Disclaimer: I don't own Highschool DxD.

Nothing's Getting in My Way

"Quite the accomplishment, what you've done, Mr. Davis," Bael said while Joshua did his best to calm his mind. It wasn't that he was scared of the man though, even if he was, a little bit. It was more that he wasn't ready for that meeting. After all, there wasn't much to fear right that very moment.

Bael couldn't do anything to him then and there. Not with basically all of devil high society around, especially the Satans. He might be a great power in devil politics, but that didn't mean he could do whatever he felt like doing. Furthermore, Joshua was the key for a spell that the devils would desperately want to keep, so he was too valuable to do much for the moment.

Besides, Joshua could almost feel the Egyptian Pantheon as a whole looking over his shoulder too, so that was also reasuring.

He wondered if Zekram could feel that.

"Thank you," he replied with a slight smile. "There was quite a bit of work before I even appeared though," he added, to stick to the story that had been crafted for the whole thing.

"We both know that's not the case," Bael said, casually, as if it weren't a big deal to point that out. "Sitri and Gremory do good work, as usual," he added, his eyes darting towards Serafall and Sirzechs. "Ultimately, I've been around for too long to fall for that kind of storytelling. No devil would sell their bloodline like that, especially not the Phenex, least of all while working with a human. Oh, excuse me, humans," the devil continued explaining, giving him an amused expression.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about," Joshua droned. Sure, he knew that there was no way he'd convince the devil of anything, but he didn't feel like trying either. Let him think whatever he wanted. Trying to continue selling the lie would just make it more evident anyway.

"I'm not here to talk about that anyway, not really," Zekram continued, not even looking at him, at least at that very moment. Instead, the man seemed more interested in letting his eyes scan their surroundings. That is, until a moment later, when his purple eyes moved to lock with Joshua's blue eyes. "No, I'm just here to… assess this new piece on the board, you could say," Bael admitted easily. "You are causing ripples everywhere in the world, Davis, and now you've done so in devil society. Rather scandalously at that. Can't quite ignore you now, can I?"

"I guess not," he replied, conceding the point and wondering what the devil was there to tell him. Maybe threaten him off from what was more or less his territory, even if he shared it with the New Satans… and the Old Satan faction, in a way. Or maybe he was there to try and do a recruitment speech? Hell, it could be neither of those or maybe both, who knew?

"I was here when Ambrosius caused similar waves, Davis," Zekram told him, staring rather intently at him. Joshua wished he'd go back to just talking to him while seeming more interested in other things. "And he was nothing like you. No, it took years for him to do the things he did. You? You've been around for so little and yet done so much… You are someone to keep an eye on, evidently."

"I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, because it really was the case. It wasn't every day that someone like Zekram Bael told you that you were a better magician than Merlin. "I feel like you are leading somewhere though."

"Not really, no," Bael said with a mirthful smile. "Just letting you know that actions have consequences. Now the world is looking at you, Davis. And if I'm not completely wrong about you – Which doesn't happen often, let me tell you. –, then you don't seem like the kind of man to appreciate that. I hope it was worth it."

"Hm, I hope so too," Joshua replied.

"I guess you could say that I'm also here to get a better read of you. I don't think I have anything to worry about in regards to you," Bael continued, seemingly pleased with whatever he was learning about Joshua during the one-sided conversation. "Which is good. I'm not the kind of man you want to have as your enemy," he added and there it was. That was the kind of thing Joshua had expected.

In response, he shot the devil a smile. It was small, but there was no hesitance, no nervousness. No, he was simply amused to have been proven correct. And he was also amused because he was trying to fight bigger, meaner, more scary things than Zekram Bael. After all, Trihexa loomed over the distance, ever so present in Joshua's mind and pushing him forward.

The Great King looked almost cute in comparison.

"I'm not the kind of man you want as your enemy either," he commented, and Zekram seemed about as amused as Joshua himself felt.

"Oh, and why'd that be?"

