J0ker981: Hit with the horny, but not by normal means LOL. Let us hope he can withstand the potential of Issei for a time...
SantoryuSekai: We can agree on all counts there XD That is part of my hope for this story not just for Dorian, but also for Issei's powers to feel not only earned, but his own and not just given because he's the MC. I am glad you've been enjoying it and continue to do so :)
trexboy164: I am touched by the in-depth review and analysis :D I sent my full reply to you as a PM. I totally agree on the HUGE character introductions after Vol. 21, most of whom felt out of place with how new or barely seen they were. Some of them will make appearances pre-Trihexa, but only those I feel are natural for the situation. As for "the thing"...thanks ;) I hope you enjoy where it goes.
DragonXDelinquent: More than 1 night, the initial urges may have died down...but without grabbing breasts it doesn't have the power to jump again LOL. Let's hope those Buddha points stay strong. As for the Sage Arts, I thought with how rare they are in the series I built up early how tricky the powers are so that if he does learn them, it will take time. As for the others wanting him to master their respective fields, that will be in time ;) Right now, they are letting him grow naturally, but that won't last too much longer.
CaedmonCousland: I do love seeing your reviews, thank you! :D I sent a full reply via PM. I probably should have been clearer with the car crash flashback. The idea was trying to keep it ambiguous exactly where the changes took place. My initial plan admittedly was that he survived the car crash but due to being in it wouldn't have been the same before the fire in the apartment. But I'll be delving more into his nightmare scenes in later arcs. As for your prank idea...oh god...other people's thoughts projected publicly...no one is safe! XD
Gan315: I am so glad you enjoyed the chapter :D I'll admit I had way more fun writing the Darion X Koba scene than I should have. As for your worry, fear not, Yasaka will NOT become the thirsty character she became in Shin DxD. She will remain the mature motherly figure that was introduced in Kyoto. That personality shift felt so unnatural to me just to add 1 more to Issei's harem (even creepier considering Kunou is after him too lol). You stay safe as well and best wishes! :)
fanficcyberman: Not Azazel, but his sudden pervert shift is far from natural lol. I am so touched you still love my story as much as when you started :D My family and I are doing well, I pray the same for you :)
WinterRuneWolf: Sorry for the long-winded chapter if it came off that way lol. By future love scenes I meant those of a more...physical nature ;)
Hang Tuah: Exactly, both through learning more from Rossweisse's formerly-abandoned essay and the fact that the 5+ months after Despoina's death before she was revealed to have a fragment in Dorian's mind, she was traversing and looking over the nightmare. She had time to study it.
ahsoei: It's funny that you mention Suzaku ;) I hope you enjoy how things go.
OBSERVER01: Hahaha, they do have a high-ratio of combat maniacs.
theLawbringer: Oh, he'll be there considering it's still inside him XD OMG, I can totally see Bennia doing that! XD XD
Slayer Cross: The return of Heracles has been long coming. The guy who beat him senseless, attacked Olympus and caused Thrud's burns and injuries from their fight...he has not forgotten. The woman's identity will be revealed this chapter. XD No doubt you are right...the forbidden love of Darian and Koba will be an ongoing series among the women of Kuoh LOL.
Spectrvs: I am so glad you enjoyed them for such detailed reviews! :D I sent a full reply via PM. All the manly hugs and you stay safe too man :)
And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!
"I've never been in such a grand place in my life!" Matsuda explained as the group entered the hotel they would be staying. They had taken a detour on the way, marveling at what they could see even before starting the official trip.
"Kyoto Tower!" Irina had been very excited, Hecuba restraining her own enthusiasm behind and nearly failing at the task. "I don't think I can wait two more days to see it up close!" It took more than a little prodding to pull them away towards the building that would be their home the next three days.
Funded by the Gremorys, the building was enormous and extravagant like those visiting diplomats or government officials would use. The class marveled at the glistening floor, marble columns and tasteful statues, each murmuring to the other theorizing how their school can afford such a place. Those among the Gremory Peerage and Crossroads, however, while pleasantly surprised, were noticeably less enthusiastic than the rest. Between the grandeur of Asgard's palace or the size of the Gremory estate, they had seen bigger.
"Asgard was so much larger," Dorian remarked to Rossweisse as they checked in. "Even the dormitory I stayed was akin to a castle," he remembered their walks to and from Freyja's chamber talking about their days. Even then before he had admitted how he felt, love had been there but who would have believed the bodyguard to a god would reciprocate such feelings?
"Perhaps we can visit sometime," Rossweisse offered. "Once this trip is over, we have some time before classes start up. We could see the fairs again, or perhaps Vanaheim. I have not been there in many years."
So, this is what it feels like to be homesick, Dorian smiled gently at the idea that was alien to him through the years of moving again and again. It's not a bad feeling. Maybe after graduating I could get a place there. I am sure the Crossroads will be needed everywhere. Rose and I could get a house…A renewed image popped into his head, carrying the Valkyrie over the threshold of their new home, laying her down upon the bed and…
The class was very confused as Dorian suddenly took a hard left, slamming his head into the nearby pillar to drive out the sudden thoughts plaguing him since the train. No matter how much cold water he doused on himself or thoughts of baseball, he just couldn't get the desires out of his head. He was thankful the compulsions had died down, but he was very distracted, nonetheless.
"A little preoccupied?" The ever-playful voice of Kiryuu graced his ears. Based on the grin on her face, she could someone sense full well what he was focused on, and she was loving every second of it. "Maybe you should take care of some business after we get into our rooms?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Dorian tried to deflect poorly.
"Don't hide it, you're a guy after all," her words somehow came from a place of wisdom. "You don't have to pretend not to have those thoughts at all, it's natural. Just don't let it get too out of hand."
As if to prove her point, Motohama and Matsuda were huddled in a corner nearby covering each other as they exchanged R-21 videos they had snuck onto the train. Based on their demeanor, the duo thought they were as stealthy as possible, in truth they couldn't have been more obvious.
"Or you could end up like those guys. Though you could always ask them to borrow one," she adored the silent expression of Dorian with no idea how to reply.
"Remember everyone!" Azazel called out once the students were gathered together in the lobby. "You'll all have a chance to see your rooms and unpack, free time will be until 5:00 and you MUST be back here by 5:30. Use your time well, Ms. Rossweisse has some words she wanted to share!" The silver-haired teacher who had become the favorite of the male students stepped forward, clearing her throat with a gentle cough.
"I would like everyone to be responsible," she started in such a way that fooled them into thinking it would be a normal speech to mind their manners in a new city. "And be sure to utilize the 100-yen shops located nearby!"
Always practical, Dorian grinned with a goofy expression loving every word despite how embarrassed he felt for her. Most of the students had stopped paying attention as her tangent started with the exception of the boys transfixed on her all the same. It was understandable as her Valkyrie heritage gave a divine quality that Dorian was appreciating more and more. It was becoming a regular task during his classes with her to keep their minds focused on the work and not their beautiful teacher.
"They are fair prices with some moderately used goods! Save your hard-earned money and check it out when picking out souvenirs for your friends and family! Also, you can stand to…"
"Okay," Azazel started again, his own words not even slowing Rossweisse's pace. "She'll be at this a bit, so be on good behavior, settle in and let's get ready to hit the roads! If you'll excuse me, I have some…important business to attend to."
