For all that is beautiful

by esdeath's thicc thighs

Across many battlefields, he walked a lonely path. To believe in himself, to rely only on himself. The fate of humanity rested on his shoulders alone. Then one day, as the burden grew heavier, he looked behind him and realized that he wasn't as alone as he thought. They were his pillars, he was their hope. Ichigo Kurosaki shall see that he protects them all.

13. Chapter 13

"Ddraig, all I need to know is can we do it?"

A world of flames within a mind of brilliance, a voice in the sea called back.

"It…has never been done before, but, if its you…"

A lingering possibility within doubt, a kindling hope.

"Then the possibility is not zero."

Certainty, a way forward.

"Only if you're up for the task."

A challenge.

"…you know me. So long as the slimmest of chances exist, then victory is already mine."

A promise, layered in veiled amusement.

"As you say. Very well, rely on me, and I will be your armor, your sword and shield."

The intensity of the flames grew with the dragon's words.

"I will be your wings, to soar you above the skies.

Resolution, conviction in words.

"Let Dominion befall from above."

A declaration.

"So that the world may groan at our weight."

A testament, words born of strength.

"I will be your bearer, wielder of your might."

Solemn resolution.

"Your scales will shroud my body, your claws will rend our enemies, your breath will drown the world.

A union born of age-old bonds.

"Let us cast this world in crimson radiance, O' dragon emperor."

His vow.

"…and may the world soon know of the resounding call of victory once more."

His hope.

Then together, we are as one/one.

Move forward and never stop…

---

To say that any form of normalcy he had left in his life was gone, would be an understatement. Well, he had accepted it, and now, as he headed towards the ORC room to meet with Rias and her peerage, Ichigo was ready to follow through with his word.

Having agreed to not only train with Rias and her peerage, Ichigo had decided that it was time he came clean, though, only with her. He owed her that much, after everything they had gone through and what he would have to do moving forward.

Still, it had indeed surprised him when she took the initiative to ask for training from him; having witnessed his power first hand. In the end, he could not refuse, not when she so earnestly looked at him with such determination. One shared between them all after realizing their own powerlessness in the face of might.

"Regardless, what comes next depends on them, their drive, their commitment, I cannot force them to get stronger, but, I can at least show them the way to overcome their shortcomings." It was a little after he had gained his powers after the incident in which he awakened, but, ever since that day, Ichigo could easily see into the hearts of man, he could recognize truth from lie, to see the burdens and emotions of people.

He had seen both beauty and ugliness.

So, when gazing upon Rias peerage, Ichigo could tell just how heavy the burden they carried, the well of negative emotions in each and every one of them.

Perhaps, this training will allow them to realize what they need to push forward.

He could only hope.

---

Sitting at her desk in the ORC room Rias waited patiently for Ichigo to arrive, her peerage at her side as they made small talk with one another. Still, a tense atmosphere hung around them, after yesterday's events, it was difficult to come to terms with how the situation had spiraled out of control.

Ichigo, her lovable fool. Just thinking of the events that followed his declaration put a smile on her face and caused her endless worry.

Her family had contacted her shortly after hearing the news, and by now, most of the underworld had probably heard of Ichigo's absurd declaration.

But, what could they do?

Ignore it?

Hah!

There is a reason most factions avoid the dragon emperors like the plague.

"You maniac~"

Though she thought that, her lips could not help but tilt into a small smile, for regardless of how ridiculous it sounded to some, even to her family after she had been thoroughly scolded by her parents. The words that Ichigo spoke that day, just wouldn't stop repeating themselves in her mind.

"Of course, she's more than worth it."

Just thinking about it, a small blush would rise to dust her cheeks. But above all that, she couldn't help but find reassurance in his words, to know that he truly cared for her, to know that he would go this far for her, it just, made her believe that everything would be alright. A simple smile from him, the confidence and strength he showed.

He made her feel so safe…

But, as heiress of the great clan Gremory, Rias could not afford to gaze at that dependable back forever, she had her own pride too. Yesterday's events had truly opened her eyes to how utterly powerless she was to the whims of others, even someone like Riser, who she detested with a passion, would have been able to force her into submission if push came to shove. While she certainly had the potential to be greater, that was all it was, potential. What she truly needed was the strength to tap into that potential, and while it was a bit unfortunate that it took this long, it wasn't too late to walk the path.

Now she just had to wait, and see where her future would take her, for better or worse.

---

Standing before everyone, Ichigo gazed at Rias and her peerage in silent contemplation, he could see that they were nervous, but eager as well, that was good. They would need it for the trials ahead.

"Alright, since we're all here I assume you are already prepared to begin." Ichigo stated.

"Huh, begin? Aren't we going to go somewhere a little more…spacious." Came Yuuto's reply as he felt confused by his words.

"If you want we can go to one my family's villas on the outskirts of Kuoh, there should be plenty of room to train and no fear of inflicting collateral damage if things get out of control." Rias proposed.

"No need, I have already prepared our stage." Without prior explanation or warning, Ichigo merely slammed his hands together.

And the world crumbled away.

Like glass shattering, the space that once was the ORC room was replaced by an open field as far as the horizon. A wide-open blue sky with white clouds lazily drifting about, and a sun shining brightly down at them from above. The transition between their surroundings changed so quickly that Rias and Co stood rooted with a dumbfounded expression on their faces.

"What?"

"Where are we?"

"How did…"

"No way, this is…"

The devils exclaimed in surprise as they took in their surroundings. Be it the ground at their feet, the heat on their skin, or the wind that brushed past their hair, all of it, down to the minute detail felt so real, this wasn't an illusion was it?

Welcome, to the world of my imagination." Ichigo declared as he faced them, amusement in his eyes as he took in their expressions.

"Well, I say 'world' but in reality, if you run for 30 minutes in either direction at top speed you'll eventually reach the end of this subspace I created." Ichigo shrugged as they got their bearings once more.

"Subspace? Are you saying we are within a pocket dimension that you created? Since when could you do such a thing?" Rias questioned as she got over her slight astonishment.

"Ah, well you see that would be a bit of a long story, one I can tell you later once we get our first day training in." Ichigo scratched the back of his head nervously. Even though he had resolved himself to tell Rias everything, it still made him nervous when the time for questions came. Guess there was no room for him to hide anything anymore.

"How exactly will we be training? we only have 10 days do we not, I don't see much in the way of improvement in such little time." Yuuto shook his head as he voiced his concerns.

Smiling at Yuuto's words, Ichigo dropped another surprise on them. "Under normal circumstances, you'd be right, but in here, time flows far differently than in the outside world." Ichigo revealed much to their surprise once again.

"You can do that?" Akeno asked in astonishment. After all, manipulating the laws of time was something she had no experience in, so to say that Ichigo, who she believed to had just been a mere human although unique with his sacred gear, had powers and abilities that she found…otherworldly. Of course, it wasn't to say that it couldn't be replicated, but the process in creating a subspace and manipulate the rules within were difficult to achieve even for experienced mages.

"Of course, a week here would be a day back home, so, for the next 10 weeks, I'm going to whip you guys into shape." Ichigo explained, his eyes narrowing with his next words. "I expect you all to give it your best, for what I have planned, will leave you guys a broken mess otherwise." Ichigo warned ominously, making them tense up at his change in attitude.

"How so?" Koneko who hadn't spoken thus far, asked with her usual deadpan tone.

"We'll get to that, but first, I wish to know just where you all are sitting at currently. Only then will I know just what it is you need to get better." Ichigo explained as he faced them. "As such, all of you from this very moment will give it your all to attack me, come and show me your efforts, hold nothing back!" Ichigo declared, his presence rising, causing a stifling atmosphere as the raging wind blew from his power being unleashed.

Shielding themselves from the gale, Rias and the rest felt like they were standing before an imposing mountain that could not be brought low. This side of Ichigo was something that Rias and the rest were not used to as they had only seen Ichigo as a caring if not easy going individual. To see him be so imposing, like an apex predator staring down prey, it made them feel so small.

Their racing hearts wouldn't calm themselves despite their efforts.

"A-are you sure you want us to attack you all at once?" Rias fumbled over her words as she did her best to withstand Ichigo's pressure.

An amused gleam entered his eyes at her words.

"Rias, from this point on, I 'am not your friend, but your enemy! one that will deliver upon you all a swift defeat if you don't give it your all." Ichigo declared fiercely. "Make no mistake! I want you all to come at me with the intent to kill! Only then will you truly be able to show me what you're made of." Ichigo reaffirmed much to their incredulity at his words.

"Isn't that a bit extreme!" Rias complained as she heard such madness from her boyfriend.

"Hah! Fear not, though I don't mean to sound insulting, none of you are at the level to be capable of hurting me." Ichigo smirked, much to her ire.

"Hoh~ want to bet." That seemed to rile up her competitive spirit.

"Confident are you~ very well." At that point, Ichigo's next actions confused and flustered the devils present.

Having removed his black jacket, Ichigo followed up by taking his red shirt off as well, revealing his upper body underneath for all to see.

"Ooh, 8-pack." Rias swallowed the saliva that had suddenly developed in her mouth.

Like the ancient Greek sculptors of old, Ichigo's body seemed to have been sculpted from marble itself, each muscle carved to perfection, with barely any fat in his body. Broad shoulders and wide chest, his collarbone was like the outstretched wings of a bird of prey that complimented his thick neck and Adams apple which followed up to a sharp jawline. Rubbing his hand down his defined body over his collarbone, chest, abs, and finally stopping at the V-line right above his groin. Ichigo looked at them with a wolfish smile.

