Guest 1 and 2: Thanks! Ah, so Issei's father isn't a dead pervert in Buddha Heaven in yours like he is in canon?

Lorenzo Macchiavelli: I am glad you liked it, though I can totally see why he'd blame her considering she's the one who commanded the Hero Faction to go to Kyoto in order to draw out Great Red. He'd literally gone berserk so wasn't making any rational decisions lol. Ooooooh, I am curious as to your theory on those 2. Tyrian hasn't been seen since he chased off Future Loki. I'll most certainly keep going, no stopping now :D

Optimus470: Hmmmm, interesting theory if it's who I think you mean ;)

Grimraven V: You make it sound like it doesn't exist XD I had art of it made that is currently posted on my Deviantart account Jraynor3.

fanficcyberman: What slip up...I don't know what you mean XD Yea, if there is anyone who may know of the Trihexa, it would be Ophis and I doubt she'd want to encounter it considering canon makes it seem like they'd barely be an even match. And I agree! The Thanksgiving Dinner I hope to be a wonderful collection of wholesome gatherings :D You hit the nail on the head, canon never said why Azazel was suddenly single after centuries of hundreds of harems. This felt like a reason why someone like him, who is a good person underneath his bravado, may decide to stop pursuing women. The downside of being long-lived. And yes, I was surprised how natural and wholesome adding more moments between Issei and his family could be. He is still a teenager after all. And thank you! I have been safe and hope the same for you and all your loved ones in this crazy time.

xhope14x: Nope, she knows of it, but considering it's supposedly gone she sees no reason to bring it up. As she mentioned before which I will clarify later...thinking of it only gives it power. Indeed, Kassaegtha is always there, but her time at the forefront is not far off.

October Autumn: I am so glad you enjoyed it! I sent a full reply via PMs but will answer your questions here :) I could not agree more on fleshing out other characters and the world. I loved the concepts of DxD, but came across as a bit vague as the story focused more and more on just 1 character to the detriment of others. Oh, I could go on about the EX series XD Admittedly, that is when I started not liking Issei as much as it portrayed him as never seeing his kids and barely seeing his wives. I get he is on the frontlines fighting and being a diplomat...but he was so obsessed with having a harem and then it led to him basically having no time for any of them as he couldn't balance between them and work.

I am glad you see it that way, I am not a fan of his portrayal in canon, but would never want to come across as bashing to Issei. My intention is for him to mature and grow and be better well-rounded rather than everyone in the world just starting to agree with everything he does XD. As you said, flaws are totally fine to have and imo all characters should have some, the issue is when someone has flaws but the narrative/characters act like they don't. I couldn't get into fics that wholly changed him either. Even if I liked what they did, it just ended up not feeling like Issei. As for his harem, it still has room to grow. It won't be enormous like canon, that was my intention with the remarks when he confessed to Rias that "you don't need numbers to be a good king." Regardless of how many women fall for him, it's how he acts and treats them that will make him a Harem King, not just exaggerated numbers.

Dragonx411: Thank you very much! And no need to worry, you don't have to do the synopsis every time, just if you enjoy it :D Trials will be coming shortly...until then, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

And with that...ONTO THE SHOW!

"Running out here isn't an advantage to you," Koneko glanced back and forth beneath the trees looking for her quarry. "I've been exploring this forest in my spare time for years, I know every leaf and smell."

Knowing she was far from the school with it being after classes there would be no one to see her. With an exhalation, her nekoshou ears and tail emerged, a feeling that tickled every time. He couldn't possibly hide from her now.

"I see you!" She fired a blast of energy into an innocuous tree, resulting in a flock of bats to emerge flying in all directions. It did not help as the ball was made of Sage Arts power, disrupting Gasper's ability to break into a swarm of the winged animals. As it worked its magic, they were pulled back together resulting in a small vampire boy plopping to the ground in front of her. Even after all their training together, he'd found no solution for her attack.

"I knew I should have turned into shadows!" Gasper lamented, reaching out to accept her hand helping him to his feet.

"It wouldn't have helped," she educated to make sure he didn't make the mistake on the battlefield. "When you split yourself up, transform or even turn into shadows, your smell still follows you. Anyone with heightened senses will eventually track you down that way. You can't run forever."

"So, I stand and fight," Gasper swallowed hard before replying. "Others get around my eyes by splitting further than my field of vision. I can't see wider, but…but what if I can expand that field further past my sight?"

He's thinking outside the box, Rias knew he eventually could do it.

"We can think on that later, for now…lunch." Koneko revealed a basket stacked with food cooked by Asia she'd stashed away behind a tree, guessing approximately where she'd be able to catch up with him. "I promise no garlic this time."

"Th-thanks," Gasper hesitantly approached as if still fearful she was trying to fool him again, it wouldn't be the first time. "Can I have one of the sandwiches?"

The pair sat down under the trees quite comfortable outside in nature. As was becoming customary, they talked about their day with Gasper doing most of it. Kiba and Koneko had worked on strategies for the upcoming middle-class promotion, Gasper learning techniques utilized by the Church against vampires in case he faced any and so forth. Issei and Rias' dazzling victory over Sairaorg had inspired them to put even more into their daily work, having seen the recording being broadcast across the supernatural worlds.

"Mr. Dorian told me more about draugr from the Norse Realms," Gasper excitedly continued as they finished off the last of the food. "They are capable of so much; I might be able to use new powers every time I transform into one!"

He's really come into his own, it's hard to believe this is the same Gasper who wouldn't leave his cardboard box.

"Did your sister show you more of that form of hers?" He became so lost in conversation with her that any awkwardness from the previous day or bringing up Kuroka had fallen away. "I bet you'd look real pretty like that…well, prettier than now I mean. Um, wait, what I meant was…!"

