It was kind of hit or miss writing the chapter. Some scenes practically wrote themselves, others refused attendance for the longest time. But I'm more or less satisfied with the result, so hope you all enjoy.
Oh, and had a few guest reviews, but putting the baffling amount of information that was flat out wrong aside, they did say something I wanted to address quickly.
Those of you familiar with Grisaia may have noticed that Yuuji smiles and laughs more in comparison to canon. Well, no shit. The girls from Mihama might have been good for him, but they in no way compare to the amount of interest and affection that Rias and her peerage offer simply as a matter of course, right off the bat.
Yuuji is simply in a far better environment from an emotional standpoint, and it shows.
I hope.
Anyways, on with the show.
Today was shaping up to be a good day.
She'd had her best sleep in ages, and she'd woken up to a message from Grayfia-san.
By the time she got off school, Nee-sama would have a Gremory communication sigil synced to her magical energy, meaning that she could directly contact almost any of the Gremory family or their servants.
Such as her little sister, even if said little sister was in the mortal realm.
Koneko, not all that long ago, had nearly given up on seeing her sister ever again.
In a few short hours, she'd be able to speak with her Nee-sama whenever she wanted, finding the time to visit wasn't easy between school and Devil work.
So it was with those thoughts in mind that the quiet little Rook, unseen and unheard by all, sat in her private bathroom, humming softly to her reflection in the mirror as she ran a brush through her silky white hair.
Short as it was, her hair didn't need a lot of brushing, but Nee-sama had always loved her hair, and thus Koneko was feeling extra motivated towards its upkeep.
It was that extra attention that brought that small oddity to her notice.
The clatter of the brush slipping from her fingers went unheard as Koneko stared wide-eyed towards her reflection.
Slowly, her fingers lifted themselves towards the source of her shock, seeking confirmation.
Hair as soft as silk and pale as snow… intermingled with a few strands of darkest black.
She'd recognize that color anywhere.
When she was a child, that color had meant safety, love and warmth.
Now, even though their situation had changed for the better, it still left her confused, and more than a little scared.
It was Nee-sama's color, after all.
Today was shaping up to be a good day.
She'd awoken to the gentle rise and fall of Yuuji's chest beneath her cheek, and found one of her hands lying across his ribs… fingers intertwined with Akeno's.
That was surprising… usually Yuuji was the first to wake.
The rule was that whoever woke up first got the first good morning kiss, but usually Yuuji was the one to bear witness… and share said kiss.
Rather than the usual, Rias found herself frozen in place as a pair of long lashes fluttered open, sleepy violet eyes blinking into focus as Akeno lifted her head from the other side of Yuuji's chest.
Her best friend gave a cute little yawn and a sleepy smile… which stiffened in surprise as their eyes met.
Yuuji was still asleep.
The heat of her cheeks slowly grew more and more as the implications hit, and from the color of Akeno's cheeks, the same thought had occurred to her.
Yuuji was still asleep.
She wasn't quite sure who leaned over first, but both girls recoiled as gently as they could when their lips met, neither of them having quite realized that the other had moved at all.
A pair of shy smiles bloomed in the stillness of the early morning.
Yuuji was still asleep.
He had no intention of correcting them, should they choose to believe that.
… Today was shaping up to be a good day.
Another long night.
More sitting in on dreams of war and death.
More watching in secret to insure that the dead weren't just using his dreams as a convenient method to pass their grudges along.
So far, so good.
As long as they kept their intentions pure, he'd keep his silence, and Yuuji would never have to know that he was involved in any way.
Just so long as they were acting in Yuuji's best interests.
Though…
If that ever changed, he'd just have to show them that there were some things in this world…
That not even death could save you from.
K: Yuuji-senpai, can you spare me a little time at lunch?
Y: Sure
Yuuji caught Kalawarner's pointed stare as he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
In a classroom as small as this, it's not like he could have hid it.
Not when his teacher's senses were sharp enough to hear the buttons being pressed, but they were both well aware.
Yuuji's wordless response was a soft, puzzled frown, and a minute shake of his head.
Kalawarner merely cocked an eyebrow and decided to let it slide, for now.
"So what's up?"
"... Just antsy, I guess. Thanks for this, Senpai."
"No problem. That's ten, by the way, time to switch."
"Mm."
"... You need better dye, Koneko."
Koneko froze, making her current pose seem all the more bizarre.
She was upside down, and and a bit over six feet off the ground in a hand-stand.
Yuuji was staring up at her in confusion, hands stretched above his head and fingers interlocked with those of the smaller girl.
They'd decided on 'Toujou-style push-ups' for the name, and simply put, it was handstand push-ups where the individual with their feet on the ground, held up the person doing the push-ups.
Not particularly challenging with the supernatural strength involved, but they both found it relaxing and would use it as an excuse to indulge in each others quiet company.
"... I don't know what you mean."
"Your face isn't that far away, and I know what naturally white hair looks like."
"..."
"..."
"It was four strands of hair."
"I know, I counted."
"... You're really not going to ask?"
"I'll listen if you want to talk."
"... You could be a little more pushy you know, Senpai."
"You say that as if I'm planning to let you down anytime soon."
"... Bully."
"I'm told that's one of my good points."
"... Akeno-senpai doesn't count."
"... I can order you better dye from the US. Should come in in 2-3 business days if I order express."
Gratefully, Koneko allowed the slight shift in direction.
She really hadn't expected him to notice.
Silly of her, in hindsight.
"... Think anyone else would notice before then?"
"Buchou might, if you give her reason to worry. She's probably the most perceptive of everyone when it comes to things bothering her servants."
"I'll be careful."
"Best you can do, I suppose. Feeling better?"
"Little dizzy, I think."
"Close enough."
Yuuji said, as he lowered Koneko to the floor.
Koneko stared at the floor in silence for a moment, fidgeting a bit until she made up her mind.
Yuuji lifted an eyebrow in surprise as the little Rook gave him a quick hug around the waist before stepping away, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Thanks, Yuuji-senpai."
"Didn't think I did all that much, but you're welcome."
"You thought wrong."
"That so?"
A tiny nod and a tiny smile.
"... Well alright then."
"Yeah, that's it, don't try to jump or anything, just bring your legs up and let gravity to do the work."
"Like this?"
"Yeah, now, lock your top leg over the heel and squeeze."
Akeno complied, dropping her upper leg and beginning to constrict, pulling on Yuuji's arm as she did.
Her legs were currently encircling Yuuji's extended arm and neck, forming a triangular shape.
Yuuji was still on his feet, legs slightly bent, but Akeno's upper back was on the ground, and his extended arm pointing towards her.
… Yuuji was teaching her the triangle choke.
"Good, this is pretty painful, getting a little short of breath here."
Yuuji said, though his voice didn't suggest that at all.
"It worries me that you say that so casually, but at the same time I think I like having my legs wrapped around you."
"That's fair."
Yuuji stopped her from breaking the hold with a hand on her leg.
"Hang on, I want you to try something. You've been working on channeling your lightning, right? Try running a current through your legs."
"Ara? That seems dangerous."
"It'll be fine, just don't go overboard."
Giving him a dubious look, after a moment, Akeno complied, channeling a small jolt of her lightning through her body.
She'd developed a reasonable skill at imbuing her strikes with her element, but grappling was a new thing.
Yuuji convulsed a bit and slumped, dropping to his knees.
"... Yuuji?"
Yuuji jolted, lifting his head up again.
"... Huh, blacked out for a second there, not bad."
"YUUJI!"
