Ah, you're awake," she said calmly.

Kazuma looked at her curiously and then folded his arms.

"If you're worried, we didn't do anything last night."

Kazuma nodded in understanding. "Good, I'd want to remember it if we did."

Rias tilted her head in confusion as Kazuma stood up. Her cheeks momentarily turned the same color as her hair before Kazuma used Requip to adorn his usual clothing.

Kazuma then looked around curiously. "Any idea where we are?"

"You're in the back of my shop," a new voice added as the sliding door at the edge of the room opened.

Kazuma turned suddenly as Kisuke Urahara walked into the room. "You, I remember you. You were there when Kon went crazy."

Kisuke raised two fingers in a peace sign. "Bingo."

"Alright, then explain to me why I'm here."

"Well, I brought you here after Byakuya beat you. Of course, then Miss Rias here offered to heal you. Based on your appearance at this moment it seems to have worked."

Kazuma shrugged in response. "Guess so." He then turned to Rias with a slight frown. "You know, you could at least cover yourself in front of Hat-n-Clogs."

Rias tilted her head in confusion but shrugged, lazily pulling the blanket over her legs.

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow.

Kisuke then turned to Kazuma again. "I saw how badly you got defeated by him."

Kazuma huffed in annoyance. "When you put it like that you make it sound like he wiped the floor with me."

Kisuke chuckled in amusement. "But he did."

Kazuma knocked Kisuke on the head, slamming him into the floor, before walking out. "I'm heading out."

"Oh, and where do you plan on going?" Kisuke asked as he stood up.

"If you're as smart as you put yourself off to be, you can take a guess."

Adjusting his hat, Kisuke asked, "And just how do you plan on getting to the Soul Society, hm? Last I checked, you don't have a Shikai needed to open the door, nor do I think the Asgardians would let you use the Bifrost."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow at the term Shikai but then rebutted, "Yeah, but if I go around punching holes in space-time I should open one to that den of Reapers eventually."

"Or you could suck the entire planet into a black hole."

Kazuma huffed in annoyance as he left.

"He's not very sociable, is he? He didn't even let me finish explaining how to get Shikai." Kisuke then turned to Rias. "I think I'll leave you to get dressed."

Rias nodded as Kisuke left the room.

Kazuma walked out towards the exit to Kisuke's shop when he heard Rias call his name. He turned around as she walked up to him. "Need something?"

Rias nodded in agreement. "Yes, if you don't mind, I think it would be good for us to walk to school together, don't you?"

Kazuma looked at her suspiciously. "Whatever you say."

As the two approached the school building, Kazuma said to Rias, "Why don't you go on ahead?"

Rias smirked playfully. "Why? Don't want to be seen with me?"

"No, I don't. Believe it or not I am trying to keep up an image here. Though after the past month or so that image is getting harder and harder to maintain."

"I think you should just give up on that. Not sure if you noticed, but the school is beginning to have quite the chatter about you."

Kazuma sighed in frustration. "Oh believe me, I've noticed. It's getting harder and harder to stop that from happening."

"Perhaps you should just embrace your newfound public persona."

"That's just too much work. I'm not interested in working hard enough to present the image they're making of me."

Rias sweat-dropped in response. "And yet…you're working this hard to maintain this image?"

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow and then lightly rapped her on the head. "Quit poking holes in my plan."

"Oww…" Rias moaned as she rubbed the top of her head.

Kazuma sighed as they approached the front gate. As expected, the students began gossiping and whispering as they walked towards the front entrance.

"Wow, is that Soryu walking with Rias?"

"Damn that bastard…"

Kazuma put a hand over his face in frustration. "I told you this would happen," he muttered quietly.

"It's always good to get out of your comfort zone."

Kazuma just frowned at her disinterestedly.

As Kazuma arrived inside the school building he was swiftly pulled aside.

He was about to snarl at the person who grabbed him, but saw that it was Aika.

"Aika!" he said quietly. "Where have you been?"

Aika frowned as she looked away. "I…couldn't really come around after what happened the other day."

Kazuma sighed in exasperation. "And why is that exactly?"

"Because…I attacked you."

Kazuma sighed once again before smiling and lightly flicking her in the forehead.

"Ow!" she cringed.

"You moron. You didn't attack me of your own free will. That snake bastard was controlling you." Kazuma then put a hand on her head and lightly patted her. "So you don't need to be so worried about that." He then chuckled lightly. "Besides, this whole wishy washy thing doesn't suit you. I like the rampantly perverted Aika better."

The bespectacled brunette turned slightly red before nodding slightly in understanding. "Okay." She then smirked slyly. "You know…you should show this side of you more often."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow in confusion as she walked past him. He then sighed again. 'My façade is dead, isn't it?'

'Yeah, pretty much,' Ddraig remarked.

As Kazuma made his way into his classroom he noticed Matsuda and Motohama standing close together at Matsuda's desk. Curious, he got up and walked over to them.

"Hey, what's going on over here?" Kazuma asked as he walked up to them.

"Just looking through Motohama's book of chicks," Matsuda answered.

As they flipped through to a section titled "Third Years" Kazuma narrowed his eyes.

"Hey, can I see that for a minute?" Kazuma asked.

Motohama shrugged and handed it to him. "Here, have at it. See something you like?"

Kazuma narrowed his eyes as he flipped through the book, page after page.

"Yo dude, what's up?" Matsuda asked.

"Where's Erza?" Kazuma retorted as he set the book down.

Matsuda and Motohama looked at each other then to Kazuma. "Who's Erza?"

Kazuma narrowed his eyes and then sighed. "Nevermind, I think I'm just losing my mind."

The two once again shared a look as Kazuma sat down.

Kazuma folded his hands in front of his face as he thought. 'So, they erase any traces of their existence when they return to the Soul Society.' Kazuma clenched his fingers angrily.

"Soryu, is something wrong?"

Kazuma was brought out of his thoughts when he noticed Sakura standing next to him. "Oh, sorry 'bout that, what'd you need?"

Sakura shook her head. "You just looked angry, are you okay?"

Kazuma shrugged in response. "Yeah, I'm fine. Things at home have just been rather annoying."

"Really? I could help out you know."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow. "Erm, thanks for the offer but why? I don't really see what I've done to deserve that kind of gratitude."

Sakura shook her head in denial. "You introduced me to all your friends and they're now my friends. I'd say that's worth it."

Kazuma sighed in response. "You are way too nice. But, thanks for the offer. I think I'll be able to handle it though."

Sakura nodded in response and went to her seat. "Could you say hello to Erza when you see her?"