"Yes sir!"
A few minutes later…
"Just because they don't understand the importance of good savings doesn't mean they should pay any less attention to a teacher!" Rossweisse pouted a bit as they reached the diverging paths separating the men's rooms from the women's.
"It does explain their grades in finance," the two shared a mutual chuckle. "This is where I get off," he pointed to the long hallway reserved for the few male students.
"Me as well," she brushed some hair from her eyes. The others will be looking over their rooms and…"
She gasped as Dorian suddenly advanced, pressing his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. The young Kuoh teacher backed up into the wall, her clipboard dropping to the floor with a clatter. A soft moan escaped her lips as his hands grew bolder, sliding up to undo the first button of her suit.
"D-Dorian," she found the resolve to decline wavering as her arms embraced him. "We are st-still on this trip, if the others show up…"
Dorian's eyes focused as if he'd been in a trance. Quickly recovering, he slid back to give some distance between them. He was panting hard, his heart beating a mile a minute, the same sensation from the train spiked for a moment but seemed to have abated.
"I-I'm sorry Rose, I don't know what came over me. My…mind hasn't been in the right place; I don't know why but ever since the train…"
"It is alright," she assured him, seeing the guilt in his eyes. Her own heart lifted a bit at the confirmation of how alluring he found her. "Now is just not the right time, perhaps after the trip we may…"
"I would like that very much," he inched closer towards her.
"We are going to have SUCH a good time," the voice of Kuroka warned them of her approaching presence. "Kyoto can be a wild city if you know where to look! Maybe take your mind off Do…Dorian, I haven't gotten to stay in such accommodations in years!"
Irina and Kuroka had rounded the corner with their bags looking over a map of the city, the young angel looking as exasperated as ever at her assigned roommate. As the two looked onward, Dorian appeared to be standing by himself, Rossweisse mysteriously gone having ducked down the women's hallway before risking the event that occurred becoming known. He was leaning against the wall nonchalantly, acting like he had been alone the whole time.
"Dorian, please make her stop," Irina half begged. "Maybe Xenovia can room with her…"
"She's with Hecuba," Dorian looked over the layout copy he had been given. "Sorry, can't be changed." He raised his hands in defeat, Irina's own look showing the terror she felt at spending three nights with Kuroka.
"I could switch with Dorian," Kuroka teased. "Unless you wanted to-OH!" She found herself grabbed by the collar of her nurses' outfit, being dragged towards their room by the angel whose cheeks were bright red.
"We haven't gotten to sightsee since you showed me around Hailes Abbey," Dorian mentioned before she could disappear. "It'll be nice to see places neither of us have been to."
"Won't it?" Irina's eyes lit up. "I heard of the shrines you can wish at for your future, oh it will be so wonderful! We'll get ready and meet you downstairs!"
"Um, Dorian," Kuroka pointed to his feet. "I think you dropped something." He looked down, eyes going wide realizing that Rossweisse hadn't time to retrieve her clipboard before disappearing. With the most obviously guilty laugh, he picked it up and rushed down the hall.
Dorian quickly shuffled over to his room, shaking the cobwebs out of his brain. He was so off balance by the compulsions he didn't realize his assigned space was a bit further from the rest one floor up. He placed his hand on the door to slide open while thinking of what lay within.
Queen-sized beds, full amenities and a mini fridge, Dorian breathed deep the freshly washed scents as he entered his room. Enough space for…a standard Japanese apartment?
Inside, where he had expected to find the luxurious décor and items of comfort, was enough space that he could walk from one end to the other in a handful of steps. Instead of grand beds, were floor mats with a modest coffee table and a decade-old television with a screen smaller than his head. But what made his eye twitch even more was the person already standing within.
"Issei!"
"GOLDIE! I should have known you were behind this! Giving me the lamest room in the hotel!"
"It's my room too!" Dorian flipped to the schedule, checking a half dozen times before admitting his eyes were not playing tricks. "This was NOT in the brochure!"
"Yes…about that," the meek voice of Rossweisse greeted him outside the door looking terribly guilty. "This was the room Rias had prepared for Issei where we could discuss sensitive matters in private. I meant to tell you that as the Crossroads representative that it was deemed most efficient for you to be placed in the same lodgings, but it got away from me." He knew her better, she'd not wanted to tell him, choosing to delay until the change was already revealed.
"This sucks! First I lose my potential on the train and now this!" Issei moaned staying in the same room as his unofficial rival.
"Your potential…?" Dorian did not have time to ponder his strange statement as the raucous laughter of the perverted duo having stopped by to see their friend made the quality of their room sting all the more.
"Staying with the enemy?" Matsuda glared to Dorian remembering their ill-fate meeting. "I thought better of you Issei, how can we show off our findings with him nearby?" Issei shushed him with Rossweisse standing right behind them with crossed arms, shuffling off with them out to discuss strategy. Rossweisse could only mouth a solemn 'I'm sorry' before retrieving her clipboard and sliding out close behind to check on the other students before they scattered across Kyoto for free time.
"Where is that Azazel," she muttered in a frustrated tone growing muted as she got further away. "He's supposed to be helping!"
It could be worse, no sense in dwelling on it, Dorian asserted, dropping his suitcase on the mat he claimed as his own. A quick wash, put everything away, then I can head out without a care in the…
"RAT!"
Sure enough, curled up within his extra pants and shirts with cheeks full of strawberries grinning from ear to ear was none other than his friend and occasional effort in absolute frustration, Ratatoskr. Swallowing quickly, he stretched out before flopping onto his back lazily.
"Heya boss, took ya long enough. Any longer and I would have been forced to eat your belts. Were those potato chips meant for later?"
"What are you doing?" Dorian hushed his voice to a whisper. "I thought you were back in the Roads!"
"Slipped out before it closed," he scurried out of punching distance while surveying the room. "We haven't gotten to travel together in so long, thought it'd be fun. Ya know, like our Olympus trip just with fewer sexy statues. Boy, they went the cheap route with our room, didn't they? Maybe we can meet some youkai or three and invite them back, fox ladies are the best. It's the bushy tails, they love it when you brush em, and the ears." He added with a wink.
"Is there anywhere you HAVEN'T been?" Dorian asked as he hastily made his preparations.
"Aphrodite's bedroom," he sighed wistfully. "We haven't gone there for a few months. How about a layover while we are out and about today?"
"You shouldn't have stowed away if that was your goal, we are sticking to the schedule. I may be able to go anywhere but I'm not supposed to, remember."
"Live a little kid! Kyoto is an old timey town with magic to boot! I bet even a whiff of one of these Ley Lines would launch you clear to Asgard from here."
"Ley Lines?" Dorian thought for a moment, trying to recall one of the many documents tucked away in his desk at home.
I can sense them, Iggy's voice echoed in his head before materializing in the real world. She plopped down on Issei's mat, despite the rough nature of the surface she looked like she couldn't have been happier. "They are like music, a flow passing through me. It tickles a little, quite soothing. Perhaps it can help with your excess energy."
