Chapter 6: Peerage

The Madonna of Kuoh academy, Rias Gremory, was aptly named. She could truly be considered an example of the male's views on womanly perfection. Her long and luscious red hair fell down her back ending at her tights being a stand out feature that made her unique along with her voluptuous body she attracted the attention of almost everyone she came across but never from the ones she truly wanted to attract. Which was why she found herself more often than not sitting at her desk within the occult club. Currently she was attempting to handle some of the paperwork that had caught up on her from the various pacts her Peerage had been busy collecting at every opportunity. Each and every member of her Peerage took their jobs seriously with complete focus and diligence, that was all but one. Her pawn. She had only met him once but he had left an impression. When she had first learned of him she had been enraged that her choice had been taken away from her but then she met him and understood. Things had become more clear when her brother had told her of his suppositions on what his sacred gear was. Eventually when she was being sent to this academy to build upon her Peerage and train them in blending in with humans well collecting pacts, she had been told that He had been sent here too to join her when the time was right yet despite herself Rias searched for Him. Doing everything she could, using the smallest bits of information she had on him to find him and bring him into her family but he always seemed to slip through her fingers. Thoughts of her wayward Pawn once again distracted Rias and she lifted herself from her desk to stand by the window that overlooked the Kuoh Academy. The occult club was located within an abandoned school dormitory and students often left it alone mostly due the superstitions surrounding it making the building perfect for Rias to hide her true club activities. It also came with many other benefits such as living accommodation for herself and the rest of her Peerage who had nowhere else to go. The view was also another bonus which Rias often found herself using to watch people, seeing if she could just get a glimpse of him, slowly she lost herself to her watching so she missed the door to the occult club open and close.

It wasn't until a polite cough got her attention did Rias turn to find Akeno Himejima, the one that stood beside Rias as one of the Two great ladies of Kuoh Academy. She matched Rias almost every way in terms of appearance both wearing the signature Kuoh Academy uniform which consisted of a long sleeved white shirt with a black ribbon that matched the colour of the shoulder length cape and corset that hugged their figures. They also wore a short magenta skirt with white accents that paired the shade of the crew-length sock that stretched over their legs ending in a pair of brown shoes. Akeno differed to Rias with her violet eyes and long black hair that although tied in a ponytail still reached for the floor. Akeno was also the second Devil to enter her Peerage, her Queen and very best friend smiling at her kindly. Despite their closeness Rias hadn't told Akeno or any of her Peerage about the missing Pawn. She had meant to, on hundreds of occasions just to have someone to lean on but there had never been a right time or moment to bring it up and it seemed now was going to be more of the same judging by Akeno's current smile which held a touch of naughtiness. That smile often meant a fight was coming. "We've confirmed the reports of the Rogue in the warehouse district, we are ready to go ahead with the hunt tonight Rias."

Nodding in acknowledgement, Rias moved back to her desk. "Good, cancel all appointments and have everyone gather here come nightfall." Akeno gave a small dip of her head before she stepped away holding her hand to her ear, messaging the rest of the active Peerage as Rias returned to her paperwork.

Day turned tonight as both Rias and Akeno sat working on their admin duties that they both had to complete on a regular basis. They paused their work as Yuuto Kiba, Rias' Knight, entered the club house wearing the boy version of Kuoh academy uniform which consisted of a black blazer which he wore over a white shirt. A black ribbon was tied around his neck that matched the colour of his trouser, the uniform ended with a pair of brown shoes similar to the ladies own pair. Yuuto was a handsome young man with the only blemish being a small mole under his left eye, his hair was cut short but always seemed to be styled perfectly. Yuuto bore the title of Prince of Kuoh Academy and many a student often believe he and Rias, or at time Akeno, were an item with the time they seemed to spend together and well Rias knew Akeno wasn't interested in Yuuto in anyway but a friend Rias believed if Yuuto had been a different kind of man he had the potential.