Kazuma nodded offhandedly before his eyes widened. He watched as Ichigo and Orihime walked into the room. He immediately got up and walked over to the door, dragging the two of them with him.

"H-hey!" Ichigo snarled.

"Where are we going?" Orihime asked.

"Just come with me," Kazuma said plainly.

"Remember Erza? Of course we do," Ichigo responded bluntly.

Kazuma nodded in response and then turned to Orihime, who nodded as well.

"Well then that puts you in a minority. Most everyone seems to have forgotten her. At least, those without magical qualities of some kind."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "What happened to her?"

Kazuma clenched his fists. "Other Soul Reapers came and took her back to the Soul Society."

Ichigo snarled and asked, "Then why aren't we-?"

Kazuma put up a hand. "Do you think you could beat me in a fight?"

Ichigo looked at Kazuma confused. "What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"Do you think you can beat me?" Kazuma repeated.

Ichigo scratched his head in thought and then shrugged. "Probably not."

"Then going now would be suicide. At my current strength I was defeated by the Soul Reaper they sent."

"So now what?"

Kazuma sighed heavily. "I wish I knew. For the time being we'll go about things as normal, not to alert anyone. I'd like you to check and see if Sado and the others remember."

"Won't you be there to ask them?"

Kazuma shook his head. "No, I've got other things to do."

Orihime put a hand up. "You shouldn't skip school," she said seriously.

Kazuma just sighed.

After getting a Thought Projection to take his place at school Kazuma made his way to a forested area on the edge of the city.

As he looked around he shrugged. "I guess this will have to do. If I still had Izanagi's Authority I could just use the Forest of Eternity, but I guess I'm stuck with this for now."

'Seems like it. So what exactly do you plan on doing?' Ddraig asked.

'Train. It's true that I've gained a good portion of my power back since obtaining the Soul Reaper power from Erza, but if my fight with Kabuto and then the fight with Byakuya taught me anything, it's that I'm still a weakling compared to how I was before. So, with that in mind, it's time to train so that I can actually have a fighting chance against those bastards.'

With that goal in mind, Kazuma summoned a sword to his side.

In another, unknown location, a young-looking woman with long, waist-length, dark blue hair, pale-lavender, pupil-less eyes, fair skin, and a very full bosom wearing a standard Soul Reaper uniform except for a long purple haori with long sleeves that had black flames licking at the cuffs, collar, and bottom walked down a hallway holding a set of keys in her hand.

She used the keys to open a door into another hallway filled with prison cells.

Eventually, she stopped at one particular cell and frowned sadly as she saw an untouched plate of food. She then looked into the cell and narrowed her eyes somewhat. "Erza, you have to eat."

Inside the cell, Erza, wearing a white kimono, sat on a single chair, turning in surprise to see the woman behind her, standing outside the cell. She narrowed her eyes in slight pain however. "Hinata…"

The dark-haired woman, Hinata, smiled weakly.

Erza stood up and walked over to the cell door. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you. I heard only a small portion of what happened while you were in the human world. So…you really gave your powers to a human?"

Erza sighed in response. "It is not that simple. But regardless, yes, in the eyes of the law I committed a felony."

Hinata walked over and grabbed a chair before sitting down. "That's unlike you to make such a stupid decision."

Erza twitched an eyebrow. "You know, you have gained quite a tongue in the past thousand years."

"Yes, well Naruto happened to like it."

Erza's face turned red in response. "That is not what I was talking about!" Erza then sighed and asked, "Should you not be going?"

"Perhaps. But it has been a long time since I've been in the human world. Being Captain of the Kido Corps keeps me busy. I'd like to hear about it. After all, the last time I was there this extremely powerful demon was going around killing gods left and right."

Erza blinked in curiosity. She then sighed and proceeded to begin relating some of her adventures while in the human world to Hinata.

Back in the human world, Ichigo, Aika, Orihime, and Sado are standing on the roof of Kuoh Academy, thoughtful and sullen expressions on all of their faces.

"So it's really true then, Erza's been taken back to this Soul Society?" Sado asked.

Orihime nodded in response. "That's what Kazuma told us. I wish we could help."

"And what if I told you that you could?"

Everyone looked around curiously until their eyes landed on Yoruichi standing nearby.

"What?" the cat asked.

"Gah!" Ichigo shouted in shock as Sado sweat-dropped.

Aika and Orihime, however, seemed mostly unphased by the talking cat.

"What do you mean we can help?" Aika asked.

Yoruichi nodded and answered, "All of you have special powers that you can use to fight. You can use those powers to help rescue Erza. Kazuma is as we speak training himself. However, none of you can help as you are now, you must first get stronger."

"So then does that mean…?" Ichigo began.

"I will help you train and master your powers. Naturally, this does mean you have to commit to helping and to going to the Soul Society. That can be determined afterward."

The four looked between each other and then nodded in agreement.

After agreeing to the training the four are led to the forest on the edge of the city where they find Uryu in the middle of his own training.

Uryu turned as the four approached. "What are you people doing here? And how did you even find me?"

"Yoruichi tracked your spiritual energy," Orihime explained plainly.

Uryu blinked curiously. "Yoruichi…?"

"Me," Yoruichi explained as the cat hopped up on a rock.

Uryu gaped in response. "A…a talking…cat…?"

Orihime tilted her head in response. "What's the big deal with a talking cat?"

"Why isn't it a big deal to you?" Ichigo asked concerned.

Yoruichi sighed in annoyance. "Men are such inadequate creatures."

Uryu just sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Could you at least explain to me what's going on and why you're here?"

Nodding the four then began to explain their reason.

After finishing their explanation Uryu sighed in exasperation. "That fool. He shouldn't have had that cat woman knock me out."

"Cat woman?" Orihime asked.

Uryu adjusted his glasses. "Nevermind. As annoyed as I am by this development it has nothing to do with me. I am merely training to become stronger than any Soul Reaper."

Orihime frowned sadly.

Ichigo huffed in annoyance. "Well you're just a bleeding heart, aren't you?"

"Erza was a Soul Reaper, I have no reason to feel compassion towards her."

Orihime stood up before Ichigo could retort. "You're doing your best Uryu, so will I."

Uryu looked at her confused and then sighed. "You don't let anything faze you, do you?"

As the group left Uryu narrowed his eyes before pulling a box out from a bush. "I can't let anyone see this." As he opened the box a bright blue light was emitted from it.

Kon, whom had been called by Kazuma, was standing in Kazuma's body watching Kazuma train with a gaping jaw.

Kazuma stood, in his Spirit Form, breathing heavily before standing up straight, looking at his Zanpakuto. "Damn, I'm getting nowhere with this."