"Gaspy," she tried to stop him before going further. "You don't have to…wait, do you sense that?"

Koneko leapt forward, grabbing Gasper and twisting to pull him away moments before an enormous set of teeth nearly snapped around his body. Bounding past them, turning to make another attempt was a huge black beast that resembled a sabretooth tiger. Its paws were bigger than Gasper's head, its mouth dripping with saliva, great red eyes staring hungrily at the two as two enormous tails swished back and forth. Only the realization that they had noticed it caused the creature to prowl to and fro looking for an opening rather than making another assault.

"What is that thing!?" Gasper asked, jumping out of Koneko's arms making sure his uniform and kilt were undamaged.

"I've never seen it before," the Rook answered calmly despite the situation. "I've heard that supernatural creatures live in the hills around Kuoh Academy, but never anything so…feral."

"W-we can make a run for it, right? Get back to the clubhouse for help?"

"It's too fast," Koneko analyzed the creature as best she could. "We wouldn't make it even halfway before it overtook us again. Don't worry, I can…"

Her words were cut off as the monster suddenly disappeared from her field of vision, reappearing directly in front of her impossibly fast. She reacted immediately, jumping up and out of its claw slash, delivering a spinning kick to its face. The giant shape fell back but not very far, Koneko landing with a stagger requiring Gasper to catch her.

"What happened?" He looked her over with concern, not seeing any obvious injuries.

"My leg, I can't feel it," she informed as fast as she could. Her limb had gone numb upon contact with the creature's fur. "Might be something on its body, don't touch it."

"Then how are we going to…Koneko, surround us in Sage Art magic, quick!"

Koneko listened immediately, the two glowing white just as the beast leapt again. Upon connecting with the young vampire, he burst into a swarm of bats flying all directions further into the forest. Each bat held the scent of the pair, causing it to glance between them all trying to discern where to attack first, biting several out of the air. As it was distracted, a small swarm clumped together fled deeper into the woods, Gasper reforming in a tree above, his forehead bleeding as he cradled Koneko having kept her within the protective grouping.

"That…should distract it for a bit," he huffed, Koneko realizing that if too many bats took damage, it would harm Gasper himself. "We can see if you are okay first and think of something."

"I am fine," she insisted despite wincing anytime pressure was put on the leg that had struck the monster. "I'll fight it and…"

"No!" Gasper put his foot down. "You are hurt, you are stronger than me, but you are still hurt, there is a glade ahead, I can look at you there while we hide!"

"Gaspy…" Koneko whispered, but decided against further argument as a waste of energy. Accepting her current predicament, she wrapped her arms around his neck to help him more easily carry her. The pair traversed the forest all the while the mysterious beast having attacked them slowly realizing that its quarry was on the run.

Kuoh Town…

"Now where did they say that store was again?" Catherine glanced around the shopping district she found herself in. Wanting to look her best for the promotion test, she had decided to find a new wardrobe, but was having trouble recalling the layout of Kuoh Town. It was the first time in recent memory she could recall wanting to look good for herself and not out of worry for Diodora's wrath. "I think…Issei is that you?"

Her teammate and Pawn of Rias' team froze with a spin as she spotted him outside the clothing store moving towards the women's section. She was immediately suspicious, eyes narrowing towards him for a moment.

"Cat! Hey, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for a new outfit," she admitted. "Is this the right store?" The devil knight showed him the flier Rias had provided.

"Yea, it is," Issei confirmed. "I…was trying to get in, but am not really allowed on my own anymore. Mom was supposed to come with me, but she and dad decided to go out instead. Now I don't know what to do."

He's not allowed in, well, knowing his past reputation I can imagine why. But why would he want in now?

"And what is it you want in there now?" She asked, foregoing asking details on his past indiscretions earning the ban. "I was told this place specialized in women's clothing. Why would a man…?"

"Issei? Cat? What a pleasant surprise!" Before she could complete her question, one possible answer presented itself. Kiba came out of the store with a handful of bags, Tsubaki on his arm looking very content with herself. "What a coincidence, I guess Lady Gremory recommended this place to all of us."

A Little Later…

Catherine leaned back, her own bag-in hand with the others of Rias' Peerage and the dark-haired devil. Luck had befallen her with Kiba showing up, having been roped into an impromptu shopping trip with Tsubaki who wanted to find his preferences in clothes for her. Sona's Queen regaled them with the tale of Kiba sitting as she tried on the various outfits and in turn, she did the same as he picked out something more casual for such outings.

"He has almost no casual clothes at all," Tsubaki pointed out to a smiling Catherine. "When I got a chance to see his closet, it was nothing but academy uniforms."

"I haven't had much need for them," Kiba admitted. "Most of the time, the only non-school events I go to are devil ceremonies and I have dress wear for that."

"But not for just sitting like this among friends. What did you get, Ms. Catherine?" She leaned over the table, eyeing the bag. Despite being in the store as she went shopping, Tsubaki had not been paying attention to any but her date, instead assuring the clerk that Issei was not up to anything suspicious. Having thought of it, they weren't even sure what the young Dragon Emperor had purchased.

"Something business casual," Cat showed her bags with grey pants and a tasteful pink top that was perfect for the weather growing colder as November was upon them. "I'm going to wear it to the middle-class promotions."

"Congratulations on that," Tsubaki complimented her and Kiba. "Xenovia was very proud to hear such a reward was given for your recent accomplishments."

"She's been on high alert since Ophis started staying in the tower," Kiba pointed out. "I'll admit, it is…nerve wracking having the leader of the Khaos Brigade so close."

