NMHA Ch. 19 - Foundation


"...So that's what's become of you. Interesting."

"Milord?"

"Disregard my musings for now. I'm just watching a... pet project, bear fruit."

"You mean...?"

"Who knows~? The fruit has yet to ripen though, so I'll leave it be for now, to let it do so. You should too. If you know what's good for you."

"O-of course, milord."

"Hahahaha. So formal, though that's one of the things that makes you particularly tolerable. You know where you stand, and where I am in comparison."

"..."

"Dismissed. Let me muse in peace."

Footsteps, then silence.

Eyes peered at the television, from which a newsroom was discussing a particular Devil that had stormed onto the front pages with a new bloodline. Beautiful in a very traditional, grounded way, that Devil in her blue dress stared off screen at something, aquamarine eyes shimmering with depths of emotions.

The gala had been quite a busy place, and reporters knew how to be discreet when they wanted to be. To say nothing of actual moles, one of whom had suggested to look at the most recent news feeds.

"I might actually stay awake a little longer than I normally do this time around. Now that things are becoming more... interesting."


Lunarunn was tired.

It's been a long time since she last spent some time for herself.

Sure, she'd end up spending hours in the library, just reading and messing around with Worldweave, to say nothing of certain internet hobbies...

But for the most part, her life's consisted of just doing anything and everything she could to increase her position in the Underworld so she could better influence the events of pre-canon. Save people she'd known from the light novels from being traumatized as they had been. Or even saving them from getting killed outright.

Though, recently it's more been just increasing her position for the clout. Yet, she'd need it to get an Evil Piece set, wouldn't she? Or would her bloodline be the express ticket?

Should she even get involved, considering their stories are still a happy ending?

It had been years since the brunette first woke up in this form, and even if she still remembered well, the details were starting to get a little foggy. It was a good thing she'd used a notebook beforehand to write everything worth remembering down and stowed it away, in case she forgot outright.

Luna stared up at the ceiling, an arm draped across her forehead as the brunette laid in bed, simply... thinking.

It had been a little while since she'd last been able to do that, too.

Between the reveal by the Satans, finding allies, and somehow being convinced to join a social movement that would eventually turn into a terrorist organization, she had been busy.

She still wasn't quite so sure of that particular decision. But it was a little late to back out now, lest she end up being wishy-washy.

Luna glanced over at the growing pile of letters to the side, then grimaced, shifting her gaze away from that mess.

She... would eventually need to go through all those.

Not now, though.

The Worldweaver was wondering how she was going to spend her weekend.

The Stray Hunting board was currently down for maintenance courtesy of Ajuka deciding to add something to it.

Diodora hadn't sent any missives back after her message saying she was willing to see his 'revolution' firsthand. Probably getting things ready, if she had to guess.

Ruval was busy on tour, so he wasn't available for a little while.

Jaspal had left not too long ago, and Luna didn't plan on taking up all the Valac heiress's time.

And while she was always down to surf the net, that wasn't exactly... productive. She'd also read enough.

There was that tome from Ajuka though... she was a little curious about that, at least.

No, she hadn't opened it yet. Considering how there was nothing else going on, however...

Lunarunn shook her head. She'd already read so much she was half-expecting that she'd end up passing out if she kept going, and the internet only went so far in curbing her tendencies without drawbacks.

She'd rather not accidentally pick up another Sin, especially Luxuria given the circumstances.

"Is... is my weekend entirely empty?" the brunette asked nobody in particular with a dawning realization.

The thought was almost unthinkable. Normally she had something going on, whether it's reading, training, meeting others, or otherwise.

Part of her wanted to just kick back, relax, and maybe sleep the entire weekend away. That sounded nice.

But at the same time, it had become an alien feeling.

There was a significant part of her that felt like it had to do something worthwhile at this point.

But what?


A small glamour to change ones hair color and facial structure went a long ways in concealment, Lunarunn decided, as she walked down the streets of Lilith, looking around with mild interest as she explored the city.

While people may still have taken notice of her, it wasn't because she was the Reincarnation Anomaly, but more because her now snow-white hair and more elfin features gave her an exotic appearance.

The Worldweaver smiled a little as she came to a stop at a cafe, the clean exterior with boards promoting various drinks and snacks convincing her to take a quick break from her seeing the sights and listening in on idle conversation. She placed a hand in her pocket, taking a quick feel for the wallet inside. Plenty of money to spend - Luna had been rather frugal with her allowance, so she had accrued quite a fund.