"Magic currents running all across Kyoto underground. The youkai and Shinto babes have been using it as a battery since…wait, excess energy?" Ratatoskr locked onto Dorian's sudden silence of embarrassment. "Boss man, what HAVE you been doing?"
"Iggy, don't…"
"He has been finding himself drawn to the feminine attributes of women more than usual since the train trip," she answered in total honesty. "I am surprised it took so long, his desire to find a suitable mate to plant a seed with is quite strong."
"IGGY!" Dorian's heart plummeted at Ratatoskr's absolutely devilish smile.
"Well sirey bob all you had to do was say so, I thought this day would never come! If it's that excess energy of the best kind, just find the Mrs. Valkyrie after dark! You are on patrol after all, once the others are all safe and sound in bed…"
Dorian tuned out, rushing to finish washing up before heading out with the others. He could only dread how much his incorrigible friend would milk this knowledge for all it was worth.
"And then you get a nice glass of wine, with how she acts when drunk she might be more open to…"
Issei would wonder upon his return why there was suddenly a hole in the wall haphazardly hidden behind the television. He thought better about asking.
Back in Kuoh…
"I never realized how big this room is,"Bennia remarked as she and the remaining residents of the Hyoudou mansion and Tower relaxed in the living room. She was decked out in her dark blue pajamas covered in gold clouds and cradling a bowl of popcorn.
With so few remaining with the second years in Kyoto, the room was much more spacious with a couch available for everyone left. Even so, they huddled close together on the sofa as Koneko popped in the DVD.
"It does make it much easier picking a movie," Rias chuckled. She felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. Her mind often wandered to what the trip in Kyoto was like, however the less chaotic numbers was a welcome change, even temporary. "Are you sure about this one?"
"Ara ara," Akeno teased. "Afraid of a little ghost that can only be seen through cameras?" Just as the others, she had her lounging clothes unconcerned with the rest of her team who had seen her more casual self on multiple occasions. "Poor little Gasper isn't here?"
"He is getting better," Koneko had to admit. "But he's still Gaspy. The moment you mentioned ghosts he was already in his box."
"At least he has Zepar up there with him," Akeno smiled, thinking of the dark-haired fallen angel trying to coax the half-vampire from his cardboard box of safety. Last she heard he had started going over organizational options for his room.
"You all may enjoy this one," Akeno assured. "Even Kiba was hesitant to watch it."
"Then let the challenge begin!" Thrud slammed down several two-liter bottles of soda on the table, a sizable bowl of chips and other snacks followed. It was a sight none of the boys would often see if at all. "None may leave the room until the credits roll."
"I…suppose that is acceptable," Seekvaira sat among them still retaining her proper demeanor despite her own red nightie which was her preferred sleeping attire. She had been outvoted on the film but refused to back down from a challenge. "Thrud, I went over the Crossroad's budget. We can cut a sizable expenditure by using Agares routes for trade when not utilizing Doria…Mr. Held's Roads. Is ALL the technology in the Tower workshop from the various member groups?"
"Every piece," Bennia confirmed for her. "The stuff we need to deliver, or escort has been marked, the rest is a thank you we get to tinker with." She absolutely loved the restrained joy on Seekvaira's face. "No, I doubt anyone would mind."
"Popcorn?" Akeno offered Rias knowing full well how her friend liked to relax. "We have three days of this, we should pace ourselves."
"Thank you, maybe in time we can have everyone do this. Seeing Issei try to watch it would be…" She was interrupted as a light went off on the meeting table in the next room, a call was coming in. "Hmmm, I wonder who that could be."
The opening credits were paused as Rias went to answer it. To the surprise of others, the men upstairs suddenly appeared at the back of the room. Gasper was slowly heading in glancing left and right as if worried the ominous music of the film meant foul portents in the real world.
"I…I want to watch too!" Gasper announced still meekly but louder than usual. "I am Rias Gremory's first Bishop, a scary movie i-isn't enough to stop me!"
"Well, I suppose boys wanting to join girl's night is only natural."
That is adorable, Akeno grinned with an internal warmth. She saw herself as the big sister of the team, even more so since she had started coming to terms with her past. All the same, she often wished she had someone to depend on, to make her know everything would be okay. As Zepar sat down on the couch, she inched to his side, seizing his arm and pulling him close. Her breasts pressed into him, sending a smile to his lips despite the awkward nature. She had become more forward than ever since their first date.
"Are you alright?" He whispered with a concerned tone. She was holding on tightly as if afraid letting go would cause her to lose him. "I am not going anywhere."
"We can't know that," she squeezed a little tighter. "I just…I want this to last, please."
How can I help her feel at ease? Zepar eased into the embrace more concerned than ever. She had reconciled with her father, Lord Baraqiel, yet her fragile emotional state remained. He didn't like seeing her that way. The young fallen angel was more than happy to bear any burden to make her happy, all the same his mind was racing on how to put her soul at ease…and came up frustratingly empty.
"That was mother," Rias interrupted as she took her place on the couch once more. "It appears the Old Satan Faction is causing some trouble in our territory. She asked that we return home tomorrow night."
"I thought Katerea had a non-aggression pact for the moment?" Zepar pointed out.
"So did we, but these ones don't answer to her. With the others dead we don't know who is in charge. She has a suspicion, however, which is why she and Grayfia are going themselves. But," her smile returned as she unpaused the film. "We still have tonight and the one after the next if all goes well. Who is ready to be scared?"
Gasper shuddered yet held his ground, Thrud grinning from ear to ear.
"Glad to hear it, I hope none of you own cameras, you probably won't want to pick it up for a week after this one…"
Kyoto…
"Oh, the little fox statues are so cute!" Irina pulled Hecuba to the souvenir shops dotting to road to the first destination. "We have to buy one!"
"It's our first day and location," she tried to dissuade her to no avail. "If we do too much, we'll have to carry it up the mountain."
"Perhaps one of the little charms at least?" Asia begged; none could refuse her smile.
"Fushimi Inari-Taisha," Dorian spoke aloud only sparingly using the guidebook to ensure the accuracy of his words. "Dating back to the eighth century, it was used as a means of Imperial patronage by Emperor Murakami almost three-hundred years later."
"Ah, but that was the older shrines," Aika Kiryuu pushed up her glasses smugly as she challenged Dorian's knowledge. "The structures built in 711 were south of here, the main building was moved over a hundred years after that."
The two locked eyes, a spark of competition between the two, Dorian's general history verses Kiryuu's knowledge of the region. The other students took a worried step back.
"Yes," Dorian started. "Leading up Inari Mountain 764 feet above sea level with over a thousand gates donated to…"
"Torii," Kiryuu clarified with gleeful grin. "Those gates are called Torii, try to keep up. It does go four kilometers up. Who uses feet?"
"Everyone!" Matsuda called out in one of the few times he was permitted to hold a camera. "Let's get a picture of all the babe…I mean of everyone before we head up!"
"Don't miss my good side!" Kiryuu struck a pose to the utter surprise of the group, normally against any form of attention from the members of the perverted trio. "I'm a natural model!"
The class gathered close; the memories being formed trumping any disagreements between the students. Even Issei and Motohama were allowed to join the rest, Dorian was pushed to the front as giggles from the class surrounded him. On his shoulder sat Ratatoskr, his eyes widened to look like a normal squirrel in his best acting job to date. As far as the others knew, he had stowed away in someone's pack but was so well-trained by Dorian that he wouldn't wander off. He was to be in view so that he featured prominently in the picture.