How strange this must be, Catherine mused as he continued talking. He's out with Tsubaki, but is also dating Xenovia. Both are fully aware of the other and totally okay with it like how Dorian is with Thrud and Rossweisse. I don't know if I could ever be so…

The pink-haired knight froze as she glanced, realizing the table layout. Kiba and Tsubaki were across from her holding hands, next to her sat Issei who was currently taking a few sips of his soda they had ordered. From an outside view, it would almost appear to look like a double date.

"…so far, she has been true to her word, and we must be as well. But we should keep to happier topics, what about you Issei? Azazel was over last night, what did you discuss?"

"Products for the Oppai Dragon Show," his eyes perked up, clearly excited to talk about the show that had made him a star across the supernatural world. "He said he'd be showing High King stuff to Goldie next that Odin gave him, I doubt he'll like most of them."

"How so?"

"Well, some of it is pretty standard, I got action figures and even a model line…then there was the Oppai Dragon milk."

"…milk?" Catherine wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"It's not what it seems!" He blurted out, seeing the narrowing eyes questioning his interest in the product. "They're from cows! But something about them being super nutritious. Goldie has the same model line, but the old geezer went all out on the details of the design. I doubt Rossweisse will like the doll of her being made that, and I quote "is hyper authentic to the real thing."

If it's as detailed as they are implying, if she doesn't kill him, Dorian might.

"Such is the pain of public popularity," Tsubaki sipped on her tea. "Lady Sitri is well aware of such burdens. Saji has been hoping to get a cameo on the show, they are planning to change out villains every few episodes. A black dragon would make a fine foe like Kiba did."

Her slight movement to Kiba was noticed by Catherine, clearly a subtle sign of affection. It was evident that the young Knight had been taking Hecuba's advice to see himself more as a man as well as a sword.

Was that more human-side what allowed him to see my pain so clearly? I suppose…it wouldn't be wrong to try it at least a bit. With Kiba? I owe him everything for what he did, but there are more views than just romance.

Catherine's contemplations continued throughout their lunch, Kiba and Tsubaki parting ways to return to the Hyoudou Residence with their newfound attire leaving Issei and Catherine alone. With no one else in sight, she finally had a chance to ask without putting him on the spot.

"So, what did you get?" She motioned to the bag Issei had kept hidden throughout their meal, the young Pawn looking very nervous. "You didn't use us for nefarious gain…did you?"

"No! Why do you have to think that first too Cat!?" He reached inside to prove his innocence, revealing a box wrapped with bows. "I…got some overalls."

"You went into a women's clothing store…to get overalls?"

"They're for Asia, she really loved working with the plants on the tower roof, but kept mentioning how her normal clothes were always getting ripped or dirty, so I thought I'd surprise her with something better for working in that."

"Why Issei, that is really thoughtful," Catherine complimented truthfully. "Though I am pretty sure you could have gotten them at any clothing store, you didn't have to go to one specializing for women. It would have looked far less suspicious."

"What, really?" Issei slapped himself in the forehead, clearly not having thought that clothes of a more general nature didn't require going to such a specific store. She could practically hear him groaning internally.

"Don't sweat it, your secret embarrassment is safe with…" The pink-haired knight turned to leave, nearly getting run over by a group of kids rushing from the opposite direction. She tried to move out of the way in time causing her to fall over, nearly hitting the ground hard until…

"You okay Cat?" Issei asked as his face was an inch from hers, the young Pawn having grabbed her hand in time and pulled her close to prevent the impact. "Whew, that was close, good thing I was here."

"Yes…it was," she swallowed loud, seeing him closer than she had before, his eyes looking right into hers.

Diodora never caught us, not once. We had to watch out for each other, I don't have to worry about that here. She had learned how kind Rias and her team were, but it never failed to bring back flashes when she saw how generous people could truly be. Issei was there for my sisters, I never would have thought to ask Dorian for help. Sometimes, he can really be…

Her glowing internal review was hamstrung as she saw Issei's eyes drift several inches south of her own. She had chosen a blouse that left her collarbone and neck bare which her teammate had clearly taken note of. Catherine sighed loudly as it became apparent his more perverted tendencies were rearing their ugly heads. He was no longer focused on her face.

"Ow ow ow," Issei grimaced, nursing the bump growing on the back of his head from her retaliatory strike. Despite his wandering eyes, she had held back on the actual punch. "Like any guy could resist when THAT close," he rationalized.

"Let's head back," Catherine tried to change the subject quickly, picking up her bag and making her way towards the main road. Issei was rather shocked into speechlessness as he noticed a small charm tied to the handle bearing a vaguely cross-shaped emblem. Despite the blow and his moment of weakness, it did his heart good realizing she had kept the small souvenir he'd picked up back in Kyoto.

Hills Outside the Occult Research Clubhouse…

"I…I think we lost it," Gasper sighed in relief from the upper branch of a particularly high tree. "Can you feel your leg at all?"

"The soreness is wearing off," Koneko lied just a little, the improvement being marginal at best. "You can outrun it without me. Just make for the clubhouse and get the others."

"No! It'll take longer to get there on foot, I won't be able to transform again for a bit. If it finds you while I am gone…" He clenched his fists so tightly they hurt. "I wonder why it came here now?"

"I don't know," Koneko hated her lack of knowledge. "Maybe it was drawn by Ophis' presence nearby? Nothing like that thing has ever been seen here since Rias brought us to Kuoh."

"I remember that day," Gasper tried changing the subject a bit, hands massaging her injured leg almost by instinct. He was so focused on helping her he didn't realize how intimate and tender his actions were on her smooth skin, drawing a glance from her at how soothing his ministrations were. "The sun was setting when we arrived, I thought it looked so pretty."

"How did you see it?" The young nekoshou recalled that day clearly. "You wouldn't let us take the paper bag off your head."

He's like a new person, I never thought I'd see him acting this way without someone to back him up.