May as well treat herself to something nice since she's got time.

As she entered the cafe, Lunarunn's gaze slid across the interior, a quaint eatery with various Devils sitting, and enjoying their drinks. She noted one reading a book, and another chatting with a girl across from him - 'damn, the rack on that one' - looking pleasantly entertained. She also noted the design of the specialties board and could appreciate the 'magic' aesthetic-

She blinked rapidly as a black-haired Devil bumped into her, causing her to stumble back a little as they passed through the exit of the cafe and out into the streets.

"'scuse me," Luna turned back to see said Devil was continuing on her way, mumbling out a short apology before disappearing around a corner the next shop over.

The concealed brunette watched the girl do so, and couldn't help but wonder why she seemed... familiar.

Then she shook her head, deciding that it may have just been a coincidence, and let the matter go.

The fact that Luna realized that her pocket was completely devoid of the wallet that should be in there, after ordering her food and tea no less? That was a far different story.


That had been a rather easy mark, the pickpocket thought to herself as she hurried through the streets, traveling with the trained grace of one who'd done so for years. The woman she'd stolen from was clearly new to the area, and so she didn't let the opportunity go to waste.

Serves her right, the pickpocket had a feeling that elfin beauty had hardly worked a day in her life. Let the big-boobed bint feel a little hardship financially for once, she probably had plenty more money back at home anyway.

She'd have probably stolen from the one with the frankly absurd chest too out of principle, but she had company, unlike the white-haired woman, so that likely would not have panned out nearly as well.

Once the pickpocket found her way towards a quieter part of Lilith and felt as though she'd gotten far enough away to be in the clear, in one of the city's many alleyways, she finally decided to see the plunder she managed to pick from that particular pocket.

She wasn't disappointed; while decidedly much less than what she expected from a woman who by all means looked as though she was a consort to some Pillar head, it was still a good amount of money, and a credit card atop that - she'd need to use that quickly before ditching it, to make the most out of the haul without risking the fuzz.

The pickpocket let a smile form on her face, eyes sliding shut as she felt a sense of satisfaction rise from a job well done.

Oh, there was a lot she had in mind for this bunch. She could finally have something really nice to eat, rather than the usual junk she usually was only able to buy. To say nothing about the treat she could gi-

"That was a little rude, you know? It's been a long time since I was last able to treat myself to the simple pleasure of a cafe."

What?

Amber eyes shot open, wide in a brief flare of panic as she saw the white-haired woman leaning against one of the walls of the easiest exit, an onyx gaze staring back in turn.

How did she get there? No, how did she get there completely past the black-haired girl's attention? Nobody was able to do that before!

"What are you talking about, ma'am?" the pickpocket asked in turn, feigning innocence as she internally, dearly hoped that she'd be able to bolt or convince the lady she was mistaken.

There was, however, a slight tremble in her voice, one that normally isn't there.

Nobody had been able to sneak up on her like that before. She always felt them beforehand. Always.

But even now, she could barely feel this woman at all.

How had she overlooked something like that?

"Look, I get you're trying to play dumb, but I literally checked my wallet right before I went in," the elfin woman replied, pushing herself off the wall and rubbing the side of her head. "I'm practically neurotic in that regard."

She... didn't seem too angry, then. Maybe she could try another avenue?

"How 'bout this? You give me back my wallet without any trouble, and I'll get you some dinner for the next day or two. It's really no problem."

Or not, if she was the one to bring it up. Yeah, as if. Chances were that if she gave it back, if the other was just offering something like that, she'd just get the boot. That's just how it works.

The pickpocket stood still, as if pondering the option, before splitting, speeding for the wall in the back, pulling on that flow of energy that so eagerly accepted her request so she could jump away, and-

"Whoa! Slow down there!"

-found herself trapped in the air, unable to gather any traction as the winds around her swept her off her feet and formed a bubble that kept her from touching the ground.

With her physical action countered, the pickpocket's energy went toward her mouth instead.

"It's mine! I stole it fair and square! You've got plenty, leave some for the rest of us!"

The other Devil, who had one hand up, likely holding the pickpocket in that air sphere, opened her mouth, then closed it, then looked down in thought.

Called it. It was just a matter of principle then.

While she hadn't had any particular teachers, the pickpocket thought herself a... halfway decent hand at fighting. At least, she had a few tricks up her sleeve. So when the other woman looked back up it was toward a sphere of blue energy racing right for her.

