PA: Hey there, yes I am still alive, yes I still can not keep to any form of schedule so nothing has changed. Someone made me aware that is has been nearly 5 months since the last chapter and they want to see Kokabiel get stomped. Well, it's here; along with a bunch of other things.
Disclaimer: Yep, I still don't own Naruto or High School DxD. No funny fact or anything today, I just hope you all have a good day, or night.

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The part he was nervous about was over. To Naruto this was the easy part, fighting. He was used to fighting at this point he was used to odds that he shouldn't beat and proving everyone wrong. If he hadn't ever trained himself like most nobles then there was a chance that he would be just as scared as Rias looked to be. But no, he was Naruto Phenex. The blood of the most pride filled house in the underworld flowed through his veins. He was son to Raven and Rulven Phenex, he was the younger brother to Ruval Phenex, the Golden Child, the older brother to Riser and Ravel and the person that was chosen to continue a dream, a promise from a time before the world as they knew it existed.

He had trespassed into the domain of the gods and stolen divinity into his body. He had to become the best, or it would all be for nothing. Everyone would be gone. "You have attacked my lands, Kokabiel and chosen not to surrender yourself into the hands of those that would deal your injustice—justice. You tarnish my name, my generosity and my kindness," he said as he stepped forward watching the fallen charge their spears of light and throw them down at him.

He didn't stop walking. He summoned God-Splitter into his hands and twirled it into the spears that fell like arrows. Tiny explosions or deflections off into the far distance was all that they amount too before he did a wide sweep with his glaive knocking the spears still in the air back. His left hand shot out and formed an inky black portal in their path while his right spun God-Splitter around his waist. He caught the glaive and stomped its butt onto the ground causing another portal to appear over the rogue exorcists. He watched their heads turn up to look at the sky above; the spears that he had knocked away started to rain down on the traitorous humans.

The Cerberi wasted no time and tried to jump onto his form. He coated God-Splitter in his azure flames and spun it towards one hound while the other closed in and found itself wrapped up in his flaming wings. There was a pained growl that turned to a whimper from behind him while the one dealing with his glaive quickly found itself missing two heads before the flames consumed it. Naruto, meanwhile had continued to walk forward, his pace never altering nor pausing as he slowly started to rise from the ground and flaming steps.
He pointed his glaive at the fallen, at Kokabiel. "Just the First Legion left now, and in two minutes, you'll all be gone."

Kokabiel let out a chuckle. "The arrogance of the young."

"Is that meant to be insulting? You say I'm arrogant, I say damn right. That's pride; pride in who I am. The Lord of House Phenex, the Azure Phenex."

"My name is in the bible. You are not even a footnote, it is impossible for you to defeat me."

Naruto let out a small laugh as he swung God-Splitter over his shoulder and dispelled the weapon. "Impossible to defeat you?" He felt the energies of the Earth rush to his side, flooding his body and mingling with his demonic power. "Don't make me laugh." Naruto pulled his fist back and let his fire roll over it. He felt the surges of energy and the waves roll between his wrist and his knuckles before throwing his punch forward. "Combustion fist."

The sky turned from white to a brilliant blue as his punch traveled to the horizon. When it cleared the cadre let out a small smile. Kokabiel was unharmed. "You missed."

"Oh? I don't think so." And then they came, from the fallen behind Kokabiel, screams that would turn your blood cold. They were clawing at their wings, their faces, their stomaches. They were covered in his blue flames and Naruto was making it burn quickly. Naruto held out his right hand and summoned an orb of blue flames. "If you can still move, I'd advise dodging." With a flick of his wrist he sent it forward towards the fallen behind Kokabiel; some of them tried to scurry away and Kokabiel watched it for a moment before his eyes went wide and he moved out of the area.

The flames collapsed.

In their place, the smallest of black holes, no, not quite, but the idea is similar. A pocket of gravity caused by a collapse of great weight that would drag everything towards its center. Everything about a black hole, but completely controlled and weaker. The members of the first legion were dragged towards the center; screaming and failing at each other in a vain attempt to buy themselves more time.

It wouldn't help. Now that they had gathered he put his hand forward and let out a stream of blue-white flames; flames that were sucked into the gravity fissure and the fallen that had been dragged into it.

It was silent now, he could see their mouths moving, blood flowing from them as they screamed but no noise escaped. Naruto turned his gaze towards Kokabiel. "What did you hope to accomplish with them? Were they just a scare tactic?" He kicked off the air and flew straight at Kokabiel who thrust a spear of light forward; Naruto caught it, each of them holding one end as sparks started to fly from the two points of contact. Naruto pushed himself closer, burning away parts of the spear as he did; the sparks growing more intense as Kokabiel continued to fuel his energy into the weapon.

Kokabiel let out a roar that came with a burst of light. Naruto's head snapped backwards from the sudden shock wave and he threw it forward again cracking into the nose of the Cadre. Kokabiel stepped back letting go of the spear as it exploded between them. Naruto took the attack, his clothes mostly burning away as he lifted a leg above his head and slammed it down onto Kokabiel's shoulder sending the Cadre down to the ground.

The fallen wasting no time quickly summoned two swords of light and used them to catch himself before impact and quickly fling himself back up into the fight. He swung them out causing little waves of light to fly at Naruto who returned with his own waves of fire to wash them away. It didn't deter the Cadre who flew straight at the Phenex.
Kokabiel brought the swords back behind him and tried to bring them both down on Naruto as he let out a victorious cry of valor. Only he found no purchase. His blades met no resistance. He looked and saw the Phenex standing at his side and then everything started to spin. His head rolling back and seeing a flaming blue leg where his waist should have been and his legs not too far below him as he fell to the ground.

Naruto quickly darted to the ground watching Kokabiel fall into it a moment later. As the fallen started to pull himself together, with a small grunt Naruto lifted his hand to the sky pulling the bandages from his eyes. "I'll do you a favour and let you catch a glimpse of the power of this Azure." Senjutsu, Demonic energy, Daemonic energy and his Divine power from Kaguya's eye swirled into a spiraling ball in his palm above his head. "This is the power that you stood against!"

His eyes flashed and he saw Kokabiel finally look into them and the colour drain from his face. "N-no, you can't have his eyes."

"Solar Style: Mugen Rasengan!" Naruto launched the small sun towards the Cadre, when the fallen tried to dodge he opened a portal and made the two impact. Naruto kept his gaze on Kokabiel who was battling perhaps his most disgusting technique.

The Mugen Rasengan or Infinite Spiraling Ball had a very simple design but a very nasty ability. The longer one was in contact with the ball the slower time moved. The screaming started from Kokabiel and Naruto wondered how long it had been for the Cadre now, a minute, four, an hour a day or a week, maybe a month? He really didn't know but the fight was over. The rasengan started to rapidly expand to encompass most of the fighting area in a bright white light, then in a flash it vanished leaving a perfectly carved crater that was sizzling from the heat. The fight was over, the screaming stopped and the bodies were gone.

Naruto slowly lowered himself to the ground and walked towards Rias and her group stopping in front of them. "Huh, only a minute."

"Fuck…" said the boy he believed to be Issei almost breathlessly and it seemed that his thoughts were in sync with those of his peers.

Naruto let out a small laugh and rubbed the back of his head. "Hey now, no need to worry I'm on your side."

"Don't we need to fight you in a rating game?"

"Oh yeah." He'd forgotten about those. "Um, good luck?" That didn't seem to help at all; even only using this much the devils of his generation were nearly paralyzed. "Oh, Rias?"

"Y-yes?" She squeaked out.

Naruto extended a hand down to her and pulled her up to her feet and drew her in close enough so he could whisper to her, "Don't fall down in front of your peerage. Don't let them down. You need to be their beacon. This fight was beyond you, don't be scared to ask for help."