"I…I snuck a peek when you were looking around inside before fixing it up," he admitted with a downturned head. "I thought no one was around, so I took it off for a second…" Koneko leaned closer seeing his hand shivering. "And it was enough…"

"Gaspy, what happened?"

"I froze you all," he sniffled at the memory. "I took it off only a minute to look at the sun, but Rias came back and startled me…you all didn't move for nearly an hour until it wore off on its own."

"Is that why you asked Rias to seal you in your room?" He nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. But you have gotten better, you haven't used your power accidentally in a while, right?"

"No, not since I froze you in the yard when Mr. Dorian was there. I'd never seen someone unaffected by it, at least not without resisting it through strength like Mr. Tannin did during our training."

"And you'll have time to keep growing, just like me," Koneko limped up onto a foot prompting Gasper to rush over and take one of her arms over his shoulder to support her. "But you can make it back easily on foot."

"I said I won't leave you alone!" He sounded more assertive than before. "I had to leave her behind at the castle, I won't do it again."

"Her?" He realized too late his slip, sighing heavily as if wanting to release a great weight from his shoulder.

"The one who helped me escape, we played together when we could, the only childhood friend I ever had. Her name was Valerie."

"Valerie," Koneko repeated the name. "Then I'll have to meet her someday."

"What for?"

"To thank her for helping you reach us." She'd never seen his face go from pale to flushed so quickly, it made her want to tease him more like she did with the garlic. "We can…"

The tree branches the pair were standing on suddenly exploded, dropping them down as the dark beast from earlier was upon them having sniffed out their location. Gasper caught Koneko but couldn't hold on as the creature bodied him, throwing the young man across the glade. She tried to get up, only for an enormous clawed foot to slam atop her, pinning her down.

"Run Gaspy!" She called out while struggling to free herself. "I'll be fine!"

"Even if you would be…I wouldn't," he shook the ringing from his ears before standing securely on both feet. "If I left you now, I'd never forgive myself. I am a man of Team Gremory!" He shouted as his eyes came to life. "And I will protect you most of all!"

The field before him froze, all life from the attacking beast to the bugs in the dirt ceased to move, filling him with confidence. It did not wholly last as the creature started to groan, its muscles pulling against the stoppage of time. Gasper rushed forward, seeing a thin light surrounding the monster, no doubt responsible for its resistance to his power. He was no longer so shocked by someone strong enough to resist, continuing his charge as a dark shadow gathered at his fingertips.

"Your power will be mine," he asserted as he landed on its back, causing the behemoth to rear up bucking hard trying to throw him off. With a loud swallow resolving to what he needed to do, Gasper bit down hard into the creature's tough skin, drawing blood and drinking as greedily as he could. "There, now…"

The shadow upon his hands expanded suddenly like an explosion with the new power. Tendrils latched onto the creature rooting it to the ground. Gasper dispersed into a swarm of bats, flying beneath it and engulfing Koneko within him. With her in tow, he darted away, putting distance from the immobilized creature before reforming back into their separate bodies.

"I…didn't know you could turn me into bats too," Koneko blinked at the new sensation as she was dropped on the ground. The last time he picked her up, his swarm had covered her. This time, however, she had become part of the it indistinguishable from any others. It had almost been as if she'd become part of Gasper, swearing that she could hear his thoughts for a brief moment before being converted back into her own body. She pretended not to have heard the gentle words in his mind anytime she came up though a brief flush to her lips gave it away.

He can expand his powers to others? I've never heard of any vampires doing that.

"Neither did I," he admitted with his eyes slowly returning to normal. "Maybe an aspect from the creature, it's blood tasted so familiar. Almost like…wait a moment, IT'S YOU!"

"Me?" Konekeo pointed to herself confused, eyes drooping as if almost thinking he was trying to pull a prank on her.

"It tastes like you, like when you let me sample your blood to keep on hand. But it tastes a bit different, like it's aged more. It…oh no," Gasper suddenly stood to his feet and marched back to the creature despite his teammate's protests. He looked the ensnared beast in the eyes, it looking back and, for a moment, almost acting like it felt guilty. "Ms. Kuroka, is that you?"

"Um…no?" It answered in a deep booming voice only to slowly shrink down to reveal Koneko's big sister stuck to the ground by Gasper's shadows down on all four limbs in a very suggestive position. Even her tails were held down. "I mean, congratulations! You found out that it was me, just as I planned." The stutter in her voice was not fooling either of them.

"SIS!?" Koneko stormed up to her, even Gasper stepping aside at how fuming she was. "What are you doing here!?"

"Fine!" She huffed as if she was the only being wronged. "You KNOW it's a big sisterly duty to make sure her little sis' man is up to snuff. Dorian-nya's people do it all the time."

"We are NOT from Asgard!"

"What's your point? It seemed like a fun tradition, so I took on a new form I've been working on to test his resolve. If he ran, you'd see him for what he really was. It was simple enough for me to hamstring you just a little bit so he'd be forced to step up. Don't worry, your leg is just asleep, it'll be fine in an hour or two."

"B-but I didn't run!" Gasper stepped forward looking insulted at the possibility of any other choice being made. "I could never leave her!"

"And NOW we know that, see how ingenious my plan was?" Kuroka tried to shrug, but her arms were still tied down. "When you started having your sweet moment in the tree, I was going to leave things be."

"Then why did you attack us again?"

"Well, I couldn't very well stand by as my little Shirone's vampire boyfriend started talking about another woman, now could I? Unless he's trying for a harem too…"

"YOU ARE THE WORST!" Koneko's stoic nature finally snapped as she started smacking her sister over the head again and again. "You don't have to keep butting in on everything!"

