"Sona's Chance"

A Highschool DxD fanfiction written by Christopher'Zazel

Chapter 11 "Sit Down, Let's Talk."

Scene (Hyoudou Residence)

"So Rias has to stay at the ORC for the entirety of Golden Week?" Asia, (who was sitting on Issei's large bed), looked very depressed as she asked her question.

Akeno then nods with a sad frown. "It's part of her punishment along with cleaning the entire campus. As sad as it is, Rias had it coming."

The rest of the peerage nod in agreement. Oddly, Kiba was also present while he sat in a computer chair next to Issei's desk. He then looks at each girl in the room and shakes his head.

Closing his eyes, the knight speaks up in a soft and direct tone. "As Akeno san says, President Rias needs to learn her lesson. But, doesn't that suggest that we should be learning our own lessons in all of this? Maybe we should've backed up Hyoudou, when it mattered. Personally, I've never seen him act the way he did in front of President Rias. Also, there is a good possibility that Issei has lost his faith in us as his friends."

Koneko, (who is sitting next to Asia on the bed), rolls her eyes. "If Hyoudou baka had any common sense, he would've come to us, rather than run to the Sitri's like a little bitch." Koneko then folds her arms as she closes her frustrated eyes.

Akeno, (who is now standing feet from a sitting Koneko), proceeds to glare down at the little white-haired devil. "You're not helping the situation, so kindly keep your Tsundere comments to yourself!"

Koneko opens her eyes in a surprised and flustered fashion as her cheeks puff out. She then spots a very angry Akeno, not two feet from her. Deciding that a retaliative remark might get her in a bit of pain, Koneko then closes her eyes again. "Sorry, Akeno. I didn't mean it, I'm just frustrated asl all hell."

Akeno nods and sits down next to Asia and Koneko. Thinking for a moment, the queen of the peerage comes up with a solid plan in her opinion. "Well, we do know one thing. Issei is more than likely staying at the place he stayed last night. I happen to know where Sona Sitri lives as I have gone there numerous times with Rias in the past. How about the four of us go pay Issei a visit? After all, we probably won't see him again until next week. That's a long time to let thoughts fester. So, what do you all say? Want to go for an evening stroll?" Instantly, each member of the peerage started to grow a smile of their own though Koneko's was hardly noticeable.

Scene (Sona's Dorm)

(BLUE FLASH) As the summoning circle disappears, Serafall, Sona and Issei are left standing. Seeing this, Tsubaki, (who was in the kitchen nook while in the process of making something that smelled amazing), began to set up a serving tray for four individuals. She paid no mind to the sudden teleportation, rather she seemed very used to such things.

As Serafall skipped over toward Tsubaki, she proceeded to bend over a bit and smell what was being prepared. "Oh, Tsubaki chan, you are so thoughtful. I am very hungry and you looked to have prepared a very large portion. Did you know I would be staying for dinner?"

Tsubaki, (without a word), simply nodded while maintaining her stoic features. Serafall picked up on something about her sister's queen while staring deeply into her lowered eyes, behind those glasses of hers. Then the Mao of the underworld began to smirk a bit.

Placing one of her hands on Tsubaki's shoulder, Serafall then moved her lips close to Tsubaki's ear. "Psst, I bet you just can't wait until Issei tries your cooking, am I right?"

Tsubaki pulls away from Serafall as she blushes heavily. This makes the Mao begin to giggle. "Thought so."

Meanwhile, Sona and Issei made their way into the dining area and sat down at the table, both watching the strange scene between Serafall and Tsubaki.

As everyone is gathered around the table and eating their dinner, the only person to continue to make conversation was Serafall, (to Sona's great annoyance). She would continue to ask issei questions about "Milky Chan" and her adventures. Then, (to Sona's further annoyance), Issei would react to Serafall's stories as if he was the greatest fan of hers to ever exist. But then Sona looked deeply into Issei's warm eyes, his smile, his mannerisms, he was happy. He wasn't crying, he wasn't looking as if he wanted to end it all, no, right now, he looked to be at peace. Sona chose to not be annoyed, for Issei's sake. As a small smile started to creep its way along the Sitri Heiresses face, Serafall stood from the small table as she began to stretch.