In front of him, massive areas of the forest were razed.

Kazuma narrowed his eyes in thought before images of three Soul Reapers entered his mind, all holding extravagant blades that were black on one side and silver on the other before the image of an old man with a similar blade in his hand entered his mind as well. "That's it." He then sheathed his sword and turned to Kon. "I need my body back."

Medea, whom had brought Kon to the location, nodded as she used a quick spell to pull Kon from Kazuma's body, allowing Kazuma to reenter it. She then put the perverted Mod Soul's Gikongan back in his puppet body. "You know, I swear Kazuma was right when he said you swallow that thing deeper each time."

"Oh be quiet. It's not my fault," the stuffed toy argued.

Kazuma stood up and turned around and began to leave.

"Kazuma, where are we going?" Medea asked.

"To Hat-n-Clogs' shop. There's something I need to ask that high flier something."

Medea nodded in understanding.

Ururu and Jinta stood out front of Kisuke's shop when Kazuma walked up.

Jinta walked in front of Kazuma and said, "No visitors at this-"

Kazuma ignored him as he pushed the redheaded boy to the side.

"U-uhm, you shouldn't go in there," Ururu warned.

Kazuma looked at her and then smiled warmly. "Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble. I just need to speak to Hat-n-Clogs immediately."

Ururu looked at him quietly and then nodded silently.

Kazuma walked through the door, Medea behind him.

Kisuke was hauling a box to the back when he suddenly stopped and set it down before adjusting his hat. "So, you finally came here, huh?"

Kazuma folded his arms as Kisuke turned around. "Alright, I can tell easily, you've got the capabilities of Soul Reaper. So, I need your help with something."

"And that is?"

Medea nodded as Kazuma turned to her and began rifling through Kon's mouth. "I…can't find it…"

Kazuma sighed. "Then go and get Mavis."

Medea nodded and prepared to leave.

"There's no need for that," Kisuke interrupted. He then thrust a cane at Kazuma's head, kicking his soul from his body.

Medea caught Kazuma's body as it tumbled down.

Kazuma looked around in surprise. "Well that was weird."

"So, what do you need my help with? Though I think I already know."

Kazuma unsheathed his Zanpakuto and presented it to Kisuke. "I want to access my blade's evolved state. I've bared witness to a Zanpakuto entering that state."

Kisuke smirked in response. "Shikai."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow as he lowered his sword.

"It's called Shikai. It is the second form of a Zanpakuto, its first upgraded form. There's only one thing you need to do to activate it."

Kazuma sheathed his sword and folded his arms. "Okay, and that is?"

"You have to learn your Zanpakuto's name."

"Well…that sounds easy."

"Everything sounds easy."

"Lemme guess, it's anything but?"

Kisuke nodded. "Yes, this isn't as simple as picking a name, your Zanpakuto is already very much alive, complete with its own soul. You must be able to communicate and harmonize with the spirit of your Zanpakuto, which requires speaking with the spirit in its own world."

Kazuma sighed. "And I guess getting there isn't as simple as activating Kamui, is it?"

Kisuke smirked in response. "Follow me."

Back in the Soul Society, Erza and Hinata were continuing to speak as a new figure approached them.

A woman with a very slender and youthful appearance with blue eyes and black hair styled in a long braid down the front of her body wearing the standard Soul Reaper garb as Byakuya save for different symbols on her haori and an obi rather than a sash walked up to the cell where Erza was being kept.

"Captain Unohana," Hinata said respectfully as she stood up.

Unohana nodded and then turned to Erza with a frown. "Erza Scarlet, you are to be executed on Sokyoku Hill in exactly one month."

Hinata and Erza's eyes widened in shock.

"You…aren't serious are you?" Hinata asked in disbelief.

Unohana nodded in response. "Yes, I am."

Erza lowered her face in response. "I understand."

Unohana bowed and said with a weak smile, "I do apologize, Erza." She then turned and left.

Hinata snarled and then hissed angrily. "Dammit."

Erza clenched a fist as she trembled lightly.

Kazuma looked around a massive, forest-like area that Kisuke led him to. "Are you seriously telling me that a place like this has been under your shop the whole time? The mana here is so dense I'm surprised I never sensed it before."

"Perhaps you did and just didn't realize it. But I brought you here so we could properly train you to activate Shikai. After all, don't need you levelling half the city as you train."

Kazuma nodded and then smirked. "Perfect, a place I can really let loose on."

"Mr. Urahara," Ururu began timidly, "this doesn't seem like a good idea."

Kisuke chuckled as he rubbed Ururu's head. "Don't worry, if he causes too much trouble, I'll just kill him."

Kisuke was suddenly slammed into a wall.

"I heard that asshole," Kazuma said blandly.

"R-right…"

Back above ground, Aika, Orihime, Sado, and Ichigo were in a large warehouse, being trained in how to use their powers by Yoruichi.

"Is there a reason we haven't started yet?" Ichigo asked as the four stood silently.

Yoruichi nodded. "Yes. I decided that your powers are so varied, it would be best to get a little outside help on your training. We're simply waiting for that person to arrive."

The four looked to each other puzzled.

"Sorry I'm late," a female voice said as a person walked up to the large warehouse area.

Ichigo and Sado gaped, Orihime widening her eyes in surprise.

A tall, mature woman with long, flowing black-blue hair ending just past her waist, bright, emerald-green eyes, and a huge bust wearing a pink blouse that was slightly unbuttoned, showing a slight view of her cleavage, a long purple skirt reaching the middle of her lower legs with a long slit on the left side going up to her hip, exposing the tops of her long pink stockings, which she wore with purple high-heeled shoes, along with a black sash around her waist that had two, large silver cross shaped accessories with two portions hanging down, and a choker around her neck with a red jewel.

Orihime said in surprise, "Aunt Yuko!?"

Yoruichi looked from Orihime to the new woman, Yuko, curiously. "You know her?"

Yuko nodded with a smile. "Yes, she's my niece, Orihime."

"I see. Well, with that out of the way shall we get started?"

"You can't just ignore that!" Ichigo shouted.

Yuko chuckled in amusement. "It's quite alright. Though, I never expected you to become involved with the world of magic, Orihime."

Orihime frowned in confusion. "How long have you been?"

"We can save that for later. For now, I'm here to help you and your friends learn to control your powers."

Orihime shook her head free of the pestering thoughts and nodded assuredly. "Right!"

"Now, can any of you use your powers like you did the first time?"