Gulp*

Suddenly feeling bothered, Rias looked away momentarily, her eyes continually taking peeks before lowering themselves repeatedly.

Akeno subconsciously licked her lips in hunger.

Koneko blushed heavily while maintaining eye-contact.

Yuuto laughed awkwardly as he saw his companions' expressions.

"I want to see you try and leave a scratch on this body of mine. If you are able to do so, then you are clearly at the level where your names will go down in song and legend. Prove to me your resolve and come at me with everything you have, anything less would be insulting to me and you." Ichigo declared, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Snapping out of their thoughts, the devils realized that things were about to get serious.

"In the spirit of fairness, I will allow you all to make the first move, I will not attack until you've all given me a taste of your strength." Ichigo generously granted them.

"You'll regret talking big." Rias challenged as she and her peerage got into formation.

With nothing left to say, Ichigo quietly watched them and see how they would perform.

Like they have done time and time again, Rias commanded her servants for an arduous battle ahead, and while they might not win in the end, they would make sure to leave a lasting impression.

"Although the opponent is different, the process is the same, rely on each other, do what you do best, and together we'll get through this." Rias words had a calming effect on her tensed peerage members, but, how could they not, for what stood before them was a being that stood firmer than a mountain.

Even now, his presence alone felt suffocating to them, every step a battle forward, yet one they could not retreat from for they were past the point of no return.

"Prepare yourselves, this is just the beginning."

With those words, a momentary silence ensued as each side readied themselves.

Fwoooshh*

Cutting through the wind, Yuuto took the passing breeze as a signal to explode into action, his form an after image as he rushed Ichigo who didn't even bother raising his guard. Still, Yuuto would not show any mercy, as his sword appeared over Ichigo, swinging down with all his might towards the orange haired man he aimed to bisect.

Twiink*

The sound of metal resounded over the area as his sword struck an immovable object. Staring dumbfounded, Yuuto could do nothing but widen his eyes in shock. All it took was a simple gesture as Ichigo swiftly stopped the sword with but his index finger alone.

"…"

The lull of silence was broken as Ichigo who caught his sword stared disinterestedly at him.

"So dull."

Letting his finger drag slowly over the edge of his blade, Ichigo's dispassionate gaze rooted him till his finger slid all the way down with nary a scratch on it. His hand clasped over his wrist and with a jerk he let it swing down on his bare body.

Crack* Crash*

In an instant the sword he had created cracked and shattered like glass upon making contact with Ichigo's skin. Flabbergasted, Yuuto could only open and close his mouth like a fish, too dumfounded to voice his thoughts.

"You'll never be able to cut anything with such weak conviction." Whispering his words into Yuuto's ears, Ichigo released his grasp and let the boy sink down unto his knees.

The smell of ozone entered his nostrils as he turned his gaze upwards. Dark clouds accumulated, a magic circle in the sky above him glowed brilliantly as elemental magic accumulated in the form of lightning.

"Yuuto! Clear the way!" shouted Akeno as she prepared to launch her attack.

Breaking from his stupor, Yuuto kicked off the ground just as Akeno brought down her attack.

"Fufu~ you said no holding back so feel free to scream for me, Ichigo-kun~" with an excited look on her face that made Ichigo sweatdrop. The sound of thunder struck down on Ichigo's position with a resounding clap.

Ichigo's form was completely obscured by the brilliant light of Akeno's attack.

Watching her attack strike down on Ichigo brought a satisfied smile to her face. Though soon finding it odd that there weren't any screams of pain and anguish, Akeno wondered if she had accidentally vaporized Ichigo in her attack.

As if to answer her thoughts moments later, a surge of aura shot out from the center, reaching all the way up and destroying her magic circle in the process. Widening her eyes in surprise, Akeno gazed down at Ichigo who stood there with a bored look on his face, smoke could be seen wafting off of his body but otherwise no visible damage could be seen.

"It didn't even tickle me." Ichigo merely said as he patted his shoulders to wipe off the grime.

In the process of wiping the dirt from his body, Ichigo's attention was suddenly shifted towards a diminutive figure that stared up at him.

"…"

The two stared at one another for a moment.

BAM*

A powerful punch hit him right in the gut, but instead of flinching, or bowing over from the pain, Ichigo stood there and took the blow silently.

It didn't even make him take a step back.

Seeing this, Koneko launched another blow, capable of shattering boulders with ease. Once, twice, thrice, strike after strike, blow after blow, Koneko rained punches with only a fraction of a second in between blows unto Ichigo's bare body that stood unmoving like a mountain. The blows produced gales from the force, the shockwaves causing the earth to crater and Ichigo and koneko to sink into the earth.

Rias who stared from afar could only sweatdrop as she watched Koneko turn Ichigo into a literal punching bag.

Seemingly getting tired, Koneko focused all her power into her right fist as she moved in for an uppercut. All her previous attacks had been ineffective, much like a 5-year-old beating unto an adult man, it didn't have any effect on him. Putting all her hope unto this one attack, Koneko's uppercut struck gold, her tiny fist finding contact with his chin.

In the end, despite her strength, she was unable to even move him.

Huff* Huff*

Gasping for breath, the beats of sweat that formed on her brow gave credence to her effort, but even that wasn't enough.

Raising his hand to his chin, Ichigo rubbed it for a second confused.

Sigh*

In the end he shook his head.

"Sorry, I thought I felt something for a moment but, I think it was just my imagination." Ichigo concluded to the disappointed Koneko.

Suddenly an aura of malice and despair exploded above him, looking up, Ichigo noticed that the once blue sky had dimmed away towards the darkness of the abyss, layered in crimson destruction, flickering red wisps formed a crimson magical circle that hovered right above him.

Staring down at him, Rias eyes shown in crimson radiance, her body shrouded in her power of destruction, black and crimson energy lashing out from her as she couldn't tame her energy completely resulting in leaks of power that lashed out at anything in sight. Despite that, Rias poured everything she had into this one attack. Seeing how ineffective her friends had been at even damaging Ichigo, Rias figured that if the quantity of attacks failed, then one singular attack carrying all of her power would certainly be enough to harm him.

Seeing Rias being so serious, Ichigo could feel the power being poured into that one attack. A frown marred his features as he saw Rias power leak from time to time.

"A bit inefficient."

The way she controlled her power was a bit wasteful but otherwise praise worthy with how she was able to pump so much power into one attack without having it implode on itself.

"Koneko, you might want to get out of the way right now. I don't think Rias is playing anymore." Ichigo advised as a smirk appeared on his face.

Without having to be told twice, Koneko ran as fast as she could out of the area. Rias would have shouted a warning but she was otherwise too preoccupied with controlling her power to care at the moment.

Seeing as he was the only one left, Ichigo had no intention of dodging the attack, oh no, he would receive it in full. Spreading his arms to the side, Ichigo gazed up at Rias who had finished charging her attack, an excited look on his face as he shouted a few words of encouragement.

"Show me your strength! my dear Rias~"

Looking down from above, Rias who had managed to put every ounce of strength she had into this unstable magic circle only held by sheer will alone, heard Ichigo's words of encouragement. Deciding that now was the time, Rias grunted and shouted a few words before letting the hammer down.

"Don't die!"

Wings extended out, Rias exerted herself one last time and let crimson annihilation rain down from above.

It was a massive attack, a beam of death crashing down unto the earth, the intensity of its crimson/black glow obscuring everything in Ichigo's vision as he gazed calmly at the wave of destruction that was about to crash into him. The last thing he did before he let the attack wash over him was close his eyes and a tranquil smile tug at his lips.

Soon after he let the attack embrace him and the world went dark.

---

Landing gently on the grassy floor, Rias gazed at the crater that only grew ever more, reminiscent of the stadium size hole she put into the forest back home when she fought the stray devil. Even now as she gazed at the crater, the attack still lingered on after swallowing Ichigo whole.

Well, she did put everything into it, she could feel her mind lulled to exhaustion, her arms and legs shaky from exertion, and sweat covering her body. Still, a proud look gleamed in her eyes as she saw her attack produce such terrifying results.

Perhaps she was one step closer to achieving her goal.

One step closer.

One step closer…

Her eyes widened as she saw Ichigo walking out of the crater that had widened from her attack, remnant energy of her power clung to him in futile attempts to damage him. His bare body pristine as if her efforts were a lie for not even a scratch could be seen on him. Yet above all that there was something else that caught her attention, even more so than her failed attempt at damaging him.

Having fallen on her ass as she tried to take a step back, Rias could do nothing but stare up at the mighty dragon that had descended upon her. Its size too mind boggling to comprehend, yet fearsome and daunting to behold.

Walking unbothered from the black and crimson wave, Ichigo could say that it had certainly been an impressive attack, but in the end as he had let it wash over him, it had failed to leave anything behind.

How disappointing.

But, expected.

Still, he appreciated the effort, even if it failed to reach him.

Lost in thought as he walked out of the crater, Ichigo gazed at the four individuals who stared at him in wonder. Was walking out unscathed from such an attack impressive to them? well, I guess it would make an awesome impression in their minds.

But, he would show them what true might really was.

"I'll admit, I never expected you guys to be able to wound me, that's just the sheer disparity between us, nothing to get mad about. But, I had wholly expected you to give it your all, whether it was intentional or not, you guys held out on me." His words knocked them from their trance like state as they gazed at him.

