Draconis: So...you want to go another round with them? (points at Kenshin and Kiba)
Freed: Fuck yes! I wanna kill them!
Draconis: Well here's the thing. You're a minor antagonist no matter what arc we're in. Kenshin's the main character along with Issei and Rias, and Kiba has a major role in this arc.
Kenshin: Heh. (takes a drag off of smoke)
Kiba: I'll gladly bust that Excalibur into pieces if you want to fight that badly.
Freed: You wanna go fucker!
Draconis: (snaps fingers) Leave.
Freed: Uuuwwwaaahhhh! ! (blasted backward by a burst of wind.)
Rias: Hm? Draconis-San, I wasn't aware you could use the elements as well.
Kenshin: That was me. (lowers hand)
Rias: Oh, from this angle it looks like Draconis-San did it himself.
Draconis: Anyway...
Dragon of the Elements
Chapter 9
The Two Exorcists
Draconis: Begin!
The Night after Kenshin and Kiba encountered Freed
Two young women walked into the abandoned church. They wore hooded mantles to hide their faces, black one piece outfits that clung to their skin and thigh high black socks with black boots. One of them had a large bound up claymore on her back. She looked around. "This place is quite run down."
"I hear a fallen angel and a devil had a skirmish here." The other one said.
"He's awfully late...and we were to meet him here?" The woman with the large blade said taking down her hood, revealing blue hair, save for a small streak of green in her bangs. "You're certain about that?"
The other girl took down her hood revealing light orange hair tied up in long pigtails that hung past her waist. "Of course!" She said with a cheerful tone. "After all, I picked this place as I used to live here with my parents when I was little." She held up a copy of the picture Issei had in his photo albums. "See?"
"Well in any case...he might have been killed, I can sense devil magic in this area...and the ranging levels of elemental magic damage to the surrounding area concerns me considering the fact that the magics used are of the four main elements of Creation and Destruction...only one man in history has been able to use them all at once, and he's a legend in all three factions."
"Aaah, you worry too much Xenovia." Her partner said.
The now named Xenovia sighed. "I worry just the right amount, I'm concerned that the Elemental Dragon Emperor, or the Dragon of the Elements may have returned. You should be a little worried as well Irina."
"Aaah, I'm sure everything will be fine." Irina said waving her off.
Xenovia sighed. "I hope so."
(break)
The next morning
Kenshin and Issei awoke. "...Huh?" He felt weighed down. He looked up and saw that Rias and Asia were laying on him...completely in the buff.
"Uuuuuwaaahaahaha!" Issei gushed.
"Nngh!" Kenshin grabbed his head in pain. "Fucking dammit Issei! You're gonna give me a migraine!"
"S-Sorry." Issei said.
"It's fine...just...don't do it again." Kenshin thought.
"Hmm?" Rias and Asia awoke and rose up. Kenshin glanced at both of them.
"Ok...what's going on here?" Kenshin asked.
"You fell asleep while we were in here last night, so we both decided to use your arms as pillows." Rias said.
"You were um...using those things of yours that I see you using so often." Asia said, not knowing what they were.
Kenshin nodded, knowing she was referring to his smokes. "I must have gotten really baked." Kenshin thought.
"Ah! I have to go prepare breakfast!" Asia said getting out of bed and putting her gown on.
"Oh that's right." Rias said getting up, taking the sheets with her to cover herself with. "I'll see you two later Kenshin, Issei." Rias said.
"See ya." Kenshin and Issei said, the latter from the mirror. Kenshin slumped back into his bed. "Is this gonna be my life now?" He wondered.
"Chief's influence is making Asia do dirty things." Issei sighed.
Both Kenshin and Issei grinned. "Not that it's a bad thing though." They both said.
"No wait it is! We have to protect Asia!" Issei said.
"Yeah, but if this is a choice she's making herself, regardless of Rias' influence, what are we protecting her from? Herself?" Kenshin thought.
"...Good point." Issei said. "But you know...if we did anything with Chief...Asia will get mad."
"I have a feeling it'd be more than just her, but that's just me." Kenshin thought.
"Like who? Who else likes us?" Issei asked.
"Not that stupid. I was referring to like...her parents for stealing her chastity before marriage...Grayfia, Sirzechs...Raiser who I couldn't give a fuck about if I tried."
"No fucks policy with that firey jackass?" Issei said with a grin.
"Fuck yes." Kenshin said.
"We've seen Chief's boobs, touched 'em too, but anything beyond that seems like it's lightyears away!" Issei whined.
"Yeah so?" Kenshin thought. "Having patience for something is worth it more often than not."