"But I want to," Kuroka sounded suddenly more sincere and less playful. "I have so many years being an absentee sister to make up for. We do more together, but not everything. If you want, you can evaluate my man-to be. I'd love my little sister's input."

This is nice, Gasper thought as he took a seat cross-legged under a tree not far away with a content smile on his face. The two sisters continued going back and forth, the vampire deciding not to interfere and stepped a respectable distance away knowing it would not end anytime soon. Is this how siblings are supposed to get along? I never thought about proving myself to Kuroka, but it makes sense since she cares about Koneko so much. My days of being scared are over and behind me. He almost got up, backing down as Koneko's rant against Kuroka continued. Although, it might be okay for me to wait here just a little bit longer.

Occult Research Clubhouse Building…

"Did you hear something?" Zepar looked up at the same time as Koneko's latest rant at her sister but being too far off to be sure he'd heard anything at all. "Was that a scream?"

"Hm?" Irina looked up confused. "I didn't hear anything."

"Must be me," he shrugged weakly before returning to their game. "I believe the match is mine."

"Whaaaaat?" She wailed as she looked over the board certain there was another avenue only to slump back in her seat defeated. "I thought I had you for sure!"

"Not yet I'm afraid," the fallen angel reached forward to begin resetting the board. "Another game?"

"I think I'm done at five," Irina admitted defeat at last. "I'm never going to get the hang of this."

"Tafl, much like Chess and any other strategy game takes time and patience to learn, longer to master. I've never played this before you asked either but my particular skillset gives me an early advantage, perhaps if you spoke with Dorian…"

"NO!" She blurted out suddenly before restraining herself. "I mean, I don't want him to know I'm studying. He's sort of the reason I wanted to learn." She sighed before continuing at Zepar's raised eyebrow of confusion. "His piece system is based on this right?"

"I believe the term was his Tafl Nobility, yes."

"Well, he is still picking a team. If I am chosen, I want to know how these pieces are meant to work. I don't want to be standing there blank-faced uncertain what my piece is meant to do."

"I see, well with Rossweisse being the High Queen, you would be either a Blade or Shield. Considering your aptitude, Blade would be most fitting in my opinion."

"So, I would attack, not defend," the innocent girl suddenly looked deeper in thought than any had seen. "I was always taught to raise my sword in defense of the innocent. But in this game, the Blades are the ones who seek the king's life."

"There are always sides," Zepar tried to think of what to say. "If they were on the same one, then there would be no game."

"But we are on the same side here," Irina hooked her fingers together as she did when in prayer. Lord Michael had advised her to consider many things while representing Heaven among the Crossroads and this was no exception. "So the swords would have a different purpose."

We are all together. If the Blades worked with the High King in Tafl, they would fight to protect. I can do that, standing beside Dorian and the others…

"Oh, you are still here?" Irina turned as Akeno entered the room. She must have been tending to the shrine as she wore her priestess robes with her hair looking shinier than ever as if it'd been recently wet. "I thought the room would be empty this late."

"I was just going," the twin-tailed angel shot up only then realizing she was in the presence of two fallen angels, one a reincarnated devil, and yet felt no trepidation or fear.

A year ago, I'd be concerned they were going to do nefarious things, but that is gone. I hope everyone can be like this someday.

"Your hair is always so beautiful," she complimented on her way out the door. "You have to show me how you do it."

"Ara ara, Of course," Akeno waved her farewell. "We have some openings on my DeviTube channel, come by later and I can show you while teaching our viewers too. So…how about going a few rounds with me next?" She whispered once Irina had left and was certain no one else could hear her, turning to the man she loved who had been in the middle of clearing the table.

"You play Tafl?" He asked, not yet understanding her insinuation despite his time spent with her. "If you would like to…!"

His glasses immediately steamed up as he looked up, realizing that Akeno had untied the lone sash holding her robe closed. Her Shinto garb slumped to the floor, revealing the radiant Queen in an outfit that fit her features far more than Zepar ever imagined on the day she purchased it. She wore the Cleopatra attire banned by Sona from being showcased in the fashion show and he now saw completely why. Akeno wore thin bottoms mostly only covering her thanks to a royal blue drape in the front and back, her midriff left completely exposed with wrappings covering her breasts clearly too small for her, the undersides partially visible bouncing with every movement. Thin sheets of gold with a winged motif wrapped around her neck in a circular fashion, bands of metal coiled about the top of each arm ending with a serpent head. Iggy admitted she'd used some of her sculpting ability to make the metal and couldn't be prouder. The fashion spirit had topped it off with a gold tiara adorned with a bird clearly meant to invoke the image of Osiris she'd hidden beneath the robe. Akeno stood there and posed, basking in his expression she never got tired of.

"Your purchase was…well spent," he admitted, every bone in his body wanting to approach her then and there while his upbringing of propriety insisted restraint. "Are we alone?"

"With her gone, that just leaves only you and me," she approached, swaying back and forth walking in a way to accentuate her hips. He made no attempt to escape or act shy at her advances, having learned life was too short for such things. His smiled widened as she spread her legs, planting herself atop his lap to share a kiss.

"I will need to find something similarly fitting to surprise you with," he acted like it was some heavy burden to bear. "Perhaps the Pharaoh one. You wear this beautifully…"

"Not much longer though," she teasingly lifted one of the straps. "You always try to act so proper, maybe it's time to leave that behind for once. I'm right here…"

"Or it could be more important than ever," he wrapped his arms around her, causing her to stop the stripping.

"You don't have to be worried; my father isn't here."

"I am aware, and were I another man or had no self-control, I would…" Even Akeno could not doubt the lustful expression that entered his eyes for just a moment. "I was raised that, shall we say, quantity was most important when it came to procreation, an unfortunate requirement of our people's current numbers. All the same, it has been a personal belief that there should be a closer union before such steps are taken regardless of how desirable such an outcome would be."