"Yuuto!" he suddenly called out as he pointed to the knight, who jerked his head up to look at him. What was that nervous look in his eyes?

"Your display of speed is impressive, and your footwork has some finesse to it, nothing to complain about, and while it could be better, nothing like learning a new technique to improve it." Ichigo complimented him. "But, as for your swordsmanship, while you have certainly gotten the basics down, is otherwise, lacking in both intent and power. Do you want to know what I felt while your sword broke against my flesh?" he questioned as yuuto prepared himself for criticism.

"Weakness, guilt, but above all that…I felt Rage. Your mind is clouded it belies your judgment, and dulls your blade, you will never be able to cut me with such a weak resolve." Ichigo's words were like a stab to Yuuto's heart as he felt his hands clench.

Watching the knight brood in shame, Ichigo shifted his gaze to Akeno.

"Why is she blushing?"

Her violet eyes were staring at him, but not to meet his gaze, what was she looking at?

"Ichigo." Rias called out to him suddenly.

"Rias, don't interrupt, I'm not done talking yet." Chastising her for speaking out, Ichigo saw a conflicted look on her face but otherwise chose to ignore it as he moved to give his wisdom to Akeno.

"Akeno, your magical prowess is certainly praise worthy, the efficiency of your magic and the way that barely any is wasted in the process of constructing your magic circles is astonishing. You are certainly someone that will be able to go far with your talent in magic alone in the future, even without my guidance." Ichigo praised.

"Fufu~ such kind words." Akeno smiled as she met his gaze, though, he could see her gaze flickering down every now and then.

Continuing to ignore the weird feeling, Ichigo spoke once more. "You certainly unleashed a great strike upon me, but, in the end, it was lacking. But what I want to know is, why? why did you hold back on me? I know there is more power that you could have called upon, something innate to you and you alone. I can feel it, the thunder that resides in you, something ancient, something special. Why do you chain yourself like so? It will only end up dragging others down in moments of great strife if you hold back. Learn to wield that strength. That is all I have to say." Ichigo saw her smile and blush fade away to a heavy marred frown, her lips thinning to a line as she heard those words. There was unresolved anger in her eyes.

A problem for the future.

Sighing, Ichigo moved towards the rook, Koneko, her cat like eyes staring at him intently, a blush marring her features just like Akeno and Rias. What was that about?

"Ahem, Ichigo you really-" Rias spoke again but this only annoyed Ichigo.

"Rias I told you to stay silent, I will get to you when I finish advising your peerage." Ichigo frowned.

"But!" she wanted to continue but seeing his look she just sighed in exasperation.

After giving Rias a look to keep quiet, Ichigo continued. "Koneko, much like Yuuto and Akeno, you have good grasp of the fundamentals, your prowess in martial arts is certainly nothing to scoff at based on the blows you were throwing at me. But, much like a sapling, there is still much room to grow, and many more things to learn and experience. But, above all that is the root of the problem that you and Akeno share with one another. Both of you are not using your full power. I don't understand why you do so. But I hope within the time we have here, you will at least try to tap into that potential." Her expressionless features shifted to a slightly saddened one, but otherwise she refused to meet his eyes after hearing his words.

Lastly.

Looking at Rias whose face might as well resemble a tomato. Ichigo could only stare perplexed at her.

Noticing that it was her turn, Rias spoke up just as he was about to say something.

"Ichigo, please listen you gotta-"

Not hearing her, Ichigo impatience finally burst.

"Not once, not twice, but thrice, you have interrupted me 3 times now Rias, what is so important that you can't wait after I'm done with the lesson? Well!?" Ichigo asked, his scowl deepening.

Clearly feeling embarrassed, but unknown to him, it wasn't just for her sake.

"Y…r…ck" barely above a whisper, her words could not be deciphered as she looked down.

"What? You're going to have to speak up, I can't hear you." Ichigo said as he moved closer to Rias who took a step back in panic.

"Your Dick!" she finally yelled in a panic, unable to contain her embarrassment any longer as she pointed at him.

Those words seemed to freeze Ichigo in place as he heard Rias yell that so suddenly. Confusion marred his features for a moment as his brain tried to process her sudden outburst.

"W-what?" it seemed he couldn't quite understand what she was alluding to.

It took only mere moments later when a passing breeze swept past him that he suddenly realized what Rias was talking about.

"…"

"…"

Silence pervaded the area as Ichigo and Co stared at one another.

Yuuto's awkward expression.

Akeno lascivious smile and leering gaze.

Koneko flustered expression.

And Rias who couldn't meet his eyes as she stared intently at his-

Snap*

Materializing clothes around his body, Ichigo who was fully clothed again after having his previous outfit be eradicated by Rias power of destruction, something he should have anticipated but didn't.

Realizing he has been exposing his junk this whole time without realizing it, Ichigo's expression shifted to match one of his namesakes.

Cough*

Embarrassed, Ichigo couldn't meet the people present in the eye as he shifted his looks past them.

"Let's forget this ever happened and I'll teach you all something cool tomorrow." Ichigo proposed with a reddened face.

No one said a word, though the amused expressions cast at him just made him die a little inside.

---

After that embarrassing ordeal, Ichigo called it a day, which afterwards he proceeded to conjure an entire mansion out of thin air, with furniture, decorations and other necessities like food and water.

Just what kind of power did he have to mess with reality like that? Though they were immensely curious, no one had the courage to ask him as he continued to scowl away. Clearly still flustered from earlier events much to their amusement.

"Anyways feel free to rest anywhere you want, and if you are feeling hungry there is food in the kitchen, I'll be in the study room if anyone needs me. With that, Ichigo walked away down the corridors leaving them to their own devices.

Watching Ichigo walk away, Rias turned to face her peerage. "Why don't we all freshen up before having some lunch, lets meet up in an hour alright." Rias ordered them as they nodded in agreement. After all, they had all worked up a sweat just standing before Ichigo, even now, the intensity of his aura and hardened gaze as he stared them down made them feel so…small. Just went to show what their time here was going to be like.

Still, others couldn't help but think differently.

Walking side by side with Rias, Akeno couldn't help but glance at her king in amusement.

"Aren't you a lucky girl, Rias." Akeno commented.

"Huh! What do you mean?" Rias questioned.

"Fufu~ don't play dumb, you know EXACTLY what I mean. Who knew strawberry-kun packed such POWER underneath." Her words had the reaction she intended as Rias ears started burning at the tips and a blush dusted her cheeks.

"Ahem, Akeno, I don't believe it's appropriate to discuss that, it was an embarrassing ordeal that shouldn't be mentioned anymore, least of all within earshot of Ichigo." Rias said in her attempt to change the subject.

"But why so shy my king~ after all, this is about your future husband, don't you want to know EVERYTHING about him before fully committing." Akeno said as she held her hands apart from one another in a 'this big' gesture before letting her hand close around in a jerk motion with her tongue poking out.

"Akeno!" flustered by her Queens actions, Rias blush deepened like an innocent maiden.

"Alright I'll stop." Her small laugh finding her kings reaction amusing. "Though now that I think about it, there have been times where you have gone to see him in his home haven't you?" Akeno asked.

"Yeah, what about it?" Rias felt a foreboding feeling as Akeno smile only widened.

Leaning in, Akeno whispered into her friends' ear.

"Has he popped your cherry then?"

Widening her eyes at Akeno's boldness to ask her such a question, Rias was about to scold her for overstepping her bounds when she suddenly had a brief thought that stopped her gait.

The first night she had with Ichigo, when they both had confessed their love for one another, when she and him shared a passionate make out session. Though nothing happened aside from kissing and cuddling between the two. The next morning, when he had pinned her to the bed with his strong arms, when she had provoked him, when he…exposed his "Soaring dragon in the clouds." Just the thought of that happening again in a more intimate manner made her ache in need.

"..as."

"Rias."

Snapping out of her thoughts from Akeno who seemed a little unsure of herself now, called out to her.

"D-Did you actually do it? No-WAIT, you did it and you never told me about it!" shaking Rias shoulders back and forth in dismay, Rias reacted by pushing akeno away.

"D-don't be ridiculous! My chastity is still mine and mine alone, and even if I had lost it, why would I tell you!?" Rias cried out, flustered by what Akeno had insinuated.

"Well, it's not like I'm against having my first time with him, in fact, I would love it if he pounced on me and ravaged me like a common whor-" Snapping out of it with that line of thought, Rias continued on, no longer willing to entertain her queen that followed after her with a grin on her face.

---

The next day at the training ground. Ichigo who had promised to show them something cool, had decided to impart a bit of his wisdom unto them by showing them the favorite speed technique of his home that anyone could use with a bit of training.

"The Flash step is a movement technique which allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. With the distinguishing factor being how fast someone can get from point A to point B in the least amount of steps." Ichigo explained as he showcased the technique by moving in a straight line in front of them.

Though he moved, to them it just looked like he teleported from one point to the other, as their eyes were unable to keep track of him.

"Footwork, speed, and agility are the primary components of this technique, it is also a component of Hohō; which is a defensive style of fighting that relies on high speed movements. Though we'll only focus on Flash step for now, before moving unto other disciplines." Ichigo explained as he ran circles around the group, creating after images while he explained.

Seeing their reactions, it would appear that only Yuuto was barely able to keep up with his slowest pace, whether that was due to his innate skill or that of his knight piece, it didn't matter, he would probably learn the technique faster than the others who couldn't even see him and just gave up on trying to keep up with him.