"Yeah, but how much patience can you have? Don't you feline types go into heat?" Issei asked.
"I'll burn that bridge when I get to it." Kenshin thought getting out of bed.
"You never stop thinking about women, do you partner?"
Kenshin started getting dressed while thinking. "Short time no see Ddraig. What's kept you?"
"Nothing, I just felt like taking a nap." Ddraig said. Kenshin nodded.
"Shut it Ddraig, I'm just at that stage in my life!" Issei said.
"And you're trying to drag the Dragon of the Elements down with you to that place." Ddraig said, a hint of pity in his voice. "Anyway, I just came to warn you that I've felt a strong presence around you lately."
"Well I'm around Chief a lot and I'm stuck to Kenshin like glue." Issei said.
"If it was either of them, I wouldn't be bothering with this." Ddraig said.
"Then an enemy?" Kenshin thought.
"I'm just telling you two to be careful." Ddraig said. "There's no telling when the White Dragon will attack you."
"Bring him on, I'm not scared." Kenshin thought.
"Hahahahaha just like Ragnarok, you fear nothing." Ddraig said. "In any case the name for him is Albion, the Vanishing Dragon."
"Vanishing Dragon...what is his power the direct opposite of yours?" Issei asked.
"We were the Two Heavenly Dragons, but we never got along, before we were shoved into these gears. We fought constantly and Ragnarok Kuroshi the Elemental Dragon Emperor kept the destruction at a minimum and acted as a sort of Dragon Tamer along with his clan." Ddraig said.
"So, if I'm hearing you right, Issei and some unknown guy are gonna butt heads sooner or later, and I'm going to have to keep them from killing each other, or any innocent people." Kenshin thought.
"That is how it happened before we were put into gears when Ragnarok finally grew tired of our bickering and sliced us up with something he called the Tenrai Sesshou Yuurei." Ddraig said. "It was like a ethereal suit of armor that he clad over his transformed dragon body."
"Ugh, first you barge into my soul and then you tell me this?" Issei asked.
"Technically Ddraig's been here since you were born." Kenshin thought.
"He's right you know." Ddraig said. "Besides, what are you complaining about, you got the power of a dragon out of the deal." He spoke with amusement in his voice.
Issei went on a spiel about what he wanted to do with Ddraig's power, to build a harem of women after becoming a high ranked devil. Kenshin and Ddraig both snickered.
"While I have no problems with that, in the end we're both taking residence in the body of the Dragon of the Elements. So in the end it's up to him what we do." Ddraig said.
"Yeah, but Kenshin doesn't have any ambitions or anything like that." Issei said.
"You confuse his not having an ambition with his just not having decided what he wants to do." Ddraig said. "He's only been in this world for a short time, if I were him I'd have trouble deciding what I wanted as well, but as far as yours and whatever his ambition might end up being, he might not have a choice. A dragon's power is the kind that wows and mesmerizes people." Ddraig said. "Some consider it repulsive, but women are charmed by it and drawn to it. Though you still have to wow them yourselves with who you are in the end."
"S-Seriously? !" Issei said with excitement.
"Sure, My hosts were always swarmed with women, and Ragnarok in his time here had no shortage of women trying to catch his eye." Ddraig said.
"Wow, I didn't know you were such an amazing Sacred Gear!" Issei said crying tears of joy.
"Talk about a change of heart." Kenshin thought.
"For now, I wanna conquer Chief's boobs!" Issei gushed.
"..." Kenshin stared at his reflection in disdain.
"...You wanna grope them?" Ddraig asked.
"No, not just that, suck 'em too!" Issei declared.
"...Right now it seems she's enamored with the Dragon of the Elements." Ddraig said. "You'd effectively be trying to steal her away from him. And you saw what he did to Raiser Phenex when he tried."
"..." Issei gulped. "Oh...ri-right...Ch-Chief and Kenshin...which means I'd have to take on Kenshin for her...!" He let out a cry of fright.
"Will you calm down? If she's OK with it, I don't see a problem, we're in the same body you idiot." Kenshin thought.
"So...I'm helping a guy suckle huh...? When did I fall so low?" Ddraig lamented. "Well it should at least be a fun ride. Now neither of you forget my warning."
"Yeah Yeah." Kenshin thought.
"Right." Issei said.
