Okay, so, my Harry/Mileena story hasn't eventuated. I decided to go for a Harry/Kitana pairing, but I want to play more of Mortal Kombat 1's story mode first, and I need to work on a good plot for it, so any Mortal Kombat crossover is on hold...for now.

That being said, Mortal Kombat did inspire a scene in this sample chapter, which comes from a story that has been percolating in my mind for a while now. Having explored some of the more unusual pairings from High School DxD in Raynare and Rossweisse (the stories in question, Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus and Oskmey, now have new chapters ready for the December mass-update), I wanted to return to doing a Harry/Rias pairing.

Admittedly, it's not the first time I've done it. I've done it for Fall to Zenith and Cambion, but the former makes me cringe a lot these days, and the latter is still fairly cringey in parts. Plus, I wanted to do a story where Harry is adopted by the Hyoudous, and becomes a big brother to Issei, thus being a good influence for the perverted sod. And I wanted to do a straight Harry/Rias pairing, not a harem, and do it seriously, as a character study for them, as well as deconstruct and reconstruct Rias as a character.

Now, there's no guarantee that this will be the form my new Harry/Rias fic will take. I'm experimenting with how to ensure Harry has the lifespan and power to not only live with Rias for the rest of her life, but to stand a chance against the powers in the DxD-verse. I have a few ideas, but this was the most immediately workable. The story will have broad similarities even if I don't have Harry as a Nephilim.

The title is a hint as to how Harry became a Nephilim. He didn't get his Fallen heritage by Lily cucking James. The title actually comes from Roderick Burgess' chant to summon and imprison Death of the Endless in the very first issue of The Sandman: "I give you the blood from out of my vein, and a feather I pulled from an Angel's wing." Incidentally, I'm really chuffed that Netflix has actually bothered to release The Sandman TV series on home video here in Australia. Early December is when it's happening. I can't wait. :)

I'm releasing the first two chapters together.


PULLED FROM AN ANGEL'S WING

CHAPTER 1:

HARRY HYOUDOU

Asia Argento had never been so scared in all of her life. Her heart beat in her ribcage like a mad animal trying to escape a cage. Then again, considering she was naked barring a rather flimsy shift, chained to a metal cross in a twisted parody of Christ, and was in danger of having a part of her soul ripped away by the very people who were supposed to be her employers, she could be forgiven for feeling somewhat afraid.

For a moment, she had a hope of being rescued. Most of her captors were dead or incapacitated. She wanted to pray for their souls, but she couldn't muster up the goodwill, partly out of fear, but partly because they were willing to see her die, in a cruel parody of the religion she still followed even after her excommunication.

But their attacker, the one who had saved her from Freed Sellzen, and the one who had come to save her now, was currently buried under a small but not insignificant amount of rubble, mostly obscured by a small dust cloud. And the one who put him there was staggering back towards her, her beautiful features twisted into something ugly by pain and malevolence. In fact, her expression was as ugly as Asia knew her soul was.

It was ironic that the Devils in this town treated her better than the Fallen Angels. Well, with one exception, but he was half-Fallen. A Nephilim, or near enough, given his explanation.

Raynare was panting, gripping her badly-injured left arm with her right, still dressed in that indecent assortment of leather and latex that masqueraded as clothing. "…Bastard…that won't keep him down for long…gotta finish this!"

"No, stop! Just surrender, Raynare!" Asia protested. "If Azazel is anything like Our Lord, then he will forgive you your sins, and…"

A vicious slap from Raynare snapped Asia's head to the side. "Shut your trap, you sanctimonious slut! Lord Azazel will love me once I have your Sacred Gear! I certainly need it to stop that halfbreed brat, more than you do! And I've had enough of your pious bleating! God doesn't care about you, or else He would have stepped in when you were excommunicated. Now, I will gain the power I so richly des…GYAAAAAARRRGGGHHH!"