"I'm fine, don't worry about it. This level of abuse hardly counts as training."
Akeno glared.
"Hm, that works pretty well I think. Forcing loss of motor function in a grapple is pretty nasty."
Yuuji said, not reading the mood at all.
"... You scared me, you know."
Yuuji blinked slowly.
"... Sorry… wasn't my intention."
So focused was she on Yuuji, Akeno only belatedly realized that her legs were still around his neck, even if she wasn't applying pressure at the moment.
Immediately she went to rectify the situation, but Yuuji stopped her once more.
"Oh no you don't, mister. That's enough experimenting out of you."
"Ah, no, this is different. More like an apology."
Akeno watched him carefully, a soft glare on her lovely face, but decided she'd trust him.
… She'd sic Rias on him if he scared her like that again, though.
" Let go of my arm, and brace your core, Akeno."
Puzzled, the Queen nonetheless complied.
She let out a tiny squeak as Yuuji then proceeded to hoist her into the air, standing up straight and leaving her sitting on his shoulders, leaving his faces inches from something lacy and dark she'd worn just for him.
Today's after school session had been a 'train in your uniform' day, largely motivated by her desire to show off the combination of long legs, a short skirt, and plenty of motion to Yuuji.
Private time was private time, no one could blame her for taking the opportunity to seduce her boyfriend.
Expression not giving away the slightest hint as to his intentions., Yuuji slowly began to walk forward.
Seconds later, she found her back pressed gently against the rough bark of a nearby tree.
Then a mischievous feeling breeze whispered through the trees and teased its way up under the short fabric of her skirt, and the breath held in anticipation slipped from her mouth in a startled gasp.
"W-when did you even!?"
Seems she was a bit more exposed underneath than she had thought.
Out of the corner of her eye, Akeno could see that lacy and dark something she'd been wearing lying discarded on the ground.
"I have my ways."
Her response was silenced by an expertly timed flick of Yuuji's tongue.
Akeno let out a low moan, suddenly glad for the trees support as Yuuji's tongue began dragging slow, wet circles against exposed flesh.
Slender fingers entwined in Yuuji's hair, sweet, delicate moans filling the air as Akeno felt herself driven over edge after blissful edge.
Rias was waiting for them as they stepped out of the teleportation circle, Akeno's legs feeling a bit weak for the full walk.
"Welcome back you two. How'd it go?"
"Just fine, Buchou."
Blue eyes narrowed in faint suspicion as Akeno merely responded with a lusty giggle.
"Gasper should be awake in another hour or two, Yuuji, so go get cleaned up."
"Will do."
Yuuji passed Rias, heading up the stairs, and Akeno, eyes still twinkling, followed suit.
She was almost to the first landing when Rias called out.
"Oh, and Akeno?"
"Yes, Buchou?"
Akeno twisted back to face Rias, her curiosity growing as she found herself met by a teasing smirk and raised eyebrow.
"You seem to have left your panties behind."
Akeno froze, slowly turning redder and redder as it dawned on her that yes, it was still a little breezy.
Slowly, her hands linked behind her to press down the back of her skirt, and her legs pressed together.
A cough from above drew the gazes of both girls towards their expressionless lover.
Yuuji decided that that moment was as good as any.
"Don't worry, Buchou."
Yuuji began formally, slipping one hand out of his pocket and baring its contents to the air.
"She might have, but I didn't."
Today was a good day.
Yuuji gently rapped his knuckles against the thick wooden door.
"Y-yes!?"
Came the muffled squeak from within.
"It's Yuuji. Mind if I come in?"
"S-sure! P-please do!"
Yuuji swung the door open, immediately finding his eyes once more assailed by pink from every conceivable direction.
Across the room, sitting in his coffin and hiding behind his tucked up knees, was a young boy in a Kuoh Academy girl's uniform.
"... Good job Gasper, you managed not to freeze anything when I knocked."
"W-well I c-caught your s-scent… so I was paying a-attention…"
Gasper attempted to deflect the praise, even as his shy smile grew and his bright pink eyes glittered.
Yuuji was fairly certain that Rias had something to do with the fact that every pink item in the room matched the exact shade of her Bishop's eyes.
"Progress is progress, Gasper. Pushed you pretty hard yesterday, so I think we'll just do a few little exercises tonight, sound good?"
This was the third night since Gasper had been unsealed, and Yuuji had visited him on every one.
Thursday, the day before, had been a cloudy night, and Gasper, for the first time in years had actually roamed the halls of the old school building.
Kalawarner had accompanied them too, that night, gently holding the small boy's hands as he took his first tentative steps outside the confines of his room.
He had made it all the way to the clubroom, and had managed to sit down on the couch for a few minutes, before the sky started to clear and the moon began to poke out.
It might not have seemed like anything special, but it was further than the little Dhampir had travelled from his room in years.
Yuuji, it seemed was perhaps the best suited to deal with the traumatized, anxious young boy, having experience being a traumatized, anxious young boy.
Next were the two the two Fallen Angels, empathetic to the extreme, and well-experienced with dealing with timid souls such as Asia.
Whether Devil, Fallen or even Familiar, the household had all come together to socialize and help Gasper, at least, as much as they could without overwhelming the poor boy.
Well, Suu had only tried once, an attempt that had been oddly successful, considering that Gasper didn't like to be touched by most people, and Suu only really understood physical affection.
She would still have to be small doses, it seemed, as the odd level of success brought upon by Slime-hugs had left Gasper just as bewildered as everyone else.
Progress indeed.
Gasper watched Yuuji carefully, waiting for the older Devil to gather his thoughts.
"Yeah, we'll just play catch for a bit, I think. Then we can call it a night if you're feeling tired, or we can do something you'd like to do."
"D-does that m-m-mean we can…?"
"Play video games?"
Gasper nodded hesitantly at Yuuji's weary tone.
"Sure, we can indulge your sadistic tendencies for an hour or two."
"It's o-okay, S-senpai! W-w-we can p-p-play with e-e-easy b-bots… I'm s-s-sure you'll g-g-get at least one kill t-today!"
Came the Dhampir's earnest reassurance.
"I don't need your pity, fiend."
Gasper giggled in spite of the bland complaint.
He was sensitive to people's tone enough to know that Yuuji didn't really mind, not when videogames fell within the meager umbrella of activities that he could take some small measure of pride in.
Yuuji walked slowly to the couch and plucked the bright pink foam dodgeball off of it.
Done her paperwork for the evening, Rias rose from her desk, stretching her arms over her head in a motion that did all sorts of interesting things with her chest.
Suppressing a yawn, the Gremory heiress softly picked her way through the dim halls and down to the first floor of the old school building, towards Gasper's room.
She was hoping that before long, she could convince Gasper to move into the Gremory dorm, but she didn't want to bring it up to soon and make him feel pressured, something that was all too easy, much to her sorrow.
Her thoughts were interrupted by ghastly, inhuman laughter filling the air.
The eerie, slightly high-pitched sound reverberated through the old building, filling the halls with its uncanny echo, and…
Bringing a tender, if bemused smile to the Gremory King's lips.
As she peeked her head slowly around the doorway where the sadistic laughter had originated from, Rias blinked in confusion, not quite sure what she was seeing.
Gasper, continuing his mad cackle, had his head thrown back and his sharp incisors bared, and Yuuji was slumped in his seat, glaring somewhat moodily at the screen.
On said screen, split between two angles, were two figures in colorful, futuristic armor.
Judging by the twisted limbs and still form, the blue figure was probably dead or at least dying, and what she assumed was the victor in red was looming over the head of the prone body.