(break)
Kenshin was standing in the hallways of Kuoh as Motohama and Matsuda rambled on about Karaoke. He glanced outside seeing two hooded figures. He saw a large wrapped blade on one of their backs. "...Hm...a holy feeling is emanating from that blade. Is it a holy sword? Better not let Kiba see it." He saw Sona and Tsubaki approaching them and sent a pulse of his magic to Sona. She looked up at him and he shook his head. She nodded and mouthed 'I know.' Kenshin turned his head as the girl carrying the sword turned to look back in his direction. She turned her head away and found Sona and Tsubaki had vanished as well. She muttered a curse under her breath and walked away.
"Something the matter Xenovia?" Irina asked.
"There's more here than I thought." Xenovia said.
Later in the Occult Research Club building Kenshin and Asia walked through the halls of the newly cleaned building. "Wow, they gave it a mirror finish."
"Which I bet you're just loving right now, right Issei?" Kenshin thought turning a mental eye toward him, seeing him looking at the floor, and by extension up Asia's skirt.
"Hm? What's in that room?" Asia asked noticing a door bound up by caution tape.
"Rias said she had to seal up that room for reasons that she'd like to keep to herself." Kenshin said.
"Excuse me is Rias in?" Kenshin turned to find Sona and Tsubaki.
"We were about to find out ourselves." Kenshin said. "Come on."
"Thanks for running interference earlier." Sona said. "The blue haired woman felt your pulse and that caused her to take her eyes off of us so we could slip away. The other one wasn't focused on us."
"Not a problem. All I noticed was that large holy blade she had." Kenshin said. "She might not have been so unwilling to fight in a crowded area as you were."
Sona nodded as the four of them walked into the main room where Koneko and Rias were sitting. "Rias, I need you to come over to my house, you as well Kuroshi-San
"Just Kenshin." Kenshin said.
"OK, Kenshin-San." Sona said.
"Sounds like serious business." Rias said.
"It is." Sona said.
"Alright, I'll bring my queen as well, Akeno!" Rias called out.
"Hai?" Akeno said walking out of the back of the room where she had been sorting requests out for everyone.
"We're leaving." Rias said.
"Hai hai." Akeno said as the five of them disappeared.
Asia turned to Koneko. "Where's Kiba-kun?" She asked.
"Yuuto was absent from school today." Koneko answered.
Meanwhile Kenshin, Rias, Akeno, Sona and Tsubaki were in the bath hall. Kenshin had activated Undine so he couldn't see anything while he forced Issei into the Phantasmagoria to train. "So you had another run in with them after that?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes, they asked to speak with Rias." Sona said.
"Church affiliates want to meet with a devil? You're joking right?" Rias asked. "Haah...well in any case this is not good, who knows what could happen."
"How did you reply to them?" Kenshin asked.
"I accepted, but only if you were present as well Kenshin-San. Not Hyoudou Issei either, you must be in the front." Sona said. "However something worries me and Kenshin-San picked up on it as well."
"One of them had a Holy Sword with them, it's logical to assume that the other has a smaller one." Tsubaki said.
"Always assume the worst, you'll never be disappointed." Kenshin said. "She probably does...!" His eyes widened. "I gotta go!" He said rushing out of the bath hall. "Asia probably decided to head home and she's got no one protecting her!"
"Damn!" Rias said. "Come on Akeno!"
Kenshin dressed himself using his magic and used teleportation to appear near the Hyoudou Residence. He canceled Undine's power and took out his cards, ready for battle. "This feeling..." He thought. He rushed into the door. "Aunt, Uncle." He called out running down the hall.
"Hahaha, yeah yeah, then Issei tore his swim trunks in the pool." Mrs. Hyoudou laughed.
"..." Kenshin entered the room calmly, holding his cards. She turned to him. "Oh Kenshin hello, I thought you'd be gone a little longer."
"...No, I had nothing to do so I decided to come back." Kenshin said with narrowed eyes seeing the holy sword setting against the couch that Xenovia and Irina were sitting at.
"Well what's the worried expression for, Issei's old friend from childhood stopped by and I thought you'd like to meet her." Mrs. Hyoudou said.
"Hello Kenshin-San, I heard you hadn't visited much, so it's no surprise you don't know me, I'm Shido Irina." Irina introduced with a smile.
Issei who had just come out of the Phantasmagoria looked over at the two. "Who are they?"
"She's from this picture right here." Mrs. Hyoudou said showing him the picture that Kiba had asked about.
"Hm?" Kenshin said looking at it. "So this one with the same colored hair as this girl here, is Irina?" Kenshin asked.
"Yup!" Mrs. Hyoudou and Irina said at the same time.
"Hey Issei, you better go pick up that phone." Kenshin thought.
"Phone? What? Ok you were right but I don't..." Issei was cut off.
"Because I fucking called it!" Kenshin thought.