So for the next few hours he had the devils learn the basic footwork of flash step, as well as how to incorporate demonic power instead of spiritual power which is the main form to activate flash step.

Seeing them face plant into the dirt one after another, Ichigo couldn't help but laugh and cringe as some of them took some particularly nasty falls. Which in this case, Rias who was performing the technique to the best of her ability suddenly failed to follow up with the next step, stumbled and was sent flying through the air as she made contact with the dirt, causing her black sleeveless training uniform that clung to her like second skin to become covered in grime.

Walking up to Rias who had not gotten back up, he went to check up on her to make sure she was alright. "Nasty fall there, you alright Rias?" Ichigo asked as he watched Rias roll herself over unto her back.

Huff* Huff*

Slightly winded, her chest bobbed up and down as she took in deep breaths from the overuse of Flash step. One of the drawbacks as the more steps needed to perform the technique the more one becomes winded.

"Huff* Tell me again why we're doing this?" Rias questioned as she moved to sit up. Kneeling down next to her, Ichigo smiled in amusement at the annoyed look on her face.

"Because I said so." Casting him an unimpressed look, Ichigo chuckled for a moment. "It is for your benefit Rias, just because you're a mage type doesn't mean you can't have a good movement technique to get out of a sticky situation or move to a better vantage point. Sure, it will be hard at first, but I'm not expecting you to master it, merely to get the hang of it and for you to have another ace up your sleeve." Ichigo said to the disgruntled Rias.

"I mean just look at them, your peerage members are doing just fine." It was at that exact moment that a loud crash was heard as they both turned to see Kokeko faceplanted into the dirt with a trail following right behind her where she had most likely tripped. A single thumbs up with a silent "I'm Ok." Was all that was heard as the Rook slowly got back up to her feet.

"…"

Rias had unamused expression on her face as she looked back to him.

"hahah…" laughing awkwardly, Ichigo scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Anyways, look, Yuuto has gotten the hang of it already, I can already see him as a proficient user within the coming weeks." True to his words, Yuuto was running around the field, his form vanishing and appearing in various points as he used flash step time and time again. There was a look of excitement on his face as he tried the technique that allowed him to move faster than he had ever done before with just his natural speed.

"Yeah, but, Yuuto is my knight, if he wasn't at least capable of this, I would be very disappointed in him." Rias shook her head, though she was impressed that Yuuto was capable of performing the movement technique to a proficient degree, as expected of her knight.

"And look, Akeno while not as good as Yuuto can move in short bursts of speed." Akeno who had managed to perform the technique, though like Rias, sporting bruises here and there from many failures. Had managed to finally get the technique down, though much slower and in shorter distances, was still far better than eating dirt.

"Trust me, you'll get it down in no time, hell, Koneko is already starting to get it down too, just give it some time, no need to feel rushed here, we have as much time as we'll need. So, go out there and keep at it. As the king, you can't let your servants get the better of you after all." Ichigo joked as he stood up, reaching his hand down to Rias who finally relented and stood up.

"Perhaps, some motivation is all I need~" Rias said as she leaned into him, her body pressed against his.

"Oh~ and what kind of motivation does the Princess require." Ichigo smirked.

"Hmm, why don't I leave that to you to figure out." She mused, her fervid gaze meeting his own eager one. Passion stirred between the two as they stared deeply into one another, drinking in each other's presence as the air grew hotter between them. Leaning in, Rias could feel Ichigo;s breath on her lips, his fiery gaze rooting her in place as she closed her eyes and prepared herself to be dominated by his touch.

"If you are able to perform the flash step by the end of today, perhaps I'll reward you." With that whisper Ichigo took a step back from Rias embrace and watched her stunned expression morph into a cute pout.

"That not fair." She complained petulantly as her foot stomped the ground.

"Yeah well, I want results and you want attention, you're going to have to work for it." Ichigo smirked at her as she humphed and walked away to perform her task once again.

Like that another day went by.

Of course, Ichigo had his fair share of training separate from the others once he ended their session. So, standing alone in the open field as the rest of the devils rested inside, Ichigo had equipped the boosted gear: scale mail after performing balance break. Power overflowed his system as he wore the armor that represented the Red dragon emperors' former body. His senses were stretched to the extreme, scents and sounds from afar easily discernible to him. He could feel his strength and power multiply and his every motion as fluid and graceful as if the armor was like a second skin.

Truly, this was an amazing experience.

"So, how do you plan to achieve this lucrative idea of yours, need I remind you we only have a few weeks' time. The process of obtaining a sub-species requires intimate knowledge and constant use of the wearer to develop." Ddraig informed him.

"Simple really." Ichigo said as he stretched for a bit.

"Hoh, and what could that be, partner." Ddraig questioned.

"Tell me, do you know the process of breaking down something only for it to be repaired and grow stronger for it." Ichigo continued. "Well, think of the armor like a muscle, it is a living thing, your very essence turned into an armor as tough and as strong as your former body. So, how does one constantly grow and improve their body?" Ichigo asked.

"Well, dragons don't normally grow like that, but I think I understand your point." Ddraig seemed to understand what he was getting at.

"Only by constantly subjecting your armor to battle, through the experience we accumulate, through having it break and rebuilt time and time again, will we achieve a most sublime form. A form suited and personalized to its wielders taste." Ichigo concluded as he ripped a hole in the space between realms.

"But who would have the power necessary to cause such an evolution?" Ddraig voiced his concern.

Walking into an empty void, Ichigo let his mind reshape it into a grand colosseum, one in which warriors of old would prove their strength through the shedding of blood and the struggle of life.

"That." Summoning his sword, the midnight hue of his Tensa Zangetsu buried the light in its eternally blackened edge.

"Is." Stabbing the sword in the ground.

"Where." The sword oozed a smoky trail as a shadowed form took shape.

"He comes in." the shadowed figure grasped the hilt of the sword in a tight grip, and with one fluid motion cast the darkness away from his body.

Golden eyes peered into the green jeweled ones of his dragon helm, their resplendent light shining in his visor. Spiky orange hair and a cocky smile on him. The mirror image of himself, if not his adult version smirked at him as he made his appearance after a good long while.

"I believe this is where the fun begins, wouldn't you agree Ichigo." The Monarch smiled as he took a few swings with Tensa Zangetsu, the familiar blade he had wielded since he can remember, finally reunited with him once more.

"Don't hold back, you know what's at stake." Ichigo said seriously as he moved into a battle stance.

"Of course, but remember, this is also for your benefit, learn from me, learn of what you can achieve, and emulate it." Taking a stance, the Monarch pointed his sword at him.

"This is still only the beginning."

With that the two exploded into action.

---

Walking out of the portal, Ichigo's battered and bruised body regenerated at an impressive speed, yet the physical trauma he had went through left him feeling exhausted beyond belief.

"Damn old man, would it have killed him to hold back on some of those hits! he literally shattered my armor like it was nothing, I didn't even have time to muster a defense." After a grueling session, Ichigo cursed the Monarch in his head. Wait, wouldn't that mean he was cursing himself too? Damn it, how hard did he hit his head.

Having had his armor break after each exchange over and over again, keeping up with the Monarch had been an ordeal, like a fight between life and death where only a thin line existed between the two. Sure, he had fought bravely and with everything he had, but at the end of the day, he was using unfamiliar power whereas the Monarch had their prized Zangetsu. Years of knowledge and experience only went so far, and the old man had that in spades as he had only learned a little over half of that experience. So, he was only half the Monarch that he should be.

Still, he had managed to emulate his battle style and experience through the scale mail in such a way that had Ddraig and the Monarch praising him for his efforts. This in a way alluded to how the armor would adapt to the wielders fighting style.

Overall it was a worthwhile endeavor that will be repeated until he had achieved his goal.

Having made his way to his room to take a shower and freshen up. Ichigo enjoyed the feeling of the hot water pelting against his skin as he washed the grime off him. Putting on a black bathrobe, Ichigo exited the bathroom once he was done and enjoyed some time to relax for a bit. Having had Rias and her peerage learn Flash step all day to then leave them to their own devices. It was good to see that progress was being made, what with Rias finally able to perform Flash step to an adequate level, truly, they all were bundles of potential ready to blossom one day.

Pouring himself some wine he had conjured from thin air, Ichigo grabbed the glass of the familiar red liquid he had drank with the Kiana and the rest. A fond smile settled on his features as he remembered that night.

"Once this is over, perhaps I should spend some more time with them. I'm quite intrigued by them, but, more so of Kevin's descendant, Kiana Kaslana. I wonder, how attune she is to her bloodline, how far has she come in awakening her power of finality." Though it was no secret that the descendants of the Monarchs had access to the same power as them, it was only to a lesser degree as only one could completely claim dominion over said authority. This coming from the research that Kisuke had done on the subject when Eduan kept fathering children one after another. That horny bastard.

Much like if how one day he decided to start a family, his children would most certainly have the power of Victory in their blood, but they would never hold the same level of authority with it as he did for that power was his domain.

A sudden thought crossed his mind on the subject of children, and a melancholic look appeared on his face as he reminisced of the past.

"What would our children look like? Would they have your beautiful golden eyes and orange hair? Or would they resemble me? What do you think Ichigo~" Her beautiful smile that lit his heart afire made his eyes shoot up in surprise at her question.

"Children? Well, with any luck they will hopefully resemble you, my love~ after all, wouldn't want them to be born with my face right." He chuckled as he held his dearest, her pink lustrous eyes staring at him as her lips quirked into a teasing grin.