… Alternating rapidly between standing and crouching, pointing his (?) firearm at nothing in particular.
Well, she had no idea what that was supposed to mean, but Gasper was clearly having fun, so that had to count for something, right?
… She decided not to consider the possible implications of having yet another sadist revealed among their ranks.
Yuuji ducked smoothly beneath the flash of gold arcing towards his neck, and found himself impressed (and nearly caught off guard) by the follow-up.
Rather than try to correct herself after the missed swing, Kalawarner merely let her axe carry her into a spin, and rather than loop around for another swing, merely bent at the waist and thrust one spandex covered leg sharply out behind her.
Smiling, Yuuji met her kick with both feet, leaping into the air to take advantage of the stable platform provided by Kalawarner's flat-tops.
The sheer force behind it sent him flying across the clearing, but, having prepared for the power the Fallen could put behind her blows, spent his trip through the air firing from a summoned handgun.
Kalawarner had finished her turn, though and was facing his direction once more, whirling the axe in the air in front of her to deflect the shots.
The second Yuuji stopped firing, her axe warped smoothly into a spear of light, one promptly hurled through the air towards the distant Pawn.
In a teasing mirror of her earlier move, Yuuji twirled out of the way, a faint plume of dull grey smoke heralding a switch of weapons, as Yuuji hurled a blunt javelin right back at her.
With one eyebrow raised, Kalawarner snatched the offending projectile out of the air and buried it point-first in the ground, it's lack of an actual edge not hindering her in the least.
Yuuji was still chuckling as he charged once more into the fray.
Spear after spear of light was shot out of the air in dull streaks of grey, but he was forced to leap as Kalawarner's last throw before they closed took the form of a spinning windmill of golden death
A thrown axe, rather than a spear.
Kalawarner brought up her forearm in time to catch Yuuji's dropkick, showcasing her strength as it only knocked her back a pace.
Wincing, Kalawarner lashed out with a new, long spear in a wide, upward sweep, which the still airborne Yuuji evaded with a hasty extension and beat of his wings.
Kalawarner plunged towards him as he landed, thrusting with both hands.
A decision she immediately regretted, as Yuuji recovered far, far faster than expected and came in under the thrusting polearm.
She quickly corrected and brought up the blunt end towards his chin, but not quickly enough.
Yuuji twisted around it like a snake, and then he was behind her and out of view.
She dropped to one knee as the other was kicked out from behind, and then promptly froze as a cold barrel was pressed against the back of her head.
"Ah… I yield."
The barrel receded.
"Not bad Kala, you nearly skewered me with that last thrust."
"I would not have skewered you, Yuuji-sama…"
She protested firmly, before a sly smile crept onto her face.
"Perhaps broken a rib or two at best."
She suggested cheerfully.
She was joking of course... probably.
The possibility was not zero?
Kalawarner had 'dimmed the light' so to speak, and thus, even to a Devil, her weapons of Light were at best unpleasantly warm, and had no sharp edges to speak of.
It was equally true that even with a half-hearted effort, she could still use that condensed Light to shatter stone.
"Sure, sure, but, seeing how my legs are still numb from the kick, I'm glad you missed."
"I can carry you, if you wish, Yuuji-sama."
Kalawarner offered as she stretched, the sports bra she was wearing allowing for a fascinating jiggle.
"... I'm not sure if I'm disturbed more by the enthusiasm of the offer… or the fact that somehow that offer is tempting."
"... Even grumpy teenage boys wish to be spoiled at times, I imagine."
"... "
"Or is the truth perhaps that Yuuji-sama is a 'tsundere', as Akeno-san is fond of saying?"
"... Let's go with the first one."
"As you wish, Yuuji-sama."
Kalawarner wasn't sure who chuckled first, but in the end, it did not matter, she supposed.
"So, Yuuji-sama, was the test successful?"
"Well, didn't use any bullets at all that time, so sort of? Since you blocked a couple, tell me, how was the impact?"
"Ah, I do not mean to be rude, Yuuji-sama but I believe your fist would have been more effective."
"... So perfect for sparring but not much else. I can live with that."
Branching out in his control of magic, under the guidance of Akeno, Yuuji had been practicing channeling demonic energy through his firearms, allowing him to fire bursts of magic through them rather than bullets.
Which sounded awesome, if it weren't for the fact that Yuuji sucked at it.
Sure, not having to reload was nice, but his bullets were faster, and the force of the 'Devil Shot' (as Rias had insisted on naming it) amounted to less than Yuuji could muster with his bare hand.
His flesh and blood hand.
Unconcerned, Yuuji had settled upon the idea of using it for training purposes, allowing him to work on his energy control, even during a spar.
Kalawarner had graciously offered herself as a volunteer, the current half-day being a particularly quiet one for her.
The Fallen Angel reached into a glowing circle, pulled her cell phone free, and swiped her thumb across it.
"... Our timing was good, it seems. Asia is just wrapping up her client's request, so I'll have just enough time to get cleaned up before we need to leave."
"Well don't let me keep you, then. Thanks for your help, Kala."
"You are most welcome, Yuuji-sama."
"..."
"..."
"What?"
"Are you certain your legs are feeling better, Yuuji-sama?"
"That note of hope in your voice suggests I haven't been working you hard enough... let's play tag, Kala."
"Ah… no, t-that is quite alright, Y-Yuuji-sama… p-please put that away."
"Hmm, it almost sounds like you thought I was asking."
Kalawarner wasn't sure if she found the casual, subtle menace of his smile worrying or arousing.
In the end, she decided that the answer was perhaps a bit of both.
She'd been afraid they'd have to cancel.
Everyone was back home, and the majority of the girls were getting ready to leave.
Xenovia, feeling lost on the topic, hadn't wanted to draw the focus away from Asia, and had assuaged the Bishop's concerns by requesting her help for a later repeat.
Koneko had taken advantage of her free weekend and left, to spend the night at the Gremory manor, and more importantly, with Kuroka.
There were two of them though, the Strays her peerage had been called upon to eliminate on short notice.
They could probably manage without Koneko, but…
She had just begun to let free a sigh of regret when Yuuji pressed a finger over her lips.
Wordlessly, her lover had clasped her hands and pulled her from the bed and to her feet.
Then, he had walked them backwards and out of them room.
Rias quirked an eyebrow as Yuuji gently shut the door.
Sensing that none would be forthcoming, Rias had opened her mouth to request an explanation when she abruptly found said mouth being thoroughly dominated by another, and herself forced up against the door with a leg hitched up between her thighs.
Less than a minute later, it occurred to Rias that the soft thing beneath her was carpet, the hallway was spinning before her eyes, and she was very much out breath, and more than a little turned on.
Dimly, she heard knocking on Kiba's door, and a mild report that Yuuji was planning to take his dog for a walk, and him asking if her Knight was free to join in.
She had regained enough of her wits to say any number of things she should probably have been saying, when the two boys passed, Yuuji blithely commenting that he was going to ask Xenovia if she wanted to stretch her legs.
Her smiling Knight had called back over his shoulder that they would be back in time for dinner.
Rias had recognized that then was her last chance to say something, to wield her authority as King.
It was rather warm in that hallway, and it seemed the heat was getting to her, so she decided she'd remain seated, just a little while longer.
Somehow, she knew there was nothing she need worry about, beyond her planned outing with Asia.
"That's adorable and we're buying it… but you're also not wearing that tomorrow."
"Hmm, no, that won't do, not for tomorrow, anyways."
"O-okay…?"