He could see the emotions running across her face. He wondered what the difference between what she wanted to say and what she would say was. "You're right," she pulled her self away and dusted herself off. "Akeno, even though Naruto has healed our group I want you to check over everyone with Asia when we get back. Kiba, when Naruto takes us back I want you to report to Sona about what happened here. Koneko, check on Gasper when we return and Issei… rest. You did well today." They all gave the affirmative to her and she turned her gaze back to Naruto locking her eyes with him. "I think we need to talk."

"Issei, can you give us some space?"

The brown haired teen looked at him, no doubt a little puzzled but nodded when Rias looked back, when she turned back to Naruto he saw the confusion in her face. "Now that they're gone…do you want to cry?" He watched her face contort. Confusion, fear, sadness, happiness and a load of others before she nodded and rested her head against his chest. He felt her arms around around his waist and her tears strike his skin. He looked towards Seekvaira who gave a slow nod and then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently rubbed her head. "It's okay, you did your best."

"It isn't fair."

"The world isn't fair, but if we give up on it we're giving up on it ever being changed. How can we expect someone else to change it if we won't stand up ourselves?"
She sniffled and looked up at him. "I was talking about just how strong you got."

Naruto let out a laugh before responding, "That was nothing. Sparring against my peerage is more eventful than this. You've fallen into the trap that captures so many heirs and heiresses, Rias. You need to get stronger, you need to be constantly striving to improve yourself in every aspect that you can. Politics, warfare, compassion, knowledge; everything is more important than you could imagine."

He had to see her eyes looking into him, trying to find something in his words. "But why?"

He knew her question well. "Because we have to be, we are leaders, we are soldiers, we will be lords and ladies and we will need to fight." He felt her stiffen and he continued, "When you're strong enough, I'll tell you exactly why."

She nodded and broke away from him. "Then I guess I'll have to get strong enough that you can rely on me."

"I guess so, oh," he saw movement off in the distance as an portly male was trying to hide, "I was wondering when he was going to show himself."

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Issei found himself in a stunned silence; working almost on autopilot as he fulfilled the small tasks that the other peerage members asked of him while he tried his best to rest his body. He had thought that Hanekawa was the most vicious and dangerous person he would ever meet.

Don't get him wrong, he was incredibly thankful for the girl's help and her training, and well, before today he might have tried something later down the line but now…Now he questioned everything he knew about the supernatural world; which wasn't as much as others but he'd been studying hard.

From what Issei knew, Naruto Phenex was a year, maybe two older than his master, Rias; his gaze swept to where Kokabiel had his final stand, not a speck of the cadre was left. Naruto had burnt hundreds of people alive and their screams still rung in his ears, maybe more now that they were gone.

He was not expecting this level of difference, he was not dumb, he'd been able to observe Hanekawa train herself and saw how Rias fought a handful of times and he was pretty certain that Hanekawa was the stronger of the two, so he had expected Naruto, her King, to be more powerful, but not this much more.

But what got to him the most was that they would have to fight this guy. Yeah it would be in a rating game, but still, the thought of going against not only Hanekawa but the rest of that Peerage and its King might be enough to keep him up for a few nights.

He barely noticed when Kiba nudged him in the shoulder. "You okay, Issei?"

What kind of bullshit power scaled nightmare did he get revived into? "I, I think so. It's just a lot to take in."

"Yeah, it seems that way, doesn't it. But we'll get by."

"We just watched the same thing right? You know where he threw a sun at somebody and made the whole area vanish?" Issei seriously questioned the outlook of Kiba at times, this was one of them.

The young knight gave what looked like a forced smile. "I didn't say it would be easy, just that we'd get by," the smile vanished and a much more serious look came onto his face, "We have to. For Rias and for ourselves, plus if it makes it easier, he's on our side if anything serious happens?" Issei was going to respond until he saw Kiba go stiff. He followed the gaze of the Knight and saw Naruto holding up a chubby priest. "Of course that snake lived. Pardon me Issei."

Kiba brushed past him and started marching towards Naruto. Several thoughts quickly rushed through Issei's mind. He could let Kiba go alone, though the normally calm knight seemed rather irritated and he wasn't sure how patient Naruto would be. He could go with Kiba and try to defuse any situation that came up, or he could try to stop Kiba and the knight might lash out at him. Fuck it, he followed after Kiba.

"You can wait there, Kiba," Naruto spoke calmly as they approached.

Kiba didn't stop though and kept walking forward. "Do you know who that man is, what he's done?"

"It's Valper Galilei, the inventor of the Light Container. The one that experimented on all of your friends and forced them to meet their untimely end."

"Then you know that I can't let him live!" Kiba took another step forward and summoned a blade. The moment he did he fell to his knees and the ground under him splintered from the impact. Issei couldn't see anyone holding him down, but he could see the knight straining under something.

Issei looked to Naruto and met those eyes of his and felt the intention in the look. If he tried to help Kiba he'd end up the same. Then those ringed eyes looked back to the knight. "I've spoken to Valper before I brought him out. Kiba, you are allowed to beat the man a bit to vent your frustrations, but I'm going to heal the damage you do. I need him for something."

Issei saw Kiba straining under the pressure but he managed to speak. "What possible use could a man like that have to someone like you?"

"In the most simple explanation, I need him to produce a modified light container."

Issei saw Kiba's expression change to one of hopelessness. "B-but…he'll end up killing more?"

"The church has been producing Light Containers for years now without needing human sacrifices," Naruto said with a flippant wave of his hand, "and knowing how competitive Valper is; he isn't going to let the church outdo him, are you?"

"Of course not my most generous and merciful lord."

Is this the same arrogant bastard from earlier? The one that taunted Kiba when Freed had all the power? Speaking of, did Naruto also get Freed? Because Issei wanted a shot at him for everything he did to Asia. "But he killed so many, where is the justice for my friends?"

"You filthy devil, you speak against the word of the man with the eyes of g-"

"Enough of that, Valper."

"Of course my most merciful lord."

A strange silence drew around them. It seemed like Valper was about to reveal something he shouldn't have, even Issei was able to tell that. The question is what. As for Kiba, well, the boy wasn't looking so hot, he seemed confused, scared, angry and helpless. "You have a choice, Kiba. Give in to your want for revenge and beat on Valper for a bit, I honestly think it is pointless like I told you years ago, but I'll allow it and I'll heal Valper. Or, let him walk away and don't give in to yourself. Don't stoop down and tarnish your friend's names."

"And what if I don't stop and try to kill him?"

Issei watched intently, he might need to jump in here. "You think you're faster than Hanekawa and myself?" Kiba hung his head. "So, what will it be?"

"Please just take him away. I don't want to see him anymore."

Naruto gave a small nod and then opened a portal, "Wait in there, Valper. I'll come get you later."

"Of course my lord."

There was something strange going on. Valper entered without another word and Kiba balled his fists into the ground beneath them digging up dirt. Issei though looked to Naruto. "What do you need a light container for, from what I've gathered aren't they for holy swords?"

"Yes and no. They are a way of instilling holy energy into someone that doesn't have it. In short holy energy is what people need to be able to use holy swords. There are weapons that reside outside of this ruling though, like Excalibur Ruler, and I believe Durandal. Both of those blades choose whether someone can wield them, it doesn't matter whether they have holy energy or not. There is a fair bit more to it, but that is the basics."

"You didn't answer my question?"

"Not sure I need to?" Issei stared at him for a while but the man gave a small shrug. "Long story short, there are some crazy mythological creatures that are about to wake up this year. Now we can knock them out and put them back to sleep or we can try to seal their power into people."

"I don't mean to sound rude, but isn't that kind of wrong?"

He saw Naruto's face soften and started to understand Hanekawa's words. You really had to see all sides of him before you could judge. "Yeah, it is. But what you have to understand is that before these creatures fell asleep they were rampaging through human lands causing a lot of death and destruction. I plan to give them their power back once they regain their sanity and can be trusted not to go slaughter anything that bothers them."

"Oh," he really didn't know how to respond to that.