"And copies of that for everyone!" Asia asked above the rest, turning to Issei with a smile. "So that we never forget these days."
"Right," he sighed contentedly. "Everything is just perfect."
The students meandered up the path leading to the entrance of the pathway up the mountain. The ancient gates, Torii, leading the way up all the way to the top that would take almost two hours to reach. The route would be long, but the Kuoh Academy second years were up to it, only a few stumbling on a stray rock or bush. Fortunately, they had nurses on hand to patch them up.
"Oh my," Kuroka purred as she laced a band aid with a whiff Sage Art energy. "That looks like such a bruise, should I kiss it and make it better?" Dorian could not help but notice the large number of clumsy students…all of them men.
At this rate the class won't make it up to the top alive.
May I…? Iggy suddenly perked up from her silence of listening to him. May I come out? I…
Of course Iggy, she didn't need to finish her request. Though you may stand out in your normal dress.
Oh, that's no issue. Despoina was next to speak. She's been modeling for you. Go on Iggy, I'll hold down the fort while you're out.
Dorian stepped behind a lion statue the class was approaching as the wind seemed to pick up around him. Exhaling loudly, a wisp of smoke left his body swirling before him like a miniature tornado growing taller and taller. In no time at all, the winds started to shimmer a soft hue that took Iggy's shape, the daughter of Yggdrasil standing before him in all her glory. She wore a pale-green dress with a silver floral pattern, the skirt just a touch shorter than what was proper. Mixed with her wide-brimmed hat to block out the sun, she was indistinguishable from the other visitors not accounting for her green hair.
"Well?" She twirled a bit to show off her full dress she had spent making just for that day. "What do you think?"
"You look…stunning," he answered honestly, providing her some money so she could look around. "Are you sure you'll be okay? We are going to the top and back, a little dull but…"
"It's grand," she jumped for joy at the freedom she had. "We can pray at the shrine at the top, they had similar customs in Norse lands, my mother says!"
"Similar yet different," Dorian could not help but find such fascination in comparing how absolutely contrasting yet somewhat similar completely unrelated cultures who never met could be. "Nothing so grand, but the occasional shrine to the Aesir or various gods tied to someone's profession or goal. I guess everyone believes in something greater than themselves who can help in a moment of need."
"Hey Dorian!" Kiryuu called out, the Einherjar failing to notice the class was passing through the Lion Gate. "Don't fall behind flirting with the locals!" He and Iggy blushed from ear to ear. Nodding for her to enjoy herself, he fell back to rejoin his fellow classmates.
The path to the head shrine seemed to go on forever, row after row of Torii gates stretched on for miles ahead of them. Normally, shrines like these would repel devils and hinder an Einherjar such as himself, fortunately Rias had supplied a talisman that would render it inert to a certain extent. Such items were given out when the agreement was made to allow class trips and other educational outings to the city. All the same, he could constantly sense the ambiance of youkai magic. They were being watched, no doubt to ensure they upheld their end of the agreement. Any funny business would result in action taken by one side or the other.
"It certainly explains all the ghost stories I was raised on," Xenovia thought to herself. "If Kyoto truly is the center of Japanese mysticism and supernatural occurrences beyond devils, how much of those are actually true I wonder?"
Kyoto, according as much as they could gather, was home to two major factions of supernatural forces; the youkai and Shinto clans. Often mistaken by outsiders for being the same, the youkai was a supernatural race all their own with human traits intermixed with every species of animal and beyond. They did not adhere to a specific dominant belief or myth as others but seemed to exude magic themselves. They had two groups located in Western and Eastern Kyoto, with their school plans they would only be entering the Western territory.
The Five Shinto Clans on the other hand were all human, their customs frowning greatly upon any interaction with supernatural races, especially fallen angels and devils. Differing from the youkai, they followed the way of the Shinto, worshiping and supposedly even communing with their deities. Unlike some gods, such as those in the Nine Realms, they did not often interact with the mortal plane, opting instead to work through the current heirs of each of the five clans. Their Clan heads had been completely against meeting with the alliance leaders, not even replying to their messages.
"C-come on, wait up," a few students from the class gasped as they had been walking for the better part of a half hour. "No need to show off."
It was true, the normal students of the class were getting winded, those ahead being of the supernatural persuasion, or nearly so in Hecuba's case, having much higher stamina and abilities than normal. Many had given up on keeping pace, opting instead to view the candy stalls and souvenir shops located partway up. Though she was not tired, Iggy was among those to stop, glancing at every shiny bauble and delectable treat to catch her eye. Even Matsuda started taking pictures of her included with the other students.
"Hecuba! Can you take another?" Irina asked, pulling Xenovia closer to her at the edge of a railing leading to a breathtaking view of the mountainside. "Don't even think of getting out of it! Set a timer and join us!" Even on vacation, the sword sisters were inseparable.
Rose would love this view, Dorian sighed as he gazed out over the mountains. It's too bad she had to remain at the hotel. Maybe tomorrow or the next day, we can see some places together. Hmmm?
Dorian glanced over to a shrine further up. In front of a humble stone he hadn't noticed knelt a woman with long black hair tied into a ponytail he'd seen before. She seemed to be praying, her lips running quickly yet silently as if expressing a long-rehearsed or many-times repeated mantra. What drew his attention most of all, beyond even her dynamic figure that caused his left hand to twitch again, was her uncanny resemblance to one he knew.
"Akeno?" He inched forward towards the out of the way shrine. "What are…?" He froze as she noticed him, her eyes opening from the prayer as she turned to him with a smile that he could have sworn was none other than Gremory Queen. Even as her demeanor screamed her identity, her eyes refuted it being a light crimson verses Akeno's violet and seeming older somehow. "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else."
"I get that a lot," she rose from her knees. "You are one of the students judging by your uniform. Enjoy what time you can here, things can change in this city quickly."
"Hey Goldie!" Issei called out, drawing his attention back to the path. "Are you coming to the top or what?" By the time Dorian turned back to the woman, she was gone.
Does EVERYONE know that trick?
"When Mr. Tannin trained me in the Dragon Mountains," he boasted, reminding Dorian of that harsh landscape they had visited only recently. "He taught me that if you go up a mountain to always aim for the peak. What do you say to a friendly race? The winner gets to pick his space in our sorry excuse for a room."
"A race?" Dorian's adrenaline was already pumping from the thoughts in his head, combined with his naturally competitive side he could not resist such a request. "You're on!"
"You two are nuts," Motohama gasped exhausted. "The peak is still so far!" He groaned in embarrassment at how out of shape he was, Dorian and Issei had already taken up positions getting ready to sprint.
"Don't hurt yourself," Hecuba stepped ahead of the rest, raising her hand high. Competitions between soldiers was common in Olympus and often times helped to improve morale and comradery between the troops. She saw no reason it may not do the same with Dorian and Issei. "On three, one…two…three!"
As her hand sliced the air, Issei and Dorian took off sprinting. Dorian had his natural Einherjar stamina while his opponent used his devil strength. Both moving at what would be record-breaking speeds in the human world putting them out of sight of their classmates within a matter of seconds.