"Ah, allow me to explain, Asia-san. It's just a bit too 'innocent', I believe. Yuuji-sama already sees you as something precious to be protected, now we want him to become a bit more conscious of the reality that the precious one he seeks to protect is also a woman."
"Hey, this one looks pretty good! Try it on, Asia-chan!"
"O-okay!"
"Ooh, good eye, good eye, now what if we added…"
.
.
.
"How is it, Asia?"
"..."
"..."
"I-is it… no good?"
"... I think I need to sit down."
"Ara, how dangerous, Yuuji-kun has no idea what he's getting into, does he?"
"Wow… that's perfect Asia-chan!"
"It is!? I-I mean… it's not that different from what I normally wear… is it?"
"No, perhaps not, but you need to feel comfortable in the outfit for it to work… that, and you look lovely, Asia-san."
Asia's only response was a bashful giggle that no heart was ever fully prepared for.
It looked sort of like a minotaur, he supposed.
A rotund, kinda greasy minotaur with a few too many horns and a toothy, fanged maw in it's rolling gut.
The extra weight didn't slow it down, it seemed, if its thunderous, building shaking charge was anything to go by.
A charge that became something more like an awkward, flopping roll, when the slug obliterated its kneecap from the side.
No less dangerous, for all the lack of control, and more than enough to smear the slender, blue-haired girl before it into paste.
If the slender girl hadn't pulled a not-so slender Holy Sword out of thin air.
A roaring wave of golden light bisected the grotesque creature, and two smoking pieces of Stray Devil rolled to a weak, squishy halt just past its killer.
Yuuji shot a quick thumbs up to Xenovia as she planted Durandal in front of her, turning her attention towards the rafters and…
A deep, rumbling snarl, barely audible over the horrific screeches of pain and terror.
The second Stray came plummeting from above, its one remaining wing beating uselessly.
Neither Yuuji nor Xenovia made any move to intercept.
Like a beacon in the dark, a single length shimmering steel erupted from the ground to meet it.
The Stray's screeching cut off as the blade passed beneath its chin, and gravity did what little work was necessary to separate head from neck.
A cheerful smile on his lips, the other Gremory Knight dispersed the bloodstained blade with a casual wave of his hand.
Ruth slipped through the network of warehouse shadows to return to ground-level as Kiba turned towards the others.
"Subjugation complete."
She had everything she needed, everything she wanted to prepare for her date with-
Asia Argento blushed to the roots of her golden hair, squirming in bed as she stared up at the dark ceiling.
In the darkness and stillness, all she could hear was the rapid pounding of her heart, and-
"Asia-san."
Asia's hands clamped over her mouth to muffle the shriek that nearly escaped.
"... Y-yes?"
Came the meek little whisper, as she turned her head to see a pair of golden eyes and an understanding smile.
"You are fidgeting."
"A-ah… I'm s-sorry… did I wake you?"
"No."
"Oh… t-that's good."
"Indeed. More importantly, you need your rest if you're to enjoy tomorrow to the utmost."
"O-okay…"
Kalawarner gazed blankly at her for a moment.
Asia squirmed beneath the sheets.
"... K-Kala-san?"
"I see, so that's how it is."
"... Huh?"
Rather than reply, Kalawarner merely stretched out one slender arm and turned the small girl onto her side, allowing the Fallen to lightly press the little blonde's head against the softness of her chest with one hand, as the other draped across Asia and rested against Raynare.
Raynare, not needing something so trivial as wakefulness in order to read the mood, nestled in closer on Asia's other side, trapping the Devil by pressing her forehead against Asia's slender back as she murmured softly in her sleep.
"K-Kala-san?"
Asia mumbled, voice a little muffled by Kalawarner's huge breasts.
Once more, Kalawarner replied in a somewhat indirect fashion.
Asia stiffened as a sound, as mystifying as it was lovely, began to gently drift its way through the still air.
It took her several seconds of awed silence, and feeling the sound resonate rhythmically through Kalawarner's chest, for Asia to understand just what she was hearing.
It was nothing more than simple lullaby, hummed softly by a woman with her arms wrapped around those she cherished most in this world.
Nothing more than a simple lullaby, that Asia Argento would fondly remember for the rest of her life, even as it steadily lured her into a deep, contented slumber.
In total defiance of the sudden tightness of her chest, or the hint of moisture in her eyes.
Just a simple lullaby, sung with nothing more than the honest desire to ease a loved one's worries.
A simple act that Asia had long yearned for in secret… a simple wish, granted that very night…
For the very first time.
"... Yuuji-san?"
"Oh, there you are, Asia."
"Y-yes! G-good morning, Y-Yuuji-san."
"Hmm, I'm not sure I want to leave the house anymore. The idea of another guy getting to see you dressed like that has me feeling territorial for some reason."
"D-does that mean!?"
"Yeah, it does. You look beautiful, Asia."
"Ehehe~."
Asia's date outfit was centered around a delicate white dress that reached to about midthigh, the hem and neckline shifting to gossamer, translucent fabric that allowed a glimpse of cleavage without exposing much of it to the open air.
Tied around the waist was red ribbon belt adorned with a fabric rose, and a thin cardigan sat on Asia's pale shoulders.
Offering a slight contrast were the ankle boots that covered her small feet, the sturdiness of their design and the raised heel helping to offset the delicate nature of the rest.
Yuuji wasn't making any particular expression, but the glint in his slightly narrowed eyes suggested that yes, she was being noticed, and this time, in the way she wanted most.
Asia did her best to keep her victory cheer internal, not that the triumphant edge to her beaming smile escaped notice for long.
Nor did the way her cheeks reddened when Yuuji offered his arm, with just the tiniest hint of a smile.
She didn't even notice when Yuuji, on the way out the door, offering a careless wave to the women who had watched them go in silence.
"Geez, did you see that? It's ridiculous how cute she is!"
"Indeed, the way her smile lights up the room is hard to ignore."
"You know, we usually spend Sundays with Asia-chan so I'm not really sure what to do with myself."
"On most days I would have papers to grade and coursework to prepare, but I managed to finish that last night."
"Sooo… that means you're free?"
"It does, and it also leaves me to wonder as to the last time we went out and enjoyed ourselves, just you and I."
"... Been a while, huh? Okay, let's do it, Kala-chan!"
"I would like that, Raynare."
"Then it's a date! Heehee~!"
"You wanted to go here?"
"W-well, I've kind of always wanted to try, and Gasper-kun actually gave me the idea that you might have fun too. Is it… is it no good?"
"I'm not looking at you when you make that face… yeah, let's do it. At worst I'll just get to sit back and enjoy that cute little frown you make when you concentrate."
Asia puffed out her cheeks with a cute little frown as Yuuji nodded in confirmation.
"Yeah, that's the one."
Pulling open the glass doors, the young couple found themselves assailed by a world of flashing neon lights, discordant electronic noise, and a constant hum of excited laughter and good natured complaints.
In other words, the arcade.
"Wow… people look like they're having so much fun!"
"Hmm, yeah… this seems like a good place."
If only for the excitement it brought Asia, if nothing else.
"So that's how it is."
"So it would seem, Yuuji-san."
Asia agreed, even though she didn't understand it all.
Yuuji had discovered an arcade shooting game, and had made the mistake of attempting to actually reload the plastic gun, rather than shoot off screen like the game demanded.
One mistake.
There wouldn't be another, and until the day the arcade closed down in the distant future, the high-score of the mysterious 'RUTH' would never be beaten.
"... Wow, that looks like fun!"
"That so?"