"Ah~ but I love that handsome face of yours, it makes your manly looks more pronounced and heroic. If we were to have a son, I would very much wish for him to resemble his glorious father." Elysia said as her delicate and beautiful hands softly touched his face as she caressed him. Briefly closing his eyes, Ichigo leaned into her feathered touch.

Warm.

Grasping her hand that caressed him, Ichigo lowered it down to his lips as he kissed it gently.

"If we were to have a daughter, I would be most delighted if she resembled her dazzling mother, who is like the brightest and most beautiful star of all."

"Fufu~ you know just what to say to make my heart flutter don't you, my King~"

"Anything for you~"

Starting from her hand down to her shoulder.

"Always for you…"

Up her neck and to her delicate lips.

"I would never hesitate."

That night had been one of passionate desire and love making.

Downing the drink, Ichigo thought over that fond memory. Though he had never sired any children due to the war that had him busy at all times with barely any room to consider the idea of being a father. It was one of Elysia's heartfelt wishes that went unfulfilled as she too had greater responsibilities that had need of her attention.

Sigh*

Refilling his drink, Ichigo wondered of the possibility.

---

Time passed quickly in the realm Ichigo made, well quickly in the sense that the days just blend in after a while. Wake up early in the morning, train in one thing or other, from fighting techniques in hand to hand, to learning movement techniques and footwork, to personalized training that best suited their style.

Koneko learning the arts of hakuda and hohō, as well as spiritual based abilities like Kido. As the weeks went by and they got closer to one another, Koneko who developed a sense of fondness for Ichigo and his caring nature, confided in him as to why she had not used her true strength in the beginning. From revealing the fact that she was a rare species of nekomata called nekoshou, to her dark past in which she and her older sister had been taken in by a devil family after the death of their parents. To how her sister had killed their former master after losing control of her power and going berserk. Which had led to her sister fleeing, leaving her behind to be sentenced to death, though it never came as she was saved by Rias who reincarnated her as a devil due to the efforts of her brother Sirzechs.

Ichigo simply reacted by softly rubbing koneko's hair, in much the same way one would a child. Much to Koneko's annoyance. Still, Ichigo expressed his worry for her, for what she had to go through at such a young age, but, he did not take pity on her, for doing so would be a disservice to her for developing the courage in revealing her past to him. While they had only known each other for a short time, a bond had developed between the two, one of student and teacher but also…

"Onii-san…"

That day, Ichigo could have sworn he felt his heart stop beating for a moment as he saw the adorable look on Koneko's face as she called him that at the end of a long day of training.

Yuuto for his training learned sword techniques from Ichigo who revealed to him his prized Tensa Zangetsu, just looking at the blade had made Yuuto want to kneel at its magnificence. For all of his power in being the wielder of sword birth, he had never seen such a dangerous yet beautiful blade.

Ichigo sparred many times with Yuuto who was like an unrefined blade, yet through every match, through every loss, Yuuto could feel himself become "Sharper" as Ichigo put it. He thought him to wield his intent, to focus his anger and rage that was buried deep inside and wield it like a sword pointed at his enemies. From flash step to certain Hohō techniques as well as teaching him one of his own personalized techniques.

"Third sword: Slaughter."

Whipping his sword at indescribable speeds, all Yuuto could perceive was a golden flash all around, each one happening at the same as each other, cleaves and slashes erupting like a storm within a domain of 25 meter radius. Through that storm, Ichigo appeared to be unmoving, even as the barren ground and everything within was dismantled to nothing by strikes so precise they atomized it. At the end, Ichigo stood in a perfect circular field he had carved with his sword alone, looking as relaxed as if he had not just performed thousands upon thousands of slashes in a mere second of unsheathing his sword.

Wondering how he could perform such an attack, Ichigo first taught him the basics of what was needed to perform it. From his center of gravity, his footing, the way his wrist and grip should be positioned. The technique wasn't a simple craze of random slashes, they were purposeful and directed, each one transitioning from one slash to the other in an immaculate storm of blooming effect. Other such things involved from expanding or contracting the radius of the attack to encircle a perfect domain of death within. He showed him how to mix his demonic energy to his blades and condense it all to the blades edge.

By this point Yuuto and Ichigo had grown quite close to one another with Yuuto recognizing Ichigo as a great sensei, and for that he had his respect.

Akeno for her part spent time reading the various spells and incantations of the disciplines of Kido; mainly Hadō as she was well versed in the way of offensive type spells and wished to see what new branches she could explore. So, aside from teaching her some of the basic incantations and some high level kido spells, Ichigo mainly left Akeno to her own devices as she wished to engross herself in the wealth of knowledge that was the library he built out of his own mind. Though he desired to see her use that inborn power she had, Ichigo would respect Akeno's wishes if she wanted to keep it to herself. After all, everyone was entitled to their own secrets, all he could offer was advice and lead them down the right path if they desired, he wouldn't force them unless they thought themselves ready.

Though if he did have something tiny to complain about, it would the advances she had been pulling on him every time he went to check on her training. Seriously, she was as bad if not worse than Rias in that regard, he would always feel like his chastity was at stake when he was with her. Well, he'd just leave it as Akeno being Akeno.

Rias on the other hand.

"Look closely, I will show you how to truly draw in that power of yours." Ichigo said as he flexed his index finger in front of him. Pointing it towards the horizon. Drawing within the vast reserves of spiritual energy, Ichigo let a golden spark form in front of his finger that expanded and condensed, turning the vortex into an orb of compressed spiritual power.

All it took was but a single nudge of his finger for the orb to turn into an expanding beam that charged forwards, incinerating anything and anything its path till it collided with the edge of the world.

BOOM*

A blinding light consumed the horizon in golden radiance, shining brighter than the fake sun in this world. It was but a few moments later that a massive shockwave expanded outwards, flattening the grasslands and causing fierce winds to assail them, forcing Rias to brace herself as she was beset by the shockwave that followed. Her hair fluttering everywhere.

With the winds dying down, Rias looked back up to where the massive mushroom cloud was now dissipating as the cracked shield that surrounded this world was repairing itself from Ichigo's fierce attack. Though she had seen her fair share of devastation from watching Rating games, along with her brother showing off from time to time in front of her, but even then, they held back, or never had to use so much power lest they caused irreparable damage to the world. But, here, free of that constraint, Ichigo had shown her power that could lay waste to entire nations with put a flick of his finger.

Her inner devil reveled in his power as she witnessed the devastation while fear and arousal warred in her body as she thought of such power.

Having finished his demonstration, Ichigo called back to Rias who simply stared transfixed at the horizon where his attack had breached the "worlds" barriers.

"So, tell me, what did you feel from that, did you see the process of what I did when I created the "Cero." Ichigo asked at the gobsmacked Rias.

Calming herself down, Rias went over what she had felt as she felt Ichigo's power create the Cero. "Well, I sensed no Leakage, no wasted effort or power, an efficient process in which all of it went to a single attack in a state of constant expansion and compression several times over. Till it was so tightly condensed that the orb might as well have been a miniature sun." Rias explained.

"Good, now then I want you to practice this, from what I've seen of your…Extinguished star was it? It is an amazing technique that you've developed. Packing a lot of power as well as having the ability to track targets and attract things like a singularity. Although slow, it is a sure win technique if used properly. Still, the process in which you use it is unrefined to say the least, wasted demonic energy, it tends to become unstable the moment its unleashed and otherwise not exactly efficient in terms of single target elimination as the attack tends to wash over. In simple terms you designed an attack meant for multiple targets into a single target attack." Ichigo explained as he went over her abilities.

"Isn't your Cero similar to my technique?" Rias questioned as she compared her extinguished star to his Cero.

"Perhaps visually, but not in function." Ichigo went on to explain. "The Cero is a versatile attack used in many ways with various techniques involved that can change the output and function. For example, what you just saw was but the most basic form of the cero, a single concentrated beam attack that's meant to obliterate everything in its linear direction. Being both fast and destructive at the same time." He continued.

"A more experienced user could create a smaller or bigger output, as well as being able to generate a Cero from any part of their body like an omnidirectional attack, as well as shoot dozens if not hundreds of Cero's at the same time with both the same yield and speed as what I just showed you." Ichigo smirked as Cero's began to form around his body without him doing anything but stand there in front of Rias who seemed shocked at his words.

"Of course, there are more variations of the Cero like the Gran Rey Cero which combines the users' blood to give the Cero greater attack power and speed which in some cases can even disturb the fabric of space as it travels." Ichigo continued.

"And the last and strongest, would be the Cero Oscuras, simply put, it has the abilities to rip space and time apart. By the act of performing the attack, it has already Annihilated the target, for its function is destruction itself, that is its causality." It would be way too risky to perform it here as he knew that his subspace would simply shatter at the mere act of him trying to charge the attack.

Though he didn't perform it in front of her, Rias knew that Ichigo wasn't the type to say nonsense like that. Still, a part of her was eager to learn these techniques, just how powerful could she become, she had seen its destructiveness, and her blood called to her to relish in devastation.

"When can I start?" Rias asked eagerly.

"Now." Ichigo smirked.

With that, Ichigo had passed on a bit of his teachings unto his students, it was now up to them to see if they could produce results in their training, all he could offer now was guidance.