"Oh, where did Dorian go?" Iggy asked, coming up behind Hecuba with a pair of Dango dumpling sticks in hand, passing one to the Spartan with a smile. Her grin quickly faded as a shadow darted past them, heading up the path after the competing teenagers. "What was that?"
"Nothing good," Hecuba wolfed down her bar, immediately regretting it at the unexpectedly sweet flavor Iggy had chosen. "C-come on, we can't fall behind!"
We don't even have weapons; she cursed the requirement entering the area with no weapons including sealing the pocket dimensions. We shall have to improvise.
Up the Hill…
"I trained in that damned mountain for a month!" Issei shouted as he and Dorian remained neck and neck. "I survived that Hell to be strong for the President!"
"Barren wastelands for training, big deal," Dorian countered. "In Jotunheim EVERYTHING was trying to kill me! Try facing a plant that can eat a fireball or a Tafl game of giant statues that warp your memory and tell me about Hel!"
The pair blasted through the Torii path, a burst of wind following close behind. Though both their strengths far surpassed humans, Issei found the trained Einherjar slightly pulling ahead, remembering the long-past race he had witnessed back in Asgard.
He's fast, but nothing compared to thought itself!
Dorian claimed the lead, the end of the long path of red gates nearing its end. Just beyond, a group of smaller shrines surrounded a sizable building, the main shrine of Fushimi Inari. The first to touch it would be deemed the victor.
"You won't beat me," Issei asserted as he somehow closed the gap between them. "I'm going to make it to the top and pray for all the erotic things I'll be able to do with the President and Asia and have even more for my harem when I become a high-class devil!"
Is that all you think about? It sounds like what I've been feeling since the train but without an off switch? Just a bit farther, then I can rub it in his…
"GOLDIE MOVE!" Issei spun on a dime, diving back towards his opponent just now clearing the pathway up. He tackled the young Einherjar to the ground seconds before a hail of black dagger-like feathers pierced where he'd been standing.
"What?!" He asked before seeing the condition of the ground he'd just been walking on. "Who did that?"
"You're not from Kyoto." A soft voice drew their attention upward, the pair immediately falling into a defensive stance, their rivalry forgotten.
A young woman who couldn't possibly have been older than Bennia stood atop the hill scowling down at them. She was wearing a red and white priestesses robe, golden hair matching the irises of her eyes affixed on them in clear anger. She was surrounded by numerous guards that had been so stealthy their presence was obscured until she called out to them. Taking into account so many, they almost missed the most prominent features of her; fuzzy animal ears and a fluffy tail giving away her status as a youkai.
"A girl?" Issei muttered. "Like Koneko, but those aren't cat ears. They're a…"
"A fox's," Dorian finished for him, hoping to avoid an incident knowing of Freyja's hopes for youkai inclusion in their alliance. "We are here under the agreement of protection afforded to students of…"
"How dare you try to quote our laws!" The girl called out with rage in her voice. "Attack, do not let either escape!"
At her command, the men darted forward with blinding speed. They were all clearly youkai of various species and variants. Many were adorned with fox masks to hide their fangs, others were more conspicuous sporting crow heads with black wings covering their arms, no doubt the same that had nearly assailed them. Dorian recalled hearing of tengu from Kiba who had met one while assisting Kiyome Abe in her arranged marriage battle.
Red light flashed as the Boosted Gear appeared upon Issei's arm. Dorian thought different, opting to manifest Laerad Ragnarok as horns atop his head akin to his Balance Breaker and restrict the flow of power. With the reveal of Iggy being an independent avatar, he could summon his gear however he wished. The pact made sure weapons could not be brought, however nothing could truly seal their Sacred Gears in such a way. With Iggy disconnected, Dorian was limited to his own understanding, fortunately he knew the power of the Nine Realms like the back of his hand. He caught the wrist of the first attacker, squeezing until he dropped the straight sword to claim as his own. With a graceful flip he threw the tengu into a nearby tree, the newly acquired weapon allowing him to defend himself. Issei abstained from drawing Ascalon, being more comfortable with his hands, the accompanying boosts making him strong enough to deflect or evade the first wave of strikes.
If I used Twilight Star, or Issei Ascalon, this fight could get out of hand. With the class down the hill, we can't let them be drawn into this!
"Give me back my mother!" The girl leading the attack commanded. "What have you done with her?"
"Who is your mother!?" Dorian called out as he clashed with a fox-youkai. They were quite strong, even Issei was pushed back by the trio assailing him. The Einherjar judged they could potentially be high-class each or better.
She must be important to have guards this strong. Dorian parried a flurry of attacks expertly, taking a trick Hecuba had shown him, he wedged an advancing blade between his sword and a stone step, shattering it with a twist.
"Do not play dumb!" She called down again utterly unwilling to listen. "What are you waiting for? Attack them all at once!"
Her guards listened instantly, instead of attempting to outmaneuver or flank the pair, over a dozen rushed forward simultaneously. Dorian hopped away, noticing Issei was having some difficulty without going all out. He had dropped at least six, but many more were hounding him. Remembering the words of Rias, the young dragon emperor was purposefully avoiding the shrines and attacks that could risk true injury and was paying for it. If they didn't think of something, they'd be cornered holding back as they were.
"Got you!" She formed a ball of fire in her hand as Dorian locked blades with four of her guards leaving him wide open. The ball of youkai magic hurtled towards them, if he moved to escape, she could torch the tree behind him or harm one of her own men.
A sword of light cut the sphere in half, dispersing it harmlessly as the last remnants of the flames were snuffed out. At the same time a bokken, a wooden practice sword, clearly purchased from one of the nearby shops came down on the head of one of the youkai, allowing Dorian to free himself from the remaining three. Issei powered through a hit that could have done serious damage, ignoring it thanks to the Twilight Healing of Asia who had arrived as well protected by Hecuba. They all seemed to have the idea to try and restrict any damage, the Spartan wielding a giant wooden sign from one of the many shops as a makeshift shield.
"You're a lifesaver!" Issei shouted to the blonde nun. "Do you still have it?" She produced the badge Rias had provided her to allow his piece to upgrade even without her. "Perfect, promotion…KNIGHT! Goldie, don't you dare damage anything here, President would never forgive me!"
"Right," Dorian had finally gotten a chance to recognize the unique make of the masks denoting the guards as members of the West Youkai Group. "Don't hurt them either, they're law enforcement for Kyoto youkai!"
Xenovia and Irina stood shoulder to shoulder, Hecuba in the center for defense allowing the three to make use of their nigh-impregnable formation in front of Asia. Protected on the sides and guarded in the center, many of the youkai clashed on the front and while their strength was impressive, the advantage laid with the defenders. Even without their true weapons, the three women were quite formidable. Issei's speed from selecting knight made him a whirlwind, keeping ahead of his opponents and striking where he could, already two were on the ground with more pouring in.
"A-all of you were involved? I won't stand for this! The youkai of Kyoto will remain strong against any outside threat, you WILL pay for what you did!"
"Enough of this!" Dorian turned to the fox girl, her eyes widening a bit in worry at the new attackers. Her men still held the numerical advantage, but it was dwindling. "We do NOT want to fight you!"