Aika and Sado looked at each other and then to Orihime, all three shook their heads.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Really?" He then grabbed his mother's pendant and held it in his hand, his mana shuriken flaring to life.

Yuko nodded in understanding. "Now, how did you activate yours?"

Ichigo tilted his head in confusion. "How? I just did it. Though…" he paused as he looked at his hand, "I guess it has something to do with my mom's pendant."

"Or more precisely," Yoruichi added, "the emotions you have tied to it. Try to remember the emotions you felt when you first activated your powers. How you felt, what you thinking."

Aika narrowed her eyes and then extended her hand out. After a moment a bright light surged from her hands as her two long blades appeared in her hands.

"Good. Now, try to release it and activate it again."

Aika looked at the cat annoyed.

"Yoruichi is right," Yuko added.

Aika sighed and calmed herself, causing her blades to vanish.

As Aika tried to summon her blades once more, Orihime concentrated on trying to summon her own powers. She grumbled as she could not get a reaction.

Yuko perked an eyebrow as she noticed Orihime's struggle and walked over to her. "Try calming down a little. Think back to when you activated those powers. Try to remember what you were thinking about."

Orihime narrowed her eyes as she thought back to when she activated her powers, when the Hollow was attacking her schoolmates. As she thought back to that moment intensely, a blurry, unfocused image suddenly burst into her mind, a figure looming over her, though the image did not make her afraid. She jumped slightly as she felt her heart race. At that moment, her hairpins lit up and suddenly burst out in all directions, the Shun-Shun Rikka appearing from the light.

Tsubaki, however, was not pleased. "You stupid girl!" he shouted angrily as he grabbed onto her hair and tugged on it. "You summon us when there's no threat around?!"

"Tsubaki, there's no reason to be so mean," Shun'o remarked, stopping the bandana-wearing spirit from causing more trouble.

"Tch."

Yuko giggled happily as she watched the six fliers interact.

Yoruichi watched the show for a moment before turning to Sado. "Well, how about it?"

Sado silently turned his attention to his right hand.

Back in Kisuke's underground training facility, Kazuma sat on the ground thoughtfully. "So, you're saying I need to try and contact the spirit of my Zanpakuto?"

Kisuke nodded. "There are many different ways to do it, but the result is the same, seeing within your own soul to find the spirit of your Zanpakuto."

"Within my own soul? Why didn't you just say that before? That's easy."

"Eh?"

Kazuma put his hands close together and closed his eyes.

Kisuke stood quietly as Kazuma's breathing slowed. After several moments of silence Kisuke coughed into his hand and turned to Medea. "So uh…what's he doing? I honestly don't have a clue."

"Meditating."

Kisuke turned back to Kazuma and then raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "Ah-hah, I see. Rather ingenious. Taking advantage of one quality of a Dragon Gear."

Kazuma soon found himself in a place of pure darkness, no one around him. He stayed silent and still for several moments before a familiar voice called to him, clearer than ever.

"So, you've finally come back here, eh?"

Kazuma opened his eyes and stood up. To his side he saw a massive, scaled, red dragon with green eyes sitting on a pedestal, chains extending from nowhere restraining his movement. "Good to see you in person again, Ddraig."

The large dragon stood up as much as he could in the situation. "So I guess you're here to see him?"

Kazuma narrowed his eyes in thought. "What do you mean?"

Ddraig looked over to the side.

Kazuma walked over to the edge of the platform they were standing on, which was perched on top of a massive tower, at the base of which was an endless sea of black of flames. Kazuma looked around and then turned to Ddraig. "I don't see anything."

Ddraig looked at Kazuma puzzled.

"Over here."

Kazuma blinked and then turned around.

Behind him, floating above the sea of flames, was a tall man with unkempt brown hair reaching just past his shoulders, a small, scruffy beard, and narrow dark eyes hidden behind an angular pair of sunglass along with a red-black, flowing cloak covering most of his body, with an upturned white collar with frayed edges.

Kazuma narrowed his eyes as he looked at this man. "I've never seen you before. So, just who are you then?"

The man narrowed his eyes. "So you still cannot hear my name-?"

Kazuma raised an eyebrow, as the man's last few words muted to his ears. 'Something isn't right here.' Kazuma took in a breath as he tried to organize his thoughts. Kazuma opened his eyes and looked the man directly in the eyes. "I wish to learn your name."

The man smirked. "…Zangetsu…"

"Zangetsu…nice name," Kazuma responded.

"If you wish to unleash my power, you must call me to awaken."

"Something tells me that's not as simple as getting an alarm clock, is it?"

Zangetsu narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"Sorry, sorry. Continue."

"Repeat after me. Cut through the chains that bind this world."

Kazuma tilted his head in thought. "Cut through the chains that bind this world. That's what I need to say."

Zangetsu nodded.

Kazuma nodded in return. "Alright. Well, nice to meet you, Zangetsu."

Kisuke and the others waited silently as Kazuma opened his eyes.

"Well, how'd it go?" Kisuke asked.

Kazuma stood up and unsheathed his Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, and extended it forward. After taking a breath he incanted, "Cut through the chains that bind this world, Zangetsu!" At that moment, wind erupted from the base of Zangetsu's blade, whipping around Kazuma and the blade itself before it was engulfed in light. As the light died down, Kazuma raised an eyebrow at Zangetsu's new form. Rather than an oversized katana, the blade resembled an oversized trench knife, with a silver hilt, grey wrappings around it with a short chain at the base, an all-black blade with a silver edge that curved upwards slightly at the end.

Kisuke nodded in acceptance. "Nice, looks like you finally awakened your Shikai."

Kazuma examined the blade in thought. "It seems to be a very sturdy blade."

Kisuke then twisted the handle on his cane. "Good, all you need to do now is learn how to control its power."

Kazuma placed the point of the sword on the ground and leaned on the end of the hilt. "I know how to use a sword."

'It is not that simple,' Zangetsu remarked.

'Wait, so I can hear you in my head now?' Kazuma asked with a raised eyebrow.

'I have always been able to speak to you, you simply have been unable to hear.'

Ddraig interjected, 'He's not wrong. This poor bastard has been trying to talk to you ever since Erza gave you that portion of her powers.'

Kazuma just sighed.

As Kazuma spoke with Ddraig and Zangetsu, though no one on the outside could hear, Kisuke pulled the handle of his cane away, revealing it to truly be a sword. "Now, I'd say our best bet is to spar, that way you can discover the abilities of you Zanpakuto naturally."

Kazuma nodded in understanding as he picked Zangetsu back up.

Zangetsu remarked, 'The primary ability you have right now is called Getsuga Tensho. I believe this man should provide an adequate target to become accustomed to its use.'