"Yep!"
Asia chirped, before the implications of the sight before her left her wide-eyed and speechless.
DDR had two sets of pads, and this one had something called 'Couples Mode', meaning she could dance with…
Asia snapped out of her dreamy haze to find a pair of dark eyes, inches from her own.
Yuuji blinked once, but gave no other indication of surprise when Asia jumped with a tiny, adorable little shriek.
"... Need to sit down?"
"N-no… I was just wondering if… w-well…"
Yuuji cut her off, having guessed her intentions from the minute or two of dazed, wonder-filled staring.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you wanted to try out that 'DDR' thing with me?"
Asia blinked slowly, staring at him in confusion before her smile bloomed, like the sun from behind the clouds.
"Y-yes! I definitely would!"
"Well alright then."
… Partway through the song, Yuuji realized that Asia was eyeing him, or rather, his hand.
Waiting until a note brought them to the pads closest to each other, Yuuji's hand darted out, linking with Asia's.
The surprised girl stumbled, and would have missed the note if Yuuji hadn't stepped on it for her.
Her shrieks of surprise turned into a fit of giggles as Yuuji spun them around, briefly switching positions with the laughing blonde.
Of course, there was no way they could hit every note with a surprise move like that, and in the end, it probably cost them their place on the leaderboard, even with Yuuji's absurd reaction times.
Neither of them could bring themselves to care.
As she stepped out of the portal, Koneko was greeted by the familiar sight of Grayfia in her maid uniform, standing dutifully off to one side.
"Welcome home, Koneko-san."
"Good to see you, Grayfia-san."
A pair of barely perceptible smiles were exchanged, neither of them the type for any pronounced display of emotion.
Koneko slowly let her gaze drift around the mostly empty entry room, a bit surprised to find-
"Ah, if you are looking for Kuroka-san…"
Koneko blinked in confusion as Grayfia took a rather large step to the side, wearing just the barest shadow of a smirk, and leaving the hallway of the Gremory manor clear and open.
Koneko had time for one word before it happened.
"Traitor."
"SHHHIIRONEEEEEEEE!"
A black, tailed blur came charging round the bend and launched itself like an arrow fired from the heavens.
Koneko found herself suddenly airborne with a pair of hands tucked firmly under her armpits and the room spinning around her like mad.
"SHHHIIRONEEEEEEEE!"
Then the hurricane of momentum that had seized her abruptly reversed its flow, and Koneko found herself tossed high into the air, only to find herself caught with a soft cheek rubbing against her own, before she was once again airborne.
"SHHHIIRONEEEEEEEE!"
This continued.
So caught up was she in the bewildering onslaught of affection, Koneko completely missed the fantastically rare sight of Grayfia Lucifuge trying her hardest not to laugh.
"SHHHIIRONEEEEEEEE!"
Hours later, Yuuji and Asia left the arcade arm in arm.
"Hehe, that was a lot of fun! W-wait… Yuuji-san are you okay!? S-something about you looks kind of strange!"
Curious, Yuuji turned back to examine himself in the glass, and let out a snort at what he saw.
"I'm just smiling, Asia."
A small smile, the pretty blonde was so shocked, she might have fallen over had she not been linked with him arm-in-arm.
"YUUJI-SAN CAN SMILE!?"
Yuuji remained silent, conceding that her confusion wasn't all that strange… until he noticed the mischievous twinkle in Asia's eyes.
"... Did I just get teased by Asia? Must be a cold day in Hell… we'll have to ask Buchou if the seasons are different down there."
Asia's mouth dropped open.
"Y-Yuuji-san, I'm not that bad!"
"You kind of are though… and turn around is fair play."
"Ah, you…."
Asia's retort was lost in a fit of giggles.
Curious, Yuuji looked over his shoulder to once more confirm his suspicions.
Just as he had suspected…
Seemed that smile of his had yet to leave.
"... I missed you too, Nee-sama.
"Ehehe, I might have gotten a little carried away, nyaa~."
"Maybe."
"I've left a suitable change of clothes in for you in Kuroka-san's guest room, Koneko-san. I will leave take my leave then."
A definitely not-smirking Grayfia reasserted her presence, offering a small bow before turning on her heel.
"Thanks a bunch, Grayfia-chan… Ah I'm so excited! My little Shirone came to visit her big sister!"
"Yeah… I'm happy too, Nee-sama."
It was a chance she'd nearly given up on, once.
She wouldn't waste it, and she definitely wouldn't worry her Nee-sama with-
As she did her best to smile for her Nee-sama, Koneko missed entirely the slight narrowing of the eyes, the only hint she'd get that said Nee-sama had seen right through her.
"This doesn't make sense."
"Do you… not want one?"
"Taking probability into account, I have confidence I could lead you to any and all of these stands in Kuoh… except this one, apparently."
"Does… does Yuuji-san not like crepes?"
A weary sigh.
"... If we're going to do this, we might as well go all the way."
"G-g-g-g-go all the way!? Isn't t-t-t-that!?"
"Yeah, so do you mind picking for me, Asia?"
"... Huh?"
"It's tradition."
"... Is there things even Yuuji-san is indecisive about?"
That sounded strangely like an accusation, but this was Asia so he must be imagining it.
"... Yes. That's definitely it."
"Okay then ... that one for him, please!"
"... Huh, that actually looks pretty good. Thanks Asia."
Asia did not respond, as Asia had been handed her crepe first.
At that point, Yuuji had decided to accept his fate.
Next time, maybe he'd take his date to a crepe stand on purpose.
After a 'quick visit' with Venelana Gremory, the only Gremory currently home, the two Nekoshou had slipped into the guest room that had become Kuroka's residence at the Gremory estate.
After the hour or two of spoiling that the Gremory matriarch subjected them too, of course.
It was a small, modest and lightly furnished room, by Gremory standards.
Thus, by any reasonable standards it was none of those things, and thus was the most comfortable and luxurious room Kuroka had ever been able to stay in.
Even when you took into account the occasions when she'd resorted to less than legal means.
She'd actually had to politely turn down a few housewarming gifts ( a once unthinkable idea), since she was fond of the rather spacious room having actual floor space.
That, and she still wasn't quite sure how to handle the presence of people who's free time seemed to be consumed by doting on others.
The two sisters had done nothing but talk for hours and hours, Kuroka apparently not having lost the skill required to keep the reticent Koneko engaged.
Then, without any warning, she had stood up from the bed and turned to face Koneko.
"So, Shirone."
"Care to tell your Nee-sama what's bothering you?"
Koneko froze for a moment and then began to shuffle her feet awkwardly, gaze drifting down to the floor.
Any thoughts of evading the topic were swept away by a pair of crossed arms and an artfully raised eyebrow.
They'd had dinner at a quiet, out of the way little restaurant, and she was pretty sure the food and the decorations had been wonderful.
Fairly certain, but neither of those things had been the much more interesting Yuuji, and his blank gaze that somehow managed to seem both warm and attentive, so 'fairly certain' was the best she could manage.
That, and Yuuji was currently leading her by the hand up a small game trail at a steady incline, only their vision as Devil's allowing them to pick their way through the fading light and shaded trees.
She wasn't actually sure how far they were from town, as Yuuji had teleported them into the parking lot of wherever they were.
Then they broke onto level ground, just in time to find themselves on a high plateau.
Just in time to take a seat on the blanket that had apparently been prepared, and watch the last rays of the sun slip away.
Kuoh was not a large city, in the grand scheme of things, and thus from this distance was nothing more than a sprinkling of lights in the distance.
