I've noticed that in-between chapters always tend to be a bit chaotic, but I suppose it makes sense.

They're also the perfect place to put in little scenes that I think up which aren't necessarily important to the wider narrative.

It had been a week since the peace conference.

Luckily, it had been a quiet few weeks in the sense that there had been no major activity from the Khaos Brigade, or any other terrorist organization.

At least in her territory, anyways, there had been nothing more than a few minor incidents with Strays, minor to the point where they were able to deal with them before any fatalities could occur.

However, that wasn't to say she hadn't been busy.

No, far from it, she and Akeno, as well Sona and her Queen, Tsubaki, had spent many a late night coordinating with her Onii-sama, Serafall, Azazel, and even Michael making arrangements and setting out terms for the first major 'test flight' of the new alliance.

Having ambassadors of the Grigori and Heaven officially stationed in Kuoh, whose significance had rose even more with it being the site of the historic treaty.

'Officially stationed' also meant they'd be enrolling at Kuoh Academy… which made things easier in that regard, since Raynare and Kalawarner were already there.

Azazel had made good on his word and 'hired' them to attend Kuoh as representatives of their people, even if it was in name only and he fully expected them to obey Yuuji over anyone else, including himself.

The 'hired' part was important, as she had taken care of the negotiations herself once the two girls had shrugged it off as unimportant.

She had ensured that they were receiving suitable compensation for their arguably nominal duties, because even if they weren't hers, they were still hers, and Rias wouldn't settle for anything less.

If they hadn't still been at peace, reducing a Cadre to tears would have been quite the accolade.

However, they were, and thus her ruthless negotiations with (ie: bullying of) Azazel's secretary Penemue would remain unsung.

For Heaven's side, Irina Shidou was the only person confirmed so far, as Heaven was a bit short-staffed in terms of Angels who could blend with human culture.

It would be another week or so before she could begin attending, as Heaven was currently putting the finishing touches on its 'Brave Saint' system, which would allow them to reincarnate the young Exorcist as an Angel.

It was based off of the Evil Piece system, so she'd heard, but using suits of cards rather than chess pieces.

So on top of her normal duties as King and guardian of Kuoh, Rias was also doing everything she could to ensure that one of the most important test flights in the history of her species went smoothly.

While maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA, and keeping up with what was arguably her most important task.

Making sure that her precious little family was sufficiently spoiled and cared for.

She felt it ironic that Raynare and Kalawarner, whose entire race had been her ancestral enemies up until a few weeks back, were the only ones she didn't have any worries for at the moment.

Akeno was working herself up to finally confronting that, Yuuto had had less of an appetite lately.

Asia was gradually working up her courage to become more physically affectionate with Yuuji, and Gasper was struggling to associate his new room as Someplace Safe.

Ruth's summer coat wasn't coming in well and he was frequently overheating, and Suu had been extra hungry and didn't know why.

Koneko was experiencing emotional flux due to having begun to let out her natural Ki just a little bit, and Yuuji was being even more stoic and Yuuji-like than normal!

She couldn't relax even for a second, what if one of them thought she was, Satan forbid, angry with them because she wasn't paying enough attention!?

These were the things that kept her up at night, and she'd sooner chop off her own hair than point fingers at one of her beloved family.

Yet, when no one was watching Rias did have to admit that lately, she'd been just a little tired.

Thus, it couldn't be helped.

It was perfectly reasonable, she felt, that when faced with the utterly bizarre, her tired mind didn't immediately process what her tired eyes were seeing.

Thus, when she walked into Yuuji's room to retrieve a paper from the desk, she offered only an absent-minded but polite smile to Yuuji and Serafall, both sitting comfortably on the bed as she entered.

Yuuji lifted his gaze from his book long enough to offer her that slight half-smirk she was so fond of, and the Leviathan lifted her gaze from her colorful manga to offer a cheery wave.

Rias had completed her intended task, and made it halfway back across the room when she halted in place.

Slowly, she turned, blue eyes staring.

Just to be safe, she rubbed tired eyes and blinked to clear them.

Yes, they were still there.

Or, rather, she was still there.

Sitting sideways on the bed and allowing her bouncing bare legs to dangle just a little bit off the edge of the bed, sat Serafall Leviathan.

Looking rather comfy, she might add.

Propped up against Yuuji's shoulder, and perusing the rambunctiously colored literature in her hands with bright-eyed enthusiasm.

Yuuji, for his part, was leaning up against the headboard as he quietly flipped through his significantly less colorful book with that attentive gaze of his.

A heartbeat later, he lifted his head and cocked an eyebrow in silent question.

Serafall too, put her book in her lap and regarded the dazedly staring girl with innocent curiosity.

"... Leviathan-sama? W-what are… I didn't expect…"

"Nope!"

Leviathan replied.

"... Nope?"

"Not official business, Ria-tan, I was actually popping by to chat with Yuuji-chan about the show, but work was super duper extra stressful today so I asked Yuuji-chan if we could just relax for a bit instead!"

"... Yuuji-chan?"

"Yu-chan makes me sound like a girl."

Yuuji pointed out in what he probably thought was a helpful tone.

"... I see. W-well then, if you'll…"

"Ah, Buchou, hold on a moment, I need your help."

Her vision snapped immediately into focus, carefully scrutinizing her beloved Pawn.

As if by some unspoken signal, Serafall slipped off Yuuji's shoulder, reclining back to stare up at him as he stared back down.

A single nod was shared, before they resumed their original positions, with one important difference.

Yuuji had put his book down, and was patting the bed to his left, unoccupied side.

"Ah… that sounds very nice but…"

"Rias Gremory, I, as Leviathan, require your immediate assistance. Will you comply?"

Serafall demanded in a regal, impassive tone of voice that left not even the slightest possibility of refusal.

Rias was already bowing her head before she even knew what she was doing.

"At once, Satan-sama…"

Serafall giggled, and the grave atmosphere vanished in a heartbeat.

She reached across Yuuji and patted the empty space beside him.

Sighing in surrender, Rias crawled onto the bed with a smile on her face.