'Sounds good to me,' Kazuma retorted as he assumed a combat stance, Zangetsu held in front of his body.

Kisuke smirked as he raised his blade in front of him. "Awaken, Benihime." At that moment, his cane-sword lit up and transformed into a more standard katana with black wrappings around a light-brown handle, the end curving upwards, in a similar vain to his cane.

Kazuma was about to fight Kisuke when shouting and banging was heard before they all watched as a person fell from the hatch leading to Kisuke's shop before slamming into the ground. Kazuma sighed in exasperation. "How did she find this place?"

Confused, Kazuma, Medea, Kisuke, Ururu, and the others made their way over to the person lying on the ground with circles in her eyes, Sheele.

Kazuma sighed as he knelt down to the bespectacled purplette. "Sheele…what are you doing here?"

Sitting up to dust the dirt off her glasses, Sheele turned to Kazuma. "You hadn't come home yet and I was getting worried. So Presa sniffed for where you were and I ended up here. I tried looking for you in the back but then something fell down…a few more things fell down…and then I fell down here."

Kazuma sighed once more. "If you weren't so pretty I'd probably knock you on the head."

Sheele moaned.

Kazuma then raised an eyebrow. "You know, I'm doing some training right now, wanna help?"

Sheele stood up and nodded. She then noticed Zangetsu in his hands. "What's that?"

Kazuma glanced at the sword and handed it to her.

Kisuke sweat-dropped. 'You normally don't just let people touch your Zanpakuto…'

Sheele held the sword and examined it. After a moment she lowered it, holding it with both hands, swung it back, and then slashed forward, sending a blast of blue energy flying forward with intense speed and power.

Kazuma whistled, impressed by the blast.

Kisuke, however, was on the ground, with part of his coat burned off. "Well that was…unexpected."

Sheele sighed in exhaustion as she handed that sword back to Kazuma. "That uses up a lot of power."

Kazuma nodded in understanding. "Seems like it. Guess it's my turn to give it a shot now."

Zangetsu sighed as he turned to Ddraig. "Does he do everything this way?"

Ddraig merely nodded.

Zangetsu shook his head in exasperation.

Back in the Soul Society, Unohana was walking out of the prison area where Erza was being held when she ran into two other Soul Reapers.

The first was a tall, thin man with shoulder-length silver hair, eyes squinted shut, and a wide, mocking smile on his face wearing a similar uniform to Unohana's.

The second was a tall, muscular man with slightly tanned skin with an overall aggressive appearance, a long face with pronounced cheekbones, pronounced, hairless eyebrow ridges, green eyes, with his right eye covered by an eyepatch, long, stringy black hair extending out in multiple points with bells on the ends, and a long thin scar down the left side of his face.

As Unohana saw the two she narrowed her eyes in annoyance.

"My, my, Captain Unohana, I must say that, even for you, that was rather impressive," the first man remarked.

"Gin Ichimaru, might I ask what your business here is?" Unohana retorted.

The second man then asked, "You know, if you want, I could just kill that redhead for you."

Unohana immediately turned her gaze to the man, a dark, seething stare focused on him. "If you try any such thing, Kenpachi Zaraki, I will finish what I started years ago."

Kenpachi's face lit up with an insane grin. "Sounds fine to me!"

Suddenly, Gin chanted a Kido and tied Kenpachi up, knocking him to the ground. He then walked away, dragging the flailing maniac behind him. "Sorry about that, Captain Unohana."

Unohana narrowed her eyes as the two walked away.

Kisuke and the others stood agape as Kazuma took a slight breath.

Kazuma hoisted Zangetsu on his shoulder and smiled proudly. "I'd say that'll do."

Sheele gave a simple clap in appreciation. "Good work."

Kazuma merely grinned to the bespectacled klutz.

Kisuke sighed as he lowered his hat. "It's going to take forever to repair this."

In front of the group, a massively deep, massively wide trench extended from one end of the underground area to the other.

Kazuma chuckled again before looking back at his sword. "Though, I do have one question. How do I make it go back to normal?"

"You should be able to just cut the flow of spiritual energy to it, that should reverse its shape," Kisuke answered.

Kazuma nodded and took in a breath as he throttled back the amount of mana Zangetsu was receiving. After a few seconds of nothing happening the sword lit up before the light scattered, revealing it back in its regular katana form. Kazuma sheathed the sword and then turned to Kisuke. "So, where'd you leave my body?"

"It should still be upstairs," her answered.

Kazuma, Medea, and Sheele then made their way up the ladder back to Kisuke's shop.

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow when he saw Presa curled up next to his body. "Is there a reason you're doing that?"

Presa stretched before sitting up straight. "I was wondering when you would get done down there."

Kazuma sighed and returned to his body. As he stood up with a stretch he turned to Medea. "Were you ever able to Kon's Gikongan back out?"

Medea shook her head. "No. It appears to be stuck in this stuffed lion for good."

Kazuma grumbled in annoyance. "Guess I'll need Mavis' help from now on then." He then turned to Presa. "We're done here, I'll head back to school while the rest of you go to the apartment."

"You may want to rethink that," Presa suggested as she stood up.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow curiously.

Uryu stood at the waterfall near where Orihime and the others had seen him, his hand covered in bruises and scratches. With a sigh of relief he said proudly, "I've done it."

At the warehouse where Yoruichi was training Ichigo and the others an explosion suddenly blew out one side of the building.

Orihime, Ichigo, and Aika looked in surprise as Sado stood with an arm outstretched, his armored glove on his arm once more.

Yuko gave a short clap in appreciation. "Good work. It's impressive you've all been able to willingly activate your powers in such a short time."

Yoruichi added, "Ichigo already had his, so I'm not sure how much that counts. But, I will admit it was far swifter than I had expected. It seems you are all becoming capable individuals after all."

Ichigo pointed to the doorway. "Chad just fell down the stairs."

"…Nevermind…"

"Oy!" Kazuma called up.

Orihime and the others turned as Kazuma approached, Sado's arm flung over his shoulder to carry him.

"Did somebody lose a big meathead?" Kazuma asked.

Sado nodded to Kazuma. "Thanks for the help."

Kazuma was about to respond when Yuko walked up to him, causing him to immediately drop Sado.

"You must be Kazuma Soryu," Yuko remarked. "My name is Yuko Morino."

Kazuma blinked curiously. 'Damn, those are some boobs. Though, not as big as that Aki woman.' Shaking his head clear slightly he said, "Nice to meet you. So I'm assuming the talking cat invited you?"