---

Rias who had been in the library, which might she add was quite impressive as it carried various books on magic formulas, history, theory, myths and legends, as well as a repertoire of grimoires, spellbooks, and a collection of cultivation manuals and scrolls on techniques focusing on the martial arts to sword arts. It was a grand collection that many nobles back in the underworld would kill to have.

As she picked up a random book on the shelf to flip through, Rias noticed a figure walking by, looking up from her book, she saw that it was Ichigo who looked worse for wear with his uniform covered in dirt and cuts, a few holes here and there and he looked like he just came from a warzone.

"What kind of training has he been going through!?" She couldn't help but think as she saw him disappear around the corner.

Though he had set aside some training to prepare himself for the upcoming duel, Rias worried that he was inadvertently pushing himself a little too much. What with him also taking the time to teach them as well as assign them a training regimen that was personalized to fit their needs.

Putting the book back into the shelf, Rias walked out of the library and followed after Ichigo.

In this artificial world that mimicked earths cycle of day and night in a 24-hour rotation, the act of telling the days gone and done was easy. With a mere two weeks left till the end of the training period and Ichigo's duel with the representative of the underworld. It was looking like a close call for Ichigo as he thought over the fact that he had yet to achieve his desired goal.

"What am' I doing wrong? I can feel that I'm at the cusp of something, but I just can't grasp it, I'm missing something but what is it?" Ichigo who had been training every afternoon to evening with the Monarch, he could feel himself become stronger through every exchange. Every trick, every move, like watching a mirror, he saw himself performing attacks that he had only seen in his dreams, reawakening the monarch that he was, making him more complete. But, that wasn't what he was after, sure, he might win if he just used the abilities he had as a Monarch. Though the consequences would be dire as he didn't doubt that among the old devils within the new regime would recognize him in a heartbeat. That and he didn't want to have to explain himself to past enemies on why he was stepping on their turf and trying to court the sister of the new Satan Lucifer himself.

Yeah, that would be a conversation he could do without.

That and devils are notorious snitches that would give away his location to his enemies that lied in wait.

Assholes.

Lost in thought as he was, Ichigo failed to notice the red head at his side till she called out his name, startling him in the process.

"Ichigo~" she singsong. Her voice rousing his consciousness back to him.

"Rias!?" startled, Ichigo called out to her in surprise.

"My~ what is with that look on your face. Don't tell me, did I catch you offguard." She asked, though the amused look on her face said it all.

"Haha, you always find a way to do that." Shaking his head, Ichigo let her have her fun.

"Oh is that so? What had you so lost in thought anyways? Perhaps, were you thinking about me~" Rias teased, trying to get a reaction out of him.

"Hmm, yes, actually, you've been in my mind as of late." Ichigo stated matter of fact.

"…"

Stopping in place, Ichigo looked back to Rias who had suddenly stopped moving, her eyes widened in surprise.

"You alright there, Rias?" Ichigo asked.

"Huh? Ah! I mean yes!, Ahem, so what exactly were you thinking about?" Rias asked as she fiddled with a lock of her hair, her eyes everted from him.

"Hmm, just thinking about all the challenges I'll probably be facing when the day comes I fight for your hand." Ichigo said as he continued, unaware of the blushing maiden at his side.

"O-oh is that so? You don't have to worry about it too much, I'm sure everything will be alright. I have full confidence that you will win no matter who may stand against you after witnessing your power these last few weeks." Rias stated, smiling at the prospect that despite his busy schedule, Ichigo could still have such leisure thoughts as having her in mind.

"Really? That's good, it warms my heart knowing that my lady has full confidence in my victory." Ichigo teased Rias who's smiled back at him.

"It wouldn't do well if the bride didn't support her fiancée." Rias stated, making Ichigo face her.

Before anything else could be said, Ichigo and Rias had arrived at his room.

"Coming in?" Ichigo asked.

"Of course." With that the two entered.

It was a wide room, a king size bed filling up the room, a sofa with a coffee table taking up the center, a bathroom, a closet, a door that let out to a balcony. Looking around the room, the walls were decorated by portraits and paintings of long fought battles. Overall the room gave a rather homely feeling.

"Nice room." Rias complimented.

"Thanks." Making herself comfortable, Rias waited as Ichigo went to get a quick shower after his training session. While she waited, Rias decided to take a quick look at the paintings in the room.

"Hmm…" It was a sad scene, a little boy buried in the rubble of what she presumed to be his home. Though not all was despair as a silver lining came in the form of a hooded figure in white. An old man reaching his hand down upon the poor child in an act of compassion, while the dark clouds parted, casting a single ray of light on them upon their meeting.

Hope.

Walking on to the next painting.

Time had quickly passed here, the boy, now a man, looked up to the high heavens, here as he held a sword to the sky, a proclamation of something, the dark clouds parting to illuminate him, the ray of light in a world of darkness. What could it mean?

Resolve.

Moving on.

The next painting, depicted a large tree, impossible huge that it seemed to hold all of the stars in its canopy, its roots digging deep into the world. Below the tree stood two men, one young one old. The old man held a shining orb in hand as if to give it to the younger one. A gift perhaps.

Choice.

A figure wandering the world in peril, in his wake, the world was illuminated, bringing light to the darkness, behind, several figures walked, followers perhaps. A brilliant city in the background.

Renewal.

Garbed in brilliant golden regalia, the man stood at the center, at his side, 12 individuals, each illustrious as the one in the center, above them crowns of radiance, symbols of power, a coronation or ascension to power.

Dominion.

A large battle, monsters of indescribable appearance, a figure stood at the helm of a golden army, his blackened sword pointing forwards.

War.

A machine and a demon stood before the 13 kings. Their enormous forms made to be intimidating, but otherwise the monarchs stood bravely before the hordes of flesh and metal.

Defiance.

A table, one in which they all looked saddened, grief, pain, anger, acceptance, so many emotions as they dined together. Yet, the one in the center smiled kindly, as if resolved to face the hardships forward.

Courage.

A lone radiant figure stood before a mass of darkness, no form to be seen as if the mere depiction of it would drive someone mad if they learned of its true form.

Adversity.

A blinding light enveloped the world, the sword finding perches in the heart of the evil being.

Victory.

On his knees, the boy that had become a man, a leader, a king, a champion, a hero and savior, laid dying as the spear found its way into his own heart. The world dimmed at his passing as a brilliant light was robbed, and so it wept. Yet it could not look away from the sad smile that carried such heavy emotion in that single gesture.

Sacrifice.

Staring at the paintings, Rias who had been transfixed by them found that it told a story, whose story, she did not know, but it was a rather…how should she put it.

Meaningful.

It was heavy, and courageous at the same time, full of hope and adversity, the story of a hero's journey, only that it was one with a sad ending.

That was a shame. Rias liked happy endings.

"Sorry I kept you waiting." Ichigo said as he wore a white bath robe. His wet hair and exposed chest calling out to Rias as she broke herself from her musings.

"It's alright, better yet, why don't we spend sometime together today, I noticed that you seemed a bit stressed. Perhaps talking will help alleviate you of some of that burden." Rias commented as she took a seat with Ichigo doing the same.

"Not sure what there is to say. I'd like to think that I have everything under control, so don't worry Rias, I'm fine." Ichigo said as he played it cool.

"How can you say that, I understand that I have inadvertently put you in a difficult position, as such, its only right that I hear you out, after all, it was rather spontaneous when it happened." Rias stated.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I probably should have asked how you felt about the situation before deciding on my own, I just…Hah, I couldn't hold back anymore when I saw you crying. How they decided your fate without taking in your opinions or feelings in the matter. I understand that your kind is in a rough spot, but, just because that's the case it doesn't mean they can just throw you to the wolves over some 'for the greater good' nonsense." Ichigo said as he poured himself and Rias a drink.

"Don't worry, you did exactly as I had hoped, for without you, I'd probably be already married to that bastard Riser." Rias confessed as she took a sip from the wine.

"We'll it's as I said before, you're mine Rias, always and forever, as long as you need me, as long as you love me. I will always stand at your side. For the good, and the bad." Ichigo said as he downed his drink.

"And that's exactly why I love you, Ichigo~" Rias said as she scooted closer to him, touching shoulders as she looked up at him.

"Oh, and what exactly do you love about me~" Ichigo asked as he refilled his glass.

"Well, if you must know~ I love that headstrong personality of yours, your commanding aura as you stifle the room with your very presence. I Love that you are so caring to those you see as friends and family, that you would go so far to protect the ones you care about. I love that charming smile of yours, so pure and innocent, like a radiant star. I Love the way you say my name, like I'm the only woman in the world for you. I love the way you hold me, your strong arms like thick trunks to shield me and protect me from the cruelties of the world. I could say a hundred things, a thousand things, but it would all be meaningless if my actions don't respond my desires." She said with alluring gaze in her eyes.

Ichigo who had been transfixed by Rias confession until now, truly hearing her inner feelings as she told him all the things she loved about him. It made Ichigo's heart stir in emotion as he immersed himself in those aquamarine eyes of hers. Still, something about that last part caught Ichigo off guard as Rias proceeded to place her hand on his chest.

It was a soothing feeling, the way her hands explored his torso. His toned body and wide chest rippling at her touch. Like a feather, the smooth skin gave him both a soft and ardent feeling as he felt her hands press down on him from time to time. Feeling his abs as delicate fingers went down on them like piano keys, wanting to hear the soft moans of his melody.