"Aww, are you trying to uphold my honor as a woman?" She teased, the two now fully embracing. "I think my idea would be more fun," she bobbed her body to the left, chest rippling barely contained by the costume.

Zepar swallowed so loudly it could have been heard outside, but his smile to follow was genuine. He meant every word.

"Just imagine how perfect it would be when that day comes." He pulled Rias' Queen close, hands gripping her hips and butt, squeezing in a way to assure he was not rejecting her for any reason tied to her methods or beauty. She looked far more honest than she had when sneaking into his room during the class trip to Kyoto. There she looked so desperate, so broken, but now...she looked as ifs he wanted nothing more than to spend an evening showing him all the pleasures she had come to know over the years. "You graduate from Kuoh, ready to move on to whatever future you chose, and I'll be there waiting for you. From that night, all the years ahead together…"

"That would be some night, and only the first of many," she leaned forward to kiss him passionately, holding that way for longer than either intended. "That is sweet, but know I will be doing my very best to make you break that oath a little early. Rias and I graduate next year after all."

"I accept the challenge," he pushed up his glasses sternly. "And that is not to say we cannot have some…pleasurable activities like we are now before then."

"Pleasurable activities? Oh, you know how to get a girl's heart a flutter. I learned long ago that pleasure can come in different forms," she started reaching beneath the cushion they were sitting on. "Tell me, what did you mean before when you said that you and pain were old friends?"

"Well, I have been in battles over the years," he explained, not noticing until it was too late. "The magicians at the summit and reapers were especially…!"

The fallen angel's glasses slid down his nose, eyes as wide as dinner plates as he saw the object Akeno had retrieved hidden ahead of time by her. In her hand, was a small hand whip of a make that Zepar was more than familiar with having seen it in Baraqiel's personal office. The only time he spoke of it was a remark of it being a fond memory of his late wife, Shuri. The young fallen need not ask her intentions, Akeno's hungry eyes telling him everything exemplified by a quick but potent licking of her lips. He'd had a taste of her interests before when they were alone, but it seemed she was now looking to show the full range.

"Ara ara. Well, if you and pain are old friends, I can always reacquaint the two of you. Who knows, before this evening is done you may be asking me to let you break your oath...or perhaps I'll be the one doing the begging, hehe."

Kuoh Town…

"We don't do this enough," Rossweisse leaned on Dorian's arm as they walked the lamp-lit streets of Kuoh. "And the others don't mind our absence while Ophis is there?"

"Don't worry, it's okay for one night," Dorian insisted as he held onto her tenderly. Ophis hadn't done anything nefarious, so a few hours for everyone in shifts was agreed upon. "Have you ever been to a Japanese festival?"

"Never, you?"

"Never," he grinned a little cheekily having asked the question first. The young man looked her over wearing the silver black kimono covered in pink and silver flowers. "You look beautiful."

"And you are very dashing," she complimented the custom Haori he wore, both their clothes made by Iggy personally. "Though the fur will certainly stand out."

Dorian's Haori was a darker black with gold highlights woven into designs that danced across its surface. The various images depicted roots stretching into the shape of dragons, hammers, spears and lightning bolts, Iggy having been inspired by their many adventures together. Across the shoulders and back was sewn a thin layer of fur in the same manner as his cloaks. Admittedly, it made it very warm to wear which was prefect for the approaching Winter weather.

"She wanted to try merging a few styles…is it terrible I like it?" The two shared a laugh drawing the eyes of spectators at the couple walking together. "Who but her could bring two culture's fashions together so well? What do you want to do first?"

The festival was filled with stalls stretching the length of the park on all sides. They saw groups of children huddled around small pools trying to catch the goldfish swimming quickly around, next to it older patrons were aiming for super balls. Rossweisse and Dorian had started with the candy carving booth, known as katanuki. Rossweisse's steady hands knocked out shape after shape much to the shock of the woman running the stand. Dorian tried to keep up, but was a bit too rough, breaking many. Rather than clearing out half her prizes, an apologetic Valkyrie selected a pair of masks presented as middle-tier rewards. For herself, a cute white unicorn, and for Dorian she had selected an emerald dragon. While fun to wear at first, they were quite hard to see through and were now resting atop both their heads.

Such wonderful customs, Rossweisse smiled as the night continued. Ice skating, dinner, movies, plays, they are all staples of dates and yet differ so greatly from where we go. It makes you always wonder what will be next.

"The ring toss is a good one," Dorian pointed out after they departed a stand with sticks of yakitori, shish kabobs of grilled chicken that smelled heavenly. "Or perhaps…!"

"What is it?" Rossweisse saw the blonde student's eyes go wide as he looked across the way, spotting the shooting booth. She could barely keep up in her yukata as Dorian skyrocketed over eyeing the prizes lined up along the wall.

"One round of shots please!"

"What has you so excited?" The silver-Valkyrie giggled as she looked where he was staring. There were so many items to choose from it was hard to tell until spotting one in particular she was certain must be it. "I see."

In the back, one of the hardest to reach prizes, was a scale model of Tokyo Tower, from the look of it a rare edition that was over a decade old and likely out of print. Since having bought the model souvenir in Kyoto, Dorian had accumulated a few others of landmarks from around the world currently in his room along with the Nagalfr ship in a bottle he'd chosen from Loki's lab.

"Three shots," the vendor held up the same number of fingers after providing the bullet-corks. "Good luck young man."

Dorian fired, the cork coming up short, barely making it halfway to the target. The second veered too far to the left, striking a lesser prize containing a bright red super ball. Dorian pondered for a moment, turning to his date with a smile on his face.

"Can you close your eyes for just a minute?"