Blood sprayed all over Asia's shift as something burst from Raynare's stomach. Blood burnt off it to reveal a glowing wedge shape, like a spearhead made of light. A Light Spear. As Raynare whined in agony, Asia's gaze went to behind Raynare, and realised that the spearhead was connected to a chain, also made of light. Not a Light Spear, like those wielded by the other Fallen. No, something else.

And at the other end of the chain, holding onto it?

Four dark wings, as dark as the night sky. Eyes now seemingly aflame with energy, one emerald, the other violet. Bloodied and battered, but still alive. The figure looked like a demon from Hell. Or an angel of vengeance.

And yet, Asia knew that this was her saviour. The boy who befriended her, along with his adopted brother. The boy who saved her from Freed. And the boy who had come for her now.

And then, he snarled, "…Raynare…you ever play fighting games?"

Asia didn't know what he meant, but Raynare seemed to realise something, for a resigned look came over her features. "Oh no…not Scorpion…"

"GET OVER HERE!" And with those three words, roared by the young man in near-demonic tones, Raynare was yanked through the air with a scream of pain. Only for a Light Spear, held by the young man in his other hand, to impale her between her breasts, causing her to choke up blood as she came to a halt. "Azazel said I only need one prisoner alive for him to question. Mittelt had the good sense to surrender. But you…you murdered my brother, threatened my family, my friends…and you were going to murder Asia for your own selfish reasons!"

"I…just wanted to be loved! I deserved to be loved!" Raynare coughed out. "I deserve that Sacred Gear more than that bimbo ex-nun!"

"Well, you're going to die hated by everyone. Choke on that while you deepthroat a Light Spear, you delusional bitch." With that, he viciously tore out the Light Spear, before shoving it through her mouth. Asia shut her eyes tight at that, though she heard Raynare's terminal gurgling.

Asia kept her eyes shut, until she heard his voice speak again. "Alohamora." Her shackles snapped open, and she fell to the floor, only to be caught by him.

She opened her eyes, and looked at him. The glow was fading from his mismatched eyes, though the wings remained…as did his wounds. "You're hurt," she said softly, before using Twilight Healing to heal him.

"…Thanks," he said gently. "Sorry I didn't come sooner, but…politics reared its ugly head." He looked down to where Raynare's mangled corpse was. Thankfully, Asia couldn't make out much in the way of details, as she had fallen face-down, and the Fallen's waist-length hair mercifully covered most of her body. "And I'm sorry you witnessed part of that. But I was angry. Very angry. Given what she and her goons had done to my family, I couldn't help it. Now…let's get you home."

Home…yes…despite her only being there for a scant couple of days, that household had felt more like home than the orphanage she had grown up in, or the convent she had spent much of her teens in. It was a strange, mixed-bag of a family living there, and yet, she felt greater warmth and affection there than she had for a long time. Indeed, this one felt like the big brother she never had. True, he was adopted into the family, but that didn't matter.

So Asia let Harry Hyoudou pick her up in a bridal carry (a thought that made her blush a little), and take her out of the basement turned dungeon. She knew now that tonight was the beginning of the rest of her life. A life with family


Months earlier

"I mean, seriously, how does Lady Yasaka get huge knockers like that and not have back pain?"

"It's one of the great mysteries of the universe, Issei, and try not to be too rude about her. She helped tutor me in magic and mundane subjects after Mahoutokoro kicked me out."

"Only because you were defending those catgirls. Talk about no good deed going unpunished. I mean, it's like what happened after that stupid tournament thing in Britain you got roped into. You wiped out a whole bunch of wizarding Nazis, and yet, they make out like you're a monster. Honestly, killing Nazis should be considered community service. Science fact."

"You'll get no argument from me, Issei. Between that damned muckraker and those morons from the British Ministry…not that the Japanese Ministry of Magic is any better. Honestly, I'm going to enjoy going to a normal high school. Then again, those school uniforms for the girls aren't exactly normal."