Yuuji looped his arm around her shoulder as she wormed her way up against him, as closely as she could manage.

Dimly, she noted that Yuuji was as cozy as always, and that perhaps she was just a little more tired than she'd thought, and-

Rias was taking an awfully long time.

All she was doing was fetching a paper from the bedroom, and while normally she'd do it for her, Rias had wanted to stretch her legs a little.

Thus, Akeno had remained in the dining room, but…

It had been almost half an hour.

She knew Yuuji was up there, he'd been catching up on his reading, so perhaps Rias had gotten distracted, and now they were doing lewd things?

She should probably go join.

Mind made up, Akeno slipped gracefully from her seat and silently padded up the stairs to the third floor.

The door was just a little ajar, and it seemed awfully quiet, but…

As she peeked her head in, Akeno found that Rias was, in fact, with Yuuji.

Serafall Leviathan was there as well, but Akeno decided to put that aside for now and focus on the more important things.

They were all on the bed together, but rather than doing anything sexy, instead, they were being utterly, unbearably…

Adorable!

Yuuji was leaning against the headboard, slowly flipping through the novel in his hands with a soft smile on his face.

On one side, leaning up against him with her feet dangling from the bed was Serafall, silently reading her brightly colored manga with an infectious grin and glittering eyes.

Rias was on Yuuji's other side.

-Curled up in a ball with a serene smile on her sleeping face, head resting on Yuuji's leg as his hand gently stroked her head.

Akeno took great pride in being the Queen of Rias Gremory, and thus, her duty was perfectly clear.

After checking to ensure that no flash or click would disturb her slumbering King, Akeno took several pictures on her phone, carefully finding the optimal angle to capture Rias in all her adorable glory.

Serafall, with a sunny smile on her face, pulled out her own phone and gave it a meaningful tap, and Akeno responded by adding her to the sending list.

Such wondrous sights were meant to be preserved for eternity, and shared with any relevant parties, after all.

Giggling silently, Akeno retrieved the document Rias had intended to find, and departed the room with a playful wink.

Wondering all the while how she could get away with framing the picture in their room.

"Michael? … Strange for you to call at a time like this, whaddya need?"

["I need to speak with you, Brother. Sooner rather than later, please."]

"... I'm free now. I'm in my office, the official one anyways, but where do you want to meet?"

["Is it secure? I'm well aware of your cautious nature, Azazel, but it is important that this does not spread."]

"... That good, huh? Yeah, nothing leaves my office unless I want it to, so your secrets are safe with me. Wards'll make an exception for you."

"Pardon me, then."

Michael said, slipping out of a muted portal of gold that opened in the wall.

Azazel met his gaze with an easy smirk, even as he grimaced internally.

The de facto leader of Heaven looked tired.

Tired, with that familiar edge of remorse.

The look had never suited the Seraph, even if he had worn it all too often since their Father's passing.

"... So, what went wrong? If I've got the dates right, you all should be celebrating that Shidou brat's reincarnation right about now."

"Irina is precisely why I am here."

Michael sighed.

"She was successfully reincarnated, and has joined Heaven's host as my second Brave Saint, my Ace."

"So where's the bad news come in?"

"Hyoudou Issei."

"Doesn't ring a bell."

"A potential wielder of a powerful Draconic Sacred Gear, possibly even the Boosted Gear, though we have no way to tell."

Azazel's eyes narrowed.

"Draconic? If he is the Red Dragon, then what rock has he been hiding under? I've had my people searching for the next Sekiryuutei for decades."

Michael closed his eyes with a bitter smile on his face.

"That 'rock' you're referring to is more commonly known as a 'headstone'. All we were able to surmise is that he had a dormant Sacred Gear that carried enough of a Dragon's 'scent' to lure a Stray Devil straight to his front door."

"... How much past tense are we talking here?"

"Almost a decade."

"And how does your Brave Saint fit into this?"

He had his theories of course, but better to hear it from the source.

Michael's sad, tired eyes opened once more, those soulful greens displaying not even the faintest hint of their usual luster.

"The answer is simple, Brother, all we know of Hyoudou Issei are the memories Raphael locked away, centred around the Stray's attack."

"... She was there, wasn't she?"

"Indeed, the Shidou and Hyoudou families were close enough to be practically family themselves. While the Hyoudou family still walked this earth, young Irina would often stay with them in Kuoh whenever her parent's duties as Exorcists pulled them from home."

Michael began.

"Thus, her and Issei were playing in the Hyoudou family yard when the Stray came sniffing."

"Only survivor?"

It wasn't really a question.

"Though that in itself was a close call, and she bares the scars to this day."

"And it was bad enough to have Raphael seal her memories? Thought you folks hated doing things like that."

"We do, but to save a soul? In a heartbeat."

For all his feelings of inadequacy towards the task, Michael was the leader of Heaven for a reason.

When the situation called for immediate action, he would never hesitate.

"The Brave Saint system still has its flaws… it can judge the purity of heart to determine suitability, but we have no way of determining how fragile that purity may be."

This time, the bitter sigh came from Azazel.

"How close was she to Falling?"

"Those feathers of hers were flickering like smoke."

Azazel grimaced, but went silent, thinking.

"... Stop me if I'm wrong. The reincarnation 'healed' the gaps in her memory, dragging a decades worth of repressed trauma into the light all at once?"

"It is painful to admit, but 'immediate incapacitation' was the only thing that kept her from joining your ranks."

Michael's smile was apologetic, but Azazel waved it away, knowing no harm was meant.

"Yeah, I doubt there's a believer alive who could recover from being Reincarnated as an Angel by Michael himself, and then Falling From Grace in the same day."

"... That was our thought as well. She currently remains in stasis, but Raphael was confident that any significant memory of Hyoudou Issei will trigger another breakdown, and Irina, it seems, has a wellspring of Wrath to accompany her fragile psyche."

"There was a reason that Wrath was the biggest cause of the Fall, during the War."

"Indeed, and if left unchecked, it will destroy her."