It had been a wonderful day… so she couldn't really be blamed if its end made her feel just a little sad?
After all, Asia didn't like to think that she was a selfish girl at heart, but…
She'd really enjoyed having Yuuji look at her, and only her, even if it was only for one day.
Wrapped up in her guilty train of thought, Asia didn't immediately realize, that despite the sun having dipped below the horizon, it was still kind of bright.
A different kind of brightness, a faint, silvery glow.
"Asia."
"Y-yes?"
"You're looking the wrong way."
"W-what do you…?"
By way of answer, Yuuji laid back on the blanket, linking his hands behind the back of his head and staring up at the sky.
A bit puzzled, Asia mirrored the action, leaning back and…
For the first time, looking up.
A sharp inhale as bright green eyes snapped open wide.
Greeting her gaze was an ocean of stars, as far as the eye could see.
"Ah…"
"Sorry, they might not be the stars you're used to."
The stars she was used to?
… Oh.
It hadn't been that long, had it?
That long since she was expelled from the only home she'd ever known, banished and cast aside.
Raynare, or maybe Kalawarner, must have told him, she decided.
That once upon a time, gazing at the stars on a night like this had been the only thing she could look forward to, the only thing that she could do as Asia Argento, and not the 'Holy Maiden'.
Once, she'd gazed upon the stars and imagined them angels watching over her, and pretended that maybe she wasn't all alone.
That maybe God watching over her would be enough to keep the loneliness at bay.
… You couldn't really see the stars, in a city like Kuoh, and so she'd almost forgotten.
So Yuuji had taken it upon himself to offer her a familiar comfort, with one small difference that meant the world to her.
For the first time, when Asia Argento gazed up at the silvery heavens…
For the first time…
She didn't have to do so alone.
Well, she was being awfully quiet, and the tears did make him feel a bit guilty, but that smile was hard to misunderstand, even for him.
Honestly, Yuuji didn't like star-gazing very much.
Despite his job, Yuuji didn't even like night-time all that much.
To him, the night sky was vast and far, far too empty.
That emptiness reminded him of himself.
All of that certainly used to be true, but…
Her smile was truly beautiful, and those emerald eyes were putting every star in the sky to shame.
If something as simple star-gazing could bring forth such a wondrous expression from Asia, then…
Yuuji decided he just might like it after all.
A faint rustle of cloth caught his attention, and Yuuji turned his head to find those lovely emerald eyes staring deeply into his own, accompanied by darkened cheeks.
"Y-Yuuji-san…"
Yuuji remained silent, content to let her speak at her own pace.
"I-I don't think I'm r-ready to… to…"
"I don't mind."
"... Are you s-sure… I don't want to…"
"Take your time, Asia. Might be hard to tell, but right now I'm so happy I honestly don't know what to think."
Yuuji said, without the slightest change in his usual monotone.
The important part, the sincerity, must have gotten through, though, because the flush of Asia's cheeks spread across the entirety of her delicate, pale face.
Politely, Yuuji waited for the noises that were coming out of Asia's mouth to resemble words once more.
"W-well… when I s-say I'm n-not ready, I d-don't mean that all of me isn't r-ready, so I think we could, you know…"
Yuuji decided to help her out a bit, and rolled onto his side to face her, bringing his head closer.
"Asia, I'd like to kiss you now, if you don't mind."
"... Please."
Her timid whisper was accompanied by a closing of the eyes and a pair of soft lips presenting themselves in an enticing manner.
Yuuji gently lifted one hand to Asia's cheeks and leaned in.
It was perhaps a gentler kiss than he was used to sharing, but…
There, in the light of thousands of twinkling stars...
In that moment, neither of them could call it anything less than perfect.
With the unfaltering patience of any good big sister, Kuroka watched the reflection of her darling little Shirone fidget on the bathroom stool, waiting calmly as the tiny girl worked up the courage to speak.
Evidently, Shirone had decided on a 'show', rather than 'tell' approach, as she lifted her hand and gently ran it through her snowy white hair.
A faint whisper of power as Shirone invoked a minor spell of removal.
"Oh, so that's what it was."
Mixed in with Shirone's lovely white hair were a few strands of raven black.
"... You were expecting this, Nee-sama?"
That mixture of fear and hope in her Shirone's eyes kind of hurt to see, but this time, Kuroka was well-prepared.
Gently, she reached up to her own hair and undid her braids, allowing her own hair to fall loose, flowing both down her back, and one shoulder.
She was a little surprised that Shirone had been using dye, but it seemed likely that she just hadn't had any reason to learn minor concealment spells, and hadn't known how to ask without drawing suspicion.
Well, no matter, she would just have to teach Shirone the one she had been using.
A gentle knock on the bedroom door.
Kalawarner untangled herself from the bed and padded softly across the room on bare feet, rolling her eyes fondly as the sleeping Raynare protested the missing warmth.
"Sleeping?"
Yuuji whispered without any sort of preamble, a smiling and lightly snoring Asia nestled into his arms.
Kalawarner shook her head with a smile.
"We'd only just returned an hour or so earlier, Raynare was rather tired though, and dozed off."
"I see."
One eyebrow raised in question, Yuuji lifted Asia slightly, offering the sleeping girl to Kalawarner.
This time, the shake of Kalawarner's head was accompanied by a faint, lyrical giggle.
"No, Yuuji-sama, I do believe Asia-chan would be rather pleased to have you tuck her in tonight."
Yuuji remained silent for a moment, pondering, before nodding and stepping into the room as Kalawarner stepped aside.
Careful not to disturb the sleeping Raynare, Yuuji gently laid Asia onto the bed at the Fallen's side, reaching down to pull the blanket over the sleeping girls as they wormed their way closer together.
Yuuji had just straightened up and turned to leave when a small hand gripped his pant leg.
A turn of the head revealed that a sleeping Asia had reached out with an oddly concerned expression, as if afraid he'd disappear.
Gently, Yuuji removed her grip, taking her hand in his own as he leaned over her.
"Don't worry… I'll still be here when you wake up."
As he murmured in her ear, Yuuji planted a soft kiss on the pretty blonde's cheek.
This seemed to do the trick, as Asia's worried frown slowly shifted into a contented smile, and when her grip loosened, the freed hand immediately made its way up to caress her kissed cheek.
Meeting Kalawarner's approving smile with a small nod, Yuuji silently left the room and shut the door.
Koneko couldn't quite comprehend it at first.
Her Nee-sama had begun to wind her hands through her long black hair, and as it did, Kuroka's hair had begun to change.
From root to tip, in widths about as wide as her thumb, midnight black gave way to the pale white of the moon on a cloudless night.
Kuroka had always loved to compare that particular shade of white to moonlight, and it was hard to forget when Koneko herself saw it in the mirror every morning.
Perhaps it was the surprise, but Koneko couldn't get over the nagging feeling that she was missing another obvious connection.
Easily able to pick up on her sister's confusion, Kuroka flicked a fluffy ear, and lifted her tails high enough to be seen in the mirror.
The same pattern was repeated in the fur of her ears and tails, just at a horizontal instead.
That was enough to make it click, Kuroka smiling as the dawn of realization hit.
Stripes.
Inverted from the normal white on black, she supposed, but there was only one feline with colors like that in the natural world.
"... A… tiger? Nee-sama is a tiger?"
"Hmm, something like that, Shironyaa~"
Her Nee-sama leaned and slowly, carefully draped her arms around Koneko's shoulders, displaying a hesitance that suggested Kuroka was suddenly nervous about careless contact.