"Yeah, I'm doing something bad to stop them from doing something worse and trust me, those two are going to let me hear all about it. Not to mention I think a pesky old monkey might have a word or two to say about it all." The blond clapped his hands together and wiped whatever expression he had been wearing away. Turning it into a big smile, "More importantly, Hanekawa says you're trying really hard in your training, you whine a bit, but you don't give up. Good work."

He felt a little bit of pride in his chest at those words and turned his sights towards the cat-girl, who was busy trying to fight or provoke the mountain of a man that Naruto brought with him. From the description he would have to guess that it was Arashi. "She's been training hard as well, not to mention she makes my sessions pretty easy to understand. I don't know what would have happened today if she hadn't helped me out." He honestly didn't and really didn't want to think about it.

"She also says you try really hard not to stare at her ass." Issei nearly choked at how blunt this noble could be. "Don't worry, I know she has an issue with wearing tight and revealing clothes and to be fair I don't blame you, so long as you don't try anything we are good, and you know, you check her our respectfully. No bathroom peeping."

"Um, yes sir?"

"Oh, I should warn you. I know you're a bit of a perv, I couldn't care less. You try anything with my little sister though…" the blond trailed off with a flippant flaming hand and Issei wasn't sure if he wanted him to speak those hidden thoughts or not.

"I… Well of course, that only makes sense."

"Great final thing before I let you go…It takes a lot of guts to stand up and face an attack like that head on. I wish more people had a heart like yours, and Kiba, you could learn a lesson or two from Issei." With that the older blond walked away leaving Issei standing in shock and Kiba still in a ditch, both trying to come to terms with what the hell just happened.

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Kuroka, like most in the room was finding it difficult to close her mouth at what she had just witnessed. Yes Shirone had gotten hurt and she was a bit pissed at that, but Naruto had also healed her right up…so she just might forgive him for that; after she chewed him out of course. But no her new master was freaking crazy. She understood now why Ophis wanted him, but she'd be damned if the lolita dragon got to him first, and those damned devils from the Old Satan faction were practically drooling where they sat. They for some reason believe that they will be able to tempt him across to their side.

Hells she was damned sure that Katerea wanted to mate with him. There was not a chance in hell she was letting that decrepit loose grandma get near her new master.
Regardless things were looking damned good for her and Shirone. Not only had her new master filled out very—very—nicely he was strong, handsome and filthy fucking rich. He would be the perfect father for her kittens. Now she just needed to convince him.

"He held back."

"Oh jeez, Ophis don't sneak up on me!"

Kuroka could understand Le'Fay's shock, after all not even she felt the dragon appear. But there it was, watching the screen. They continued to watch as her master walked the field, checking over the bodies before pausing and looking towards them all. In a flash he was right in front of the recording spell and he picked it up; twisting it around in his hands.

"Enjoying the show?" At his question there was a screeching from above and Kuroka turned her head up to see a portal trying to force its way into the base leaking blue flames. She snapped her head to Ophis who tilted her head at the situation before letting out a small huff and snuffing the portal out. "Well, Ophis, a pleasure to make your acquittance, but leave me alone." And with that he crushed the spell leaving the room silent.

I mean who had the balls to break the silence after that? "Leave him alone for now. He is making good progress." Well, of course Ophis could do whatever she wanted, for the most part, but judging by the looks that were directed at the little dragon that was an order that was going to be ignored.

Hells once Ophis left Vali even muttered that there was no way he wasn't going to fight the Azure now. "You felt that right, Cat?"

Kuroka rolled her eyes at Bikou's name for her. "Yeah, yeah, Monkey."

"The old man wasn't kidding. That guy is a monster. No anger at all, just disappointment. Jeez, just what did you train gramps?"

"What does him getting angry have anything to do with this situation?"

Kuroka looked towards Arthur and then remembered as a human he probably didn't have a full rundown of how all supernatural things work. "Long story short, the Azure wasn't satisfied at all with Kokabiel's strength, meaning we can assume he was holding back a fair amount as for the anger, well his sin is wrath, the angrier he gets the stronger he gets until he explodes."

She saw the human tighten his features, yeah it looked like things were starting to find purchase and align in his little head. "Vali, it might be in our best interest to-"

"Nope, I'm going to fight him."

"I was hoping that this might deter you."

Kuroka knew better, if anything this show just made Vali want to fight Naruto even more. She let out a tired sigh and was going to make some excuse to retreat to her room, maybe she'd say something about trying to find a way to seal him again…while she hated lying to Le'Fay like that it did give her a lot of room to move around and spare time as well. But as she went to speak her vision went black and she felt a hand grab her.

She blinked and found herself in the lair of Ophis. The little girl looking down at her from atop her chair. "You can report to your master that I have ordered he is to be left alone." Kuroka's hair instantly stood up on its ends and she got ready to fight and then just as quickly deflated remembering just who it was in front of her. "I have no intention of harming you."

"Oh," and she perked up a little at that, "that's good, I still have too much to live for."

"I felt his presence in you when he tried to break in with that portal. I quickly smothered it so no one else should have noticed, and I don't think he would be kind to me hurting one of his servants."

"Wait, so you don't care that I am spying for him?"

"Not now. It works in my interest."

"Oh, well I can pass on the message, but I don't think everyone is on the same page as you."

The dragon gave her a blank stare then it pursed its lips in what looked to be thought for a moment. "Very well. Than I will disband Khaos Brigade. The Azure will become more powerful than it anyway."

"Actually, it might be in our best interest to keep it around for a little while?"

"Oh?" Getting nothing further from Ophis, just her continued blank stare; Kuroka took this as a prompt to continue.

"He wants peace, but he knows that the Old Satan faction will never let him have it. Plus the hero faction is a damned mess. We have them, we could deliver them to him and try to curry favour, then he might be more willing to hear you out."

"I see. I find this an acceptable path forward. Would you send the rest of your team in. I have a new task for you all."

"I think Vali will be difficult to convince. He really wants to fight Naruto, also you might want to call him that when you speak to him… calling him the Azure feels a little strange, not personal."

"But that is what he is."

"And you are the Infinite Dragon, but he called you Ophis."

"Oh." There was a pause in the conversation as the dragon god seemed to be in thought again before it finally spoke, "I will need you to help me converse better with him."

"Sure, I'll go get the others now though, we can work on that later. Okay?" When Ophis gave her a nod Kuroka quickly skipped through the halls and found her teammates not long after heading towards her room, it looked like they were searching for her.

"There you are, we noticed you just vanished without saying anything, Vali was hoping that someone tried to kidnap you."

Trust Le'Fay to always be bright and bubbly no matter the situation. "Well, no. Sorry. Ophis pulled me aside to talk, we did and now she wants you all to come with me."

"So no fighting again?"

"Nope."

"Not interested."

Kuroka repressed the urge to groan and quickly moved forward and grabbed Vali's arm before he could retreat. "No running off. Ophis has a job for us that could lead to some really big fights." When she said that he started to relax and let himself be dragged towards the dragon god's lair. Thankfully it wasn't too far away and Kuroka had to guess that most of the others in the base were still busy discussing the upcoming battle against Naruto now that they saw some of his abilities for them to be much of an issue at this moment.

They pushed into the lair and found the little god standing in the middle of the room, no longer seated like earlier. As they approached the dragon god walked towards them before teleporting them to some other location. When they landed Vali was the first to speak up.

"I take it this is a dangerous thing to talk about then?"

"Yes," Ophis paused and looked them all over, "You will help me offer the members of the Khaos Brigade up to Naruto Phenex."

Kuroka could see relief wash over most of them team, Vali though had narrowed his eyes on Ophis. "You know I want to fight him, right?"

"You would die."

There was no hesitation is what Ophis had said. There was no pause to think or even any question, to Ophis it was a fact that Vali would die if he fought Naruto. That sent a shiver down Kuroka's spine. Yeah she was happy that her master was super strong, but Vali was crazy strong and for him to be brushed aside so easily made her feel a little sick. "Don't forget that I can divide his power, I'll drag him down."