"And there's no way to let all that negativity out without sending her to my side, is there? Not with how finicky the System is."

"If there is, the greatest minds of Heaven have not found it."

"I'll get Shem looking in on it as well… even if you don't want knowledge spreading, might need to bring Ajuka into it too."

"Truthfully I'd rather not get any more people involved, but my misgivings have no place here if it will help young Irina. I suppose that is one of the reasons I came to you, after all, to hear those words I did not wish to hear, but needed to nonetheless."

The Seraph allowed himself a tiny, teasing smile at the end.

"Yep, that's what the prodigal son is for, ain't he? Oh, I have business in Kuoh, want me to pass things on to the Gremory brat and the Durandal girl?"

For what felt like the first time in ages, Azazel allowed himself a smirk.

"I would appreciate that… and thank you, Brother."

Some of the weight seemed to fall from Michael's shoulders, standing tall once more.

"So, want me to keep an eye on her while I'm at it?"

Michael blinked.

"Come again?"

"What, is she not taking Chemistry?"

"... How much of your presence in Kuoh is work-related, and how much of it is you being yourself?"

Azazel stroked his goatee thoughtfully, giving the question his full attention before he answered.

"Yes."

Azazel belonged to a tiny, elite circle of individuals who had heard the leader of Heaven groan like a resigned older brother.

Being himself, Azazel immediately snickered.

"... Hmm, I seem to recall that the Law teacher there has been looking to retire."

Michael mused, the picture of innocent contemplation.

Azazel froze in place of what was definitely not a tiny smirk, as Seraphs did not smirk.

"Uriel has been rather curious about modern schooling, and Heaven is a bit under-represented in Kuoh, as things stand."

"You're going to let the Flame of God teach highschoolers? … I'm supposed to be the wicked one."

"Uriel has his quirks, but he would be an excellent teacher, I'm sure."

Michael suggested with an unassuming, guileless smile.

"Yeah, and he'd spawn an entire generation of lawmakers convinced of the beneficial qualities of trial by literal fire, and that attending an execution is no reason to stop smiling."

"Like I said, quirks."

Azazel stared at Michael.

Michael stared back.

One of them began chuckling, and that set off the other.

Azazel thought this was much better, because at last, the light was back in Michael's eyes.

"But yes, I would be deeply grateful if you would keep an eye on Irina."

"Yeah, yeah… leave it to me, Brother."

"Good work today, let's take a little break and then walk back."

"N-no… you don't have to… I can keep running."

"Ah, no, don't misunderstand. We're not shortening the run anything, I put in some detours."

Come to think of it, she had noticed that the usual route had changed a bit.

"Then…?"

"Oh, that's simple."

"Eep!"

Yuuji had just reached out and took her hand in his own, looking down at her with a slight smirk.

"Thought it might be nice to enjoy the trip home. We have time."

…

…

"No good?"

The way Asia's tightening grip was accompanied by a blooming smile suggested that it was, in fact, good.

Sure, walking hand in hand through a public park while wearing slightly sweaty tracksuits didn't sound like the most romantic of activities, but it was the feeling that counted.

That they'd taken all of ten steps before the pretty blonde at his side started humming was further evidence that he'd done something right.

Compared to how it had went with Akeno and Rias, the relationship with Asia was moving at a far slower pace.

But that was-

"Y-Yuuji-san."

Asia said quietly, not quite meeting his gaze.

"Yeah, Asia?"

"W-well, I know we're a little… you know… b-but we're alone right n-now s-so m-maybe…?"

"Sure."

"R-really!?"

The exclamation brought her sparkling emerald eyes swinging up to meet his own.

Like hell he had it in him to say no to a face like that.

With his free hand, Yuuji gently took hold of Asia's chin and brought his lips down to hers.

Asia released his hand and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him in closer as she mashed her lips against his.

After a moment, Asia released his head and took his hand once more, gently pulling Yuuji along.

… With one hand to her cheek, and a radiant smile on her face.

"Ehehe~"

Honestly, Yuuji had never really imagined that he'd end up in a relationship so innocent.

He wouldn't deny that he was enjoying the change of pace.

Especially given that...

"... So why did you pull me into a broom closet?"

"Well… I just wanted a little private time, just the two of us."

Came the breathy whisper in response.

"It's almost like we're having an affair."

"Mmm… well, I always used to think being a mistress would be kind of hot~"

"Well, I guess you got your wish, now didn't you?"

"Huh? What do you- mmmph!?"

Her eyes went wide with shock as his mouth claimed her own, forcing her back against the wall.

Her squeak of protest turned into a muffled moan as a knee pressed up between her legs, lifting her onto her toes.

The soft smack of two pairs of lips greedily intertwining, and cloth rustling against cloth filled the dim, cramped room, slowly heating as desire collided with desire.

A particularly loud moan of pleasure led to him breaking the kiss, a trail of saliva glinting silver in the gloom.

"Careful now… what do you think he'd say if he saw you here, embracing another man so willingly?"

As he spoke, he let his lips trail lower, carefully tracing the line of a pale, slender neck.

"I-I'm not… not… mm! T-this is all y-you… I don't~"

"Oh, not enjoying this? Then... why am I the only one being held?"

"Ah! T-that is!"

"Shh… we both know what the reason is… don't lie to yourself."

"No… I…"

"Don't misunderstand, I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want. Let's just stop here then, and pretend this never happened."

"B-but!"

The girl gasped, struggling to keep her voice down even as a sliver of panic coursed through her.

"Hmm? What was that?"

"... want it."

"I don't understand? You'll have to be more clear."

"I… I want it… please… d-don't let go."

"Is that what you want? Hmm… I wonder if you'll be able to look him in the eye after you've had my hands all over you?"

"D-don't care… please… m-make me feel good."

"As. You. Wish."

Desperately, she clamped her hands over her mouth as hands began to roam and teeth nibbled gently against her throat.

All the while, that knee between her legs began to put more and more pressure on a part of her that was getting damper and damper.

It was like he knew each and every one of her weak points, knew her own body better than she herself did.