The white-haired woman dodged, energy sphere crashing into the wall behind, but her concentration broke. With a quick push of her energy the pickpocket found purchase on the wall, she kicked out to lunge for the woman in a tackle.

The black-haired girl slammed against the wall as the world felt as though it were being pulled, the very essence of what she could feel around her groaning like a giant who had long since laid dormant, though the impact made all those thoughts on the matter seem like so many pretty stars. Her head felt light, and she knew she was beaten, but it didn't stop her from struggling to get out, get away, get back to S-

"-Ah, shit. Sorry about that. I didn't realize you'd hit your head as hard as you did." The pickpocket heard the elfin woman say through the dizziness, though oddly enough it started to clear with remarkable quickness. It was then that the black-haired girl realized she was once again trapped, though this time pinned spread-eagle against the wall by what felt like iron cuffs half-fused with the wall itself. Despite the compromising and vulnerable position however, the other Devil merely knelt down to pick up her wallet, quickly looking through it before breathing out a small sigh of relief.

It was with a worried start that the pickpocket realized that until then, the white-haired woman hadn't moved a single step in their little scuffle.

"I'm not the most skilled with healing, but I was at least able to stop any bruises before they could become actual concussions," she explained, though that still didn't quite make sense to the pickpocket. This is usually the part where she gets beaten up, isn't it?

The other Devil must have been a more pacifistic type then, if she healed her. Or more devious than she could even imagine...

"If you're looking for a thank you, you'll have to look somewhere else." The pickpocket smiled, though it failed to reach her eyes, which were still wary and confused. "Try a cafe, maybe?"

The elfin woman didn't rise to the bait, instead pursing her lips in thought.

Finally, she spoke again. "I'm not asking for one. I was just getting my wallet back, no more, no less. Though if you'd be willing to give me a name..."

"Fuck you."

The white-haired woman smiled wryly. "You sure? I mean, I'd be willing to buy a few days' worth of dinner for a homeless 'Fuck You', but I feel like that would cause more questions than it's worth."

"...Huh?" The big-boob bint was still sticking with the idea of food?

Admittedly... it had been nearly half a month since she had anything really worthwhile. Everything else went to somewhere else. She didn't regret it though, only that it was making her really think about actually giving her name.

For several long seconds, the pickpocket thought this over, wondering what the other could be planning with such an offer, and ultimately coming up with nothing, at least immediately.

"Why?"

"Why get you food?" The other Devil looked down at the wallet in her hand, then back at the pickpocket. "...Because you aren't wrong. I do have a good bit of cash, even if this is technically all the free money I have at the moment. The least I can do is help another girl who's down on her luck. Especially since I probably won't be spending it all for myself anyway."

The pickpocket felt the binds keeping her pinned to the wall vanish, the world returning to its normal state, dropping to the ground before feeling her head throb painfully. Her hand raced for her head and came to rest against it.

"Careful. I was able to prevent a concussion, but you still might be unsteady for a little while." Then the woman stepped back, back to the wall, leaning against it again as she gestured for the black-haired girl to walk by. "...But if you would prefer to play it safe, then you can leave. Either way, works for me. As long as you don't try and steal my wallet again, that is."

While the joke wasn't particularly funny, the white-haired woman's light and quiet laughter did defuse some of the tension still there.

If it was just bringing her to another store...

"How do I know you're not just leading me to the police?" she demanded, rubbing her wrists where she had been bound.

"You don't. But why would I heal you if I meant to turn you in anyway? Why unbind you? I could have just carried you to the police and been done with it."

That... was true. If putting her in jail was the goal, then healing her and letting her go made no sense.

But if she really did feel bad for her...

That caused a stubborn anger to briefly flare up.

"I don't want your pity."

"You might not, but considering that you stole from me you may well need it regardless."

'Kh.'

Damn it. She wasn't wrong. While she could leave and try again with another, her head was still bothering her. If she was going to be dizzy for a little while then that meant that if she failed again the next Devil she tried stealing from might not be so kind...

And considering it had been a couple days...

"...Fine. But I choose where we go."

"As long as you don't try to nickle and dime me with someplace extravagant, sure." The elfin woman shrugged, nonchalant as could be as she pushed off the wall again, once more gesturing for the pickpocket to go ahead. "You take the lead."


The place that the pickpocket finally chose was a small shop off the beaten path, a ramen joint that the black-haired girl stopped by every now and again, when she could. As the two sat down, the kindly Devil that usually manned the stand stepped out of the kitchen, looking between the two before smiling at the smaller.