"Wh-why?"

"It's a surprise, do you trust me?" She didn't even need to answer, closing her eyes and covering them with her hands. She heard the pop of the gun again followed by a clack of the cork on wood, he had hit a target for certain.

"Big winner," the vendor remarked with a shuffling no doubt moving the prizes around. "I hope you like it."

"Did you get it Dorian?" She asked while still in darkness. "I am sure you still have some space left on the upper shelf for…"

Rossweisse stopped as she felt the cold touch of metal on her neck, removing her hands and opening her eyes without being prompted. Dorian's face was right in front of her, the gentle smile that put her at ease every time on full display. He was in the process of placing a necklace on her, clasping it securely with a satisfying click. The chain was silver or some kind of substitute, to her it did not matter, in the center a smooth aqua gem was set within matching her eyes perfectly. The model she'd spotted was totally untouched.

He wasn't aiming for it at all, was he?"

"Sorry for the three tries, I had to try calculating the angle to fire based on the power of the gun and weight of the bullet but it took two attempts. Do you like it?"

"It's beautiful," Rossweisse could not help but utter as she looked it over in the nearby mirror. "But you didn't have to."

"I didn't, but I wanted to," Dorian tapped his chest, drawing her attention downward.

In their time that night she hadn't noticed a small glimmer of metal, a nine-sided enneagram brooch. It was the same she'd made before they ever came to Kuoh, her first gift to him though it had been made for practical purposes at the time. The symbols still glowed brightly about it made up of Norse and Olympian designs, reminding her she'd planned a possible second attempt using the new magic schools she'd learned since then.

"See, you gave me one first," he grinned wide in a way he couldn't keep from looking absolutely goofy. "That, and the necklace matches the ring I got you in Kyoto, maybe I can place protection charms of my own upon them. Yours has kept me safe more than once, I'm certain."

Rossweisse nodded dreamily, continuing to admire it thinking how beautiful the gem looked, even considering if she could wear it with her armor. It was a simple thing but meant the world to her, she felt like everything was right in the world when they were together.

"Of course, you know…" she started with an almost uncharacteristic grin. "…that now I'll have to win you something, come on!" She took his arm, him being the one barely keeping up as she pulled him to the next stall intent on showing just what she could do."

Sitri Territory…

"Good news, the child looks very healthy!" The devil physician announced proudly as Katerea laid back on the examination bed. "Should just be a few more weeks now before you can start expecting."

"And none too soon," the Old Satan rubbed her belly that had grown a considerable degree. "My back is killing me; my power has been all over the place, the cravings are completely ridiculous and don't get me started on this one…"

"Sera if a girl, maybe Levy if a boy? Oh, oh, don't tell us the gender! We want it to be a surprise, well, maybe a hint…" Serafall Leviathan seemingly could not stop herself, pacing back and forth through the office half in the present and half in a dream world of her own making.

"NEITHER of those are on the table! My plans for the child's name are my own, I don't see any reason to involve you."

"N-not even for the best aunt?" Serafall's hurt expression and quivering lip softened Katerea's ire, though just a little, which she'd never admit. "And after how accommodating I've been."

That part Katerea couldn't deny as much as she wanted to. It was clear that the powers saw her as a non-threat at this point after all the information she'd shared in addition to her lack of any suspicious activity since being placed under house arrest with Serafall. She may be tempted to cave in the head of the woman she'd known since she was a little girl every five minutes, but was also fully aware that if it weren't for her that she and her child would never have survived. Despite being physically unable to do much lest she be chastised, Katerea had done what she could to make herself useful.

What I knew of the Brigade's actions, telling Ajuka of Ona's invaluable brain despite her unsavory blood. Not to mention rooting out what traitors existed. There are likely more from the other factions, but I've earned my keep. Sera may have inherited my rightful post, but she has much to learn on the darker side of our society.

"Excellent to hear," the new arrival of Ajuka Beelzebub complimented as he entered the office followed closely by Falbium and Sirzechs. The moment was as monumental as it was hidden, the Four Great Satans gathered together. The physician bowed; her mouth open in shock. "Can you give us some privacy?" He asked in the gentlest tone to which she could only nod before exiting the way they had come in.

"To what do I owe the occasion?" Katerea asked, the irony not lost on her that such a union at once was her exact intent when she sought their death. "Planning to silence me now that I am no longer useful?" She did not expect the half-hearted but still stern slap from Serafall.

"DON'T even joke about that, we're the good guys."

"Our being here with you was a pleasant coincidence," Sirzechs explained. "We came to ensure the final preparations for distributing the Sleep Disease cure en masse would not face any incursion from the Brigade after the last attempt. Wishing your pregnancy well was merely a bonus."

"Only three attacks, less than I presumed," Falbium admitted, the bald Satan having acted as the strategist for the day. "It may show their devil backing has dropped, or perhaps they do not wish to reveal their connections if beloved relatives are on the list included for administrations."

Weakening the Brigade internally. Not through battle or negotiation, but by promising relief for their families beset by the disease. That is one way to do it, but will not stop the other factions beyond our borders.

"The Old Satan Faction is under MY command, not the Brigade NOR yours," Katerea would not falter in the power she maintained. Pushing herself up, she looked the world leaders in the eyes. "But we were only one Faction, the Heroes another."

"The Hero Faction is nowhere near the top; we've pieced that much together. Their anti-supernatural views set them at odds with the others."

"We used them and they used us," Katerea admitted. "I know they briefly worked with that Kokabiel bastard but split up when their respective wishes turned away at Olympus. Ophis gave them snakes just like us, turns out they work on humans just as well as any others."

"They are a cog, albeit a powerful one with Sacred Gears that are super scary," Serafall voiced her own insight into their enemies. "If they grow up, they'll be able to do surprising damage, especially with that Annihilation Maker of theirs."