"I haven't. Divide Kuroka's energy and you will see."

Vali looked between the two but shrugged and did as he was asked. Didn't she get any say in this? She felt his sacred gear latch onto her and watched as Vali caught on fire the wings that made up his sacred gear quickly burning away to nothing and then the fire stopped. "What the hell?"

"That is with only a tiny fragment of his power."

"Wait, Kuroka why do you have some of the Azure's power?"

Kuroka scratched at her head, really Ophis could have given her a heads up so that she could think this through just a little. "Um, well, I'm a part of his peerage."

She saw Le'Fay release a breath, meanwhile Vali narrowed his eyes. "For how long?"

"Since before you all recruited me. He knows about everything; the attack coming during the Host of Embers, the members of the old Satan faction and their powers, the hero faction even your Divine Dividing. Whether the attack goes ahead or not is now up in the air, but yeah, I've been reporting everything to him."

"If we're all getting things out in the air I was also spying on you all." That surprised Kuroka as she looked at the young Le'Fay. "Naruto Phenex is my pact devil, in return for spying on Khaos Brigade and some magic lessons he offered protection for myself and my brother along with a supply of energy for spells and also knowledge from the Phenex archives for my own magic." There was a small pause and Le'Fay looked towards her, "I was really worried that I was going to end up getting you hurt."

This little girl was really adorable at times. "I kind of was as well, and it's honestly a little funny he recruited us both." Kuroka would have hated turning against Le'Fay, but for her sister…Well she had already paid a dear price before.

"If you two are both saying it, then yeah I guess I should mention that I've been sending reports back to gramps." Bikou reporting to Sun Wu'Kong honestly didn't surprise her.

Vali looked towards Arthur, "So who are you spying for? Everyone else has apparently been keeping tabs."

"No one." He looked kind of sad when he said that. Like the kid that gets picked last for dodge ball.

It became rather awkward as Vali scratched at the back of his head, "Ah, sorry man."

"It is fine, to be expected even. My knightly honour would make for a poor spy."

No one seemed to offer any other assuage to the man as he tried to straighten himself back up. Kuroka though was keeping an eye on Ophis, the dragon paying an equal amount of attention to her. "You must avoid Cao-Cao."

"Okay? Why?"

"He has a god-slaying weapon." That just made sense, anyone should avoid someone with a god-slaying weapon. "Whatever Naruto Phenex did when he vanished has allowed him to form a divinity of his own and a tiny piece of that is inside of you."

What the hell had her master done when he went missing? Well, if things played out well she would be able to find out soon enough, plus she'd also get to see Shirone soon, oh and Hanekawa…the damned cat.

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Raynare awoke with a jolt and found her hands bound. Her head snapped around and well, she didn't look like she was in any kind of jail cell or dungeon. No she looked to be in a rather nice room, laying on a rather comfortable bed as well. Was she dead?

The last thing she remembered was that guy blocking Kokabiel's spear and muttering something about a package. She heard voices approaching and rolled out of bed looking for something she could use to defend herself then she remembered that she was probably captured by either the Azure or that Gremory princess, neither of them were going to be so lax that she could get a quick jump on them so easily, not after everything that has happened. So she let out a sigh and rested on the edge of the bed waiting for the door to open and reveal who was to be her captor.

The voices stopped and the handle turned; the door opened and her heart sunk to a pit of despair she hadn't discovered yet. Walking into the room was the Azure Phenex and Governor Azazel. This is it, this is where her life ended after they got what she wanted. Her mortal enemy and the man that tossed her to the gutter.

She flinched back as they approached but then they knelt before her. What? That didn't make any sense. She froze and they softly took her hands in theirs. "We thank you for your service, Ray-ray." It was slow at first, like a fog drifting in only it happened in reverse. She hadn't noticed it before, it was creeping away and showing her things about her past that hadn't been there previously. Her childhood, her time working with Azazel, the multiple meetings she had with the Az- with Naruto.

Hanekawa, Seekvaira. The time she smacked her head with the clipboard and how he had comforted her and the tears that had flowed at that time came back heavier now. How she had run out into the hallway to scold some people while she was trying to relax at the hot springs and the strange and awkward bath she had shared with those there. To when she agreed to take up this task.

To trick Kokabiel and how they had sealed her away. Her attack against Issei, not entirely of her own will but what she had said was. Only now she knew why. His life would be hard because of his sacred gear. She wanted to make him happy before he died, she had failed. The Gremory girl had brought him back. She wondered if he was happy now, or if he would have been better dying then.

Raynare fell forward, being caught by someone she really didn't want to appear vulnerable in front of, but she knew would care for her regardless of her insecurities. She didn't know how long she stayed there in his arms, in silence between stifled sobs as she continued to realign her memories and trying so desperately to block out everything that Kokabiel had done to her. She needed something else to focus on.

"Asia?" The little nun girl that was pulled into all of this. She pulled back and looked at Naruto through blurry eyes. "Is Asia okay?"

His face softened and a smile wormed its way into his features. "I heard she became a Devil so that she could stay with Issei. From what I hear, what happened drove them to be rather close and she lives with him now."

"I'm glad that I wasn't useless then."

"Don't talk about yourself like that."

Her head swapped between the two as they snapped out the same words at the same time. "Look, I don't know how your father feels about all this-"

"My father?" She questioned the blond and turned to face, well, the older blond. "You're my dad?"

"You didn't tell her?"

Raynare watched the governor shrink a little and put his hands up defensively, "Look, there wasn't really a good time."

"My bad, um, I'll give you two some time to sort things out, just call if you need anything."

She watched Naruto leave, rather awkwardly compared to every other time she had seen him before turning her gaze back to her supposed father. "Why?"

"I've done a lot of things, you might need to be-" apparently her leveled glare was enough to make him consider his next words, "To protect you. To give you the life I never had and hopefully, so that you could be happy."

"After mum died… don't you think it would have been nice for me to know how close my family was? Hells you told Naruto before you told me!"

She saw him take in a deep breath and sit on the edge of the bed. "I tried to keep you close without making it suspicious, but if others had of found out, well, I have a lot of enemies and whether we want accept it or not; you aren't strong enough to deal with them all and I'm not always around. You saw how quickly Kokabiel snapped you up when I wasn't around" She saw him try to steal a glance at her, and yeah she was angry but really she just wanted to know why it was all hidden from her. "As for Naruto… I was asking a lot of him and he needed to know that one, I had something on the line as well, and also that I was coming into this seriously."

There was a pause. His reasoning was solid enough, but that didn't mean it helped with how she felt. "I don't like it, and I kind of want to kick you, but I understand. I still only have two wings, compared to the two of you… Well, I'm still just a child, aren't I?"

"I'd call you a temperamental teenager-"

"Not helping your case."

"But," he dragged out, no doubt trying to get her attention back, "If you want to get back in the fight, or if you want to go back to the labs or hells if you want to sit back and vacation for a while…I understand that, and there will be no judgment from anyone. You were able to get Naruto a lot of information which can help us route out any sympathizers still in our ranks."

"So we succeed then?"

"All thanks to you."

"It really doesn't feel like it. I feel like I've done nothing but fail for the past year."

Raynare studied Azazel, it was different, everything was different with him now, and yet it was also the same. She knew he was her father, he had confirmed that, but it didn't feel like he was. It felt just like it had when they were in his office, only instead of being sad at being rejected again he is just sad in general. "Well, there is one person that would argue that quite intently." She perked up at his voice and filled a look of question at him. "I can't be there for you. I get distracted in my interests and leave for months at a time. Naruto has offered you a place in his peerage and I can't think of a safer place for you to be."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, he can be a bit brash, but he is strong and they move around a lot making it more difficult to pin them down. Not to mention they could help train you in ways that, well I wouldn't think of. I've never really had to rush anything before."

"I mean, are you okay with me becoming a devil?"

"Not fully," he admitted, "but if it is what makes you happy then I will learn to love your decision."