Immediately, she shook her head near imperceptibly, and the gray-haired cook took the hint. Instead, he quietly took their orders and went back to make their food.

"...You come here often? He seemed to notice you."

"When I can. It's... cheap, it's good, it keeps us full, and the old man understands me."

The white-haired woman nodded slowly, understanding what she meant. "..us?"

The pickpocket's eyes widened, then she shut her mouth firmly.

"Sorry. I was just curious what you meant by that. Is that someone else a friend, then? Family?"

Well...

"...A little sister."

She couldn't do much with that, anyway. She had no idea who said sister was, where she was, or anything of the matter.

That gave the white-haired woman pause. "Huh. Is that why you were so intent on getting away then, so you could feed your sister?"

The pickpocket looked down, and nodded slowly.

"I see."

The silence reigned for a good minute, before she spoke up again. "I did mean to order you some extra food to bring with you, but if you're also looking after your sister... I'll need to stop by the market and pick up some more."

Huh?

"You don't look older than eleven, maybe thirteen tops, so if you have a younger sister then that means she'll need more nutrition than just ramen can provide. How old is she?"

Wait, wait wait wait. "Nu... what?"

She wasn't sure what the was: she hadn't exactly had the chance to continue schooling after her parents died.

It seemed the white-haired woman realized that, and winced. "Sorry. I mean, ramen is tasty and cheap, but it doesn't have nearly enough healthy stuff inside of it to help you grow big and strong. Your sister may need more than just food, she needs the right kind of food too. Though given your circumstances... even poor food is better than none at all."

While she had been about to snap that she'd been doing everything she could, the understanding in the woman's voice and words regarding their homelessness caused the pickpocket to settle, instead pouting at the person buying her food now, and supposedly food for both her and her sister later.

"...She's... I dunno. It's been a while since otousan and okaasan died. She wasn't around for too long before they did."

"Then it's even more important that she gets what she needs." The Devil nodded her head firmly, before settling into a quieter tone. "...Do you want to wait while I get that food, or would you rather I leave it someplace for you to pick up?"

"I... I'll wait." Unless this was some particularly elaborate and cruel joke, it seemed more and more likely that the woman that she'd stolen from, was actually trying to be a nice person.

Nice people were really hard to find, especially out on the streets.

They were usually the ones to die first.

Yet this woman was talking about good food, about how it would help them grow, offering to buy some for her and her sister, and despite that was strong enough that this woman could have killed her without trying if she so chose?

The amber-eyed girl wasn't going to press her luck, and just accept the offer for what it was.

"Alright." The elfin woman smiled, and for a moment the pickpocket was taken aback at just how radiant it was, especially when she was so much more used to dirty looks and malicious leers.

It also brought another question she had been wondering about to the forefront of her mind, where she blurted it out without warning.

"Is that how you got such big boobs?"

The bluntness of which the black-haired girl said it caused the white-haired woman's eyes to bug out, very glad to not have a drink at that moment as the air was driven from her lungs as though hit with a hammer.

Then she started coughing, and the pickpocket wondered if she said something wrong.

"W-w-w-what?" the other Devil finally managed to hack out, taking a long and deep gasp as she desperately tried to regain control of her lungs.

"Is that how you got such big boobs?" the pickpocket repeated, eyes widening. "Is that why nearly every other girl is bigger than me? Because I've been trying and trying but they're just not growing! Was it the food?!"

"Aren't you... a little... young? To be worried... about that? You've still... got years to grow up. Besides I'm... not big, I'm just... average for a Devil, maybe."

"Nyuh-uh!" The pickpocket shook her head and pouted at the white-haired Devil. "Okaasan always said that growing takes a long time and a lotta hard work, and I wanna be biiiig when I finally grow up! Even bigger than okaasan, and she had boobs way bigger than yours, nya!"

"Excuse me? Are you corrupting the poor girl, miss?" the old Devil finally stepped out from the kitchen again, casting a suspicious look at the elfin Devil as he set two steaming bowls of ramen in front of them.

"What- no! She was the one to start talking about boobs!"

"What are you talking about, miss? Wasn't it you who brought up the topic of growing up?" The pickpocket was the picture of innocence, wide eyes, cute pout and all.-

Between the reproachful gaze of the ramen cook and the flawless acting of the amber-eyed girl, the way they provided a united front, and the way that she had walked headlong into that logical trap, the white-haired Devil could only sag and moan in defeat.