"The peerage system is weird," Joshua answered with, out of the blue. To his credit, Bael didn't react in confusion, simply waiting for him to explain himself. "The pieces, more precisely. Because a chess set isn't complete without the king piece, isn't it?" he asked, and he saw the shift in the man's eyes. Everything else remained the same, calm and relaxed. Those purple eyes might as well have turned into sharp gem daggers, however.

"There's always been rumors of king pieces-"

"Indeed there are," Joshua interrupted, his smile tugging into something just as sharp as Bael's eyes. "I see a lot, Zekram Bael, and my spells see even more."

There was silence following that statement as the two stared at one another. He wondered if Bael was plotting his death now, or maybe something worse? Ultimately, the devil still couldn't do anything then and there.

"So, no, I'm not a man you want as your enemy either," Joshua continued, taking a sip from his drink. "I don't care for your games and your politics, Bael. I really don't. I think both of us will be all the happier if we stay out of each other's way."

"Hm, you prove to be even more interesting than I first thought, Davis," Zekram commented, more thoughtful than anything else, still looking like he wanted to dismantle him with his eyes. He had to wonder though, was that because the devil wanted him dead or because he wanted to understand him? Maybe both, he supposed. "Yes, just when I think the world is settling back to a new normal, more waves come to change the landscape. It'd be amusing if it weren't so infuriating."

"Sorry for the inconvenience."

"Alas, that's just how things work, I guess," Bael said with a shake of his head. "Ultimately, I think you might be right, Davis. For now, at least. Do be careful what you do, because you are not as untouchable as you think you are."

"I'm aware of that," he replied with a self-deprecating smile. "At the same time, I'm more untouchable than you think I am," he added, drawing a chuckle from the devil.

"And that just might be the truth," Bael admitted. "Truly, what an interesting piece my descendant has brought to the board. Yet another one that keeps on proving to be more than meets the eye. Regardless, I think I've taken enough of your time, Mr. Davis. Do remember that I have my eyes on you."

"I don't think I could forget," he replied truthfully as the devil turned to leave, chuckling.

Once the devil was far enough, Joshua allowed himself to relax, not quite sighing in relief even if he wanted to. He knew there were eyes on him at all times, after all. It was like all the parties he'd been to, but worse because this time he knew it was true and not just his general social anxiety. 'This party really can't be over soon enough.'

"Nothing bad happened, I hope?" Serafall asked, appearing beside him. As herself too, thankfully. It'd make things less awkward and that meant that he could take more comfort in her presence. Maybe she'd done that on purpose.

"No, I don't think so," he answered, keeping an uneasy smile off his face. "Just… testing the waters, I guess. I think we'll stay away from each other, at least for now," he explained, running his fingers through his hair to try and calm himself a little.

"Good. Zekram Bael is dangerous, Joshua," she told him unnecessarily and not even for the first time. She'd warned him about plenty of people in preparation for that party, after all. "I'm sure I don't have to explain that to you again though."

"No, you don't," he agreed with a nod. "We can talk about that later though."

"Indeed we can," she replied with a grin. "It's a good thing we are announcing our relationship soon," she added, making him blink before he felt the illusion cast around them. That kind of explained why she was being so open about that in the middle of that crowd. "Otherwise you'd probably have to deal with many devil ladies coming your way."

"Good thing indeed," he said with a grimace. "Please tell me we aren't going to do a stuffy announcement like this one."

"I don't know…"

"Sera," he all but whined.

"I guess we can skip that," she said, much to his relief. "Aren't I nice?"

"You sure are," he replied with a smile. "I'm really not made for this kind of… setting," he commented unnecessarily. He felt kind of whiny continuing to point that out, but he also felt like he really wasn't getting his point completely across with just words. "I promise I'll make it up to you."

"Hm, I can think of several ways you can manage that," she said with a smile that… Very much took Joshua's mind away from the current uncomfortable setting. "For now, I'm afraid we are stuck here."

"Isn't that just a shame."

"Yes, yes it is," she agreed with a giggle. "Something to look forward to, am I right?"

"Indeed," he answered, smiling.

"Hm, I guess we could get started with the not-announcement now," she added then, making him blink. "Me interacting a little more than would be normal with you could get things started. Not like there aren't enough rumors with how much work you give me and you being in my show."