Raynare folded her hands into her lap and looked at her father, nope, still felt weird to say. "No one has made me feel the way he does, but that doesn't mean that we won't see each other semi-regularly. I'm sure reports and the likes will need to be delivered to you and vice-versa."

"I've been preparing for this day since I saw you had a crush on him."

"You knew?"

"Hells girl I think most of the people at the lab knew, not to mention the members of his peerage."

"Does he know?" He just shrugged at her question. "Great…You know, when things were hard with Kokabiel, I could hear his voice. He helped me through some of the darker days."
"If that's what will make you happy, then go for it. You'll have my full support… but I want you to remember he is the Azure…If he doesn't defeat Kaguya he will likely give his life to seal her again."

Raynare looked down at her hands, her fingers fumbling between themselves. Of course she knew that, hells she was sure that everyone in his peerage knew and most of his allies. It was likely one of the reasons why they respected him. "I guess, I just need to make sure he doesn't fail then?"

She heard Azazel sigh and stand up. "Well, if that's what you want to do I suppose I better get back to work making that weapon of his."

"Thanks Da-, nope… fathe-, nope…Thanks Azazel. Sorry it just feels weird, like we still have a lot to talk about before that will work." She looked up at him and gave a genuine smile, it was small, well she hadn't had much reason to smile this past year so maybe she was lacking in that regard.

He rubbed at the back of his neck. "I'll try to be a better father than mine was, but you gotta understand I don't exactly have the best role model."

"That is a pretty low bar you've set yourself."

"Want me to get that boy of yours?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "He isn't my boy, but yes please let him know its okay to come in. We'll talk more later."

He nodded and left leaving her to figure herself out in the sparse few moments that she had before Naruto arrived. What did she want out of this? Honestly she had no clue. Yeah she had just found out that her father was the Governor General of the Fallen Angels, that enough was to send her for a loop, but this would also be the first time she had been alone with him since her talk with Seekvaira in the hot springs.

Was he actively talking to her when her days were bad, or was it just her mind giving her the voice of someone it knew would calm her?

"Hey, Ray-ray."

Her heart skipped a beat at his voice. Why the hell hadn't her father closed the door? She spun on her heels and saw him standing there, he had changed so much since they had seen each other. "Come on in, and don't be like Azazel and close the door."

She heard the door close and could feel those covered eyes on her. "How much did you tell Azazel?"

That wasn't a good way to start a conversation. "Nothing really. You know him being my father was a more pressing matter, and then there was the topic of you."

"I'd rather I wasn't a point of conversation between you and Azazel…but I should let you know so that we're open about this…Things with my abilities have changed. I used to only be able to feel the thoughts of people that died when I was healing them…Now when someone is caught in my flames I can sift through their memories."

"Oh."

"I burnt the First Legion to death."

"…oh, so I take it you know everything that happened?"

She didn't dare to look up at the moment. She sat on the bed and looked at her hands and his feet. "I only know what the first legion saw and felt…I don't know about anything you did alone."

Well there were one or two nights he really didn't need to know about so that was good, but what he did know about bothered her a great deal. "So you know what they did to me. That they broke me, made me dirty?"

"I know what they did, yeah and I know you tried to take your life."

Her eyes widened and she looked up at him. "I thought you didn't know about the things I did alone?"

"I don't, but when Kokabiel had to send people in to fix you up…" He trailed off and Raynare got the picture.

She looked back down to her hands and rubbed at her wrists. She knew the wounds were gone but she felt as though they were still there in this moment. "Please don't tell anyone. Especially not Azazel."

"I don't intend to. I just wanted you to know that I am aware of a lot of what happened, but I can pretend that I don't if that would make you feel better."

She bit her lip and looked at his eyes, well as much as she could as they were hidden behind that black bandage. "I think it would be good to have someone I could talk to about it…I just really wish it wasn't you." She wondered what he thought of her, of all the things that had been done to her and all the things she'd been forced to do.

"But we can talk about that when you are ready if you want. In no way will I push you to confront this."

"Thank you. Um, Naruto, did you try to reach out to me during the, you know?"

"I should have, but I didn't. I didn't want to blow your cover…now I really wish that I had, I'm sorry."

Raynare shook her head. "No, it's fine I just needed to check something was all." Did her own body seriously produce his voice, sealed as it was, to offer her a sense of comfort?
He crouched down in front of her, a deep frown on his face. "I really wish we didn't need to rush and could take things at a pace that was better for your recovery, but there is a chance that Sirzechs will try to detain or arrest you for questioning. I don't know if Azazel will have the standing in the meeting to stop such a thing from happening. I can fight against it, but it would be easier if you were a member of my peerage."

"Do you want someone like me in your peerage?"

She could feel the intensity in his covered eyes. There was no doubt in her mind that there was a slight glare full of guarded questions baring down on her. "Are you asking if I want someone who does what it takes to survive in a hostile environment and clams up about it to stop her father from worrying? Someone who for all counts should be left alone to grieve for what was taken from her but is instead worried about strangers that she barely knows? You might see yourself as less than you were, but you're still Ray-ray."

He paused, drew closer and rested a hand atop hers. Part of her wanted to pull away at being touched, but she held, feeling his warmth, not the imagined one that his voice gave her in whispered darkness but his actual warmth on her skin. "You tried to save Issei from being dragged into this conflict. You tried to make his last day on earth a happy memory that he could take with him. The first thing you asked us about was Asia Argento's health. You are so incredibly kind, so yeah, I want to give you a spot in my peerage. The world needs more people like you."

Her heart raced in her chest at his words, at his comfort, but Raynare didn't know if she could believe in his words. "I don't know about that."

"How many people do you think would let, and no offense at all intended here, some morally questionable man who you hardly know alter their memories so that they can infiltrate an enemy faction who for all intents and purposes goes against everything you believe in?"

"Not many…but I caused so much trouble during it all."

"Not really, that wasn't you."

Raynare shook her head. "We attacked human families. We killed them in your territory."

"Oh," she looked up at his reaction and saw a rather awkward expression, "Well, you didn't really."

"What do you mean? I saw their bodies." She could recall the warmth of their blood splashing against her as Freed pulled them apart.

She watched as his shoulders sunk. "Well, they did die, but they didn't stay dead. Between Hanekawa's speed, Seekvaira's ability to turn back time and my families' tears… it was touch and go for some of them, but none of the families you guys attacked are dead."

"Oh," it was her turn to give an awkward expression, "But what about their m-"

"I have been told their memories about what happened were erased. As far as they are aware they won a lottery and have had their houses renovated."

"So even as an evil bitch I couldn't get anything right… I mean, not that I wanted to now, but it just feels that…you know I didn't actually get anything done."

There was a small tug on her hands and she looked up at the covered eyes of Naruto. "Well, there is one thing that you got done."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, killing Issei when you did meant that Rias picked him up and not me."

She looked back to their hands and hung her head. "Sorry."

"Eh, don't be. The kid is a better fit in that peerage than mine. You also got Kokabiel to lower his guard around you enough to divulge a large amount of useful information. You did a hell of a lot more than you think and if you join my peerage or not, I will do all that I can to protect you from the Maou."

"I…I want to, but I want to do some things as me before then. Is that okay?"

She saw him straighten up a bit and nod. "Of course, and if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know."

Flashes of thoughts, of inquisitions in bath houses and of lonely nights crashed through her head. "Oh, I'm sure I'll find things you can help with."

┈ ┈ ┈ ⋞ 〈 ⏣ 〉 ⋟ ┈ ┈ ┈

She stared at the visage of Christ in his final moments; of him dangling from the cross and she questioned her own worth. For all accounts she failed. Yes, the fragments of Excalibur were back…but not by her hand. If it were left to her Kokabiel would have had another two fragments and the Church would have lost two holy sword wielders. No, even working with the Devils in Kuoh had resulted in such a thing coming to pass. Her actions here were pointless. Utterly and completely pointless.

It was him.