"Well then, I suppose I should be off. After all, I do have some responsibilities to take care of before our trip tomorrow morning. Oh, that's right, Tsubaki, can you please contact Saji and see if he has extra clothes for our Issei?"

Issei then stood from his position which surprised Sona. Sounding a bit emasculated, Issei spoke up with a slight grumpiness to his speech. "Milky, I don't need you guys to go this far out of your way, just for me. I am perfectly capable of collecting my own clothes, from my own bedroom, regardless of Rias or anyone else." Issei then folded his arms together while nodding to himself.

Serafall, Sona and Tsubaki said nothing at first, that was until Serafall proceeded to use her magical scepter on Issei's head. (BONK)

"Hey! That hurt! What the hell!" Issei was now rubbing the top of his head with both hands.

Serafall then places her arms against her waist while tapping her foot against the floor. Along with a victorious smirk, the Mao then speaks in a very no-nonsense tone, (similar to her younger sisters). "Do as I tell you, Issei Kun. Otherwise I may do something that you may not find very pleasant." Then Serafall's smirk turns into her usual warm and bubbly smile. "So, be a good boyfriend kun and do what Milky Chan says, okay?"

This makes Sona and Tsubaki both raise eyebrows as both of Issei's eyes widen at the statement. Then, before another word could be uttered, Serafall simply winks as she vanishes in a circle of blue energy.

Sona, Tsubaki and Issei just stare at where Serafall used to be, all with looks of quiet shock. Then everyone jumps as the apartment notification intercom goes off. "Hello, President Sitri? Are you there?"

Issei thought the voice sounded familiar though it was garbled by a bit of static. Sona and Tsubaki now had looks of worry as they glanced at each other. Then Sona looked from Tsubaki and toward the door to the bathroom. Nodding now back toward Sona, (as she understood her king's silent orders), Tsubaki proceeds to get up from her position while then reaching and placing both of her hands, (firmly), on both of Issei's shoulders.

As Issei found himself quite literally being dragged toward the bathroom, the teen was about to protest, that was until Tsubaki slammed the door shut. "Take a bath, Hyoudou, I will have clothes prepared for you once you're finished."

Issei now stood in the bathroom while staring at the closed door with a slight tilt to his head. "What is up with their obsession with me taking baths? Did I not wear deodorant today or something?" Then, to Issei's further surprise, music started to be blasted from the other room. Aside from the music being loud, it was also techno and not just that, Issei could recognize the song. What does the fox say?

Back in the living area, after Sona turned up her stereo, she then walked to the intercom next to the entrance door of her apartment. "Akeno, what can I do for you this evening all of the sudden?"

After a few minutes go by, Tsubaki opens the front door as Akeno, Koneko, Asia and Kiba walk in as they all remove their shoes at the entrance. As they were looking around the small apartment, maybe to see Issei, however they had their attention drawn toward Sona as she clears her throat. She was sitting on the loveseat while adjusting her glasses.

Then, as if on cue, Akeno sat down on a small toga mat as the other three joined her. Tsubaki remained standing with her arms folded. After another moment of awkward silence, Sona then pointed toward Akeno with her usual stoic tendencies.

"Why are you here, Peerage of Gremory?" Sona sounded colder than usual as she looked very cross.

Akeno attempted a friendly smile while replying. "We are worried about Issei. He has gone through alot with the President and we just wanted to support him. We're his friends after all." The other peerage members, (aside from Koneko), all nod.

Sona then scowls as she has a look of sheer disgust plastered to her curling lips. "Pfft, friends are you? Really, you are his "friends"? Please then, enlighten me, tell me one personal thing about your friend that only he and you would know about?"

The peerage members look at each other with puzzled looks. Nobody was able to reply to Sona's question. This made the Sitri heiress even more enraged.