"That particular gear has long been one that changes the world," Ajuka recalled his own research combined with Azazel's revealing more than any realized. "Falling between making monsters for God or monsters for devils, this is the first time in history it has fallen into the hands of man without a major power backing them. This seems to be an era of new occurrences."

"Attacks have nearly ceased entirely," Sirzechs continued his thought. "But until we cut off the leaders, this will never stop. Lord Azazel insisted he and the Crossroads are working on a solution to this. I pray he is not exaggerating."

"Lord Odin and Lady Freyja insist that we believe them, the others mostly agreeing save a few outliers. With this relative peace that has settled amid our purging of traitors…I believe we can afford to give them another few days of whatever they have planned."

Later that night…

"It gets dark so early this time of year," Dorian yawned as the couple walked home from the festival leaning into one another. They could have taken the Roads, but he decided against offering it, wanting everything to stay, for lack of a better word, simple.

If we were normal people, we could do this every day, he could not help but consider. But in that case, we wouldn't be here right now. Even the slightest different decision could make such large changes.

"I don't know if we'll make it back before the others are in bed, and we need to get these in better water," she held up several bags of goldfish won at the festival. With her steady hands from years of designing magic seals, she was a master of the game of goldfish scooping. By the end, an army of children had gathered watching astonished by her skill and cheering for victory. "Maybe we can build a small aquarium for guests, a few of them are quite large."

"I'll call ahead and let them know," Dorian reached for his phone. "Thrud or Hecuba should still be up. They can…" Dorian nearly walked into Rossweisse who had stopped in front of him suddenly. "What's the matter?"

He looked up, following her pointed finger to the building in front of them. The Einherjar's eyes went wide seeing what she was referring to, a hotel. At first glance it was no big deal, but the number of couples going in and out clinging to one another made it clear what the venue was used for, Issei and Aika having been more than willing to tell him of such places. Locales like this were often where couples could rent for a night for more…private accommodations from their homes that provided little. Dorian's eyes locked with Rossweisse's in tandem, the same thought swirling in their minds.

"Well, maybe we could just for one night." Dorian started.

"It…it would be more courteous to the others…" Rossweisse attempted to justify along with him. "…we wouldn't be bothering anyone."

"Right, then we don't have to worry about…"

"HEYA kid," the voice sent the two scrambling but it was too late, they were already spotted. "Planning a special evening for your lady friend? Good on you, if it weren't for that base desire, places like this would go out of business."

"Mr. Azazel!?" Rossweisse stammered out the words as Dorian looked as if he may fight him right there.

"That is HARDLY your business," Dorian's eye twitched at how often the fallen angel seemed apt at finding him at the wrong moment. "What are you even doing here?"

"Looking for you two in fact, I waited at the tower but you never returned so I came looking. "I went over the same with Issei but the old man himself and misses wanted me to talk to you as well while I was in town." He held up a briefcase, laying it on a nearby patio table to open it. "Voila!"

Within were several items that shouldn't have been able to fit inside such a small case, no doubt a trick of technology or magic he kept secret. They looked like action figure lines and other objects accompanying them, Dorian and Rossweisse both realized the theme.

"High King Merchandise?"

"Yes! Oppai Dragon stuff is expected to fly off the shelves and yours won't be any different. But, as per our agreement, you have to clear anything we sell. So, what do you think?"

"They're cute," Rossweisse picked up an articulated action figure clearly meant to be Dorian wearing his costume from the show. With a giggle, she posed it in a boxing position, flipping the switch on the back left and right causing him to perform a series of punches. "Are those accessories?"

"You better believe they are accessories," he held up toys resembling weapons Dorian owned such as a swirling shield, tiny Mjolnir, even a highly detailed replica of Twilight Star all of which could be fitted into the figure's hands. They couldn't help but spot other statuette shapes clearly meant to be Hecuba and Thrud.

"That looks amazing!" Dorian felt himself getting into it, never actually having had many toys growing up. "Are those t-shirts in there?" He pulled out several showing him in dramatic poses with Rossweisse or the other characters from the show depicted beside him. "Bennia will be wanting that one and…um, what is that?"

"Well, can't have an action figure of you without a doll of your Mrs. Queen, now can we?" He turned over the next item on his list, an expertly made doll of Rossweisse. The dress was extravagant, the detail perfect in smaller scale to her outfit as the High Queen. "Different dresses, interchangeable tiaras, even a…"

An awkward silence fell on the trio as Dorian pressed a small button on the back of her neck, releasing what sounded like a very suggestive moan lasting far longer than was necessary. The Einherjar could feel sweat bead on the back of his neck sensing Rossweisse's eyes upon him and the doll. Azazel clearly looked proud of himself, neither Dorian nor Rossweisse willing to admit how closely the sound came to ones she had made during their night in Kyoto.

"A battle damage shout, I assure you!" He tried to placate them to no avail. "You've played those old fighting games when someone gets hit. Just press the button again, we have almost a dozen different options for each of you recorded during fights. We even thought of outfitting the sound clips into body pillows. I have yours right here Dorian…"

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" The couple screamed simultaneously, their voices carrying across the empty street attracting the attention of the other couples nearby. There was no way they were willing to clear such a request without heavy changes, making them worry for the other items stored within the infinitely-sized briefcase…

Ophis' promise seems to hold true as days of normalcy pass despite her ongoing presence at the Tower. But such days are soon to be shaken, events spinning into motion with the upcoming trial of Rossweisse as Team Gremory depart for their Middle Promotion Exams. The arc glimpsing to the roots of Iggy's very existence begin next time. Until then, I hope everyone stays safe, Reads and Reviews...but most of all Enjoys! :D