Trailing a water droplet down his head, passed his neck and slowly descending down his body, Rias who had been fondling Ichigo till now, could not take her eyes away from it. Pushing Ichigo down on the sofa as he was caught off guard by her unexpected action, he could feel her ardent gaze staring down at him.

"Rias…" calling out her name, Ichigo didn't know why he did so, all he knew was that his body felt alight as blood rushed through his body.

Undoing the knot of his robe, Rias soon found herself staring down upon his magnificent body, like a work of art, she could see just how much effort Ichigo put into growing stronger just by gazing at his toned body and hard muscles. Going down, Ichigo could feel her hot breath as Rias proceeded to sensually lick his abs over and over, her moist and warm tongue giving a pleasurable sensation as she trailed her tongue over his body.

Rias could taste the faint salty texture of sweat on his body, along with the scent of his shampoo as she engrossed herself with his abs and chest, hmm, strawberry~ shifting between licking him and trailing kisses across his damp body, Rias enjoyed herself with his faint moans as she pleasured him with her ministrations. Every touch a feather delight of gentleness, followed by the grasp of hunger as she felt the need for Ichigo grow more and more. Hovering on all fours over him, Rias ran her soft, supple lips over his body, stopping right at his collarbone as she whispered up at her beloved.

"Ichigo~ tell me, what do you love about me?" She asked as she kissed his neck and caressed his face with her hands.

Her warm touch elicited sighs of pleasure from him, but, nonetheless heeded her words. "I…love your smile, the way it shines through even in my dreams. I love that you are so kind, so compassionate, and even more so, to see so much passion within one person. You are like a flame, so bright and warm, despite your own innate nature of destruction, you hold such a value for life and virtue. It is more than I could hope." Placing his hand under her chin, Ichigo made her look up at him.

"I love your eyes, like gems, full of desire and ambition."

Unable to contain her desire, Rias locked her lips with Ichigo as she kissed him.

"What else~" She gently whispered, wanting to hear more sweet nothings.

"I love…the way your lips steal the breath out of me, the way your beautiful voice calls out to me, with every word full of love and sensuality.

Chu*

Kissing him from his lips to his neck, collar bone, and chest, Rias continued going down on him, leaving a trail of kisses in her wake.

"Haah…" Ichigo breathlessly let out a faint moan upon her touch as she caressed his weary body. Grueling sessions with the Monarch the cause of his exhaustion.

Rias who could faintly hear the sighs of pleasure from her beloved, could no longer contain herself as she felt her body burning in yearning. For so long, when she first started to develop feelings for the orange haired man, when she confessed to him, when she shared the night with him, when he protected her, when he began to teach her, each time, each encounter, she could not help but want to think of the possibility of going back to that same morning, the way they both drowned in one another.

She wanted to go further, and her body urged her with a need.

Stopping for a moment, Rias sat up suddenly, snapping Ichigo from his haze as he saw Rias begin to undress. Widening his eyes in surprise, he saw Rias slip the black shirt of her training uniform over her head, exposing her bare tits for him to see as they bounced from having been freed of their confines.

"No bra!?"

"Ah~ much better." Giving Ichigo a lascivious smile as she saw his surprise, yet, she could not mistake the feeling of something poking her from the back.

"Like what you see~" grabbing her alluring tits that looked soft to the touch, the tits that every man had dreamed of seeing, the tits that only Ichigo has had the privilege of seeing. Rias fondled them in front of him, pressing them together, and causing them to bounce as she jerked her body all the while grinding herself onto his hard rod with her silky black shorts that accentuated her shapely ass.

Ichigo could not take his eyes off the mesmerizing sight of Rias playing with herself in front of him, his gaze tracking every movement, even as he felt his member grow harder from her ministrations.

Hovering back over him, Rias placed one of her hands over the arm rest, while her boobs hung over Ichigo like tantalizing fruits within reach as he laid on the couch.

"Go on, touch me, Ichigo." Rias smirked at him, her eyes full of want as she awaited his reaction.

Whatever restraint Ichigo had clung to this whole time, no longer mattered.

Grabbing unto her breasts with both hands, Ichigo first instinct was to give them a firm squeeze.

"Ahn~" a soft moan escaped Rias lips as he squeezed her breasts.

They were soft, silky smooth, and most importantly of all…

"My hands can't even completely cover them!"

They were BIG!

Letting his fingers sink into her bouncy delights, Ichigo fondled them, enjoying the feeling in his hands as he played with them.

"Always teasing me with these."

Rubbing his thumbs over her pink nipples, it elicited a sharp moan from Rias as he pressed on them like buttons, he could feel them harden at his touch the more he rubbed them, even pinching them, drawing more cries from Rias who was feeling ultra-sensitive with her tits.

Pressing them together, Ichigo raised himself as he proceeded to take the two pink nubs into his mouth, relishing in the cry of pleasure he drew from her as he sucked and nibbled on them like they were the tastiest treat in the world.

"Hah! Ichigo!" she cried as her grip on the armrest faltered, allowing Ichigo to get a better mouthful of her fat tits. Be it sucking on them both or biting on them, Ichigo would roll her hardened nipples his tongue, sometimes focusing on one while fondling the other. All the while Rias would let out a cute mewl from time to time much to his enjoyment.

Still, Rias wasn't planning to simply satisfy Ichigo like this.

Rubbing her plump ass over his rod, she let the form fitting shorts she had on slide up and down his shaft, feeling the warmth pulse of his cock rubbing against her at the same time. She could feel herself become wet the more her ass rubbed against it, that and his fondling of her boobs was sending shocks of pleasure through her body that had her moaning and gritting her teeth from the pleasure.

"Ichigo…sit up for a second." Rias said breathlessly as she released herself from his grasp.

Coming back to his senses Ichigo did as told, seeing Rias getting off from him, he already felt himself missing her touch. Still, what came next, left him feeling a different, more intense sensation of pleasure.

"Rias…"

Seeing her go down on her knees, with her face inches away from his penis, it was the touch of her dainty hand that grasped his cock that elicited a grunt of pleasure from him. Her hand so soft and smooth, like fine silk or velvet as slender fingers attempted to encircle his girth but failed to do so as his rod was simply too big for her small hand to grasp fully. Even so, as she began to slide her hand up and down his member, Ichigo could do nothing but enjoy the sensation of her hand jerking him off.

It wasn't long till precum started forming at the tip of his cock, the clear liquid attracting Rias attention as she looked upon it curiously. Opening her mouth, Ichigo felt her breath on his member as she did the unexpected, and sent a shiver of pleasure up his spine. Sliding her moist tongue out, she began from the underside of his shaft, and slowly made her way up his erection, all the way up to the glans where she rolled her tongue over it, and gave his urethra a few experimental licks, tasting his precum.

"Hmm, its surprisingly sweet, not at all how some described it." Rias remarked as she gave her evaluation.

"Uh, thanks?" Ichigo wasn't sure how to take that compliment.

"Still, you're not feeling satisfied just yet right Ichigo, I still have something I want to test out ever since I first laid my eyes on this beast!" Rias said as she jerked his penis up and down.

"Just let me take care of you from here…" Kissing his head, Rias alluring eyes and lascivious smile made his heartbeat begin to quicken.

"All you have to do is enjoy~" With those last words, Rias parted her lips as she took him in.

"Ooh~"

A Euphoric sensation shot through his body, as his dick was enveloped in a pleasant warmth, like sinking one's body into hot water. A softness combined with a wet feeling as his member found itself slowly enveloped by Rias mouth. Her tongue massaging his glans and urethra, creating obscene noises as she continued to swallow him, taking him deeper and deeper…

"Hah…"

The sight of those rosy lips slowly inching down, trying to swallow him down to the base as they puckered around his girth. The way she struggled to take even a bit more of him inside of her as her breath came in harsher as his member plunged itself down her throat. All the while she massaged his shaft with her soft tongue, her eyes staring up at him, he could see them almost wanting to role back but didn't.

"You look like a slut with that face you're making." Though it sounded like an insult, it just turned Ichigo on even more seeing his beloved Rias making such a face, especially when he was used to seeing her act serious and well-mannered in front of the school.

"What would- Hah~ your peerage think, seeing their king making such an obscene expression, the students at school who adore you so much. Look at you sucking my cock off like it's the tastiest lollipop you've had." Despite his rude words, Rias could only feel herself getting wetter the more he dirty talked her. It was also just as she finished taking his member in fully, right down to base.

"Oooh~"

Ichigo moaned as Rias had completely swallowed him down to the base. Her tongue sticking out as they licked the underside of his member and massaged his balls, twirling them in her tongue as she did so. His dick throbbing in anticipation.

It was at that moment as he stared down at Rias who looked back up at him, that she began to slowly pull out slowly. His dick; slicked in saliva gleamed under the light of candles as Rias lips created a slurping sound as she sucked him off, creating a vacuum effect that could rival the Monarch of void in intensity as he felt himself about to cum from the pleasure alone.

"Ooh~"

Though Ichigo technically had a lot of sexual experience, that was the past version of him, all he had was the memories that he experienced in his dreams, while pleasant, didn't translate to the real thing. This current body of his had yet to feel the touch of a woman, his virgin body unaccustomed to the pleasures of the flesh.

Which is why he had to control himself lest he cum there and then as Rias stopped at the tip, puckering her lips on it as she caressed it with her tongue, lapping up his precum as she did so, enjoying the taste of his essence.

Still, that one movement she performed was not all, it was just the beginning. Once more Rias began to deepthroat him, following into a rhythm of bobbing her head up and down his shaft, leaving her juices on his cock as she did so.