"You only say that because we hold superiority here," she spoke like a princess commanding armies. "We'll see if you talk more once you are defeated!"
Dorian buried the stolen sword into the ground, raising his hands high to form complex seals within each. Against so many, they would have to hurt them sooner or later unless the conflict was ended quick. Once more, he layered runes of gravity and binding together. The effect was instant as the dozen or more men who lunged at him suddenly slammed into the Earth as if in prayer. He had augmented the gravity within the area in front of him, surely none could move, or so he thought.
The final guard, a shapely woman with a mask depicting webs like a spider's leapt over the field as if it did not affect her, planting herself between him and her mistress. She brought her sword to bear against him.
"You dare speak words of peace after what your ilk did to my father and hers?" She raised a blade that looked like a katana only much longer over her head, bringing it down towards the Einherjar.
"Dorian!" The others called out as a clang echoed in the air.
The spider-masked woman gasped in surprise; Dorian had caught her sword with his bare right hand. His eyes were focused totally on her, a scowl of pain and frustration upon his brow. The arm may not have been real, but it was built to be as real as possible, including pain receptors. No matter how the guardswoman pulled, she could not extricate the weapon from his grip without giving it up.
"If we wanted to hurt you, we could," he silently threatened, showing his strength as the full-arm gauntlet materialized, shattering the blade just above the hilt with a flex of his fingers. Fortunately, it was a normal sword without magical properties. "We are here for a class trip, we have taken no one!" The woman growled, anger completely overriding all thought. She released the remnants of her sword, reaching for a dagger at her hip.
"Let me go!" The young girl cried out, drawing the spider-woman's gaze. "Who do you think you are!"
"Your big sister in this regard," Kuroka chastised as she held the fox-girl up by the collar of her robe. She had followed the others up the mountain originally hoping to get Dorian alone, however upon smelling the other youkai held back for an opportunity to strike. The smaller woman struggled but could not release herself from the nekoshou's grip. "Attacking my friends and future husband, naughty naughty, do you need a spanking?"
"Miss. Kunou!" The spider woman and her other guards called out, all unable to assist in the rushed forward attack she had ordered. "Release her you criminal!"
"FORMER criminal," Kuroka corrected. "I'm on probation for good behavior. Now back off unless you want your mistress to be reduced to a crying child under my punishments!" The guards who could still stand acquiesced as she raised her palm threateningly, backing off from Issei and the others.
"No matter what you do to me," the girl now known as Kunou threatened. "Y-you won't be making it off this mountain alive! Who do you think you are!?"
"Dorian Held of Asgard, ma'am," he stepped forward, finally able to reach into his pockets for the badge normally affixed to his uniform. It depicted branches of a great tree in all directions, the boughs of Yggdrasil. "Leader of the Crossroads representing the Nine Realms, Three Factions and Olympus," she stopped her struggling, recognizing the sigil of the group who had prompted her people's early talks with the Shinto Clans. "I am aware the youkai are not in the alliance, however you must know what this entails if you are who I believe. Kunou, daughter of Yasaka of the Western Youkai Group?"
Kunou nodded carefully like a child only now realizing their mistakes complete with a quick sniffle. Her guard bit her tongue, realizing she had shouted her mistress' name and given away her identity.
"Kuroka, you can put her down now," she did so with a graceful flourish, mockingly patting the girl's back as if to clean off the dust. "We only arrived in Kyoto a few hours ago, we hadn't even heard anything happened. "Your mother is gone?"
"Taken," a newcomer behind them answered for her. "Only a few nights ago from a grove several miles from here."
"YOU!" Kunou hissed at the woman clearly holding back the desire to cry, none other than the Akeno look-alike Dorian had spotted below the shrine. "How dare you show your face here!? It's all your fault! If mother hadn't been meeting with you over what was done to my…!"
"Woah," Issei's jaw dropped. "She'd looks just like Akeno if her eyes weren't red.
"I had nothing to do with her kidnapping nor your father's death," the woman asserted. "But she never met up with me afterwards as planned, I came as soon as I could, however I am the only one who did. The other Clan Heads do not have the foresight to see how dangerous this situation is." She turned to the children looking perplexed. "My apologies for being so rude, my name is Suzaku…Suzaku Himejima."
Kyoto, hotel lobby…
"You kids just can't stay out of trouble can you?" Azazel prodded teasingly once they were all back safely at the hotel. "You go out to enjoy a tour only to come back with not one but TWO faction leaders. I swear you attract them, if we put you into the center of the world Mr. Einherjar, we could have the largest United Nations ever seen."
"Why didn't you warn us of this unrest in Kyoto?" Dorian asked with his arms crossed. Suzaku had come to the hotel with them and the young girl Kunou with the remnants of her entourage. Almost immediately the pair had gone behind closed doors not allowing any others to enter. They had been in there the better part of an hour.
"This is news to us, my contacts in Kyoto were completely unaware of Yasaka's kidnapping. She is an incredibly powerful woman, anyone who could capture her AND slaughter her guards is one to be worried about."
That clears up the reason for the attack at least. Why the animosity from that one I wonder? The scathing glare from Kunou's spider guard remained transfixed in his mind.
"And Ms. Himejima?"
"Suzaku? Yep, she is one of the 5 Shinto Clan heads and cousin to Rias' very own Queen. As you know her connection to the family is…tenuous."
They tried to assassinate her father and got her mother killed in the process because she fell in love with a fallen angel, tenuous is an understatement.
"All the same, the two got along, Suzaku and Tobio may be the only members of her family she will even talk to. She has been making real strides to changing the close-minded traditions of their people. No supernatural, not even Sacred Gears are accepted. Their ideals are disturbingly close to…"
"The Hero Faction of the Khaos Brigade," Suzaku finished as the door to the lobby flew open, releasing the occupants. "Are you planning to coordinate with us as well?"
"To an extent," Azazel crossed his arms confidently. "The children's safety is my priority, though our Ms. Rossweisse and the other teachers can help on that front. I'll do what I can and Serafall is coming here too. Mr. Held can take the place of the others whose representatives are absent."
"The young Kunou was made to see reason," she glanced back as the stand-in leader of the youkai for her mother marched towards them with a huff, glancing to Dorian for a moment. The woman with the spider-mask followed close. He couldn't tell through her porcelain mask, but he was certain she was scowling.
"I-I'm sorry for the attack," she drooped her head, ears shirking down shyly as her guard followed suit. "With your powers and timing, I was certain it was devils or angels that kidnapped my mother. When I saw an Einherjar was there too…"
"No one was hurt," Dorian tried to assuage her guilt unable to handle her watering eyes. It was obvious she had attacked as a spur of the moment without taking any evidence into account. "If someone I cared about was taken or hurt, I'd probably have jumped to conclusions too. Do you know why she was attacked?"
"We can't know for certain," Suzaku spoke up, Kunou glaring at her with true malice behind her eyes. "But I could sense it even before I knew she was gone. Someone is manipulating Kyoto's Ley Lines."
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me," Azazel groaned. "With that type of power, they can do basically anything they want. What are they doing with it?"