It was too late to back out now.

She was burning, approaching the edge and passing the point of no return.

Willingly.

As she felt herself slowly coming unwound, she marshalled what little willpower she had left to whisper into the air.

"Ah… Yuuji-kun… forgive me, but it's t-too…"

All movement ceased.

"... H-huh?"

Through the haze of lust, her gaze fell upon a pair of dark eyes staring blankly at her.

"... Are you hiding from me so you can have an affair with me?"

Caught, Akeno averted her eyes and puffed out her cheeks.

"Shut up… don't want any other man to touch me like Yuuji touches me."

Yuuji nodded in understanding.

"Well we tried, anyways. Not very good at this whole 'roleplay' thing, anyways."

Akeno pulled him in closer, not having released him once since they'd slipped into the closet.

"Thank you for trying, though… now, I think it's about time I showed a little appreciation."

"Sounds great, but… we should probably head to class soon."

"Ara ara, I'm sure we can get away with it, just this once~"

Yuuji shook his head firmly.

"Sensei will know. Sensei always knows."

"Indeed you are correct, Kazami-san."

Kalawarner confirmed, swinging open the closet door with a smile on her face.

Yuuji met her eyes for a long moment, before turning his head back to Akeno, who still had her arms around his neck and a leg wrapped around his hip.

"Akeno."

"Yes, Yuuji?"

"We're in trouble."

"Indeed we are."

With a smile, Kalawarner cracked her knuckles.

Hmm?

This was a bit early for a wake-up, wasn't it?

"Grayfia? What's going on?"

"Ah, pardon me, Sirzech-sama… but no, Onee-"

The pink-haired maid coughed, correcting herself as if nothing had happened.

"Grayfia-san is still within her room. She asked me to inform you that she's under the weather, and regrets that she'll have to ask to be excused from her duties for the day."

"... Grayfia's sick?"

Sirzechs rose to a seated position with a soft frown.

The young maid smiled.

"Grayfia-san is currently experiencing something that I am not to talk about under any circumstances, so I can't say anything, I'm afraid. But, that thing I can't tell you about sounds rather painful, so if someone who knew what she was talking about were to go see her, it might put Grayfia-san at ease."

Sirzechs blinked once as the maid finished her spiel with a polite smile.

"... I see. Something came up, so you're excused for the morning."

"Understood."

"Thank you for coming to get me."

"You're welcome, Sirzechs-sama."

The maid said with a smile, before departing.

Sirzechs rose from bed and began to put his clothes on.

"This again after so long, huh Fia? … Dammit, I was hoping we were past this."

This time, when the door swung open and then shut, it did so missing a section about the size of a man's hand.

As Sirzechs stalked down the hallway, little flecks of ash trailed from a clenched fist.

The door handle was chilled, as if the other side opened to a walk-in freezer and not a bedroom.

"... Grayfia?"

He waited barely a second before swinging open the door.

"I'm coming in."

As he'd expected, Grayfia's bed was empty.

Where she might have gone wasn't hard to imagine, as frost billowed from the ensuite bathroom door left ajar.

Quietly, Sirzechs closed the bedroom door and made his way across the room.

A muted thud turned his quiet tread into a soaring flash of black and crimson, and brought him into the bathroom in a heartbeat.

Amidst the frost and rime coating almost every inch of the bathroom, Grayfia Lucifuge limply curled on her side, coughing and shivering as a trickle of half-frozen water oozed from the corner of her lips.

The toilet bowl had overflowed, clogged with slush and ice that would not melt with the room's chill.

"Hurts… ah it hurts…"

Grayfia whimpered weakly.

Another convulsion hit as the Gremory maid clutched at her stomach, but he was there, then, pulling her upright and into his arms, rubbing circles on her back as he helped her lean over the tub.

Grayfia jerked once before retching loudly, another wave of frost billowing off her shaking form as a flood of half-frozen water and small chunks of ice poured from her mouth.

No blood, this time… small mercy.

"I'm here, Fia… easy now."

Her hair was unbound, this early in the morning, so he gathered it up with one hand to keep it out of the way.

Grayfia half turned, bleary red eyes searching for him, but another bout of nausea cut that action short.

Sirzechs took a deep, quiet breath as the curse ran its course, gritting his teeth at the silvery, half frozen trails that streaked Grayfia's face.

One last harsh retch sent one last deluge of half frozen slush and ice from the Gremory maid's lips.

Grayfia coughed a few more times and then sagged, gasping weakly and shivering from the cold.

Keeping his expression neutral, Sirzechs directed her to sit back, but rather than do that, Grayfia twisted and dove against him, weakly gripping onto his shirt as she trembled.

With a soft sigh, Sirzechs wrapped his other arm around the cold, frail body pressed against him.

"Hurts…"

Came the quiet whimper.

"Why won't it… ugh…"

"Shh, it's alright, you're past the worst of it."

Sirzechs whispered softly, patting her back comfortingly as some of the warmth returned.

"... It's been a long time since this has happened…"

Grayfia managed to gasp weakly.

"I'd almost forgotten how painful it could be…"

"It's been years since this happened, fortunately… will we need to speak to the family doctor once more?"

"Mm… rather not, if we can avoid it. I don't wish to... trouble anyone, and I'm still hoping it's a once-off."

"I would prefer it if it were a freak occurrence and the cycle wasn't beginning anew, but… curses are rarely so forgiving."

"... I know… just… please… not right now…"

"Alright."

With a slight shift, Sirzechs rose from the still frozen floor, scooping up the shivering Grayfia as he did so.

It was rather telling that, rather than her usual protests, Grayfia just wormed in closer against him.

Carefully, Sirzechs crossed the room and to the bed, gently depositing the shaking bundle in his arms and untangling the covers to tuck her in.

"Do you need anything, or should I leave you to sleep?"

He asked quietly, kneeling beside the bed.

A trembling hand slipped from the covers, weakly reaching out towards him.

"F-forgive me… b-but could you stay with me? … I'm… it's cold… s-so cold…"

"Okay, Fia. As long as you need."

