Thank you to all of you who liked and followed the story so far. In all honesty, I do have up to nine or so chapters done for this story but I wanted you all to enjoy it one chapter at a time. Please enjoy chapter two of this story: The Sakura Blossoms in Iron and Blood
Issei woke up the next day in Kaga's arms as she was snoring lightly while holding the small ship in her arms while the kitsune girls' tails were wrapped around Issei's legs which made her very comfortable and warm. Issei tried to wake her up, but she couldn't move her arms until she looked at the boob window in front of her and decided to try the next best thing, so she planted her face in Kaga's chest and licked the breasts until Kaga giggled at the tickling sensation until she slowly opened her eyes to see Issei licking her chest which made her face slowly turn into a massive blush before letting her go and backing away.
"W-Wh-Why were you licking my chest!?" Kaga asked as Issei got up and slowly stretched her arms and legs before looking at Kaga.
"Well, my arms were getting tired, and when I woke up, I couldn't move my arms or legs because of your iron grip on them, so I had to improvise by licking your boobs," Issei said as Kaga understood her reasons before coughing into her hands as she slowly stood up.
"I'm sorry for the rude awakening and my grip, but for some reason, my body told me to comfort and protect you. I'll leave you to get dressed while I go to Akagi and inform her of your waking up. When you're done getting dressed, have either Atago or Takao come to lead you to breakfast. We're having a little special breakfast to welcome you to the Sakura Empire before we send you to Ironblood. Your consort from Ironblood is Prinz Eugen, and let me know if she causes you any trouble. She's a naughty girl who loves to tease and play with others." Kaga said before she left Issei alone. She sighed in relief before going to her kimono and putting it on until she saw her reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but blush at her own beauty. The only thing out of place is a gem just above the cleavage of her breasts, amethyst in color and shaped like a dragon head.
"You know. I never knew my female self would've looked so beautiful. Is it possible to fall in love with yourself?" Issei asked as she looked at her assets and massaged them a little, making her blush and smile at their feeling until Ddraig woke up.
[Ah. Glad you're getting used to your new body. I should inform you that this will be an odd training session that you'll be going on since I can't seem to manifest the Boosted Gear on your left arm like usual.] Ddraig noted before she spoke.
"Hopefully, I can quickly get started in my training as this is going to be hard," She said, still taking glances at her own body, "Damn, I'm sexier than Akeno-senpai," Issei called herself before getting dressed, putting on the wrapping around her breasts first then the rest of her clothes.
Exiting the room, Issei slowly wandered around the dorm rooms before entering what looked like the courtyard.
"Man, this place looks like those back home," She said, seeing the design of the stones and some of the bushes.
Walking towards the center, Oblivion suddenly had something ejected from one of the horns, only to reveal an intricate-looking naginata. While the staff section is made of stainless steel, about six feet in length, the design looked like a dragon's body wrapped around it until the top where the blade was placed, and there the blade itself looked to be two feet in length.
"Whoa, that's awesome," She said, picking it up, then started doing some spins with it until the blade started glowing,
"Dragon Wave," Issei cried out, slashing at a random section of stones only to be surprised when a dragons head shot out a crescent blade of energy. Its mouth destroyed the surrounding area, leaving three feet by a foot-and-a-half-deep hole in the ground.
"My, my, so this is our sweet little Kouhai," A sweet voice said as Issei turned to the origin of the voice, the new girl saw two ship girls wearing identical outfits though one had her hair in a ponytail.
Before Issei could say anything, the other shipgirl suddenly appeared in front of the dual faction ship girl running her hands all over Issei's body.
"Atago, let her go at once!" The other girl told the now-named Atago, "You're going to scare her," she said.
"Akagi-sama did the same when I first awoke, so what's her excuse?" Issei pointed out and asked as the other girl sighed and replied to her question.
"My name is Takao, and that annoying but perverted girl is my sister Atago. She's very handsy with women that have big breasts, including me." Takao said, "We were told to bring you to the mess hall for introductions and breakfast."
"Though you can call me Nee-chan," Atago giggled.
Waking behind the sister, Ddraig started to speak, [Why aren't you going crazy over these two? Aren't you supposed to be the. . . oppai dragon] He said, trying not to puke at the name.
Pausing, though still walking, Issei answered back mentally, "H-Honestly, I don't know. I guess here I don't have to be a big breast-loving pervert. Sure I can be perverted, but for something, it's not over the top like before." Ddraig only narrowed his eyes before realizing something was odd. [Most likely due to this being a different world and former expectations aren't needed. However, this could also be because of your new form since you are a female, but I'm detecting something else you have on your new build. It's….Oh my.] Ddraig said in a surprised tone until he chuckled at his partner.