Golden eyes with slit pupils had sharpened further, a barely restrained wildness leaking out as striped tails thrashed about.
The thrashing stilled, and the harsh gold softened as Koneko slowly reached up to gently grip her sisters arm, a silent assurance that this sudden reveal couldn't come between them.
The two sisters smiled fondly at each other in the mirror, as they took simple comfort in finally being able to embrace without fear.
They remained like that in silence for some time before Kuroka spoke up once more.
"Say, Shironyaa… ever wondered what makes us Nekoshou so different from the other kit kats?"
Today was shaping up to be a good day.
He'd drifted off to sleep with Asia's smile burned into his mind's eye, and like the Holy Maiden she'd been in another life, that smile had kept the darkness at bay.
No Memoirs that involved him being blown up, unhorsed, impaled or even blown up (did he mention blown up? A common cause of death for Arsenal users apparently).
No blood, no violence, just a short, strangely vivid dream of thorny green leaves stretching up towards the heavens.
Not a clue what that was supposed to mean, sure, it had made him a little uneasy, but Asia.
Asia had finally brought out a thought that had been slowly forming in the back of his mind for a while.
He had people he cared about, sure, that was a given.
A little frightening at times, but kind of nice otherwise.
It was just that this morning was the first morning when he'd consciously thought that making the people he cared for smile…
Was the best kind of proof that the existence known as Kazami Yuuji might actually be something worthwhile.
What a strange thought.
Strange enough that he ignored the gigantic predator watching him with something akin to amusement.
He probably would have ignored it anyways, to be honest, because it seemed troublesome and his morning run was feeling especially pleasant.
So he passed the massive beast without so much as a glance.
It was probably looking at someone else.
Definitely.
"Hoh… can't say I'm used to being completely ignored by that. Is it bravery or ignorance?"
When the monster chuckled, Yuuji reluctantly conceded that he should probably pay attention to it.
"So, what does a Dragon want with me?"
Yuuji asked as he slowed to a halt.
The Dragon wearing human skin blinked once and chuckled again, a sound that grated on his nerves despite being outwardly pleasant.
"You could tell, could you? Interesting."
"Oh, so you are a Dragon."
Another blink.
"You guessed?"
"Only gigantic predator I could think of that wears human skin."
"... Not a bad start, I suppose."
The beast seemed to find that amusing for some reason, and Yuuji decided that anything it found amusing was unpleasant.
The Dragon was wearing the skin of a young man, perhaps similar in age, or slightly older than Yuuji, and was pretending to be shorter than him by a few inches.
Snow-white hair with a slight shine, dark leather, expertly tailored clothing that gave the impression of a male model dressed like a biker.
"... You're not even the slightest bit curious, are you?"
"Well, Albion or Tannin, what brings whoever you are to this neck of the woods?"
"... Why those two in particular?"
"Tiamat is a girl, and she's pretty sure Ddraig skipped this generation, but you aren't demonstrating any of the crazy associated with Vritra, nor the narcolepsy associated with Midgardsormr. From what I've read about him, if you were Yu-Long you would have pranked me at least twice by now."
"You list some of the most powerful Dragons in existence, and yet not a word about their power. Interesting. That, and you talk about Tiamat almost like you've met her."
The Dragon showed a little sort of half-smirk that was somehow familiar, and thus irritating.
"She's friends with my dog."
Yuuji clarified, in a tone that suggested that that was the Chaos Karma Dragon's most noteworthy trait.
The Dragon didn't quite seem to know how to respond to that, so he ignored it, and instead let a pair of white, armored wings flare to life, shimmering blue taking on a feathery appearance.
"So not Tannin."
"That's the most underwhelming reveal I've ever had in my life… I think I like you."
"Your mistake really."
Not-Tannin chuckled.
"Well, I already know your name is Kazami Yuuji, so I suppose I'll be polite and tell you mine."
"If you'd like, Vali."
The Dragon blinked.
"I don't think I've ever been bullied by someone weaker than me."
"I'm full of surprises that way."
Vali tilted his head, the languid curiosity of a well-fed predator before potential prey.
"What exactly was your plan if you managed to provoke me? You should know that you can't win."
"Just like you should know that win or not, it's really, really not worth the price."
Vali's smirk widened at the casual retort.
"Azazel was right… you are fun. Well, my curiosity is satisfied, and it's about to become crowded here, so I'll leave for now, I think. See you at the conference."
"Ciao."
As Vali disappeared in a flash of blue, Rias burst out of thin air in a burst of red, with the entire household armed and ready at her heels.
"Yuuji! Are you-!?... Huh?"
Not really sure how he was supposed to respond, Yuuji decided on basic etiquette.
"Good morning Rias, nice weather we're having, isn't it?"
He wasn't really sure why everyone was staring at him all of a sudden.
He wasn't really sure why he spent the entire school day supervised, or why Rias abandoned any attempts at subtlety after school and spent the rest of the evening glued to him out of some mysterious sort of concern.
Yuuji decided to reassure her that he wasn't going to disappear or something (not that he knew why she was worried) by robbing her of the ability to think about anything but him.
After all, they were going to sleep naked anyways, so in the end they were just saving time.
"T-This is really important… r-right?"
"Yeah, this will make life easier for Ray and Kala."
"T-that does sound n-nice."
"Don't worry about not being able to attend though, you lucked out big. Just because it's a good thing doesn't make it any less boring… Buchou, permission to stay with Gasper?"
"Denied. Gasper is a special case since he hasn't quite gotten his Sacred Gear under control, but you don't have an excuse."
Gasper reached out one small hand to pat Yuuji's shoulder in sympathy.
Yuuji was actually kind of impressed, to be honest.
He wasn't actually aware that Sirzechs, Levia-tan, or the old man could be serious about, well anything really.
But the conference seemed to be going smoothly enough.
He'd been wondering if he'd be able to see the other two Satans, this time, but the decision to exclude them did make sense.
Lucifer was the overall leader of the Underworld, and Leviathan was Foreign Affairs, so having those two attend made the most sense.
Grayfia was present as well, though she was both serving refreshments, and doubling as the Satan's bodyguard.
Maids were amazing creatures, weren't they?
Azazel had merely brought the Dragon (Valley?) as a bodyguard, and was handling the discussion alone.
Rounding out the conference were the representatives of Heaven, the Head Archangel Michael, and the Archangel Gabriel.
Yuuji had taken one glance at them and decided that Angels were weird.
Michael was doing most of the talking, and every word out of his mouth was essentially free therapy, his voice was that soothing, and Yuuji wasn't honestly sure the Seraph was capable of anything less than perfect politeness.
Yuuji also found it kind of funny that apparently while the male faction leaders were lowkey drinking buddies, Levia-tan (Yuuji still couldn't remember her other, less important name) and Gabriel were apparently bitter rivals.
The best part being that the one this was least apparent to was Gabriel.
Escorting them, was the twin-tailed noisy girl, the Exorcist who'd originally been paired with Xenovia.
Irina, right?
Probably.
The glances Irina kept shooting Xenovia couldn't seem to decide if they were angry or relieved to see Xenovia, and Xenovia's expression seemed torn between relief and guilt.
Come to think of it, they... they probably hadn't talked since Xenovia's excommunication.
Well, Asia had noticed her friends distress, so he'd leave the empathy to the expert.
The vast majority of the discussion had gone through one ear and out the other, as most of it seemed like it was above Yuuji's paygrade.
Also because he didn't care, but the first option would be his official stance if questioned.