Azazel and Michael would understand if they postponed, he was sure.

Slowly, and with great effort, Grayfia inched her body away from his, without releasing his hand.

Unfocussed red eyes settled pleadingly in his direction.

A tender smile on his lips, Sirzechs flipped the blankets aside once more, and laid down beside his maid before covering the both of them.

Grayfia immediately snuggled up against him as he wrapped an arm around her, the shivering at last seeming to die down.

"S-sorry… I'm… s-so…"

The usual apologies died away as the exhausted woman slipped once more into unconsciousness.

Shifting his grip to hold her more tightly against her, Sirzechs let out a soft sigh, staring up at the ceiling.

After the shivering finally died down completely, and Grayfia's breathing returned to normal, the carefully neutral mask slipped from Lucifer's face.

Azure eyes blazed their fury, and the thin beam of sunlight through the curtains seemed to falter and flicker as the air dyed itself crimson.

Far colder than the curse Grayfia suffered from, a harsh, crackling whisper broke the silence.

"You bitch… if I'd known you would have made her suffer for this long… I wouldn't have let your death be nearly so quick."

"Yuuji, hug."

A bit puzzled by the childish tone of the request, Yuuji nonetheless opened his arms for Akeno to embrace him.

Leaning over him as he sat on the bed, Akeno wrapped her arms around him and nestled her head against his chest.

"Not that I don't mind, but… what brought this on?"

"Gathering courage. Yuuji-kun makes me feel braver."

"Glad to be of help."

As he said that, he shifted one hand to rest on top of Akeno's head, gently rubbing it as the beauty gave a pleased hum.

"Oh… I get it. This is one of those times where you say something in order to get me to ask questions about it."

Akeno's arms gave a slight squeeze.

Rolling his eyes, Yuuji asked.

"Courage for what, Akeno?"

"Telling them."

"Telling who?"

"Ray and Kala."

"Oh, about you being half-Fallen?"

Akeno stiffened.

"... Yes…"

"I think they'll appreciate you trusting them, but is there a specific reason you want to do it now?"

"Rias wants to hold a training camp over summer vacation… I think I'm ready to m-maybe... learn to use the rest of my powers…"

"Ah, that makes sense. While Ray isn't obvious about it, they're both pretty good teachers."

"Mm."

"So you're going to talk to them tomorrow?"

"... Try to, anyways."

"Want me to be there?"

"... No… I really appreciate the thought, but I need to do this on my own."

"That's fine then… huh, kinda looking forward to this, actually."

Akeno's head jerked up to stare at him in confusion.

"Looking forward to what?"

"Finding out if the color of your Light is golden like your lightning... or if it matches your eyes."

Akeno's bright smile immediately caused one of his own to tug at his lips.

He'd been smiling more often lately, hadn't he?

… Guess he was doing something right.

"Are you sure you'll be okay, Akeno?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine… thank you, Rias."

"Okay then… I'll wait out front with Yuuji."

Giving her a quick hug of reassurance, Rias split off from Akeno, heading further downstairs as Akeno stepped off the landing, and onto the floor containing the second year classrooms.

With a deep breath, Akeno made her way to a classroom with its door ajar.

There waited Raynare and Kalawarner, sitting on top of a pair of desks and chatting quietly with each other.

They went silent as she knocked on the door, welcoming smiles on their faces as they beckoned her in.

"Pardon me."

Akeno said, sliding the door shut behind her as she entered.

The two Fallen shared concerned looks as rather than speak, Akeno leaned against the door, fidgeting and refusing to meet their gazes.

"... Akeno-san? Take a deep breath… whatever it is you wish to speak of… take all the time you need."

Kalawarner called out softly.

"Yeah, we're all friends here Senpai, so relax a little K?"

One violet eye peered at them as Akeno continued to squirm.

Scary!

This was really scary, she didn't want to do this, where was Yuuji, where was Rias, this was scary!

Akeno tried to speak, but the words came out as an unintelligible stammer.

Slowly, Kalawarner rose from her seat, moving carefully…

Akeno shut her eyes as tightly as she could, pushed off the door, and flared her wings.

Her real wings, baring her feathers to the duo for the first time.

Raynare and Kalawarner stopped in their tracks as Akeno cowered there, refusing to open her eyes.

Sure Yuuji liked her feathers… but Yuuji liked all the nasty parts of her!

What if her feathers were hideous, compared to the other Fallen!?

Scary, this was scary-

Trying not to giggle, Kalawarner made the necessary preparations with a sigil on the ceiling, and braced for the eruption soon to come.

Akeno finally gathered the courage to crack one eye open and peer over towards the silent Fallen, and that's when the younger of the two, practically vibrating in her seat, could remain silent no longer.

"YOUR FEATHERS ARE SO PRETTY!"

Her ears hurt.

Must have popped something, because she definitely didn't hear that right.

"... Huh? W-what did you-"

Raynare's excited face was inches from her own.

Akeno shrieked and jumped back as Raynare waved her arms around excitedly.

"Your feathers are so pretty! They look so soft, that's amazing! Kala can you see her feathers!?"

"Awa.. wha..what?"

Akeno stammered.

"Indeed I can, Raynare. It should come as no surprise that Akeno-san would have lovely wings, and she certainly has the complexion to bring them out to best effect."

"Right!? Akeno-chan is super duper pretty of course it works for her!"

"W-w-wha….?"

Raynare turned back to Akeno with a curious expression.

A light of understanding dawned there, and Raynare nodded firmly.

"Yep, kinda expected that."

As Kalawarner made her way over, Raynare opened her arms wide and wrapped Akeno up in a big hug.

"It's okay now… you did good, okay?"

Kalawarner had just reached them when the sniffles began, and as her arms encircled the two shorter women, those sniffles turned into tearful wails.

"There, there… thank you for trusting us, Akeno."

Akeno let out one last sniffle, wiping a hand over her eyes.

They'd wound up sitting on the floor, Raynare and Kalawarner holding her gently as her tears ran their course.