A beat passed, then the pickpocket and old Devil both began laughing, one with the carefree charm of a child who was at least for the moment happy, and one with a hearty, wizened spirit to its undertones.

"Ah, I think today was one of those days where we all needed a laugh." The gray-haired cook smiled and nodded at them both. "Thank you for being such a good sport, miss. Please, enjoy your meal, the both of you."

And with that, he went back into the kitchen, presumably to start cleaning.

The white-haired Devil, finally held her hands together, and bowed her head, speaking the traditional Japanese word in a sing-song voice. "I-tada-kima-su~!"

And with that, she dug in, with the pickpocket staring at her in stunned silence, as she'd done the exact same thing.

"You're from Japan?"

"Mm?" She stopped eating for a moment to look over at the amber-eyed girl, blinking owlishly before letting out a light laugh. "No, I cannot say that I am like you seem to be; you used the Japanese terms for mother and father after all. I just really like their culture."

"A-ah. I see." She looked down, and then began eating her own ramen. "That's.. that's cool. I haven't heard a lot of that here."

The elfin Devil paused to smile kindly in the pickpocket's direction, before continuing to eat.

The two sat like that for a while, eating in a somewhat comfortable silence.

"I'm Luna."

The declaration from the older of the two caused the black-haired girl to look up at her. Luna looked back down, a smile playing across her face. "I never did introduce myself. But since we're eating together, I figured you should at least know my name."

The other girl nodded wordlessly, before continuing to eat her own food in absolute, contemplative silence.


Lunarunn returned to her food, even ordering more for her and her brief companion, though it didn't stop her from glancing at the younger girl beside her. There was something familiar about the younger girl, but she wasn't going to make any assumptions. That she had a younger sister she was looking after though, made it difficult to not want to help. Naturally, Luna fully intended to.

She wasn't wrong; Luna did have a decent amount of cash on hand, and if the poor girl was trying to take care of a really young child, then it really was all the more important that she get the food she needed.

Even now, Luna could see malnutrition taking its toll on the girl beside her; pale, drawn features, a shadowed look in her amber eyes, and a frame that looked rather thin, even for a child her age.

What sort of person would she be if she didn't at least try and give the girl and her sister a brief respite from their hunger?

Even if she looked familiar, that was no reason to want to help any less. Especially since she had the ability to do so.

"...Kuroka."

Luna was very glad she had been deep in her bowl of ramen at that point, to keep the way her eyes shot open wide hidden. Even so, she froze in place as she realized that it was the pickpocket who'd said that.

"I'm Kuroka T-" said pickpocket stopped herself abruptly, then shook her head. "Just Kuroka. It's nice to meet you, Luna-san."

...Well, what were the odds? She tried going out to a cafe to kick back and relax, and she ends up getting her wallet stolen by another canonically important character. It was like the world itself was trying to keep her focused on the story.

It added up, too. The younger sister she was dearly trying to look after. The parents dying shortly after said sister's birth. The brief catlike tic she'd spoken with at the height of her 'realization'. The Japanese terminology.

There were a few things that didn't add up though, namely how her sister was supposedly alive despite being a couple years younger than Rias, or why Kuroka was a street urchin instead of the Naberius heir's Bishop. But Luna wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Luna set the bowl slowly down, noting that the pre-adolescent Kuroka noted her sudden stillness, and had adopted a tenseness herself, as though deciding whether or not to bolt. Luna looked back at the kitchen, and breathed out a slow sigh.

"Kuroka. It's a good name." The concealed brunette smiled at the pickpocket, resting her hands on the table. "It's one I'll be sure to remember."

"...Mm." The street urchin looked down at the table and nodded once. "Do you think you could just... leave the groceries here? The old man will look after them until I show up again."

So she changed her mind about waiting for the food herself? She must have been spooked from Luna's reaction to her name.

What happened that made her react like that to Luna's own stillness?

She wasn't going to ask, at least. The Worldweaver had a bit more tact than that.

"Of course. What matters most is that you and your sister are able to eat, rather than how you get the food, right?"

At least, it probably did in Kuroka's current worldview; she'd tried to steal from Luna to put food on the table, after all.

At the Nekoshou's slow nod, the Worldweaver decided to explore a little more.