"Eh… You are the expert in this kind of thing. I'll just follow your lead, if it's all the same to you."

"So, does that mean we can do an announcement par-"

"No," he denied swiftly. Because he'd follow her lead, so long as it didn't make him want to hide in a hole for an entire year afterwards. That party was already bad enough for him and he'd need plenty of time to recover as it was.

"Fine, be that way. I guess we can just have a good time and have people see us," Serafall commented, apparently a little amused. "We could even leave together. That'll really bring attention to things."

"You are having fun."

"It'll be amusing to mess with their heads a little for being nosy people," she added, and he shook his head. At least that was better than a stuffy announcement. He'd take what he could. "... You think there'd be a ruckus if we kiss before teleporting away?"

"... Probably," he answered, half amused and half exasperated. It seemed that now Serafall was in a more playful mood than usual, which was saying something. "Well, considering how you are feeling now, I have an idea to run by you."

"Do tell," she urged him, eyes wide with excitement.

From there, they just continued talking, while trying to pass the time. Serafall seemed to be on board with his idea, but he'd run it by Yasaka all the same. His devil partner probably would agree to a lot more than his youkai one would, he was pretty sure.

Fortunately for Joshua, there weren't any other encounters like the one with Bael after that. Things went back to how they had been before, with just familiar and friendly people. At least when he wasn't talking with the Phenex. They weren't that bad, sure, mainly because they had to keep appearances when surrounded by people and they didn't seem to have access to whatever illusion expert Serafall had asked to help her out, but Joshua would still rather not be around them.

Better than the rest of people, at least.

Unfortunately, Joshua couldn't quite avoid the rest of devils around entirely. Fortunately, whenever he had to interact with one of them, he had Serafall or Sirzechs by his side to play intermediary. It didn't even make things awkward for them or the rest of devils, because they had to have the presence of the Satans of foreign affairs or domestic affairs around. After all, Joshua was a known, important and rising figure in the supernatural world. Being the Egyptian Pantheon representative and an "ally" of the Phenex family was paying off, it seemed.

He could have done without the subtle – and sometimes not so subtle – flirting from some of the female devils though. Some of those weren't even single. Some of those went ahead with their partners there. Safe to say that Joshua was feeling more awkward than he already was by just being in that party, which was saying something.

He almost preferred dealing with the males and other side of the female devil population. At least those were just threatening him or trying to get in his good graces, sometimes even both. That was a lot more manageable, in his honest opinion. Those at least made sense to him and didn't trigger his social awkwardness as much, if at all.

Joshua still would rather be back home spell tinkering though.

[}-o-{]

"Are you feeling better, dad?" Kunou asked from behind him, making him chuckle. His daughter was rather adorably trying to massage his shoulders and back, even though she clearly had no idea what she was doing. Although, the attempt was enough to make him feel better after the devil party he'd had to get through.

It also helped that sometimes she'd press in a spot that tickled.

"Yeah, thank you, Kunou. You are the best," he answered, making her giggle happily. Yes, this was much better than stupid stuffy announcement party thingy. He couldn't fathom how anyone was able to enjoy such things, and not only because of the social aspect that he was most definitely not a fan of. On top of that, Joshua just didn't get how they could put up with all the manipulation and so on that went on there. He found it tiring just knowing that it happened, let alone participating.

"I know," the girl replied, apparently having a good time kneading his back muscles randomly. "I hope I'm not like you during official parties," she added, sounding very amused.

"You are much better than me when it comes to dealing with people, I think. You probably don't have to worry," he reassured her, cracking his neck.

"You probably should get used to it," Yasaka told him then, drinking from her cup of tea. "Not only are you in a relationship with Serafall and me, but you are also the representative of a whole Pantheon."

"Don't remind me," he groaned. "Can I take that back?"

"Your relationship with us?" Yasaka asked in response, smiling amusedly at him when he gave her an unimpressed look. He was kind of glad to see her joking about that, but he did wonder if she might actually have worries about that. It wouldn't surprise him.