The one that Lord Michael came down from Heaven to see, the devil that could stand in God's house. He, not her, was the one to complete her mission. it was his hand that gripped what he should not be able to and pass it to her. His pity was her damned success.

Part of her wished she had have been knocked out like Irina, having the ability to not witness a devil complete the task gifted upon them. Her fingers knitted together on the backs of her palms. Her nails, cut short, dug into the stretched skin. Was this the difference between humans and the supernatural? Even with Durandal…even with the blade of destruction Kokabiel hadn't taken her seriously, not for a moment. How was she to show her face again in Rome? How was she to report to the Seraph that she had failed in their task given to her?

Xenovia released her hands, letting them drop from her weak symbolism that granted her clearer thoughts. Her mind raced to his form, that strong back of flickering flames that stood strong against the fallen. Lord Michael had said he was a good devil, for whatever that meant. Lord Michael had said that she could lean on the Azure. That he believed it would help her if given the chance, but she could not shake the words of her master.

That she worried about the effects of the devils having the Azure back. Xenovia wondered if she even had the right to show her face to the devils after what had happened. She had disgraced herself, barged into their territory and demanded that they followed her commands.

She had thought herself to be above their petty squabbles for territory and control. Oh how wrong she had been. Seeing the breadth of difference in their strength and hers. In their ability to command and her own.

They had even given medial treatment to Irina, a courtesy that she likely would not have afforded them.

"I hope I did not keep you waiting, Xenovia."

She stiffened briefly before taking a breath and turning to see the Azure standing across from her in this near destroyed church. She had not heard his approach, had not felt him drawing close. "I came early so I could have time to center myself."

"Given the blood on the backs of you hands," she chanced a glance and saw he spoke the truth, "I would take it that you didn't have much luck."

"Sadly, you are correct. If anything my thoughts are more frantic than before." She watched him face her for a moment and pause. She really wished his eyes weren't covered. "Is something wrong?"

"You were there when I met Michael. Weren't you?"

"I…yes, I was present when you previously met with Lord Michael." Why did that make her feel odd? That he remembered her from a an instance of no longer than five minutes that happened years ago. Yes, of course she remembered him, he was a devil that could stand in the house of God…but to him, to the Azure, she was likely just some other exorcist.
She watched as he slowly walked forward showing his back to her and facing the crumbling statue near the center. Did he think so little of her that showing his back was not a risk?

"What did you want to talk about? I assume you don't want the other devils to know seeing that you went to a pretty decent length to make sure I got the message privately."

Xenovia sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to steady her thoughts, to temper her resolve, but nothing seemed to give her the solidarity that she craved in this moment. "God…God is dead, isn't he?" Her voice was soft but she saw him glance over his shoulder. He didn't respond vocally so she pushed. "I saw a devil fuse holy and unholy energy into a blade. That should be an impossibility. I have seen more and more priests become corrupt. I have seen the lines blur beyond what could be considered an abnormality. The only way this could happen is if God is no longer with us. Lord Michael said that I can trust you and in this moment I feel it safer to ask you instead of the Church."

He turned and she saw that smile fall, his lips pressed into a thin line as he appeared caught up in thought. "If I answer your question, you may no longer be welcomed back at the Church. You know that they enjoy having control over the narrative."

Xenovia thumbed at the backs of her hands before meeting his gaze. "I need to know if I am praying to an empty throne."

"The throne is not empty, but it is too large for Michael to sit on alone…as for God, the accepted truth is that he died fighting against Lucifer."

Why did his words not come as the shock that they should be? Yes she had come to question her faith, but even still the thought that the biblical god is dead should be something that shook her at least a little, right? "Wait," she squeaked out, "What do you mean by accepted truth?"

"Just that. It is a version that has been told so many times that people have come to accept it as fact."

"And the real truth?" She pressed. At this point the church would already likely hunt her down. She may as well know the totality of the situation.

"God, Michael, Lucifer and the previous Azure failed to defeat an ancient foe. Michael was the only one that survived, but God wiped his memories of the event. They managed to seal this foe away, but the seal is breaking, quickly. That is the truth. There is a foe that is waking up that managed to kill three of the most powerful figures to have walked on this Earth and only a handful of people are willing to listen to it."

She felt her foot nearly give way under her. Struggling to stay upright as her mind processed the information that was given to her. God and Lucifer not only teamed up, but failed. She weakly laughed at the absurdity of the situation. What was she meant to do? God had failed to contain the coming threat, and she was just a small human that could swing a fancy sword, not even well enough to deal with a group of traitors from the looks of recent events.

"I had a similar response when I first found out."

"And how am I meant to know that what you say is the truth and not some lie?"

She saw him nod slowly. "Put your hands together and pray; pray for Michael to come here and confirm it."

Xenovia thought about doing just that. A part of her wondered if Lord Michael would even answer, but if he did, and if he did appear here then her conversation would be over. This devil no doubt had things he needed to speak to Lord Michael about and as loathed as she was to admit it; they were probably more important than her. She looked at his covered eyes that appeared to be fixed on her. "What did Kokabiel mean he said 'his' eyes?"

"Ah," He spoke and lightly tapped at the black covers, "When they sealed the foe, they stole its eyes, and it turns out that God had very similar eyes to his foe. So I took the preserved eyes and put them in my head." Xenovia went to speak and he raised a hand to stop her. "I'm pretty tired of explaining how I came to the idea of doing that, so please don't ask about that."

She held her breath for a moment to collect her brief thoughts before they spiraled out into a vomit of rushed questions and half-baked thoughts. She crossed her arms under her chest and let out a slow breath. "So God is dead, you have his eyes and you feel fine saying this to me…These seems like pretty important things so why are you letting me know freely?"

"What reason would I have to lie to you or to hold this information back? You can wield not only Excalibur, but that was Durandal that I saw for a moment, wasn't it?"

On instinct she made to summon Durandal yet paused. It would be fruitless. Kokabiel hadn't taken her seriously and this man had killed him with so little effort. As she went to pull her hand away from its position she felt another wrap around her own tightly. She turned to face the figure and saw Lord Michael. Her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.
"I am sure that Xenovia didn't me-" But he was cut off when Naruto gave a small wave of his hand.

"I provoked her a little bit, it seemed more instinct than anything else that caused her to reach for it."

At Naruto's words Lord Michael released his grip and she drew her hand back slowly; rubbing at her wrist. "I stopped because I knew it would be pointless to draw Durandal anyway," She turned her gaze to Lord Michael, "It's true, isn't it?"

Xenovia saw his face falter, that smile that he always wore dropped. "Yes, my father died, as Naruto here said." There was a pregnant pause as Lord Michael's words sunk into her.
"Since the battle earlier I have been deliberating what to do with you, Xenovia."

"Pardon? What do you mean my lord?"

She watched him shift, seemingly uncomfortable with what was to come. Meanwhile the other blond in the room laid back on nothing. Floating in the air like he was resting on a bench. "Xenonvia, I can no longer allow you to be a member of the church."

Her mouth dried up, what did that mean? Was she being excommunicated? Were they going to silence her for her mistakes? "I don't understand? I know that I failed but-"

"But you did not let me finish," He let out a small sigh before laughing softly. "Humans, you always act with such haste in every manner. Your knowledge of my father's death, of Naruto's eyes and of the enemy that we face because of Naruto's words would be wasted as a member of the church. I know that you can keep a secret, Xenovia, so I would ask such a thing of you. Do not speak of what was told to you here, to anyone. Not even to Griselda. I will explain it to her when she is ready."

"I, I think I understand." Keeping a secret from Griselda would be tough…but not impossible.

Michael let out another small chuckle. "Yes I believe it would be difficult for you to keep something from her if she pressed you. Which is why I would ask that Naruto lets you stay at his residence for the time being."

She looked to the man in question only to see him give her a thumbs up. "What am I going to be doing?"

"Yeah you kind of left that part out Michael."