"I... hope you don't mind me asking this, but... how did you end up on the streets to begin with? You seem to be pretty strong considering your age and lack of real training. To say nothing of how hungry you seem to have been." Luna gestured towards the third bowl that Kuroka had completely drained. Luna herself had eaten two and considered it good, and judging by the way the younger girl was eyeing the third bowl, she was still not entirely finished.

"I..." She seemed to consider the question, before shaking her head and falling silent.

"You're not comfortable sharing it, at least not yet," the brunette finished, nodding once. "That's alright. I was just curious is all. You still hungry?"

"Ah." Kuroka looked down. "...Maybe. But I should save everything else for my sister."

"I was about to suggest you let what you've already had settle. Eat too much too fast and you might get sick. I'll get something more for you once I go shopping."

"Why?"

"Because you're still hungry. I may as well help out how I can, yeah?" Luna glanced over at the pickpocket. "I don't really understand how you've found yourself on the streets, especially since I get the feeling you weren't born there. But I can see that you don't deserve to go hungry, especially if you're putting your sister first like you seem to be."

Kuroka's shoulders dropped, and Luna could practically see her ears, hidden they may be, drooping. "She's... the only real family I have left. My sister, she and I never deserved this. How could I not?"

The concealed brunette shook her head. "Many people wouldn't do the same. I'm... not sure I'd be able to do so myself. Put someone else before me, even in homelessness and hunger. Maybe it's because I haven't found someone worth fighting for in that regard, or maybe it's just because I'm not brave enough to do so."

"But you're super strong, Luna-san." The Nekoshou didn't seem to understand, given how she tilted her head and blinked owlishly. "I can usually take the anger of the Devils that chase me down okay but you didn't even move from your spot when you nearly knocked my lights out."

Now it was Luna's turn to look down, this time in deep thought. When she looked back up, it was to stare off into the distance, speaking again.

"There's more than one type of strength, Kuroka. Just because someone's physically powerful doesn't mean they're smart or brave. Or that someone who's weak and dumb can't have a heart that burns with the drive to protect those dear to him, even if it means staring down death itself."

Her head turned, and she smiled weakly down to the amber-eyed pickpocket. "I think a lot of people forget that. Just because I have power, and just because I like to think I'm smart, that doesn't mean I have that same sort of fire inside that you do. Or that I have any at all, even."

She had paused when Masaomi needed her, didn't she? Froze when action could have saved him from a blow that very nearly crippled him for life. It was still something that nagged at her, from time to time.

Was it really inexperience? Or was it because she lacked something else, something crucial to being the sort of person she wanted to be?

Luna wasn't sure. Her gaze returned to the table.

To be quite honest, she was scared that she'd find out, and not like the answer.

Kuroka frowned thoughtfully, thinking over Luna's words, seemingly taking them to heart before speaking again.

"I think you're being hard on yourself, Luna-san."

The Worldweaver's gaze returned to the child. "Hm? How so?"

"Most people wouldn't help the little girl who stole from them. Sometimes they just take their wallet back and leave. Other times, they get angry and hit me for giving them trouble."

Kuroka shivered a little as one small hand traced over her shoulder, where Luna noticed there was a faint discoloration, as though it were a bruise that was nearly fully-healed. "This... is the first time one of my marks has taken their wallet back, but even still, given me dinner and offered to buy food for Shirone and I-"

She closed her mouth, realizing that she'd disclosed the name of her sister. This time though, Luna didn't react, so she continued.

"This... is the first time someone's been kind like that to me. I think you're being hard on yourself, Luna-san. You said it yourself, didn't you? There's different kinds of strengths. Maybe your strength isn't putting others before you and stopping them from being hurt, as it is... giving to others so that the people you like can smile and not be scared?"

Giving, rather than guarding?

The thought gave Lunarunn real pause, taken aback by the surprising amount of wisdom from someone so young.

"I... hadn't really thought about it that way," she admitted, quietly, gaze meeting the table once more. The very idea, it struck something inside that resonated with her.

Giving, not guarding.

She'd gotten so caught up in the idea that she had to be stalwartly brave, that she had to have nerves of steel, that she disregarded the fact that kindness could be a strength too.

That rather than fighting to protect, to keep... she could fight to give, instead.

For her foes, defeat. For her allies, or whoever it is she is fighting for... hope. Happiness. Life.

Could that be it?

There was no way the answer to her little freeze-up dilemma was that simple, if it was a matter of lacking the right kind of mindset.

Was it?

"I... I need to think about that. You've... given me a lot to think about, actually."