It was his lack of ambition that was his downfall. Even if Rias didn't have prior commitment Yuuto lacked the drive for power that a Rias would look for in a suitor. She needed a man that would not only equal her but also push her to be stronger. Which was another reason to find her Pawn to see if the whispers in her heart held true. Following Yuuto was Koneko Toujou, Rias' Rook, Koneko also wore her school uniform but forgoed the black cape the others wore. The uniform did nothing to hide her petite body that gave people the illusion that she was small and weak when the truth was that she was the most physically strong person in the Academy. Koneko had golden brown eyes and white hair that was cut into a bob at the back and a collection of short bangs at the front, the front two bangs on the left and right side each had a black cat head clip. The pair moved from the door to sit on one of the sofas in the centre of the club house facing Akeno who sat in the centre of the sofa opposite. Rias stood as the pair got comfortable standing in front of her desk before she explained the situation and their plan before she gestured to Akeno who summoned a teleport circle and the group were transported to the Warehouse district.

The moment the flash of the spell ended Rias could feel something was wrong, the feeling of power coming from the Rogue wasn't right. It was too strong and different from what the reports had suggested. Akeno also noticed the different in magical energy where as both Yuuto and Koneko simply noticed the change in their King and Queens attitude, Rias made a gesture and their formation changed, Koneko took the front and Yuuto took up the rear as Rias and Akeno held themselves ready to launch spells. The group moved at a light run until Koneko reached the door where she simply kicked it in and led the way inside. A quick scan around revealed nothing until a deep resonating voice raidated over them. All of their attention was fixed atop a stack of large boxes where a figure in metallic crimson armour that appeared to be almost Dragonic in nature sat casually as he spoke to them in a deep resonating voice that seemed to be all around them. "It's about time you got here. Now the introduction can commence."

Before Rias could say anything her Peerage acted toward what they considered to be a threat. Koneko moved the fastest leaping to the air to send the back of her heel into the armoured figure's head. They simply rose to their feet and lifted a hand to catch the foot, upon impact a wave of pressure rushed away from the point of impact pushing the dust off the old cargo boxes. The Armoured man Seemed to look at Koneko before his voice washed over them. "You must be Koneko. They were certainly right about your strength, quite a kick you got there. Sorry about this."

Suddenly the Man braced his hands on Koneko's leg before he spun and threw her hammer style towards Yuuto who had jumped up sword ready to strike. In response Yuuto seemed to shift in the air and adjust himself so he could avoid being hit but Koneko which led to Koneko slamming into a pile of old junk with a loud crash. After ridding himself of Koneko the Man jumped off the boxes landing directly in front of Yuuto who swung his sword in a downwards arch. The man crossed his arm in front of himself in the shape of an X catching the blade between his forearms. "And you must be Yuuto, the shining knight. You really are a prince charming aren't you. Just a shame you moved slightly too slow."

Flexing their arm to pin the blade in the cross and using both arms to push the sword's edge into the air putting Yuuto off balance long enough to expose his side where the Man slammed his fist with enough force to send Yuuto flying back tumbling into the ground into a heap. With sudden speed the Man came to stand in front of Rias and Akeno, Akeno wasted no time channelling a spell sending lightning down onto the Armoured man sending him down to a knee. Akeno smiled blissfully, giggling slightly until the gems of the man Armour flashed brightly and the man stood despite the barrage washing over him. "That was well played Akeno, you nearly had me but this is checkmate."

Taking Akeno's outstretched arm and throwing her over his head onto her back, the impact of which stunned her before the man turned to face Rias. they simply stood there watching her making no means to strike her. Rias in turn faced the Armoured man looking behind him at her defeated Peerage the message sent and delivered, it was a greeting in his own way. A mirror to their own first greeting only this one was to show how much he had grown in his time away from her, despite how much the display had pleased her she would make him pay for harming the family when she brought him into the fold. For now though she gave him a simple nod and watched as he leaped away disappearing from sight. Yuuto ran slightly past her to go after him but Rias held up a hand stopping him. "He's already gone, let's go home."

Nodding slightly, Yuuto turned to face her, then Rias looked over her Peerage; Koneko looked surprised, Yuuto seemed angry and frustrated whereas Akeno just looked hurt, not used to physical confrontation. With a flick of her hand Rias opened a transport circle sending them all home.

The next morning Rias found her Peerage all sitting in the Occult club looking defeated and ashamed at themselves. Rias remained silent as she walked towards her desk, her place of authority and strength, before she spoke to her family. "Last night we lost a battle against a strong assailant, they showed us our fault but also gave us a greeting us in his own way…."