[Do not worry about it. However, I have a feeling you'll learn what I've learned sooner or later. For now, enjoy your breakfast and try to be calm. This may be the closest thing you get from a vacation since you've been busy with training back home. Think of it as a unique extended vacation, and know I'll always be here to talk when you need me as a partner.] Ddraig said as he left Issei alone once, they made it to the mess hall where Kaga was sitting with Akagi. Still, Issei's heart seemed to skip a beat as she saw a twin-tailed silver-haired woman wearing a military uniform of sorts with two dragon heads on her before she turned to look at her with red eyes that reminded her of rubies.
The woman smiled at her as she waved over to Issei. "Why hello there, little dragon. I'm glad to finally meet you. When Akagi said you were beautiful, she was not kidding or exaggerating. My name is Prinz Eugen, and you are beautiful if I say so myself." Eugen said as she smiled at Issei before pulling her by the kimono and taking her first kiss, much to the shock of Issei and, surprisingly, Kaga. At the same time, Akagi and Atago blushed at the scene with lust in their eyes, and Takao covered her eyes with her hands but peeked through her fingers as she saw Eugen french kiss the girl until she let her go and smiled while licking her lips.
"So sweet and delicious. Like the forbidden fruit." Eugen said as she patted the seat next to her. Issei nodded and sat next to Eugen while the Ironblood woman smiled and enjoyed watching Issei enjoy her breakfast, while Kaga glared death her way, but the woman ignored her, much to her ire.
"So, to talk about training, I say we have the little dragon be here for a month or so to get the basics and some of the intermediate stuff down," Eugen said, taking some of Issei's breakfast.
Remembering this, the sisters informed them of what had happened earlier.
"Interesting," Akagi said, being more interested in the new girl.
"We still need to find out her vessel form," Kaga said, leaning close to Issei as if making her mark. She couldn't help herself, seeing that Iron Blood slut kissing Issei like that
Eugen smirked as she slid next to Issei's left side and had her arm in her breasts. "Oh? Well, I'm sure Issei and I can figure it out once she's at Ironblood. I can only imagine her inability to concentrate due to the many perverts here in the Sakura Empire like your sister." Eugen said as Kaga growled at the silver-haired harpy, sinking her claws into her innocent Kohai before taking Issei's left arm and whispering in her ear.
"Just say the word, and I can train you instead of that teasing temptress who may try to take your chastity," Kaga said as Eugen was offended. "Oh! I am hurt. You would dare insinuate that I would hurt my precious Kouhai. I wish to nurture her and help her grow into a beautiful Sakura tree. A strong and beautiful girl that can stand by my side."
Unknown to the arguing pair, Issei was starting to panic as Raynare's face flashed in front of her to the point he pulled himself away from the arguing pair and then bolted for the door, thus attracting the attention of everyone, each of them worried that something had gotten to the new girl. Arriving at the pier, she could only gasp for air as she ran from the mess hall to here. "Wh-what was that?!" Issei demanded to herself, "The girls have done that all the time, and I've never reacted like that!" She said, glaring at her shaking hands.
[It's simple. Fear. You felt fear because of the past, and when that Eugen woman gave you that kiss, your mind made you think back to the Fallen. Kaga and Eugen seem interested in you romantically, but I believe you must get help for your fear since they will start to ask you about your past self. Tell them that it was a memory you regained when you were human. Tell them about Raynare and what she did to you, which will help them understand your fear. The girls can help you feel love and heal your mind. It would be best if you did it now since Kaga and Eugen are headed your way. No doubt concerned about you.] Ddraig said as Kaga and Eugen ran to the pier to catch Issei out of fear that they may have hurt her in some way.
Unable to say anything to them at this point, Issei took off onto the water, surprised he. . . no, she could do that, and thankfully the two didn't follow her. Finding what seems to be a secluded island, Issei hits the beach running, reaching a waterfall. Eyeing her reflection, Issei saw her female form be replaced with her former male one.
Looking into the eyes of the reflection, Issei couldn't help but see the memories of her devil life. "D-Did they even love me?" She asked out loud, stuttering. She saw Rias and Akeno fight over her like little girls fighting over a doll, Koneko ignoring her, and Xenovia only wanting him to have strong babies. Still, before the other memories could show up, Issei jumped back, whipping out her cannons to blast the waterfall.
From inside Issei's soul, Ddraig could only stare and frown at seeing what his partner was going through.
[Tch, some family you have, Gremory. You never tried to help the others of your peerage, but a simple human, a pervert, does what you should have. Worst of all, you and the others didn't see the pain he was going through.] The great dragon thought, then when he was about to close his eyes, they suddenly shot open. "[ISSEI! ABOVE YOU! TWELVE O'CLOCK! THAT SIREN GIRL IS BACK! AND SHE'S NOT ALONE THIS TIME!!]