"Right, that's what I thought. You aren't here for Hyoudou, you are simply Rias's cronies, following her orders like the "friends" you are. Coming here just to, I don't know, talk him back into coming home with you? Was that what Rias told you four to do?"

Akeno stood up while pointing accusingly at Sona. Insultingly, the thunder queen spoke. "How dare you! Issei is indeed our friend and a part of the Gremory family! Who do you think you are?"

As Akeno had the backing of the rest of the peerage as all of them nodded angrily, (Koneko included this time), Sona proceeded to smirk angrily.

"Who am I, you ask? I am Issei's real friend. I am his friend not because he is some flashy weapon, not because he can be useful to me, not because he is the Red Dragon Emperor of Domination, not for any of those reasons."

Asia then squeaks. "That's not true, not true! I care very much for Issei! He tried to save my life and I will never forget that!"

Sona nods while not changing her demeanor. "Yes, you like him because he did something for you. But let me ask all of you one simple and I mean, very simple, question. Do you have any idea of what post traumatic stress disorder can do to the human psyche if left unchecked?"

Then, Akeno, Asia, Koneko and Kiba all nod seriously, (as all of them have their own demons). Akeno then shrugs her shoulders. "We aren't stupid, Sitri, get to your damned point already!"

Adjusting her glasses once again, Sona looks toward Tsubaki who nods back to her. Looking back at Rias's peerage, the Sitri heiress releases a deep breath of air. "Raynare. What do you know about Raynare?"

Asia starts to shudder a bit which gains the attention of Akeno, Koneko and Kiba. She then stands up and nods her head. "Yes, I know about Raynare. We had a run in as the evil angel wanted my sacred gear. She killed me to get it. I was also told that she killed Issei too."

Sona nods while softening her gaze toward the little devil nun. "I am sorry to have brought up this bad memory. You have my sympathy, Asia Argento."

Asia nods while sitting back down. Akeno then places an arm over the startled nun's shoulder while offering her a reassuring smile. This makes Asia return a soft smile of her own.

Sona then continues on. "D'draig told me in some detail, about what Raynare actually did to Issei. It wasn't just the fact that she killed him. That was only a small part of the real problem."

Akeno tilts her head while lifting an eyebrow. "The Red Dragon Emperor spoke to you? Well, then, what did he say, pretell?"

Sona takes another deep breath. "Raynare played and toyed with Hyoudou. Even when she needlessly killed him in that slow and gruesome manner, she continued to mock and berate him. Peerage of Gremory, Issei was in love with Raynare. Now, consider the following if you will. Knowing how Issei's mind works and considering his recent past, Rias all of the sudden shows and scoops him up and brings him into the world of devils. Shortly after, she sends him mixed signals and even relies on him to end her arranged marriage with Riser Phenix. Naturally, someone as loving..erm daft, yeah, daft as Issei erm Hyoudou, well, someone like him would think that Rias might actually return his affection. But we all know how that ended up, right?"

Akeno, Asia, Kiba and even Koneko looked to be very distraught regarding Sona's proclamation. Tsubaki, (still standing near the door), nods to herself while showing a frown of her own. Sona then takes off her glasses and begins to rub her tired eyes.

Scene (10 minute ago, Sona's Bathroom)

Laying back into the modest bathtub, Issei had a cold wash rag laying on his forehead. He could still hear the loud and blaring techno music and couldn't help but wonder what was going on with Sona and Tsubaki. His thoughts were interrupted as the high pitch sounds of a magical barrier seemed to resonate throughout the entirety of the small bathroom.

"Issei Kun! Sorry I took so long, Mao business you see.. Now, don't tell me that you've already washed your back!?"

It was Serafall again. This time, the devil looked to be wearing a gray Kouh girls gym bathing-suit. Issei purposely sank deeper into the bathtub as both of his hands quickly covered his crotch area.

That's it, I'm spent. Hope you liked this chapter. Many more to come. Like what I do and want more? Join my discord! Link: /pJNvbPHx