"S-sorry… I was just…"

"No need to apologize, Akeno-san. It must have taken a lot of courage for you to do this."

As she spoke, Kalawarner gestured to Akeno's mismatched, limply hanging wings with one hand.

"Yeah… it's something I've spent most of my life trying to hide, so…"

She froze, going pale as she realized the implications of her words.

"N-not that… I don't… I didn't mean…"

Raynare shook her head with a smile.

"Nuh-uh, don't worry about it. You hid them for a reason, and if it means you have a problem with Fallen Angels, well, you never once took it out on us, did you?"

"Raynare is right, you have been nothing but kind to us. If you do not wish to reveal those reasons, we won't pry."

"... Thank you… it's just… bad memories… w-well… y-y-y-you see, my father is… Baraquiel."

She blinked in shock as both of them gave nods of understanding.

"We already had some idea, now that we know of your nature."

Akeno jerked back in surprise.

"Y-you already know? H-how?"

"You're already famous for your lightning, even at your young age. If we consider that your Affinity may be inherited, then there is only one name that comes to mind."

Akeno sat back with a sigh.

"D-did you… ever get the chance to meet him?"

Kalawarner turned her gaze to Raynare, who shook her head.

"I've only seen him from afar… we Fallen do not often have a chance to mingle with our leaders."

"Oh…"

"Forgive me, I wish I could offer more."

"No… that's alright."

Akeno fidgeted for a moment, cheeks reddening as she looked shyly over to Raynare.

"D-did you really mean it?"

Raynare tilted her head.

"A-are my feathers really… y-you know?"

"Pretty?"

Akeno nodded mutely.

"Yep! They're super glossy but they look super soft! If you haven't yet, you should get Yuuji-kun to brush them! It'll feel super amazing!"

Akeno went even more red, and the Fallen grinned.

"Ah, I do believe she's already aware."

Raynare giggled.

While Akeno squirmed, Kalawarner's expression grew thoughtful.

"Akeno-san, while we certainly appreciate your trust in us, was there something you wished to ask of us, regarding your heritage?"

Akeno went still, before she took a deep breath and nodded.

"I'm…"

Another deep breath as the Fallen watched her patiently.

"I'm done trying to hide my heritage. I might not be ready to face him yet… but I don't want to run from who I am anymore."

Akeno shifted her seating once more, transitioning into a low bow.

"I want to learn to use my Light… will you… will you please teach me?"

Raynare and Kalawarner smiled to each other, and reached out to put a hand on either of her shoulders.

"We'd be honored."

Akeno lifted her head and smiled back.

Kalawarner tapped a finger to her chin, a moment later.

"Akeno-san, forgive me if this is sensitive, but… has it always been just one of your wings that bore feathers, since your Reincarnation?"

Akeno winced, her wings folding against her as to hide.

"Y-yes… from the beginning."

"Hmm, I believe I know why that is, then."

Akeno jolted in surprise.

"Y-you do!?"

Kalawarner gave a slow nod.

"If I'm correct, you should have full control over what kind of wings appear, once you have some modicum of control over your Fallen side."

Raynare perked up.

"Oh! I get it! Yep, that makes sense!"

To her, anyways, as Akeno only seemed more lost.

"Yes, I do believe that the mismatch is simply a sign of your Fallen side attempting to assert its own existence."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

In perfect harmony, a pair of bewitching smiles curled the lips of the Fallen.

"We Fallen have Rebellion flowing through our veins, and thus, just like we ourselves, our power can be, at times…"

Kalawarner leaned in close, her breathy whisper against her ear sending shivers up Akeno's spine.

"Just a little naughty."

"... Huh, I might need a break."

Yuuji said as he awoke, staring up at the ceiling.

Rias was awake too, it seemed, because the abrupt declaration was met with her immediately trying to take the blame.

"I-is is something I did!? We're not… you're not getting… tired of us are you!? Am I smothering you!? I don't mean to, honest!"

"Rias."

"... Yes?"

His King's shriek was muffled by the hand he placed over her mouth, as Yuuji spun in bed, gracefully rotating to straddle the shocked Rias.

Chests pressing together, Yuuji remained still, head turned to the side, watching, waiting…

The sleeping Akeno mumbled something unintelligible and nestled deeper under the covers.

Slowly, Yuuji turned his head back to the blushing girl pinned beneath him, and removed his hand from her mouth.

"Y-Yuuji? Wha-"

Only to replace that hand with his mouth.

Rias moaned and squirmed against him as Yuuji kissed her fiercely, and when she tried to lift up her hands to embrace him, pinned her by the wrists.

This continued until Yuuji decided he should let Rias breath, and withdrew his mouth, dragging her tongue with his lips and chuckling as it lolled to one side.

Yuuji sat back on Rias' hips, gazing blankly down at her as she gasped beneath him.

"Anyways, as I was saying, no, it doesn't have anything to do with you. As per the norm, you, and Akeno, and the others are too good for me. I just get a little restless sometimes when the weather starts to warm, that's all."

Yuuji explained, as if he hadn't nearly kissed Rias unconscious.

"You can ask JB if you'd like, this happens every year."

"So then... are you planning to…?"

"Leave? Yep. Though, not alone, I actually have an idea."

"... And that is?"

"Yep, I've heard stories about it so I thought I'd give it a shot."

Rias remained silent, staring up at him impatiently.

Yuuji lifted his hands to make quotations with his fingers.

"'Male bonding'."

"... What?"

Yuuji nodded.

"Yeah, going to drag out Kiba and Ruth, maybe Gasper if he's feeling up to the outdoors, Saturday night and we're going to go try it out."

"Outdoors? Why outdoors?"

"Guy stuff."

"How specific."

"The book I read told me I'm supposed to answer that whenever a woman asks."

"... Book?"

"It's not like I know how this is supposed to work. Almost half of the male friends I've made in my entire life live in this dorm."

"... Okay then… just… don't do anything reckless, please."

"Sure."

"And don't be late for school on Monday."

"Yes Mom."

"Wha-!? What did you just call me!?"