Issei got out of the way as the Siren returned, but this one seemed different from the one that captured Issei as she appeared to have a more calm and collected demeanor while smiling at him. "Greetings, human. . . So this is the thing the Queen said that would turn the tide. Let's see how you are now as a pathetic hatchling."
At this point, obsidian black ships with blood-red veins appeared before they, too, broke into individual cubes forming expressionless drones.
"How do you like them? Artificial ship girls," the being laughed.
"My name is Observer Alpha, but you can call me Observer. My sister, Siren, had told me about her little pet project and wanted to test it against you to see if you truly were the one my Queen spoke about. Oh, I'm sure you'll love who she is." Observer said as she clapped her hands together before calling out.
"Siren Fallen. To battle!" Observer said as a portal opened to reveal a black-haired Siren, but her wings were jet black while her tentacles surrounded her body. She smiled at Issei lovingly before one of her many cannons opened a box and shot out a Lance that had a purple aura around it before she twirled it around to showcase her skills. At the same time, Issei prepared her naginata as she pointed it to Siren Fallen.
"Who are you? Tell me your name before I force it out of you!" Issei demanded as the Fallen smiled as she let her face mask come apart, much to the shipgirls dismay as she looked at the familiar face that's haunted her dreams since she was human and back home.
"But t-that's impossible." Issei stuttered as she gripped her weapon tightly before charging at the siren on the water. The Fallen smiled while her cannons charged up and fired at the girl. Still, Issei was surprised by how graceful she was now as she skated along the water's surface and dodged the attacks while deflecting a few with her weapon until the Fallen dove down and glided along the water as she readied her lance before clashing with Issei in the center.
"Hello, my love. Nice to see you in the flesh once more, and I have to say I love this new look of yours." Fallen said as she kissed Issei's lips, deadlocked until the Dragon kicked her away, making the Fallen moan in delight as she loved the power behind the kick. "Oh, baby. I've missed you being rough with me when you knocked me out back then. I have to thank that perverted Siren since I can fight you again and enjoy tasting your new form." She said as she charged up her lance before firing multiple laser lances that Issei was forced to deflect while feeling some of them cut through her defense until she felt one strike her left leg as she yelled in pain and went down on one knee.
"Dammit. She looks stronger than back home. Just what did Siren do to her?" Issei asked herself as she pushed herself up and charged up her naginata while Raynare charged at her before narrowing her eyes at her worst nightmare. "I am….."
Issei said as she charged up her naginata Raynare laughed heartily before the head of the weapon glowed brightly.
"DRAGON WAVE!" Issei yelled as she sent a more powerful concentrated version of her earlier strike that shocked and impressed Raynare so that she didn't even mind as the attack enveloped her and sent her flying toward the island's beach and into the waterfall. Issei panted heavily after releasing that attack before hearing Observer clap her hands in applause before smiling at him.
"Bravo. Bravo. Well done. I'm very impressed by how you handled our newest member. My Queen was correct. You may be what humanity needs to unite and stop the threat, being us Sirens. I shall take my leave and Raynare with me, but know this, Issei Hyoudou, this won't be the last time we meet. Not by a long shot." Observer said as she opened a portal and called Raynare's head towards her before taking the giggling head with her as she called out to Issei.
"Bye Bye! Hope we can play again soon!" Raynare said as she giggled like a child before vanishing into the portal with the Observer while the drones continued to advance toward Issei.
Still seeing the drones heading her way, Issei grinned savagely, similar to a dragon. "Stain the azure seas crimson and let all tremble in your wake. . . Ddraig!"
Shocked, Ddraig felt himself being dragged out of the soul, and before he knew it, he was next to Issei. His body, meanwhile, was different instead of the red/crimson he was known for back in his old life. This new body was now stylish silver in color but still had his green eyes. The wings resembled runways, but he could still fly with them, and on the wing joints were two four fourteen-inch barreled guns. Running along the body was anti-air artillery, five on both sides, followed by another runway down the tail; in between the anti-air guns were three two-barrel twelve-inch guns. Opening his mouth, a sea of flames shot out.
Issei climbed aboard the massive vessel as she smiled, and pointed her Nagitana at the enemy. "Unleash your wrath upon them, Ddraig!" Issei commanded as Ddraig couldn't help, but roar as many planes began to leave the runways and fire bullets or drop bombs on the enemy drones Ddraig was amazed at this new form and power. He saw Issei's eyes and could tell they were focused on the battle, except calmer.