She nodded in return. "Yes, though I mainly came because Orihime is my niece."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow and looked between the two. 'Damn…the Inoues have some good genes.'

'Does your mind ever move beyond breasts?' Zangetsu asked in exasperation.

Ddraig interjected, 'Expecting Kazuma to think of anything except breasts is like expecting anyone with Maru in their name to be normal.'

Kazuma then walked over to Orihime and noticed the Shun-Shun Rikka floating around her. Kazuma tilted his head in confusion. "Hmm…what's up with the little sprites?"

Tsubaki immediately dove and slammed into Kazuma's head. "We're not sprites you fool."

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow. He then swatted Tsubaki away with his hand. "I've always hated sprites."

"Ah!" Orihime shouted in surprise as Tsubaki hit a wall. "Kazuma, you shouldn't be so mean to Tsubaki!"

Kazuma folded his arms in opposition. "The little bugger kicked me."

Orihime merely moaned in frustration.

"Kazuma," Aika interjected to get Kazuma's attention.

Kazuma turned to her as she unleashed her swords. He smiled approvingly and nodded. "Good to see you're getting a hang of those powers. Though I have a friend of mine who can help you master them."

Aika tilted her head in curiosity as her blades vanished.

"Don't worry, I'll introduce you later."

Aika nodded as Yoruichi jumped from the perch the cat was standing on to Kazuma's head.

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow and grabbed the cat by the scruff of its neck. "Is there a reason this cat is hanging around?"

"Hello," Yoruichi said plainly.

After taking a sniff of the air Kazuma sighed. "Is there a reason you people have a habit of this?"

The cat tilted its head in confusion. "I haven't an idea what you're talking about."

Kazuma responded by merely dropping the cat, resulting in a terrified meow from the feline.

"Well that was mean," Presa remarked.

"She's fine," Kazuma mentioned before turning to Yuko. "So you're Orihime's aunt, huh? I don't think she's ever mentioned you before."

Yuko put a hand on her chin with a light chuckle. "Well she has mentioned you quite a lot. Actually, aside from that Tatsuki girl you're pretty much the only thing she talks about."

"Aunt Yukooo!" Orihime shouted loudly, her face burning bright red.

Yuko merely giggled in amusement at her niece's fluster.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow and then glanced down at Yoruichi, who was still trying to recover from the drop. "So, how far did they get on their training?"

The cat shook its head before sitting down and looking up at Kazuma. "I'm going to ignore how rude that was and answer your question. We only got about as far as them being able to willingly activate their powers."

Kazuma rubbed his chin as he stood up. "In that case I suppose we'll need to kick start training then."

Orihime's argument with Yuko stopped as she turned to Kazuma. "What about you? Don't you have training to do?"

"My training is essentially done. And besides, I have alternative methods of doing any other training I need. So I can focus instead on helping you guys improve your own skills. Plus I want to see your skills and abilities for myself so I know how to handle and plan for them. The only thing worse than fighting an enemy you know nothing about is fighting alongside allies you know nothing about."

Everyone remained silent for a few moments before Yoruichi remarked, "A very shrewd observation. Hmph, you almost sound like a proper leader."

Kazuma narrowed his eyes and pressed foot down on Yoruichi's tail, causing the cat to shriek.

"Do you want me to kill you?!" Yoruichi shouted, but immediately clammed up.

Kazuma smirked victoriously, having heard Yoruichi's voice crack slightly.

"I think that's enough for today," Yuko suggested, worried Kazuma and Yoruichi might start fighting for real. "I'd like some time to visit with my niece and I'm sure the rest of you are tired as well."

Nodding in agreement the group began to scatter as Orihime turned to Yuko. "Aunt Yuko, where will you be staying?"

"I have that house on the edge of the city, so I'll be fine," Yuko answered.

Orihime nodded in understanding.

As Kazuma made his way towards the edge of the compound, Aika walked briskly up to him.

"Wait!" she called.

Kazuma turned to her lazily. "Yo, what's up?"

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Aika said, "You said you know someone who could help me control my abilities. You…weren't talking about those swords, were you?"

Kazuma shook his head. "No, I was referring to your vampiric powers. If you'd like, I could introduce you to her."

Aika shook her head. "No thanks, for now I'm just trying to process everything still."

Kazuma shrugged in response. "Suit yourself. Need a bite before I go?"

Aika nodded and put her hands together slightly. "Uhm…you said there's more blood at the neck, right?"

Kazuma nodded. "Yup. Though you'll get plenty from my wrists."

Aika shook her head. "No, I think it'll be quicker if I bite your neck…okay…?"

Kazuma shrugged and tugged his collar away from his neck.

Aika gulped heavily and walked closer to him before leaning up and getting her lips close to his neck.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow as he felt her breath on his skin.

After another moment Aika opened her mouth, fangs extended and bit down on his neck, sinking her teeth deep.

Kazuma flinched lightly but remained still as she drank the blood from his neck.

At the same time, Orihime was still speaking with Yuko.

"So…you've been a mage this whole time?" Orihime asked.

Yuko nodded in agreement. "Yes, but I didn't want to get you involved in any of this. I had promised Sora I wouldn't. Unfortunately, it seems that I'm not being given much choice at this point."

Orihime frowned sadly. "I'm sorry."

Yuko smiled warmly and patted Orihime's head. "Don't worry. I will do whatever I can to help you master your abilities."

Orihime smiled happily. "Thank you."

"Now…if you could just clarify one thing…what exactly are you doing this for? Yoruichi never told me."

Orihime blinked curiously. "Oh, well…honestly I'm not really sure myself. All I know is that Erza, a new student at our school, is in trouble and Kazuma wants to help her." After a moment Orihime's cheeks tinged pink as she added in a fluster, "B-but he's not the only reason I want to help, Erza's a good friend of mine!"

Yuko laughed lightly. "You really care about that Kazuma boy, don't you?"

"Ah…I…ohhh…" Orihime moaned as she backed down.

"Don't worry, I'm only teasing. Now, I need to check on matters at my home on the edge of town, why don't you return to your apartment?"

Orihime nodded in agreement and made her way down the stairs.

Yuko smiled as Orihime walked away.

The orangette made her way downstairs and was about to leave when she saw something that made her duck behind a wall. Peeking out again, her eyes widened as she saw Aika leaning up near Kazuma's face. She watched for a moment before walking to the opposite entrance.

Kazuma eventually sighed and asked, "Haven't you had enough yet?"

Aika blinked in realization and pulled away. She then moaned as she rubbed her abdomen. "Ohh…I think that was too much."