Then Sirzechs said something about 'Kokabiel', and Yuuji decided to tune in, if only for the fact that Rias, Akeno and Sona had all stepped forward to give their reports.
Yuuji watched with narrowed eyes.
Rias and Akeno were stressed, to say the least.
While the contribution of Sona and her peerage couldn't be discounted, they at least had the fortune of not being directly in the line of fire.
Akeno had been arguably the worst injured, considering Kokabiel had snapped her spine.
Rias had been faced with the very real possibility of the people under her care dying.
"Needless to say, Kokabiel wasn't acting on anyone's orders. It's not as if there was some big incident that set this off. He simply went off the grid during a quiet patch, and by the time we'd tracked him down he and his forces were circling Kuoh's skies. Honestly, Lucifuge probably did us a favor by putting him down like a rabid dog."
Azazel, as he apparently was fond of doing, stilled the room with a single casual remark.
Oh, Rias seemed angry about something… maybe he hadn't been paying enough attention.
"Well, Miss Gremory, how can we, the Grigori make this up to you? You're the injured party after all."
Rias met his questioning stare with a cool, dignified gaze, head held high.
"There have been a pair of Fallen in my care for some time now. They will remain so as long as they wish, though I'll accept a pardon so that they may once more move about freely."
That glimmer in Akeno's eyes suggested that he wasn't the only one kind of turned on right now.
Yeah, he'd really lucked out when it came to bosses.
Raynare and Kalawarner, for their part, were more or less frozen in place, and Raynare trying to look as small as possible as all eyes fell on them.
Coincidentally, the reason Yuuji hadn't really seen either of them for a while was because they'd been surreptitiously using him as cover the whole time.
He'd need to work on growing taller though, since he and Kala were eye to eye when she wore heels.
If he was going to serve as cover, he damn well intended to be good at it.
Kalawarner took a deep breath and stepped forward with her shoulders squared as the room fell silent.
Behind her, Raynare trembled once before stepping forward as well, grudgingly releasing Asia's hand as she did.
She was, in a word, terrified.
Had she gotten her way, neither she nor Kala would ever be within speaking distance of Azazel.
Call it what you will, but in the end, they'd gone against his orders, gone against the will of the Grigori.
Deceived they may have been, but a traitor was a traitor.
That gnawing sliver of fear vanished as she stepped past Yuuji.
The same placid stare, contrasted by sharp eyes, that he always wore.
Yet, Kalawarner had stood a little taller as she passed.
When Yuuji's eyes fell on her, she felt it too.
No matter how she tried to hide, he would see right through her.
Just as he had since the very day they'd met.
No matter what happened, though, Kazami Yuuji would not look away.
Honestly, she wouldn't even be surprised if by now, Yuuji had actually forgotten how they'd met.
No, that wasn't quite right, she supposed.
He remembered.
He just didn't care.
Kazami Yuuji, no matter what happened, would not look away.
No matter what happened, he would be right where they needed him to be.
Ah… she was definitely in love, wasn't she?
"Honestly, I didn't even know you girls were in the field. Frankly, monitoring every Fallen Angel under my leadership is impossible. The orders given to you by Kokabiel weren't that far-fetched, though, were they? 'Eliminate potential threats' is only a step or two from 'observe potential threats', isn't it?"
Azazel said.
"And it's completely true that some Sacred Gears are too dangerous to leave unsupervised, which was why I had teams out in the first place. Really though, I wouldn't be sending anyone with so little field experience to observe anything as volatile as the Arsenal Memoir. The most logical conclusion I can draw is that Kokabiel wanted you to fail."
Raynare gave an almost minute flinch, but the way she stood her ground regardless brought the ghost of a smile to Yuuji's lips.
"Might have just been looking to cycle through the ranks, tie up loose ends, who knows? You girls were really lucky to walk away after the Soldier got you in his sights."
"You're wrong, Azazel."
Azazel wasn't the only one to blink in shock as Kalawarner interrupted, though he recovered almost immediately to lean forward with a curious smirk.
"Oh?"
"Meeting the bearers of the Arsenal Memoir and Twilight Healing respectively…"
She turned her head slightly, smiling encouragingly as Raynare took over.
"That made everything we'd gone through seem worth it."
Raynare stated with a bright smile.
"That so? Well… what am I to say to that? If it was enough to make the two of you happy, I was willing to chop off a wing or two of mine at the very least. But… you've already found what you wanted, haven't you?"
The two Fallen seemed taken aback at the offer of casual self-mutilation, but as Azazel's words trailed off, they instead answered their former leader with proud smiles on their lovely faces.
""We have.""
"Then it goes without saying that you'll be pardoned without question. Clean slate and all that, though…"
Raynare and Kalawarner looked just a little nervous as Azazel scratched his chin, looking off into the distance with a mischievous little grin.
Several people in the room had to do a double take as Michael himself gave a good-natured roll of the eyes.
"Kuoh is becoming more and more of a hot-spot for strange happenings, so I was thinking it might be nice to have a few Grigori stationed there officially as a gesture of goodwill."
Catching the hint almost immediately, both Raynare and Kalawarner turned their heads, seeking approval.
Yuuji promptly redirected those questioning gazes from himself to Rias, who froze for just an instant as every eye in the room suddenly fell on her.
"Well, I believe I made it clear that I wasn't intending to return them, so I suppose there's nothing to do but acquiesce."
""Then we'll accept as well.""
Raynare and Kalawarner said, turning back to the smirking Azazel.
"Well, I say that, but it might cause trouble if we're not officially at peace, so what say we get that part out of the way?"
Azazel declared with a cavalier grin.
"Yes, I think it's time to get that out of the way."
"Indeed, the paperwork isn't going to file itself."
Sirzechs and Michael respectively commented.
… Was the world going to be okay?
"It is true, we can no longer move forward if nothing changes. God is dead, the original Satans are dead, and if we remain as we are, soon we, and the world under our care will fade away as well."
Michael calmly stated, rising from his seat.
The other leaders followed suit.
"Even without God, we have to move forward. No, even without Him, we will move forward. The world keeps spinning even without God, and it's high time we did our best to keep it that way."
Azazel, without a hint of his usual whimsy.
"Thus, this shall mark the day when we of the three Biblical Factions unite to stand as one, come whatever may. Today, we put aside the grudges of the past and face the future, side by side."
Sirzechs proclaimed with a sweep of his arm.
There, in that very moment, history was made.
It was perhaps a bit ironic that that very moment is when things started to go very, very wrong.
Almost thought we weren't going to get to the peace conference this chapter, the way all the fluff was going. If it seemed a bit brief, that's because several issues that were intended to be addressed have been put on hold due to Bad Things Happening.
Hope you guys enjoyed Asia's date, originally there was going to be fireworks, but somehow it ended up slightly imitating the first date with Senjougahara and Araragi from Bakemonogatari. Fitting, since, like Senjougahara, from the very start there was no chance in hell that Asia was going to be comfortable losing her V-card on the first date.
Those references just keep happening for some reason, Asia imitated one of Nadeko's catchphrases last chapter, and the mysterious mystery involving the Neko siblings ended up taking visual inspiration from another character from the series.
Speaking of kitties, some of you might be able to guess at the significance of the hairstyle change, but there's a reason it's being kept under wraps for now.
Nekoshou means 'Cat Award' according to Google, so I'm kind of wondering if the author just wanted to hammer in the reality of who the best kitties were.
We introduced Valley this chapter as well, but Yuuji doesn't care enough to remember his name properly yet, and probably hasn't even considered that the White Dragon might be partially human rather than just faking it.