Lick* Lick* Slurp* Slurp*

It was slow at first, but the tempo kept increasing, the pressure intensifying as she sucked him off, squeezing him in her tight throat as she did so, while her tongue aggressively slid across his cock, pleasuring him.

Unable to take it any longer, Ichigo who had been sitting rigidly as he restrained himself from wanting to cum, stood up as he grabbed unto Rias head with both hands, surprising her by his tight grip as he began to thrust himself in and out.

"Mn* Slurp* Mn* Ahn* Mn*

He didn't care for how aggressively he was holding her or how fast and hard he was thrusting himself down her tight throat, he just wanted that sweet sweet release as he could feel himself about to cum any moment now.

"Just a little more…" Watching her luscious lips sliding across his shaft, the way her hazy eyes seemed to roll back as he thrusted furiously into her mouth, he could only contain himself for so long till he felt overcome with lust.

"Rias!" unable to hold it anymore, with one more mighty thrust, Ichigo sheathed himself to the hilt into Rias tight throat, allowing his hot, steamy spunk to shoot ropes after ropes of cum straight down her throat.

HAaaahhh~*

A moan of pleasure escaped his lips as he felt the heavenly feeling envelop his body as he let his throbbing cock shoot his backed-up semen down her tight, warm, and moist throat. He had leaned himself in causing Rias to have to arch her back as she supported herself with one arm while the other held unto his hip. His balls having smacked against her chin as they trembled and throbbed repeatedly as his sperm kept coming, gushing out like a torrent.

How long has it been since he had felt this good?

"Swallow all of it!" he said aggressively.

Riding the high out, Ichigo stayed impaled unto her throat, even as he felt her struggling for breath, he would not pull out until every ounce of cum he had accumulated was pumped into her.

"Ooh~ Mn~ Haah~"

A few seconds later as he felt the last of his cum shoot down her pipe, did Ichigo finally begin to pull out, all the while Rias sucked whatever was left in his balls into her voracious mouth.

With a Pop* did Ichigo's cock slid out from her mouth, covered in juices of both Rias saliva and a bit of cum that Rias failed to suck off from him. Watching that expression of euphoria she had, even as she struggled to breath and near suffocation, even as her eyes rolled back, he couldn't help but get himself hard again as he watched her swallow his cum in gulps, not letting any of it go to waste as she savored it.

Gulp* Gulp* Haah*

With a sigh, Rias tear stained eyes slid open as her mouth also opened wide, showing that she had swallowed all of his cum without chocking on it.

"That's my princess~" Ichigo complimented her as she successfully swallowed his cum without spilling; talk about a natural.

Grasping her chin, Ichigo leaned down and kissed her lips gently, far different from the brute he had been just a few minutes ago. But, if anyone were to ask Rias, she would have said that she had enjoyed being treated so roughly by her beloved. A mere object to his sexual desires.

Had anyone asked Ichigo, he would have said he felt a sick sense of sadism as he emptied himself into a member of the race he once called enemy. To take a noble lady of the 72 pillars and have his way with her, especially as she was the sister to the current lucifer whose predecessor was once his enemy. It filled him with a feeling of conquest.

"Now be a dear as clean this off will ya." Ichigo ordered, his erect member facing her, much to her delight as she began to clean his shaft from whatever remnants of cum clung to it along with glistening it in her own juices.

Slurp* Slurp* Pop*

"There, all clean~" Rias cooed as she rubbed her cheek against his rod.

Laying on the couch, Ichigo basked in the afterglow of his intense orgasm. Still, as his mind cleared and body cooled, his muscles relaxed, did Ichigo suddenly felt like asking questions.

"How are you so good at this?" Ichigo asked, referring to her fellatio.

"Hmm, oh, I learned from my mother who talked about it from time to time to tease me when she brought up the subject of sex, that and my own curiosity led me to…experiment from time to time with some of my 'toys.'" She revealed, though the light blush on her face spoke about how embarrassed she felt at revealing that.

"Well, I guess I ought to thank your mother, that was out of this world. I never expected it from you Rias, despite your personality and nature as a being of sin, you are surprisingly bashful and pure. To think my princess had such skills~" Ichigo teased.

"Hmm~ If you win the coming duel there will be more where that came from." She declared as she got up, sitting herself on his lap, though not before removing her shorts, exposing a lace black thong.

"Every day and night, I could give you pleasure that you have never experienced before, I would let you have your way with my body in every way possible should you desire." She whispered tantalizingly as she grasped his member, slipped aside her panties as she exposed her soaked pussy lips and pressed the shaft of his member against the moist warmth of her entrance.

"I would let you sheathed yourself into my most sacred place, one in which no man has ever breached before. You would be my first, and my last." She declared as she grind herself on him, rousing moans from both him and her as she felt his hot pulsing rod slide against her lower lips and briefly touch on her clitoris that inspired moans of pleasure to rouse from her lips.

"All you have to do…to obtain me, Mn* Haahh*

Ichigo who had begun to grind himself faster against her entrance and thick thighs, brought his thumb forward as he began to rub her clit, causing jolts of mind-numbing pleasure to shoot up her spine.

"All…you have to do…is…" the intensity continued, her juices began to leak like a waterfall as tight knot began to develop deep inside of her winding around and around till it would eventually snap.

"Is…" she could feel something coming, something hard…

Mhn* Mhn* Ahh! Oohhh!*

Finally, unable to hold the damn back, Rias shouted with all her might as her orgasm reached the peak.

"WIINNNNNN!" she shouted at the top of her lungs as her juices gushed out, covering both his shaft and his hand in her fluids as she came and came some more. Shooting out and spraying the couch and rug in her juices.

Feeling her toes curl hard as she rode out her high, Ichigo who had been intensely rubbing her clitoris had gotten the exact reaction he wanted as she came hard, ecstasy shooting up her body as she moaned her words of encouragement to him, urging him on his victory in the upcoming duel, motivating him with tantalizing words and promises of great pleasure should he emerge victorious.

He would answer that call, not out of a sense of lust, but love, love for this amazing woman, this devil that was so unlike the devils he knew of long-gone eras she might as well be a human with how she acted.

For his first love in this second life of his.

HE would WIN.

HE would claim HER.

HE would not be DENIED.

---

Standing in the field of barren ground, craters filled the arena and gashes had long since ran the colosseum to ruins. Dust clouds swept the land in harsh winds.

Yet in the middle of all this devastation stood a man, garbed in crimson red dragon armor from head to toe. He stared towards the distance, his foe awaiting him.

Garbed in a black cloak with only his face revealed, the mirror image of him stared at him in knowing eyes, clearly anticipating his arrival.

"So, your mind has cleared, I can sense a shift in the wind, the calling of fate at the back of my neck."

A red aura formed around the dragon knight as he reached out his hand in front of him, an intense light forming as he carved a Greatsword of dragon aura from it.

"But even so, are you prepared for what is to come, can that resolve you hold close to your heart stand against the challenges ahead."

Despite the size, he swung the sword like it was nothing but a stick, yet, it had enough power to blow the dust clouds away and send gales that could topple mountains to the ground with a mere lazy swing.

Standing firmly in front of his legacy, did Ichigo point his sword at him, his eyes determined behind the gleaming jeweled eyes of his helm.

"I am made to win."

He declared.

"And now I see the way."

"…"

Nothing else needed to be said between them as both took a stance, each with killing intent in mind. One to grow stronger, the other to impart his skill by carving it unto his student.

Both with different goals yet of the same mind as they were one.

Neither would yield until victory was achieved.

For that was their way.

---

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you all had a great time with your loved ones and friends. Now as we move into the coming of this new period, can I hope that I can continue to work on my fanfic and pump out chapters for you guys.

I had hoped to have had this done by Christmas or new years eve, but, other responsibilities had me busy. That and the story doesn't write itself as I had writers block for a few days that stopped me from progressing as I didn't quite envision everything that I wanted from this chapter. Still, I pushed on after much deliberation and I gotta say it turned out quite nicely.

If you have reached the end of this chapter then you must have noticed that this is pretty much the training arc chapter for Ichigo and Co.

So, let's move on to some discussion.

Firstly, Ichigo finally using some of his abilities in front of the devils, I had intended for him to have sit down, eventually, mainly with Rias as she is the only one currently deserving of the truth. Perhaps the coming chapter I'll get to it, that as she had unknowingly stumbled upon the truth through the paintings in his room.

Secondly, I have NEVER written smut before, so I don't know if I captured that feeling correctly, this was merely an attempt of me to give Ichigo the MOTIVATION to push forward and clear the stress of his situation as he and Rias enjoyed some intimacy with each other.

Thirdly, the devils learning the sacred arts of Hohō, Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido. Just because I said there wasn't gonna be Shinigami, doesn't mean I cant incorporate the techniques and abilities that they have as a magic system or something. So, aside from Zanjutsu, which is exclusively zanpakuto swordsmanship, the devils learning a few of the disciplines involved as part of their training.

Also, Ichigo firing a Cero when that is exclusively a Hollow technique, and I did say there was gonna be Hollows in the story, well, I'll get to that in the future as I have an explanation but y'all can't handle the truth right now, lol.

But, yeah, pretty much all there is to it, training arc, some smut, and the eventual conclusion next chapter as we move to the duel that will take place right after the training arc. So, look forward to the Ichigo Vs Diehauser battle.

Till then, I bid you all a great day.

Peace.