Kazuma grunted as he placed a hand over the bite marks. "Geez, you went deep with that. Next time I might want to suggest something else."

Aika titled her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Erm…nothing…I was just babbling."

Aika narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

Kazuma then vanished into a Kamui portal.

"Hey!" Aika grumbled in annoyance before turning and leaving.

Kazuma arrived back at his apartment shortly after that from a Kamui portal. However, he immediately felt something hit his head.

He opened his eyes and saw Arcueid standing in front of him with a rolled up newspaper in her hand. He looked at her flatly and asked, "What do I look like, a dog?"

"I thought I asked you not to use your Mangekyo abilities unless you really needed to," she retorted.

Kazuma sweat-dropped. "Ah…well…it was…an emergency…"

Arcueid narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

After a few tense moments she sighed heavily. "Fine. Just try to avoid it if you can next time, alright?"

Kazuma nodded in agreement. "So what have you been doing all day?"

"Just sitting here with Kuroka. Oh, did you know, in the history books, Sonsaku is a man?"

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow and sighed. "Good grief. Look, I really don't want to have to get into that with you. Suffice it to say she's not the only one affected by that."

Arcueid blinked curiously.

Kazuma walked over to the dining room table and sat down as his thoughts began to race. Though this state did not last long before he felt a familiar weight on his head.

Glancing up as far as he could he saw Kuroka leaning over his slumped form, placing her breasts right on the back of his head. "Do you see, nya? They're bigger now, nya."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow as she stepped back. As he took a moment to look at her mounds, he realized they had in fact grown in size. "Do I…even want to know how that happened?"

Kuroka smiled happily and patted her abdomen.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow as his mind went through possible answers. When it landed on the most likely one he fell out of his chair. "Y-you aren't serious…"

Kuroka smiled once more.

Kazuma put a hand to his temple in thought. "Just tell me how long."

"Three months, nya. That's about all it should take, nya."

Kazuma nodded in understanding. "In that case, you'll need to stay behind here."

Kuroka gaped in opposition. "Nya?! No way, nya!"

"It's too dangerous at this point," Kazuma said sternly.

Kuroka attempted to argue again but saw the astringent look in his eyes. She sighed and backed down from the argument.

Medea, Presa, and Sheele appeared in the room moments later.

Presa walked over to Kazuma annoyed. "You just vanished, what happened?"

Kazuma sat up and shrugged. "I kinda got caught up in something, that's all."

Medea then interjected, "Don't you have to go see Rias again?"

Kazuma raised an eyebrow and then scratched his head. "Ahh crap. I got so busy with all that other stuff I forgot." He got up and activated his Mangekyo but was immediately hit with a rolled up newspaper. He turned with a grumble to see Arcueid standing behind him annoyed.

Medea walked over to Kazuma. "How about I take you there instead?"

"Fine. I don't like having to rely on you like this."

Medea smiled in return. "It gives me something to do."

And with that the two vanished.

Medea and Kazuma arrived at the Occult Research Club shortly thereafter.

When they got there, Kazuma noticed Rias was nowhere to be seen.

"If you're wondering where Rias is, she's busy taking a shower," Akeno said, standing in front of the doorway to what Kazuma assumed was the bathroom.

Kazuma nodded in understanding as he sat down on the sofa.

"If you don't mind taking a minute, I have some good news."

Kazuma raised an intrigued eyebrow and shrugged. "Not like I've got anything better to do while I wait. Though I am curious where Koneko and Yuuto went."

"They're simply out handling other jobs," Akeno explained.

Kazuma nodded in understanding. "So, what's the good news?"

Akeno walked over and sat down beside him before smiling. "It wasn't easy, but I did manage to get Saber into the school like you requested."

Kazuma raised both eyebrows in surprise.

Akeno then motioned to the door as Kazuma turned to see Arturia walking in, wearing the female Kuoh uniform.

Kazuma gulped slightly before smiling. "It looks good on you," he complimented.

Arturia looked at him slightly abashed, tugging at the skirt. "I am glad, however the skirt seems unreasonably short."

"You'll get used to it," Akeno eased.

"So which class is she in?" Kazuma asked.

Akeno smiled once more. "Yours."

"Eh?"

Arturia walked over and asked, "I assume that is alright."

Kazuma took a moment to think and then nodded. "Yeah, it should be fine."

Arturia nodded with a small smile. "That is good to hear."

After a moment, the door Akeno was standing in front of opened and Rias walked out, fully dressed in her uniform.

Kazuma waved nonchalantly. "Yo."

Rias nodded in recognition as she sat down at her chair, Akeno standing beside her. "As usual, the same request for you has come in."

Kazuma nodded in understanding as he stood up, Akeno creating a magic circle to send him where he needed to go.

Kazuma soon found himself in Chihiro's bedroom once more.

The girl sat at her table, slightly less timid than usual.

Kazuma stood opposite her silently.

Chihiro gulped and then said, "W-welcome…would you l-like something to d-drink…?"

Kazuma smiled as he nodded. "Very good. Your confidence is definitely increasing."

Chihiro smiled and nodded in relief. "S-so…what will we be doing today?"

Kazuma folded his arms in thought as he sat down across from her. "Do you have a favorite movie?"

Chihiro blinked curiously. "Uhm, excuse me?"

"Do you have a favorite movie?" he repeated.

Chihiro thought for a moment and then nodded.

"How about we watch it?"

"Uhm…okay. Are you sure that's alright?"

"I do not mind."

Chihiro nodded uncertainly and made her way over to the DVD case in the corner of her room.

After a moment she returned and handed the case to Kazuma.

Kazuma took a look at it curiously. A vaguely romantic movie that he noticed seemed to have romance tucked amongst the action. Kazuma narrowed his eyes in thought. "What is it about?"

Chihiro shrunk back slightly, causing Kazuma's suspicions to rise. "Uhm…i-it's about a soldier who…who has to make his way back to his wife…"

Kazuma noticed her rather short-winded and dry explanation. "How about we try something else?"

Chihiro furrowed her brow in thought and nodded timidly, going to fetch a different movie.

After a moment she returned with a different movie.

Kazuma took a close look at it as well and then asked again for its contents.

Chihiro nodded and answered, "A woman getting lost at an amusement park before ending up in a place like her home town except some people are missing."

Kazuma narrowed his eyes in thought. "I don't think this is the right one either."

Chihiro frowned in disappointment and looked through the movies once more. She glanced back at Kazuma with a concerned expression and grabbed a movie from the case and timidly handed it to him, lowering her eyes as she did.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow and took a look at the movie itself. He popped a small smirk before asking, "Now, what's this one about?"