"And that's for the best! Short skirts, a pseudo-waistcoat emphasizing the bust…"

"Issei, your nose is bleeding. And whoever designed those uniforms is as big a pervert as you are. And turn it down a notch. Remember what I told you. Don't let those two idiots rope you into peeking. I know they're your friends, but…"

"I get it. Those girls didn't consent to be peeked on. Whereas porn, at least it's theoretically consensual, or else in hentai, the artists drew them that way. I tried explaining it to them, but…they kept going on about how they did a recce and found a peephole into the changing room."

"Try not to join them. I know your dream is to get a harem, and apparently polyamory is surprisingly normal in the wider supernatural world, but you need to avoid showing the worst parts of your personality. I get that you like to be honest about being a pervert, but there's differences. A spectrum of perversion. Honestly, I think Yasaka found it amusing."

"Yeah, she's definitely a MILF. That Lupin guy's lucky. And he clearly dotes on Kunou. Now that's a cutie kitsune daughteru. Hey, are you going to be all right? You're starting a little later than the rest of us. I know you're going to pull off the 'handsome transfer student' thing, but I know you don't like excessive attention."

"Yeah. I had too much of that at Mahoutokoro, never mind Hogwarts when I was stuck in that damned tournament. The only one I had any time for was that Hermione girl, and, well, she wasn't going to leave Hogwarts, and I wouldn't inflict Mahoutokoro on her. More than a few give me shit for being British."

"Hey, believe me, there's some real hotties here, and I'm sure one of them will be to your liking. Ahh, if only Irina was here. Honestly, I was surprised when you told me she was a girl, and training with the Anglican Church as an Exorcist."

"Well, in any case, we're nearly at the school gates, so we'd better stop talking about such stuff."

"Got it, Harry."

Harry Hyoudou sighed as he looked at Kuoh Academy. Until a little while ago, it was a girls-only school, but it had recently become co-ed. For someone as lecherous as his little brother (adopted, but as far as Harry was concerned, Issei was his little brother, end of story), it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a start on his dream of gaining a harem. Never mind that cultural attitudes were against it anyway, harem manga and anime aside.

Of course, Harry knew that Issei had a good heart and a decent nature. He just had poor impulse control. He had ever since that old man bearded him in the park after Irina left for England and brought forth Issei's more lecherous side, and at a young age too.

But that was what big brothers were for. To protect and guide their younger siblings. Even if said protection meant protecting them from themselves.

"Actually, you're in for a treat," Issei said with a smirk as they entered the grounds of Kuoh Academy. "You're a year older than me, but if you're lucky, you'll be in a class with the Great Ladies of Kuoh Academy."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. One of them is Akeno Himejima."

"Himejima…that rings a bell. Didn't they used to have something to do with a shrine somewhere in town?"

"Uhh, yeah, maybe. But the other is like you. She's from somewhere in Europe, and she's got really gorgeous red hair, apparently. Her name is Rias Gremory. Both are really hot, and they also run the Occult Research Club here," Issei said. "Maybe you'd like to join it?"

"What, you haven't tried to join it?" Harry asked.

"Dude, I wanted to wait until you were here too. Then, we could explain why you want to join it. If they know about your lot, then no problem. If they don't, well…we can think up a suitable cover."

"Okay, but I don't want to deal with any fangirls."

Issei chuckled. "If anything, those two, along with the rest of the ORC, have to deal with fanboys and fangirls. They have a loli mascot by the name of Koneko Toujou, and a pretty boy, called Yuuto Kiba, but I think he's European, not sure where he's from. Ugh, all the girls fawn over him. Then again, if he's like you, maybe he secretly hates the attention. It'd explain a lot. Or if he was gay."

"Not that it matters if he was," Harry said pointedly. "Though I hope the ORC is better than that Shitori girl. Ugh, she has a major stick where the sun doesn't shine, and I don't like the way she looked at me. It's like McGonagall was de-aged into a teenager."