"I was getting there, I assure you," he spoke and rolled his eyes, a gesture she hadn't even thought Lord Michael possible of doing, "Naruto and I have briefly spoken regarding the events around Kokabiel and his attempted attack on Kuoh. As the conversation drew to you he offered a proposition that I agreed with. From this moment on you are to act as an Envoy of Heaven. In the coming days you will become an Angel and travel with me so that you can be fully briefed on your tasks, but for now, your primary concern is to act as the voice of Heaven as you grant council to Naruto while he prepares for war."

It almost felt like someone was sending her to heaven. She felt weightless as the seriousness of the conversation slowly worked its way into her. The responsibility that rested on her shoulders now. "But why me? Irina was there as well."

"Griselda raised you in such a manner that you have seen both the dogmatic side and the kindness of the Church. You understand duality, you are the wielder of Durandal and Excalibur of Destruction. You understand temptation and how to resist it but most importantly…you know how to be human. These qualities all allow for a perspective that Naruto and the members of his council do not have. Qualities that Irina does not hold. Qualities that will be required for your position."

Xenovia blinked quickly trying to process the fact that Lord Michael was telling her, not only that she would become an angel, but that she was to become an adviser to Naruto; the devil that just killed a legion of fallen angels like it was child's play. "I believe I understand, and I accept the new position."

She saw a smile slowly work its way back onto Michael's face. "That's good news. Do you have any questions for me, Xenovia?"

"Just one," she paused, looked between the two blonds and steeled herself, "Is what Naruto said true…about how God died?"

Xenovia saw Lord Michael let out a deep sigh. A hand raising to rest on his forehead as he looked to Naruto. "You told her everything?"

"All but the name."

Lord Michael let out another sigh and slowly nodded. "As Naruto said, my memories of the event have been erased, but there are oddities that appear, oddities that he was able to account for when we've met previously and Azazel was able to capture a being related to this foe."

"Michael is too nice to say it while I'm here, but part of your job is to also verify what I've said."

"Naruto is brash and not using the words that I would, but otherwise he is correct. This is a threat that until recently Heaven has been unaware of, and now even though we know of it we can not find it."

Xenovia looked to Naruto, "And you're not worried about what I will say?"

He gave her a small shrug. "I'm going to have to fight against it whether you tell Michael it is real or not. It doesn't bother me, I haven't told a lie regarding Kaguya."
"And that is her name?" Her question got a nod from the two blonds. "Very well, I guess I will need to gather my things."

Naruto sat up, still floating in the air and looked at her intently for a few seconds. Well, she guessed he looked at her. Those coverings over his eyes did little to help her actually gauge where he was looking at. "I have a driver waiting outside who will take you back to your apartment before bringing you by the house. But for now, I think we're done here, right?"

"Not quite," called Lord Michael drawing attention back to him, "After we wrap up the Kokabiel incident…I would like for you to return to Tokyo, Naruto."

"Oh?"

Lord Michael took a step towards the devil. "There have been disappearances again."

"People are always going missing in Tokyo, Michael."

"The pattern is the same as last time…There have been a number of Exorcists that have vanished along with an Ophanim."

She saw Naruto let out a small whistle and Xenovia had to agree; it wasn't often that a Throne was tasked with something on Earth and even rarer that they failed…But it was damned unheard of for one to just disappear. "We were all pretty sure she was gone."

"It would appear that she is back and stronger, or there is a more dangerous copy-cat out there. I will leave this in your hands." With his final words spoken Lord Michael vanished in a burst of light leaving her and Naruto alone again in the decaying church.

"That's a problem for later, don't worry I'll fill you in when we start moving towards it. For now get yourself ready. We'll have a proper welcome feast for you."

Xenovia gave a solid nod. Part of her wondering how hectic her life was going to become with this new task, and another relishing in the added responsibility.

┈ ┈ ┈ ⋞ 〈 ⏣ 〉 ⋟ ┈ ┈ ┈

One might think that being Student President from one of the most prestigious high schools in Japan might allow for a portion of pride to form in her work. Or that she was an heiress to one of the remaining noble families of Devildom might allow her to breath easy knowing that her life was secure. One might think that with her being a devil and having abilities that raise her far above most mortals might make her relatively human dressed life quite a relaxing one.

One might think that having parent visitation day would be something that she would look forward to; a chance, if you will, to show off all that she had accomplished. In that case what should it matter if her older sister were to appear? What should it matter if her older sister started doing cosplay in the auditorium? What should it matter if students started flocking to said auditorium thinking it was some kind of event that she had allowed for today?

So as Sona Sitri, heiress to the Sitri house, came to the auditorium she was not surprised to see Rias and the Gremory peerage; nor was she surprised to see Sanji, her own pawn, having a difficult time with the one and only Serafall Leviathan, thankfully he had already moved the other students along. Sona did her very best to approach her older sister with all the composure that one would expect of her station. Only to freeze as those bright eyes locked onto her. "So-tan!" Faster than Sona could react the Satan of foreign affairs jumped at her with arms wide spread.

Only there was never any connection. She looked and watched her sister jump again, and miss again as Sona found herself in a different position. A slight smile came to her features as she quickly figured out who was at play. "Onee-sama, please refrain from such acts out in public. We both have images to maintain."

She watched her older sister frown, whether it was at Sona's words or her inability to catch Sona, well, the younger sibling had no clue. "Seekvaira, if you're here I assume Naruto is here or will be soon?"

"My, that really did not take long, sorry for interrupting Maou Leviathan, but seeing Sona's trepidation towards your intimate reunion I figured it best to allow her to save face." The click-clacking of heels rang out across the schools freshly polished floors as Seekvaira made her presence formally known.

"And for that you have my thanks, Seekvaira, but I am inclined to agree with my sister regarding her question about your husband to be and his location." The heiress of Sitri prompted and spared a glance to the Gremory peerage, but none of them really appeared interested on getting involved at the moment. No, it more appeared that they and Sanji were discussing the overbearing relationship between her older sister and herself. She would reprimand Sanji later.

"He has just left to gather someone that was left off of the invite list of this little meeting, or maybe their invite got as lost as ours did?" Seekvaira gave an amused chuckle, seemingly to herself.

Sona shifted her sights to Serafall who looked both hurt and confused at the situation. "Wait, Onee-sama, what meeting is Seekvaira talking about?"

"Well," Serafall started awkwardly, "I was trying to get the attention of both you and Rias-chan so I could inform you about it. In a few hours time the Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels and I suppose another faction?" She paused and looked to Seekvaira who nodded, "Yes another faction will be gathering to talk about the recent events. Wait, if Naruto is gathering someone else, then why are you here early, Seekvaira?"

"Naruto wanted to increase the security of Kuoh, specifically the academy with so many influential figures gathering. So I am here just supervising his familiars." Seekvaira walked close and flagged Rias to come closer as well. Something was wrong, there was a serious expression on Seekvaira's face, one that Sona was not a fan of.

"I feel it would be prudent to inform you three, so that misunderstandings are not had. Naruto wanted me to make it clear that he harbors no ill feelings towards you three; he is not a fan of the actions that the current Lucifer is taking regarding this meeting and animosity may rise in the room. Also, with regards to the messenger you sent to him, Serafall. They have been unfrozen and are being treated. You are welcome to visit them after the meeting, also," Seekvaira paused and lightly put her hand on Sona's shoulder, "As a parting gift, for interrupting your bonding moment I have stopped Sona's feet from being able to move temporarily." With that the heiress turned on her heels and walked away giving a small wave of the hand. Sona tried to move her feet and failed to do so and instantly feared the worst as she looked to her older sister.

But at seeing her older sister's face; those eyebrows twisted into a look of deep thought a much more worried feeling started to rest deep in her stomach. Rias though gave a nervous laugh, "I'm sure it was just a miscommunication between Grayfia-neechan and Onii-sama."

Sona hoped that was the case, she hoped her sister would laugh and suggest that was the case, but when Serafall let her frown deepen and started to walk away, not even taking advantage of her compromised state…Sona felt a wave of dread wash over her. What in the hells was going to happen at this meeting? "Rias…Why would Seekvaira take time out of her day to inform us, and warn us for something that might be a miscommunication?"