Yuuji, wisely perhaps, decided to deflect the question, rather than answer it.

As his deflection involved more kissing, Rias decided she'd let it go, for now anyways.

Akeno, who'd awoken some minutes prior, clamped both hands over her mouth to hide her giggles.

He didn't like to bring attention to it for risk of sounding arrogant, but the Saturday nights of one Kiba Yuuto were in high demand.

Thus, it wasn't really surprising when his phone buzzed, less than an hour after dinner.

It was, however, a little surprising as to the source.

Y: Pack an overnight bag and meet me out front.

… Huh.

Not really sure how to take that, but he was free, after all.

It took him only a few minutes to pack, make his way to the front door, and slip on his shoes.

What awaited him was a glossy black sports car, and-

"Get in the car."

"Sure… why am I getting in the car?"

"We're doing the thing, put your seat-belt on."

The minute he did so, Yuuji stepped on the gas.

"The thing? Oh, hang on, Buchou just texted… I don't know what to tell her, since, you know…"

Yuuji nodded at the unspoken prompt.

"Just text her back 'guy stuff'."

"Guy stuff?"

"It's tradition."

"... I see."

He didn't actually, but Kiba liked to think he could be a good sport.

"Oh actually, you should tell her not to come looking for us under any circumstances… wait, that kind of sounds like we're going Stray. Tell her 'see you on Monday'?"

"... Will we?"

"You worry too much."

"You have to admit this is a little weird…"

Kiba trailed off as he caught a glimpse of the rearview mirror, and the back seat.

"Oh hello Ruth, didn't see you there. Are you in human form so-?"

The car shrieked around a corner at speeds humans would struggle to perceive.

"So that I can wear a seatbelt? Yes, yes I am."

"Fair enough… so, Yuuji-kun, where are we going?"

"The woods."

"The woods? What are we doing out there? Is this another Stray hunt?"

"Nope, we're trying this thing I heard of."

"Which is?"

Kiba asked politely.

"Male bonding, or 'guy time' as its known in some circles."

That Yuuji took both hands off the steering wheel to make air quotes caused the hearts of his passengers to skip several beats.

It was then that Kiba resolved himself not to look at that steering wheel for the rest of the drive.

Seemed like the wise choice.

… Male bonding, huh?

Sounded kind of nice, it wasn't like he'd had the chance to try before, since all of his male friends except one were in this car.

For some strange reason, he hadn't been able to make any more after his original batch were murdered.

… He decided he'd blame the morbid train of thought on Yuuji's driving.

"... So, did Gasper not want to join us?"

Distractions from Yuuji's driving seemed to be of great value.

"No, wide open sky is still a bit of a hurdle for him. Promised to bring him along next time though."

Kiba hoped there would be a next time.

Well, mostly he hoped there would be a first time, and that they didn't end up in a traffic accident at what was probably terminal velocity.

"Come to think of it, what are we doing when we get there?"

"Skeet shooting is a classic, apparently, so I thought I'd teach you to fire a gun. But, since we're Devils, we might as well break some rules, so I'll show you how to shoot guns that aren't even legal in Japan. Oh, and you can teach me the trick behind throwing those swords of yours"

"Huh, that does sound kind of fun. Wait, you didn't mention Ruth there."

"I'm a dog, and there are no squirrels in Kuoh."

Kiba wasn't quite sure what he thought about the dignified tone used there.

"... You're pacing again, stop it. Or at least take your clothes off so I can enjoy the show."

"I'm just worried Akeno. What if they get hurt? Who knows what kind of crazy things they could be doing out there?"

"I'm sure they aren't doing anything too irresponsible…"

"That pause worries me."

"Lean into the gun a little more. You probably won't feel the kick as a Devil, but let's not start any bad habits."

"Like this?"

"Better. Ready?"

"... Pull."

BOOM!

"... I'm worried now too."

"Right!? You know they behave better when we're watching!"

"Well, at least Ruth is there?"

"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've actually held a weapon without someone else's arm attached. What did you call this one again?"

"M1 Garand. You're old, so I thought you'd appreciate a classic."

"... You're not wrong."

"Alright Ruth, you're aiming for the closer can to start, alright?"

"... Do you think they'd get mad at us if we went and checked on them?"

"Only if we got caught, which we would since Yuuji and Ruth are there."

"Well, maybe we could just call?"

"Yuuji told us not to unless it was an emergency."

"... He was prepared for this exact conversation, wasn't he?"

"Also, he said that if we interfered we'd be sleeping in our own beds for a month."

"... I-I'm sure they're fine, right Akeno?"

They were not fine.

"Hang on a second."

Kiba lowered the rifle in his hands, slipped his finger from the trigger, and flipped the safety.

Yuuji hadn't let any guns be fired until everyone involved knew how to handle them correctly.

"Yes, Yuuji-kun?"

"This is fun and all, but doesn't this kind of feel like a normal training session, just with less people getting thrown into the dirt?"

Kiba blinked.

"... It kind of does, doesn't it?"

"Hmm, what to do, what to do?"

Yuuji snapped his fingers.

"Oh, that's it. Thanks, Danny. Hang on you two, I'm gonna make a call."

Yuuji said, stepping off into the brush.

Kiba waved him off, looking a bit puzzled.

"I wonder who Danny is?"

{"Friend of his from the Marines. All I know is that he passed away a few years back, and before he enlisted was a car thief from America."}

"... Hmm, I wonder what about him has Yuuji-kun so inspired… and who he's calling if it isn't Danny."

Moments later, Yuuji calmly strolled from the bush, and-

A gleaming magic circle flared to life on the ground, revealing a tall figure, leaning up against a stack of clinking crates and laughing heartily.

Kiba slowly turned his head towards Yuuji, who met his disbelieving gaze with one of innocent curiosity.

"Yuuji-kun."

"Yeah?"

"Did you just call Azazel?"

"To bring us alcohol, yeah. Danny always told me it made any guy's night out better."

Azazel laughed again, pulling a bottle of sake from the rib height stack of crates.