Yuuto looked at her with a look of confusion as her words made him remember something. "How did he know our names, it was almost like he knew of us?"

Rias nodded at him before looking each of them in the eye. Settling on Yuuto answers his question. "I suspect my brother gave it to him not too long ago. My brother is rather fond of him though I suspect he also has plans for him as he does for us..." Rias' gaze then drifted to the table in the centre of the two sofas. "As for who he is. I believe his name is Issei Hyoudou and he is my pawn."

The other all sat straighter at that, looking between themselves. Once they settled down a touch, Akeno spoke for the group who was sitting to Yuuto right with a look of indignation on her face which she shared with the others. "When did you recruit him, why did you not tell any of us?"

Rias opened her mouth to respond, but was surprised that she simply didn't have the words to respond when there was a knock on the door. The group remained silent for a moment not wanting a student to walk in on a sensitive conversation and all sucked in a breath of shock when the door opened permitting a young dark skinned man who was bold and wore a set of blacked out sunglasses. He wore a dark green shirt which matched the green on his pinstriped blazer, the black of which matched the man's trouser and shoes. Stepping into the room the man gave them all a low sweeping bow. As he raised back to his full height he spoke a smooth cool voice that seemed to have a slight lisp. "I apologise for the intrusion but my master sent me to deliver his apology for action last night, he feels he may have gotten a little excited and gone a little overboard. As for your question lady Akeno I believe I can answer with Lady's Rias permission."

Rias focused on the man trying to place who he could possibly be when the answer came like ice water splashing down on her. "Titus?"

The man inclined his head in greeting. "That is correct Lady Rias. Thanks to my 'master' I have grown in strength quite rapidly."

"Go ahead with the question, you probably know more than I do anyway. I am interested to hear it myself." Rias noticed how her Peerage looked between her and the newcomer with growing confusion but was thankful for an out on an awkward explanation.

Titus stepped into the room fully moving in a way that made it seemed like he was gilding across the floor. He came to a stop opposite Rias almost like he was staring her at, knowing what he was, that feeling unsettled her and she automatically looked away from his face. "Lady Rias was not given a choice in recruiting Issei. Do I have permission to inform him of his piece Lady Rias?"

Rias shocked her head. "Please don't Titus. I would rather tell myself and have a proper conversation with him but please continue."

"Of course. Issei was attacked at a young age and Sirzechs took a chance using some of the pieces being prepared for Lady Rias and used them to save Issei's life, he in return has spent the last decade training his mind and body to the best of his abilities. What happened last night was his form of a greeting, it was how he was introduced to Lady Rias five years ago and all of his instructors took little time on pleasantries. He did not suspect to out match you all quite so much and thus apologised for not holding back."

Koneko looked at Titus, her voice soft but determined. "He came at us with all he had?" when Titus merely nodded Koneko nodded in return. "Good."

Yuuto looked at her before he gave her his own nod. "If he hadn't gone at us with everything it would have meant he underestimated us. The fact that he didnt is a good thing. I still don't like it though but it's good to know he's not an enemy."

Titus' head snapped to him, his voice holding a touch of panic and worry. "No! Issei does not wish to be your enemy, in fact if what he is pursuing hadn't come up he would have arranged to come himself."

Rias held out a hand before suddenly becoming unsure if Titus could see it. Seeing as his head didn't turn to her until she spoke proved the fact his glasses did in fact blind him. " We aren't saying Issei is our enemy, far from it. But what is it he is currently pursuing?"

"A unique girl has arrived in town and it seems she has a sacred gear that is capable of healing, Issei wishes to befriend her and make sure she isn't here for anything that would hurt herself or his duties."

Rias nodded. "Very well. Titus I assume you have other tasks so I give you leave to attend to them. Koneko, find Issei and keep an eye on him. Report to me anything that gives you pauses but do not approach him until I say otherwise. Yuuto, Akeno stay ready, our wayward pawn may be too confident in his abilities and need us to lend him a hand."

The pair nodded, they may not have forgiven him but they accepted him for who he was, Koneko seeming to the same as she left to her task without comment. Rias just hoped he wasn't in over his head.