Chihiro took a slight gulp and began, "It's about a girl named Sashoko that loses her best friend in an accident and meets her friend's brother Hisui at the funeral. She helps Hisui overcome the loss and he shows her about photography and how to see the world in the most beautiful way possible and…" she eventually trailed off as she put her hands over her mouth and looked away abashed. "I'm…rambling…aren't I?"

Kazuma smiled and handed her the movie. "Let's watch this one."

Chihiro looked at him surprised and then smiled widely.

Upon his return to the Occult Research Club, Kazuma sighed heavily.

"So, how did it go this time?" Rias asked.

Kazuma shrugged. "Took a little work to get her to open up. I thought watching a movie would be good this time," he explained as he flopped onto the couch.

"Was it?"

"Mostly. Though it was a pain to get her to open up. She first tried to pick something she probably thought I'd like."

"Is that what you chose?" Arturia asked curiously.

Kazuma shook his head. "No, that just would've made her even more uncomfortable."

"What about after that?"

"She picked something in the middle. I already knew neither of us would really enjoy that. That last one she picked though, she gushed almost endlessly over it."

"Given her usually soft-spoken nature that sounds rather out of the ordinary."

Kazuma nodded in response. "Yep. That's how I knew it'd be the right one. Anyway, anything else for the night?"

Rias shook her head. "No, you can leave if you like."

Kazuma nodded in understanding. He prepared to use Kamui but grabbed on the ear by Medea.

"That's not a good idea," she warned before the two warped away with her cape.

The next day Kazuma arrived at school but saw something somewhat unexpected.

Arturia was standing at the front gate of the school in her school uniform.

Kazuma raised an eyebrow as he walked up. "What's up? Akeno late or something?"

Arturia shook her head. "No. I was merely waiting for you."

Kazuma looked at her surprised and then shrugged in response. "You didn't need to do that. Anyway, have you heard what's going on?"

Arturia looked at him confused and then narrowed her eyes. "You mean with that Erza woman? Yes, or rather, I had heard something had happened. I am not certain what however."

"I'll fill you in on the details later but I could use your help on it. That is if you can still use Ex-"

Arturia immediately slapped a hand over his mouth. "You must not say that name. A Servant's identity is one of our greatest secrets. If you say it in the wrong situation the wrong people may find out."

Kazuma narrowed his eyes and then sighed. "Fine, I assume your name is out of the question too?"

Arturia nodded. "Yes. As far as public situations are concerned, my name is Saber."

Kazuma nodded.

Arturia then lowered her head slightly as her cheeks tinged pink. "Although…in more private settings I do not mind…"

Kazuma smiled and nodded. "I can accept that. I just wished you lived closer than this. Where you and Akeno live now is just too far away for my tastes."

"My apologies."

"Don't worry about it. Say, is your Ahoge still sensitive?" Kazuma flicked the tuft of hair on her head as he asked that.

Arturia immediately stepped back and placed her hands on it with a frustrated expression. "Do not touch that. She might come back out if you do."

Kazuma nodded in understanding. "Maybe you should wear a hat."

"I don't remember you saying that to Balin."

Kazuma flinched. "Th-that was…different…"

Arturia turned in a huff as she walked away.

Kazuma sighed heavily. "Damn, she's never going to let me live that down is she? Balin was practically begging me…"

As Kazuma arrived in his classroom he noticed Arturia was absent. 'Maybe she'll be getting introduced to the class when Taiga gets here.'

As if on cue Taiga immediately shot through the door. So fast in fact she went straight past the lectern and hit the wall.

Kazuma muttered, "That looked painful."

After dusting herself off Taiga stood in front of the lectern properly. "Sorry about that class, but I have some exciting news. Three bits actually."

Kazuma raised a curious eyebrow.

"First, I've got a new student to introduce. Please come in."

At that moment Arturia stepped into the classroom and bowed to the class. "It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Saber."

Taiga blinked curiously. "So that really is your whole name? Well, everyone please be kind to our new student."

As Arturia made her way to her seat Matsuda tapped Kazuma's shoulder. "She hasn't got much in the boobs department but she's got a pretty face, eh?"

Kazuma twitched an eyebrow. 'If only you knew she was my wife.' Kazuma sighed and then responded with a forced smile. "I suppose you could say that."

Arturia then sat down next to Kazuma as Taiga cleared her throat.

Taiga waved to the door and announced, "Right, well we've also got yet another new student joining our class."

Another student walked in after Arturia. A girl with tanned skin, light blonde hair that reached her waist with two sections tied in pigtails, and blue eyes, whose chest was rather petite, wearing the female Kuoh uniform with a vest.

"Please introduce yourself."

The girl bowed courteously. "My name is Lily Ramses Futaba. It is a pleasure to meet you all."

Kazuma narrowed his eyes at the girl as she took her seat. 'She's a mage.'

'Yeah, I could tell. That's a lot of mana for such a tiny body,' Ddraig remarked.

'I do not see why you are concerned,' Zangetsu interjected.

'It's a guy thing, you wouldn't understand,' Kazuma brushed off.

'I am fairly certain I am, by your standards, male.'

'That's…you know what, nevermind.'

"Ahem, right, anyway, time for the next announcement. I'm proud to say you're all getting a new teacher."

Matsuda said excitedly, "I hope it's a hotty."

Kazuma sighed.

At that moment one person Kazuma did not expect walked into the room.

Kazuma put a hand over his face.

The person in question was Yuko Morino, who walked up to the desk and smiled.

With a bow, Yuko introduced herself. "My name is Yuko Morino, I hope you all don't mind having me as a teacher."

The class erupted with activity, primarily from the male students, in response.

Motohama adjusted his glasses. "Impressive. One hundred three, sixty-two, ninety. Triple digits. Amazing…"

Kazuma sighed in confusion. 'So now Yuko's a teacher here and this Lily girl has shown up. Something isn't right here. Hopefully whatever this is doesn't get me involved.'

'We'll see,' Zangetsu added.

At the same time, over the city, a cloaked figure held a small piece of paper in one hand. "Now…let's see if this will work…" The figure then vanished.

And there you have it. Hopefully you guys all enjoyed this chapter. Be sure to leave a review if you liked it, if you did not like it (though be a little more detailed than just saying it sucks please), or if you have any questions about it.

Fair prewarning though, the next chapter or so is going to be a sort of lemon-heavy "filler" of sorts. So if lemons are not your preferred material I will have them marked so you can skip them if you please. I would prefer you did not and told me how I did on them, just letting you know there will likely be multiple in the next chapter.