"We can't tell, so far it seems the energy is subtly being bled out and redirected somewhere yet remaining stable, but the exact location is being obscured. I could have some channelers brought in, but that will take time. With it remaining stable, we can assume Yasaka is still alive. It would be pure chaos out there otherwise."
Dorian took note of Kunou's terrified expression, he laid a hand on her shoulder gently which made her jump. Her guard reached for her dagger, a raised hand from her mistress staying her hand.
"We'll find her," he repeated in a more assured tone than he felt. It seemed to help, Kunou's ears perking up, tail swaying just a little livelier than before.
"You got that right," Issei blurted out. The Red Dragon Emperor had been hanging back but couldn't help himself when a girl was sad. "We'll be sure to have her back before the end of our trip!"
"If what you say is true…your help is appreciated," the guardwoman admitted.
"We may have gotten off on the wrong foot," he extended a hand to her. "As I mentioned before, my name is Dorian."
"…Kari," she answered flatly while ignoring his offer. She and Kunou turned to find their own accommodations in the hotel. With what happened to her mother, it was decided all the current leaders should remain in a place of safety.
"You aren't half bad with kids," Azazel whispered in Dorian's ears once the two had vanished. "Ever thought of having a few with your lovely Valkyrie friend? Or has that multi-myth harem I mentioned before started to sound more appealing?" The young Crossroad's leader felt the compulsions return, clenching his fist tightly barely noticed by Azazel or Issei.
"I'll make sure Kiba is aware," Issei assured. "Between our class groups maybe we can find something during the tours tomorrow. "A lot of those shrines are actually important to the magic stuff, right?"
"Thank you," Suzaku expressed her appreciation for their assistance. "It is too bad Akeno could not be here, is she well?"
"Last we spoke," Dorian answered. At Azazel's insistence of their friendship, he relayed a bit of what she had been through since they met. "I had no idea she had a cousin."
"And I get to meet too few of her friends, she is speaking to Baraqiel again? That is…I didn't think that could happen. It is a step in the right direction," Dorian could not help but feel she acted as if there was more needed for Akeno, one step of many needed.
"And in the meanwhile, I want you kids to keep having fun," Azazel finally interrupted, putting down a shot glass he had been enjoying while they spoke. "There isn't much you can do as it stands. We'll do the searching, if we find anything, we'll call you in. If you don't hurry, you'll miss the big meal we're having and bath afterwards."
The two missed Issei in the back having overheard go stiff, the cogs moving in his head at the news. Dorian bid farewell to the others and rushed off to get ready. Before that, however, he ducked behind a wall, punching himself several times as the compulsions had surfaced again the moment he saw Suzaku.
"That isn't healthy you know," Kuroka caused him to jump, appearing in the rafters above and hopping down gracefully. "A young insatiable boy like you shouldn't let the pipes back up."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Dorian huffed as he spun to face away from her.
"I know more about men than you'd think, and I know what a frustrated one looks like. You are a man, as much as you try to pretend those temptations don't cross your mind as often as others. You're going to have to admit that someday, until then…I'm more than happy to alleviate those frustrations ANY time. Alone or with your little Valkyrie love, I'm not greedy." She drifted past him with the most incorrigible smile he'd ever seen plastered to her face. She disappeared around the corner heading to the dining hall, she would not pass up a free feast.
"We are all here for you," Iggy asserted, materializing herself at Dorian's side. "If we can help too…"
Does no one else find this really odd? Despoina broke the awkward silence that followed Iggy's offer. I get you like to be a gentleman more, but you still have had these…urges all of a sudden. Why are they coming out NOW of all times? Pretty sure you passed the worst part of puberty years ago.
"I don't know!" Dorian spoke aloud finally unable to stop from venting, not even reserving his conversation for the mind. "I haven't felt like this in years, like that's all I can think of. If it hadn't been for Iggy on the train, who knows what I would have tried to do to Rose!?"
"Would she mind helping, if you explained it?" Iggy asked with complete honesty in her voice. "Just tell her that your…male urges are so powerful out of the blue? I am sure she would want to help."
"I couldn't ask that!" Dorian refuted it instantly. "Not to just…use her like that!"
"But why are you so reserved around her? You are in the same room, have proclaimed your love to one another. Would a physical relationship not be the next logical step? You very nearly did it your first night in the bed together…"
"We're done here," Dorian flatly ended the conversation, Iggy withdrawing back into him as Despoina sighed in disappointment. With heavier than necessary footfalls, he stomped off to change before heading to the dinner prepared where the other classmates would be. He was so frustrated and distracted he did not notice that he was not alone, a familiar silver-haired silhouette obscured behind the far-off pillars, her cheeks blushing bright at the information she had inadvertently overheard.
Kuoh, Crossroads Tower…
"Mmmm," Zepar turned in his bed trying in vain to sleep. It was not happening, the final images of the movie sticking with him despite his insistence to the contrary. Poor Gasper had gone paler than he ever thought possible as the ghost's location the entire movie was made evident. Even Rias' eyes had gone wide gripping her pillow. None of them went to bed easily save perhaps Bennia who was far too chipper after the movie.
I-it's not possible, if she'd been on his shoulders the entire time he would have noticed, he tried to placate his childish fears. Right, such a premise is utterly…
His thoughts spiked as he heard the indistinguishable squeak of his door hinges. He froze while subtle shifting his eyes towards the source to find nothing save the open door he knew he'd closed. As a fallen angel he was a supernatural being himself, all the same the idea of a ghost coming to torment him was the first thought in his mind, the aftermath of the girl's night staying with him.
"Trouble sleeping?" Akeno's soothing voice allayed his fears. It was coming from the foot of his bed, prompting Zepar to lean up.
"O-only a bit," he reached to the nightstand for his glasses. "I would surely haaaaaa…!"
He couldn't finish as he saw Akeno crawl seductively toward him over the top of his bed. She was utterly naked save for a sheet no doubt brought from her own room. Her breasts, now freed of any restraints, seemed even larger than even he had surmised with perky nipples drawing his attention. Her smooth, porcelain skin looked alluring beyond measure begging to be touched. It was well known that fallen angels had beguiling bodies as a natural drive to seduce humans to them, even so, Akeno's was beyond any woman he had ever seen. Despite knowing how their physiology worked, Zepar was succumbing to it without a care.
"You at a loss for words? I'm flattered," Akeno crawled atop Zepar, cupping his face in her hands before bringing them together for a deep kiss. "I had to be here tonight; the tower won't be this empty again for a long time. You love me, don't you?"
"Of course, I d-" He was cut off with another kiss he reciprocated once again. Despite how ideal the situation was for any man who found himself in it, something tingled in the back of the young man's mind. Something was off.
"Then just lie back," she went to push him down, linking her hand with his. "We have all night, I'll show you what to do." The moment her hand interlocked with his, Zepar was certain.
"Wait," he leaned forward to embrace her tightly heedless of her breasts pressing tight into his chest. His four black-feathered wings exploded from his back to wrap around her, prompting Akeno to freeze. With the added light from the door he could see the glistening of her eyes. There was lust within them…and fear. "You are afraid, desperate, why?"
"Isn't it natural for a maiden to be nervous her first time," she teased, but the words did not have the same playful nature he had come to expect.