"Ha. Ha," he replied with. "But no, not what I meant," he added, for good measure.

"Well, on the bright side, you have us and little Phenex to deal with most of it, right?" the woman commented, which was actually very reassuring. It wouldn't make the events any less awful to get through, but at least he wouldn't have to worry about actually dealing with the mess that they represented. "And now that we can be more open about our relationship, we can keep you company while at such parties, right?"

"I'll help!" Kunou chimed in, making him smile.

"Very true. That should make them much more bearable," he replied, running his fingers through his hair. "I guess I'll have to come up with ways to repay you for the help then."

"Ice cream and show," Kunou said instantly.

"I'm sure you can come up with something," Yasaka added with a soft laugh.

"Speaking of repaying, I guess I'll have to pay for this massage."

"Naturally," Yasaka agreed with a sage nod despite the silly topic. Joshua didn't even need to look at Kunou behind him to see that she was grinning excitedly and bouncing up and down. "Now, what could I possibly do-"

"Ice cream and show!"

"-to pay for it, I wonder," he finished, completely ignoring the interruption.

"Dad!"

"It's a difficult matter, but I'm sure I can come up with something."

"Dad!"

"Give me a minute, I'm sure- Hey!" he protested with a chuckle when Kunou poked him with her finger. "That wasn't very nice."

"Your face isn't very nice," she grumbled at him.

"Kunou," Yasaka said in that warning voice that all mothers were capable of. It made the poor child turn her eyes towards her, betrayed. Evidently, their daughter thought she was fully justified… which she kind of was. "You gotta poke him harder than that."

"Hey, you can't gang up on me like that. That's not fair!"

"Your face is not fair!" Kunou said, no longer angry, judging by the way she giggled as she poked him again. Then she squealed when he turned things on her, twisting and bringing her into a hug before starting to tickle her.

"Oh, you thought I'd just sit there and take that, young lady?" he asked while she giggled and squealed some more in his arms. "You've got another thing coming then."

"... Joshua," Yasaka after a long moment, making him stop. Kunou didn't even have the strength to protest anymore, simply trying to recover her breath from all the laughing.

"Yes, dear?" he asked, making the youkai leader smile a little wider and the smallest amount of pink to dust her cheeks. He took that as a huge victory, personally.

"Serafall mentioned that you had something to discuss with me?" she commented, to which he grinned wider, catching her attention. "I have a feeling this will either be good or annoying."

"Hey, it could be both," he pointed out, making Yasaka raise an eyebrow at him.

[}-o-{]

[Nurarihyon]

He was nervous.

He'd just got done with a meeting in which he learned something very concerning.

That being the fact that Yasaka's pet magician was turning out to be more of a monster than a puppy, for one. When it had all started, all they had known was that Joshua Davis had been there helping Nurarihyon's western counterpart with her defenses. Personally, the East Youkai Faction leader didn't think things were quite that desperate for Yasaka to make a call like that, but if the woman had one weak spot, it was her daughter.

From there, there had been some dubious rumors about the magician taking on a Longinus and stalling another, but crazy tales like that were common in the supernatural world. Nurarihyon had his own people look into things and there was no way some normal human could pull that off in less than a year, especially when the Sacred Gear users were terrorists. No, chances were that Yasaka had taken care of that herself and then dumped the credit on the no-name magician to pull some heat away from her. At best, the human had been somewhat involved in the matter, he supposed.

That was, until very recently. Nurarihyon had started getting more and more news from all sorts of sources. It had started slowly with the magician side of the supernatural world, but it had grown exponentially as of late. Yasaka and House of Water doubling down on things wasn't a surprise, but the Church? Heaven? Grigori? Even the Egyptians had come out of whatever hole they had been in to back the human.

And now, the man had somehow cracked the Phenex Pillar's Power of Immortality into a spell.

There was no way those were empty words, because if they were, then it wouldn't be the devils themselves that spread the news. Furthermore, House of Phenex would have already burned everything related to Davis in retaliation. Instead, they were singing the man's praises. Nurarihyon didn't know what was up with that, but he knew that the rumors were true, probably all of them, if Davis could pull that off.