"I don't know, Sona, but I like that idea a hell of a lot more than the thought that the Maou and the Phenex might be about to be at each other's throats."

Sona let out a small sound of agreement before she paused. Her mind drifting back to when the Phenex had last called out the Maou. Her sister had breached into matters of the Phenex clan and for weeks she could feel the tension in the air around Serafall. Even now there was still suspicions thrown her way over some of her recommendations, over her talks with other dignitaries. "I agree that it is a much nicer thought. For now though I need to talk with my Onee-sama, we will have to go over the details of the last week once again before the meeting."

Rias nodded before replying, "I was thinking an hour before, we could get some light refreshments and go over our reports."

"That sounds good, for now though, if you will excuse me," Sona finished and quickly started to move; only stopping when she felt her peerage move in toe, "It would be for the best if I was alone with Onee-sama. Please see that events of the school are looked after." There was a quick affirmative and Sona continued after where her sister had fled.

It didn't take long to find her, sad as it may be to admit her sister was rather predictable when she was upset. Finding the Maou crouched down on the roof as slowly rocked on the balls of her feet caused Sona to pause. It was in moments like these that she had to remember that Serafall, Maou or not, was still a regular person. Yes, she may be incredibly powerful but seeing her so small and feeble you would not draw that conclusion.

Sona came to a stop beside her older sister, looking out at the same scene that she saw. Tens of spectral birds weaving a cage around the school and Kuoh itself. Sona had to figure that they were Naruto's familiars hiding themselves from the humans and only showing themselves to those with supernatural abilities. Or maybe only to the devils that were here when they started; she had no idea how their magic worked.

"Hey, So-tan."

"Naruto Phenex is the boy from the hot springs, isn't he?" Serafall didn't look up at the question, there was no shock or anything of the likes. Instead there was just a small nod as the Maou continued to rock on her feet. She remembered her sister coming back from her small vacation like a high school girl with a crush. Now, yes, Serafall was prone to perhaps excessive emotional displays, at least by Sona's standards, it was the only time she could recall her sister looking quite so happy. "You are worried about the meeting aren't you? Sorry, that was a dumb question."

"I haven't seen him in a year, and now, the first time I see him will be in a formal setting that could blow up, and I…I don't know which side I should take."

Sona pursed her lips. "I have no idea how you feel, Onee-sama. For me though, it might be easier to stay true to my duty or my morality."

"I have to choose between supporting a potential romance… or the person that crushed my heart but is one of my best friends."

That was a perspective that Sona hadn't viewed the situation at. "That is a difficult choice to make."

Serafall nodded into her knees. "Plus I just talked to Falbium, and he thinks that Sirzechs might not win if it comes to blows."

"That's…" She couldn't find the words for it. Naruto was but a year older than them and Sirzechs Lucifer was the current strongest devil, for one of the Maou to doubt him in combat against someone her own age was…Well, unthinkable.

"The reports say that he fought and won against the four demon gods beyond the Black Gate at the same time, and that he now controls everything beyond the Black Gate."

"I still remember his thirteenth birthday; to think that he might very well have become the strongest current living devil is…well looking at our behaviour back then I would think it impossible."

"The last time we met, he said I was stronger than him. If he was lying than I…even if he was to grow so much in such a short span of time is a little frightening."

Sona took in her sister's words, the silent worries that she didn't dare speak. "You do understand that this isn't a domestic affair, right, Onee-sama?"

"Yeah. Sirzechs, as a Maou, has no place at the meeting tonight."

"And that, at least if Seekvaira is to be believed, well then Grayfia may have tried to stop your invitation from reaching the Phenex family."

"I don't, for a moment, doubt that Sirzechs doesn't want Naruto in attendance."

"But why, would the Maou not be in a more advantageous position if they were to work with the Phenex?"

Sona watched her older sister sink further into her crouched position. Waiting for her to respond to the posed question. "When the Phenex family fought back against me…I took a step back and looked into what the Maou actually do…the thing is, I overstepped, there is not a single doubt about that…but I really feel like the warning wasn't to me. Sirzechs has a lot of skeletons in his closet. He has stepped on the toes of many of the remaining noble houses. I checked with Ajuka and Falbium, and well, they are pretty clean but they also see that the noble houses are letting us have power at the moment."

"I find that hard to believe Onee-sama, you four are wise, strong and understand your stations."

Serafall though shook her head. "I oversee less than five percent of the conversations with other factions. That is generous, and most of the conversations I was invited into by one of the houses. Falbium says that the Maou can't afford a standing army and that our current forces are paid and equipped by the noble houses. Ajuka, apart from his own lab which is paid for out of his pocket, again, via the money we collect from the Noble houses in taxes, has RnD fully funded by the Nobles. The domestic side…well each territory acts under its own laws. They have their own taxes, their own forms of entertainment. We are not needed and the nobles know that."

"What do you mean, Onee-sama?"

Serafall let out another long breath as she stood up. "Mother and Father signed the document to look into my actions regarding the sortie for Kuroka."

"Really…Mother and father?"

"Yeps, Along with thirteen other Lords, Ladies, Elders. Eight of them provide ninety percent of our military budget. A faction needs money, the nobles remembered that and we didn't."

That caused Sona pause. She could continue to have blind faith and support her sister through their familial bond alone, or she could take in her sister's words and try to figure out what they could do to amend the situation. Neither was looking good in the current situation, to be honest, Sona had not thought that the Maou were on shaky ground at all. They always looked so strong in the public image.

"To make it worse, in four hours the Phenex assembled a larger army than we had stationed beyond the Black Gate. They supply hundreds of free vials of Phenex tears each year to the military. I feel that tonight we might lose a Maou, we all lose our seats…or Sirzechs kills Naruto Phenex in front of Michael and Azazel, and I do remember the reports of the three of them meeting in Rome, they are very familiar with one another."

"Onee-sama, allow me to suggest something outlandish, but food for thought?" Sona looked to her sister who gave a slight nod. "What if, between Naruto, Azazel and Michael…well what if they orchestrated this whole event to take down the Maou? You said yourself that they are familiar with one another."

Serafall seemed to take her words to heart and maul them over for a few moments before speaking, "I don't think so. I am pretty sure Naruto knows he doesn't need Michael and Azazel to remove us from power. The people of Devildom would be enough. No, I think they have something else going on, something more important that we don't know about."
"Forgive me for being blunt and perhaps arrogant, but this is important. Kokabiel attacked us in our territory."

"And the report you gave me said that Naruto dealt with the First Legion in under one minute. I want you to make no mistake, Sona…You are dearly important to me, but I am not sure if you would be considered so to Michael and Azazel."

It hurt to hear those words, it hurt because in a sense they were true. She and Rias had not accomplished a single thing to their name. They had done nothing worthy of being noted down. Her fingers formed tight fists before slowly unfurling. "And you think that Naruto does?"

"I believe he has to consider every devil as important, he kind of alluded to as much." Serafall must have seen the look that Sona was giving her and believed it was a cause to further elaborate because she started up again. "When we were cuddling at the hot springs h-"

And Sona wanted to stop that conversation right there. "Sorry, but I don't need the image of my land lord and my sister together running through my head before this meeting."

She watched Serafall brighten up and lean forward, "It's okay to think about me a little So-tan." Before she jumped and tried to drag her into another childish hug. Returning to these antics allowed her a breath of relief.

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Arc 2, Growing Pains...End.
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PA: And another chapter down, next time we'll be dealing with the three(four?Five?)faction meeting and probably have Tia get some emotional spotlight(if I remember). Also, yeah, Xenovia is not becoming a Devil in this fanfic. Honestly I felt like her 'crisis' of faith was over very, very, quickly in both the anime and light novels so I want to do a bit more with that before we touch on anything else with her. As for Ray-Ray, she'll be around, just not part of the peerage yet.