"I dunno. That old witch looked like Maggie Smith, and have you seen Maggie Smith when she was younger? That woman was hot back in the day! But yeah, Souna Shitori is a bit of a hardcase. You had to meet with her while finalising your transfer, huh? Yeah, that happened to me. She caught wind of me, Matsuda and Motohama doing our thing back at our old schools."

"For which you were all lucky not to be expelled," Harry said flatly.

"Hey, you got expelled from your last school," Issei retorted.

"For defending one of the students from a murderer," Harry retorted back. There was little heat in his rebuke. At least Issei knew better than to speak of Mahoutokoro or Nekomata around No-Majs, at least when they were in earshot, anyway.

After a moment, Issei said, "I think this is where we part. Good luck, Harry."

"Yeah, same to you, Issei…"


Harry was asked to wait outside the homeroom, until the teacher introduced him. "Now, class, we have a transfer student. While a few of you may have heard of his adoptive brother Issei, this young man was at another school, until circumstances led to him being transferred here," he heard from outside the classroom. "In any case, please give a warm welcome to Harry Hyoudou."

Harry entered, and wasn't surprised to find his reception lukewarm. His brother's reputation did probably lead to many making assumptions about him, annoyingly. There were some greetings in varying degrees of enthusiasm, though the most interested seemed to come from two students. When he saw them, he had to suppress a double-take out of shock.

Both were rather buxom for their age, almost ludicrously so, and almost inhumanly beautiful. One was definitely Japanese, given her Oriental features, her dark hair done up in a long ponytail. It was her violet eyes that caught him off guard. The same shade as…no, never mind.

The other, sitting next to a vacant desk, had red hair and teal eyes. Her Caucasian features had a regal beauty, and yet, when she looked at him, he noted interest and curiosity, as well as a genuinely welcoming demeanour. He did have to wonder about that, though he felt he had an inkling of who she was.

The teacher said, "Now, Mr Hyoudou, there's seat next to Miss Gremory. Please sit down, and we may begin."

Harry did so, sitting down next to the buxom redhead, who offered him a smile, one he returned. Despite the whispers, he hoped she would be friendly at least. It looked like Issei was on the ball, anyway. The roll was called, and the buxom Japanese with the violet eyes turned out to be Akeno Himejima.

Still, he hoped he would have a better time of it than at Mahoutokoro. Between prejudice against non-Asians and non-humans and non-Purebloods, he was glad to be away from that cesspool. He even bore the white kimono he got after saving that Nekomata as a badge of pride. At least Yasaka and her husband Remus Lupin helped pick up where Mahoutokoro left off, both in magical and mundane areas.

He didn't know it, but this was the first meeting between two people who would gain a bond that would transcend two worlds if not more. A chance meeting that sowed the seeds that would grow into something more. A proof that love could bloom virtually everywhere…

CHAPTER 1 ANNOTATIONS:

Wait, what? Harry is a Nephilim? And he's been adopted by the Hyoudous? What's going on?!

Now, I've been on a bit of a Mortal Kombat kick lately, so I based the scene where Harry emulates everyone's favourite yellow-clad ninja on one of the climactic scenes in the recent Mortal Kombat film (I even had the same music in mind, that little orchestral snatch of Techno Syndrome they use in that scene). Harry was trying harder to be like Ed Boon, though. He also basically inflicts a Fatality on Raynare. And this isn't the somewhat sympathetic or at least complex Raynare from most of my prior fanfics. This is the psychotic, delusional, evil bitch of DxD canon, if not worse, given that she's gone after not only Issei and Asia, but the Hyoudous.

Also, just to clear up, there's not going to be any Harry/Asia. She will have a bit of a Ginny-style crush on her knight in shining armour for a time, but otherwise, it's strictly Harry/Rias.

Also, note that Issei and the other Hyoudous actually know of the supernatural this time, before Issei got Raynare's colon-cleansing Light Spear diet.

No numbered annotations this time.