So, he'd have to reconsider much, not only in regards to his opinion of the human, but also Yasaka. She seemed to have found a true diamond in the rough and she'd wasted absolutely no time getting her paws on him. Now, Nurarihyon had to take that into account when dealing with her. Furthermore, considering the recent small incident with one of the teachers he'd provided for young Kunou…

Well, he was a little nervous.

Something to ponder on, he mused as he entered his office.

That is, until he saw something that made him pause.

"Hey there," said a man, sitting on his chair behind his desk. "I was waiting for you. Nurarihyon, right?"

"I don't know how you got in here," he said, his voice calm. He wasn't a faction leader because he got easily surprised, after all. "But it won't matter after-" he was interrupted, however, when he felt the strong force of defenses falling on his shoulders.

His defenses.

The spells, the guardians that had been watching over Kanto for as long as Nurarihyon remembered were now staring at him. Presences that had reassured him once were now threatening him. Barriers that had protected him once were now caging him.

How in the world…?

"You sure it doesn't matter?" the man – a human, he noticed – asked, raising an eyebrow. "One would think a faction such as yours would care more for their own defenses. It was laughably easy to get in here, I have to say. Getting control over everything was a little more tricky though, I'll give you that."

"Who are you?" he asked, eyes narrowed as he prepared to use the full might of the power bestowed upon him by his pantheon.

"Joshua Davis," the human answered, making his eyes widen. The man seemed unconcerned by Nurarihyon or what he was doing, leaning back on the chair he was sitting on and regarding him, almost bored. "I'm just here to have a quick chat, nothing else."

"You think you can just come here and treat me and my place like this?"

"Yes, I think I can," Davis answered calmly. "Because it wouldn't look very good on you, right? To admit that a simple human such as myself can just break into your place like this and turn your stronghold against you, right?" the man asked him calmly, almost amusedly. "Besides, I literally won't do anything other than talk with you, so… That'd probably make you look even worse."

"... And what, pray tell, do you have to say to me?" Nurarihyon asked slowly, eyes still narrowed as he tried to consider his options.

"Just that you should watch what you do and say from now on. I'm courting Yasaka," the human said. It was a good thing that him being there and completely turning his defenses against him was very shocking, because it made Nurarihyon take those news that much easier. "I've unofficially adopted Kunou too. This will all come out soon enough, probably without much fanfare. I just thought I'd give you a heads-up… and a chance while I was at it."

"A chance?"

"That teacher you sent for Kunou messed up," Davis told him and Nurarihyon was put under an entirely different sort of pressure, fixed under the stare of blue eyes as sharp as ice shards. "Yasaka says I shouldn't burn your whole place down to the ground, something about that being a bit too much."

Feeling his own wards shifting around him, Nurarihyon didn't think it'd be wise to question that claim.

"So, do the smart thing. I'm sure you are capable of that, if you are a faction leader. Yasaka seems to think so," the human told him, standing up and walking around the desk towards him. "That's all I really had to say," he added as he approached Nurarihyon and extended his hand with a piece of paper in it. When he warily took it, the human grinned. "My number, in case you wanna improve your defenses here. They suck."

And then, as if he'd never been there, the human teleported away, leaving only a terrified faction leader and a card behind.

[} Chapter End {]

Hey guys! How's it going?

So… that happened, both thats happened, I guess. On the one side, we have Zekram Bael and on the other Nurarihyon. Fun stuff, both of those meetings. One of those more… Actually, I was going to say one of those was more impactful, because Zekram is more of a name in DxD than Nurarihyon, but then again, the latter's scene is quite something, I think…

Wonder what you guys think on the matter, actually.

Regardless, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

As always, if you can't wait until next week for next chapter, there's up to three new chapters in my Pa tre on:

P a treon . com (slash) AdrianKing

Discord Link: discord .gg/UTDransjJZ

Random Question: As I said, I'm now wondering. Which scene did you like the most (or at all? *nervous chuckle*) and why?

See you.