"You seem to be much calmer now after you annihilated Raynare and your mind seems to be at ease, which makes me think you are healing. Is that true, Issei?" Ddraig asked his partner as Issei smiled at her partner back and replied.
"We can chat later, buddy. For now, focus on the battle." Ddraig grinned, then resumed to charge at the hoard of enemies.
Backflipping off Ddraig's back, Issei sliced through all the drones on her way back to the water's surface, unknowingly gathering energy into nine different spheres before launching them. For a quick moment, just standing in the center of the carnage, Issei couldn't help but laugh because maybe a bit of the devil could still be inside of him. Inside Issei's soul, something was starting to form.
Once the battle was over, Issei crawled onto the beach and passed out with Ddraig circling him. Before she could close her eyes, she saw two different sets of white hair reaching her before fainting.
Issei then saw a dark blue sea and the moon in the sky. She looked around to see that she was back in the Sakura Empire, but while she was on the beach, a figure was on top of the mountain. The figure dived downwards to strike Issei with a Nagitana. Still, Issei blocked it with her own before seeing the figure looked just like her but had a set of Devil wings while a crimson dragon was behind her that looked like Ddraig, but it seemed to radiate nothing but death and destruction which made the figure smile as she spoke to her.
"Why hello there, partner. How's the new body holding up? Did you like it? The joy of crushing your enemies under your strength and staining the sea red with blood? Well, I'm on your other side. The darkness that has lived in you ever since you became a Devil. I couldn't come out much since you were a goody little Pawn while I was the King. One that will protect its kingdom by crushing all of my foes under my foot and Ddraig at my side. Why don't you forget that old world and become one with me? Together we can take over the Azure Sea and become a real Emperor. No, an Empress." The Dark Issei asked as she held out a hand for Issei to shake it, but Issei looked at her counterpart before shaking her head.
"No. That is the act of a tyrant. Not a King. A king is someone who protects the people and their kingdom. I will not become a tyrant of a Devil." Issei said as the Dark Issei tried to force her to become one with her, but before she could grab Issei, a white fox and a white shark appeared before turning into chains trapping the Dark Issei in them before she was taken back into her temple before a seal was formed in place of the door, but before it closed, the Dark Issei growled at her.
"You may have me trapped in your soul but know that soon you'll need me, for you can't survive without me. We're the same, you and I, but the difference between us is that I don't let my enemies escape and go all out on my foes. But if you want me to be stuck in here, then fine, I'll concede for now. See you soon, my foolish sister. Ta-Ta.~" Dark Issei said to her counterpart before the doors closed and trapped the Dark Issei in the seal. The dragon vanished as the sun came up, the sea was bright blue once again, and the Cherry Blossom trees were in full bloom as the Fox and Shark appeared before turning into Kaga and Eugen, respectively. They both smiled at her as they held out a hand for her.
"Shall we go to the spa, my love?"
"Let's go home together, my beautiful Ryu-hime."
Kaga and Eugen said, respectively, until Issei took their hands, awakening on her bed in the Sakura Empire. Ddraig is next to hi-her, only about the size of a German shepherd.
She then placed a hand on Ddraig, who woke up at his partner's touch before Issei stood up and looked at her reflection in the water before asking Ddraig a question. "Ddraig. Do you still see me as your partner even though I'm a woman now?" She wondered as Ddraig stood up and nodded as he walked over to her.
"You're still my partner Issei. Whether you're a human, a devil, or a girl, I'll always be there at your side." Ddraig responded as their moment of silence was cut off by a pair of familiar voices.
"Are you okay, Issei? You're not hurt, are you? We're sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. We didn't have your request to do that to you, and I'm sorry. From now on, I'll ask before I do anything like that." Kaga said as Eugen pulled Issei in her arms before gently kissing her left cheek; she hugged her with so much love and care that one would have for their passion.
Seeing genuine love and affection, Issei broke down crying, as this was a 360 from the girls of the ORC. A warm feeling she had been feeling from them until the two girls, with the kitsune and shark equipment, sat down on the beach and comforted the girl they were slowly growing to love.
"Issei? Would you like us to be with you tonight? Before you go to Ironblood?" Kaga asked as Issei smiled and nodded before the duo crawled into Issei's bed. Eugen tenderly kissed Issei's left cheek while Kaga kissed the right cheek before Issei smiled at them both before kissing both of their lips which made the two girls feel different from Issei being the one to initiate the kiss and boy did it make them feel fabulous.
'It's like smelling beautiful flowers when they bloom.' Kaga said as Eugen smiled and liked her kiss. 'Tastes strangely similar to pomegranates. I love those a lot.' They thought respectively before the trio settled in as they slept for the night.