"Haha I can't believe you'd call the leader of the Grigori to fence you liquor! Never change kid, never change!"

"I'm not legal age, and it's faster than getting a fake ID made."

Yuuji pointed out in what he probably thought was a helpful tone.

Kiba just stared, so Yuuji continued on.

"Wired the money and asked for the delivery to be advance payment for his next request, if you're wondering."

Azazel chimed in with a smirk.

"I ended up paying for everything though, on the condition that I get to join in. Way too interesting to miss haha!"

"... Buchou can never find out about this."

Kiba said with a resigned sigh.

Ruth was the one to answer.

"Hang on, I think I remember what we're supposed to say here."

Yuuji and Ruth shared a nod and answered in sync.

""What happens in the forest, stays in the forest.""

Several hours away and for no reason she could discern, Rias shivered.

In an unremarkable forest in rural Japan, the cheerful, wicked laughter of a Fallen Angel filled the night.

"I'm Shidou Irina, nice to meet you everyone!"

With a polite bow and a friendly grin, a young woman stood at the front of the class to introduce herself.

Chestnut hair in long twintails tied up with blue scrunchies, the Kuoh Academy uniform with her own personal touches of black bike shorts under the skirt, and blue sneakers.

"Hmm, why did I transfer? Welp, my parents and I just moved back actually, I was born here, so thanks for the welcome home!"

With a cheerful wink of her violet eyes, Irina finished her introduction and bounced and twirled her way to one of the few empty seats.

When she did, she stopped in place, casting a furtive glance down to the girl sitting beside her, before directing a questioning gaze towards her teacher.

With a soft smile on her face, Kalawarner calmly averted her gaze.

Giggling, Irina exploded into motion, pouncing on her hapless classmate with all the grace and precision of a trained Exorcist.

"I MISSED YOU XEN-CHAN!"

With a quiet chuckle, Xenovia returned the embrace, rolling her eyes as Irina's cheek rubbed against her own.

This continued for a minute or so before Kalawarner's pointed cough caught her attention, and Irina released her friend and bounced up to her full height with a triumphant smile.

"Recharge complete!"

With a final giggle, and a wave to Raynare and Asia, Irina flounced into her seat.

From his spot by the window, Yuuji watched her curiously.

… Was it just him, or would she and Levia-tan really, really get along?

"Taadaa!"

A few stray feathers flickered into the air as Irina unfurled her wings with a with fingers raised in the victory sign.

"Shidou Irina, Ace of the Great Seraph Michael and newly reincarnated Brave Saint at your service!"

Politely, the members of the ORC applauded for the grinning Angel.

"Welcome aboard Irina, your things have been already sent to the dorm. I trust you have no issue taking the room next to Xenovia?"

Rias asked from where she sat at her desk.

"Nope, that's just great! I'm probably gonna sneak into Xen-chan's room to cuddle anyways, so this saves time!"

Rias nodded wisely, as if that had been part of the plan in the first place.

Which it had.

"Oh right, I forgot!"

Irina exclaimed suddenly, before twirling around to wag a finger at Xenovia and Asia.

"Bet you too are a little behind, but don't worry, I'll help you catch up!"

Asia gave a cute little tilt of her head, blinking bright green eyes in confusion.

"... Behind?"

"Yep! When was the last time you girls said your prayers, Michael didn't fix the system so you could pray for nothing!"

Dead silence.

"Oh right, you two didn't know that because I asked Michael if I could be the one to say it."

Irina muttered, innocently tapping a finger to her chin as if it was someone else's problem.

"You probably should have led with that."

Xenovia pointed out.

"Teehee~"

Irina knocked a fist against the side of her own head and stuck out her tongue.

"... Pray… we can…?"

Asia asked slowly.

"Yep!"

"O-oh… that… that is…"

When her words failed, Asia merely knit her hands together in front of her chest and closed her eyes, dipping her head.

After a moment, Xenovia blinked out of her daze and joined in, shuffling a bit closer in her seat.

A tender smile on her face, Irina quietly maneuvered herself behind the two, framing them with her white wings as she too, closed her eyes in prayer.

A Devil was not supposed to find any value in such sights, of displays of devotion towards the Father in Heaven.

Had anyone told that to the Devils watching, they would have found themselves completely and utterly ignored.

They'd been celebrating Irina moving into the dorm for a few hours, that night, when Irina decided she was going to get some fresh air, and made her way up to the rooftop.

Having been prompted to join her, Xenovia watched questioningly as Irina walked ahead, keeping her back turned and fiddling with something she couldn't see.

"Hey, Xen-chan, somethings been bothering me."

Irina murmured, staring up at the starry sky as the wind swept through her hair.

"Yes? What is it, Irina?"

Irina turned to her then, a soft frown on her pretty face as she toyed with the cross around her neck with one hand, and dug into her side, just above the hip, with the other.

"Whenever I hold my cross, I feel like I'm forgetting something important…"

Xenovia went rigid.

"Neh, Xen-chan…"

Irina's troubled voice sent a chill down her spine.

"Who's Issei?"

This is fine.

Don't worry about it, there are no unfortunate possibilities that could come to be when a major life event with far reaching repercussions gets locked away from memory.

Always kind of irked me that when Irina's wings flickered it was only used for comedic purposes. I mean, if Irina actually Fell, I doubt anyone would be laughing.

Also, Akeno got to try out having an affair, except that she didn't actually want to have an affair-affair, and thus Yuuji had trouble maintaining immersion.

Had some fun with Serafall (no seriously, has no one noticed the similarities with Irina?), and had some not so fun times with Grayfia. Grayfia's personal storyline will move forward a bit in the coming summer arc, and we'll continue to see Yuuji befriending important people by not caring that they're important people.

I mean, how many non-related people would be willing to talk to the Satans themselves like they're people?

In other news, I started writing a new story, and the first chapter is up. It's a HOTD and MGE crossover, which kind of just happened on its own, since both settings are a bit lacking in consistently updated fanfics. Stories will be updated in chronological order, and each story will have roughly a month between chapter releases.