"This goes beyond that," his wings started to glow a soft magenta hue Akeno had never seen. "Ever since the date you have acted so…frantic to be with me. I want to be with you, but I want to know what's wrong so I can help. Please Akeno…"
His last words seemed to break through coupled with the light from his wings. They did not compel someone to action they did not wish, he'd never do that to her, all the same the light from his wings often made those around him more comfortable. Many times, they had soothed his mother after a hard day of work or his father before his passing. He supposed it was partially why he had decided to delve into protection magic. Akeno had her lightning and he had this. To his surprise, it worked.
"I…I don't want to lose this, being happy," she wrapped her arms around him more to seek comfort than continue her seductive advances. "This is like before, when dad and mom were…we were so happy, I never wanted it to end. But it did."
Zepar knew full well the events leading to her mother Shuri's death. Assassins had previously been sent to kill Baraqiel by the Himejima Clan hoping that this death would bring her back to their ranks. Instead they had all been defeated and a dark grudge was born that day. Returning later when their guard was down and Baraqiel away, Shuri had taken the brunt of their attack instead to protect a young Akeno. That had been what set the flames of hatred for her father that only now started to quench.
"I took those days for granted," she continued as her own mismatched devil and fallen angel wings sprouted from her back to mingle with his. "Happiness can be taken at any time, parents lost, our own appearance reminding our friends of those who hurt them. But, if we make the most of every moment," she grinded a little closer into him. "Then when that happens, it won't be as bad."
Oh Akeno…
"I'm not going anywhere," he assured her, the two embracing tightly despite Akeno's state of nakedness. "You do not need to force something like this." She looked up, that same desperation he had felt in her hands at the date and movie night now unmistakable.
"Don't you…want to?"
"A lack of want has nothing to do with this," he couldn't lie while feeling her warmth against him. "But would it not be best to do so when we want to show how each other how we feel and not to do so out of fear that we will lose our chance? We work in dangerous times Akeno, but I will survive each and every day. Please stay the night, but can we remain as we are…for now?"
Akeno's grip lessened somewhat but did not let go. Without saying a word, she leaned into him, the pair lying back on the bed together. Zepar made sure to pull the sheets fully over them so that her skin was not exposed to the cool air, already he could see and feel goosebumps.
"I just…don't want to…" She started to say as her eyes lowered slowly. She was clearly exhausted from the day, her worry of losing the happiness she had found driving her to his room despite her weariness. Within a matter of minutes, her breasts were steadily rising and falling, sleep overtaking her.
I hate this, Zepar contemplated as he strove to remain still and not disturb her needed rest. Despite the reconciliation with her father, the death of her mother still haunts her. What can I do to show her that she can live her life as she wishes, to find happiness and joy at her pace rather than seeking it out so ravenously letting fear consume her? When we are together truly, I want it to be out of love…not fear.
Kyoto, Night 1…
"They really spared no expense!" Kiryuu took a large bit of the meal in front of her. Both second year groups had reconvened at the hotel after hours with an entire. "Who knew food could taste this good? It's like magic."
"The true magic is in the memories we made…and photographed," Motohama presented his camera, the lens cover on out of fear of Kiryuu's wrath if she even guessed he would attempt anything. He resolved to try later when it was safer. The two looked so similar beside one another, those who shared the name of 'glasses pervert.'
"Can I have some of your pork?" She asked of Asia who was kneeling beside her.
"Of course Aika," she gladly offered as the two exchanged souvenirs they had found for one another. She made sure to send a smile to Issei on the other side of the room. He blushed while looking away with a goofy expression she had come to love.
Dorian was seated near the teachers beside Rossweisse having provided him a blue track suit as the male teachers were meant to have to the women's red. After Dinner he would be patrolling the first half of the night before getting rest for the second day. Those who knew the two closely were confused as while they were sitting side by side, appeared further apart than ever. They were facing somewhat away from the other, Dorian's hands occasionally shaking. Irina was certain once she saw him crack it against the floor hard. Rossweisse sheepishly glanced across the room, only acknowledging him when asking to pass an extra topping for their meal.
"Things weren't this high-class when we were last here," Irina mumbled to Xenovia through a full mouth. "Before that vampire, right?"
"You two traveled before?" Hecuba asked. Her hair was long and free in preparation for the bath after the meal. "I am envious, so much you must have seen."
"Yes and no," Xenovia explained. "We went to many cities but had little time for enjoyment or sightseeing. "Most times it was to slay a monster or detain a stray Exorcist before returning to the Vatican. It is I who envy you, living in splendor among those you considered your gods. Such was my desire before…"
"We can still visit Heaven!" Irina rambunctiously replied to cheer up her partner. "You were in that Asgard place, right? And Hecuba was in Olympus, it is only fair we all visit each of them together, Heaven included!"
"I have been to Asgard, but not Valhalla," Xenovia considered with a tilt of her head, eating a mouthful of rice. "Such is the goal of Einherjar of legend, a place where they can revel for eternity while awaiting the final battle Ragnarök. I would like to see there sometime, once I have someone to see it with."
The others knew full well she meant Kiba who was currently fending off conversations from the women surrounding him. He awkwardly tried to dissuade their questions, Xenovia eyeing each of the girls trying to hold a conversation with him. She knew full well Kiba would not look to them as he did her, all the same it was prudent to know who her competition may be. Tsubaki was a known rival, but the two had been in discussion over their plans for the future and she did not turn away the possibility of her as an ally. He had help from Catherine who would start talking to him, dissuading the others from their advances. The two had been together much of the day sightseeing with their class and it was clear the former Church fighter had never been on such a trip in her life.
"Such is the purpose of my order," Hecuba pointed out the similarities in their people. "Defending against the Twilight of the Gods. But we are no longer among our people. Do we still adhere to it?"
"Always!" Irina half-shouted before lowering her voice. "We are not separate from them, we represent their best interests in the Crossroads, right?" The other two nodded. "If anything, our goals have expanded! To not only protect our own people, but all out there, right?"
"I rather like the sound of that," Hecuba admitted with Irina in agreement. "Perhaps we shall get to stand together in the Underworld again as well. Oh, Asia, where are you going?"
"They are getting the baths ready," the young nun who had been listening to their conversation with a smile informed them. "I was going to head and get ready."
"We'll join you!" Xenovia stood up as well, shaking off the numbness in her legs from maintaining a kneeling position for so long. "It looks like the girls are ready and the boys will have their own later. Come on."
Across the room, Issei's vision latched onto the departing girls, his mind set on what he must do. Matsuda, Motohama and himself had resolved to sneak about by night, the best chance to see a vision of the girls in their sure-to be scantily clad pajamas. But while those two were heading to the bedrooms, Issei had another plan.
Why look at them in their pajamas when I can see them in nothing at all, he subtly slipped out fully aware that Dorian would be on patrol and thus not be in their room to notice his absence until much later. He was so set on his plan that he did not realize both Rossweisse and Dorian had also departed their seats. The first night in Kyoto had only just begun.
The first night in the magical, ancient city of Kyoto begins. A time of conflict, merriment and perhaps surges of feelings long kept dormant. The impactful encounter between Dragon and Einherjar draws closer as one seeks out the women, while the other looks to thwart his efforts with both soon to learn more of what makes the other tick. Until next time, I hope everyone Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D