"Most people don't care for people like me. For someone they don't even know, even when they're hungry and des... des... what was the word?"

"Desperate?"

"Mhm." Kuroka smiled. It was a small thing, but it was there. "You do though. I think that means something."

Kiba. Issei. Asia. Akeno. Koneko - no, Shirone. Kuroka.

Yeah, she knew of them, but she didn't exactly know them, did she? Not on a personal level anyway. Yet, she wanted to save them from those dark places in their life anyway.

Or at the very least, help them come to terms with the shadows that haunt them.

"Are you saying that in the hopes that I come visit again with more food sometime?"

The black-haired girl flushed. "...M-maybe."

She couldn't be everywhere, no.

But that didn't mean her acts couldn't ripple outward.

And Luna knew that Kuroka was destined to be an inflection point, at least in canon.

Even if that wasn't the case though...

How could she turn away, when she saw how little the Underworld cared for someone who didn't have power, status, or wealth? Especially since they would brand her a criminal of the highest order, once she did have these and end up killing her King.

Luna couldn't walk away. She would struggle going forward if she actually followed through on turning around and leaving.

Lunarunn was already invested in helping this girl and her sister.

There was no way she wouldn't see it through to the end.

"Then I'll stop by here, next week. It's been too long since I last was able to get myself some ramen, and I get the feeling the cook could charge a bit more for how good it is."

The disguised brunette smiled at Kuroka. "And I'll be sure to bring some food for you and Shirone ahead of time. Think of it as an opportunity to stop pickpocketing and instead use that time a bit more productively, like learning something you could use going forward."

"R-really?" The child's eyes widened. "B-but what's in it for you?"

She'd lived on the streets after all, and in a Devil society no less. Nothing came without some sort of cost to it.

"Nothing. Mostly." Luna frowned, and tapped the table a couple times before speaking again, looking up. "...Well, there is something, I suppose. I'm aiming to become High-Class. And to get an Evil Piece set. I'm not there quite yet, but I'm on my way. Even if you didn't really stand a chance against me before, I was pretty impressed with how well you held yourself before I went and threw you into a wall. I can see you've got a lot of potential just waiting to be revealed."

The light novels explained that point pretty well, and seeing how she was able to briefly catch Luna off-guard despite being young, untrained, and malnourished only strengthened that belief.

"Are... you saying you want me to join your Peerage?" Kuroka may have been a child when her parents died, just as she was now, but she'd heard enough about them both on and off the streets to know that it was a big decision to make, and one that would have a lifelong impact.

Lunarunn closed her eyes and tilted her head downward, the frown turning upward. "I suppose I am. Once I get to that point. The world's not a kind place, and if I want to make it one I need strong people who can fight by my side. You might not be there quite yet, at least physically, but I know you'll absolutely stand out among the crowd."

"And what if I say no?"

"As long as you're able to get out of the streets and someplace a bit more stable for you and your sister, I really don't have an issue with that." Her currently-onyx eyes reopened and met Kuroka's again. "If you say yes, you get a place of relative power, someone who will support you, a place to call home again, as well as a chance to make things better for people who end up in the kind of life you've found yourself in for a while. And I get someone who in turn will help me. If you say no, then you get the skills to choose your own path in this world without needing to face the same sorts of hardships as you already have, and I get the satisfaction knowing that I was able to help someone make a better life for themselves and their family. Either way, we both come out in a better place than before."

Kuroka looked away, clearly thinking it over.

"You don't have to answer right away, either. Like I said, I'm not even at the point where I could fulfill my side of the agreement and bring you into my Peerage." Luna laughed lightly, smile breaking into a full grin. "But, since you gave me something to think about, I figured I may as well do the same, yeah?"


Later that evening, after the 'sun' had already fallen and darkness returned to the Underworld, Kuroka slipped into a hidden alcove beneath a bridge, smiling down at the sleeping form of her infant sister, drawn though her own features may have been. At least it wasn't as bad as her own.

Her sister didn't stay asleep for long though, ears flicking as they heard the older girl enter, eyes slowly opening.

"N-Nyee-chan?" she quietly murmured. Shirone had been a fast learner, especially with words, so she'd been able to pick up on how to speak faster than most kids her age, something that made Kuroka glow with sisterly pride.

Though these days it was a lot harder for the white Nekoshou to concentrate, Kuroka knew. It was harder still for herself.

But Luna had been true to her word. A few hours after they'd left, the white-haired woman with a thoughtful smile on her face and Kuroka feeling more full than she had in a long time, she returned to the ramen stand to see that the old Devil had multiple bags of canned food, plus some fresh fruit.

Naturally, he took a couple pieces of fruit for himself, but much like he understood her, she understood him.

Bael apples are pretty expensive, the old man said it himself a little while back, so it only made sense that he'd want a couple in return for looking after the food while Kuroka was away. She was happy to do so, even.

It really underpinned just how out of her way Luna went to get good food for her and her sister though. That she went so far as to get Bael apples, considered a delicacy in their own right, among the fruits, veggies, and other canned foods? And even getting a pair of containers for them to eat from, utensils included?

She was absolutely serious about her offer, both the Peerage bit and the food delivery each week.

"Shirone..." Kuroka murmured, voice full of a trembling, desperate sort of joy. "...I've got food. I've got... I've got a lot of food. Really good food too."

"Uh?" That got the other Nekoshou to turn her head toward the bags, eyes shining with recognition. "W-wha...?"

"I... met someone today." The older sister wouldn't reveal that she'd been stealing to the younger one. She wouldn't taint her precious family with that knowledge. "She... she bought me dinner. She bought us all this. She even... she even said she'd come back to that same place next week with more."

"More food?"

The black-haired half-Youkai nodded, amber orbs glittering with unshed tears of relief and happiness, something she dared not show before. "More food. Enough food to maybe even eat every day if I keep going each week."

"Ah. I glad."

As cans were opened and food poured out into containers, the smile on the young girl's face as she started eating with all the voraciousness of a starving child, something that had long since been missing in the haze of hunger, made the black-haired one's unshed tears nearly spill wholesale. The elation and wonderment she felt at this simple pleasure were just that intense.

Kuroka had already sworn to herself that she would keep Shirone safe, but now she swore to herself that she would protect that smile however she could.

Always.


A/N -

To the person who wasn't keen on the chapters 17 and 18, I can understand how it might be a little odd for Luna to visit Diodora despite loathing him, at least at first. Don't forget though that Luna is rather short on options, and under a lot of stress from paparazzi-induced house arrest. Plus, she was pressured into agreeing to visit by his Queen back at the gala, so if Diodora wanted to he could call her out for not following her word had she stayed away. He may not be particularly influential in comparison to other Devils, but Luna barely has any influence beyond that which is given to her by others. It wouldn't be difficult to snuff out her ambitions within the snake pit by stonewalling her at every turn. Considering she was still of the belief that he's an irredeemable bastard of the time of the invitation, Luna would have been under the impression that he would have punished her if she did ignore his missive.

As for the 'old friends' part, well. The two do have the potential to get along quite well, given that this Diodora at least isn't a worm of the first degree. Beyond Luna's issues with his canon counterpart, she and Diodora are remarkably compatible in terms to personality. And it's not like she's over her issues with him, I think I should point out. She's said quite firmly that she still has her doubts, and though she decides to take the opportunity to join the primary antagonistic organization of canon in its formative years, that hasn't changed.

Glad I'm able to make the political side of the story interesting! I get the feeling the politics as a topic is one of those that's really easy to do wrong. It's one thing to talk about it as people being hypocrites for the sake of clout, but it's another entirely to delve into the how and why people, governments, and organizations do what they do.

Anyway, have some more worldbuilding. Here's a bit of AU: where Rias is older than Koneko in canon, in here Shirone is actually Ria's senior by about two and a half years. However, due to the conditions of her and Kuroka's street life, she ends up with malnutrition that stunts her growth by effectively years, meaning that she'll still end up looking the same and still be a freshman. Plus it gives a reason why she's able to put away so much and shamelessly indulges in Gula: because she was starved in her early years, its her and her body's way of trying to bridge the gap. At least, that is my explanation for how she could be chronologically older but still look both younger and be below Ria's age group academically.

And before anyone says anything about a girl just shy of entering adolescence talking about boobs, do remember that this is Kuroka we're talking about, a Nekoshou hybrid who basically is the embodiment of lust. Combine that with an extended period of being on the streets, and it makes sense that she'd be introduced to this stuff a lot earlier than is probably healthy. To say nothing about how that might actually feed into her canonically lewd nature.

Yes, I know that normally they're taken in by the Naberius Pillar and soon after Kuroka becomes the heir's Bishop, but that's where I call upon the power of creative liberties. That being said, I think it'll still work just fine.

Tempura Wizard out.