"You asshole!" Issei shouts.
Kenshin glanced Irina's friend. "..." Kenshin's and her eyes met. He glanced over at her sword, while she glanced at his cards.
"That Sword." Kenshin thought.
"Those cards." Xenovia thought.
"It's definitely a Holy Sword." Kenshin thought.
"There's definitely an abundance of elemental energy in those cards, and they are deeply connected to him." Xenovia thought. "I didn't expect to find the Elemental Dragon Emperor so soon."
Asia walked in holding a tray of cookies. "Oh? Kenshin-San...I didn't think you'd be back so soon."
"What we ended up talking about ended up being nothing major." Kenshin said walking past her, holding his hands behind his back. He pointed up and glanced back at Asia. She nodded and set the cookies down and went upstairs.
Xenovia narrowed her eyes. "He's quick on the uptake. He already identifies us as a threat, or maybe just me." She thought.
"Auntie, I think I'm gonna retire to my room for the night. I have some homework to do." Kenshin said walking upstairs after grabbing a few cookies.
He walked up to his room and saw Rias waiting for him with Asia. "What do you think?" Rias asked.
"So far, I don't think Issei's childhood friend is much of a threat, if either one is gonna give us problems, it's probably the blue haired one, and she seems to have an interest in me." Kenshin said. "She knows I'm a Devil too."
"I see..." Rias said. "I'm sorry for leaving you alone like that Asia, I'll do a better job protecting you from now on."
Kenshin turned to Asia. "Next time, if you feel something's amiss, don't hesitate to warp back to the clubroom."
"Yeah, we'll come for you and deal with it." Issei said from the mirror.
"Yes, thank you Issei-San, Kenshin-San." Asia nodded with a smile.
A mark on the back of Kenshin's hand glew. "What is it?" Rias asked.
"Oh, I've been summoned is all. I gotta go take care of something for someone." Kenshin said. "See ya." Kenshin said as a black magic circle appeared under him and he warped away.
Kenshin and a older looking gentleman with black hair save for a large patch in the front that was blonde, wearing japanese leisure robes were fishing down by the bay. "So...are is this catch and release, or are we taking 'em home? Cause I'm not gonna lie, I could go for some grilled fish right now."
"Oh? Can you make a fire?" He asked.
"Can I make a fire?" Kenshin asked sarcastically.
"Eh, I think it might be illegal anyway." He said.
"True. So I forgot to ask your name when you summoned me the first time." Kenshin said.
"Oh, just call me Aza." He said.
"OK then." Kenshin said.
Aza nodded. "So you look like you're in deep thought."
"Eh, just thinking about a lot of things." Kenshin said.
"A Devil shouldn't look so gloomy." Aza said. "Life's problems tend to sort themselves out."
"And sometimes they don't." Kenshin shrugged. "It's nothing major, I just tend to overthink stuff."
"I hate it when that happens." Aza said with a grin. "Hey, you got a bite."
"Yoink!" Kenshin said yanking his line up. "...ah...it's puny. Back in ya go."
"Eh, not every bite you get is gonna be the big one." Aza said.
"So I let it mature and see if it bites again." Kenshin said.
(break)
The next day.
Rias, Akeno, Koneko, Asia, and Kenshin were in the Occult Research Club, Rias was seated across from Irina and Xenovia. Xenovia cleared her throat. "We thank you for your cooperation."
"So tell me, what would the servants of God want with us?" Rias asked.
"Although one has yet to be found the six remaining Excaliburs are being held by three separate divisions of the church. Three have been stolen by Fallen Angels." Irina said.
"Sounds to me like you're really loose handed with your holy blades." Kenshin commented.
"Kenshin, now's not the time." Rias said.
"Well, he's not wrong." Xenovia said. "The ones we have are the Holy Sword of Destruction or Excalibur Destruction."
"Yeah, I know someone who'd just love to rain down an unholy fire storm on it." Kenshin muttered.
"And this one right here, the Excalibur of Mimicry, or Excalibur Mimic." Irina said gesturing to a rope tired around her left arm.
"So, what do you want from us?" Rias asked.
"Yeah, I fail to see how your missing swords have anything to do with us." Kenshin said.
"This problem is between us and the Fallen Angels, we cannot afford to be dealing with the inhabitant devils of this place as well." Xenovia said.
"That's awfully condescending of you. Our relationship with the Fallen Angels soured quite some time ago, I doubt we'd side with those who wish to kill us." Kenshin said.
"Holy Swords or no." Rias finished.
"You Devils despise the Holy Swords." Xenovia retorted. "You're in the same boat as them."
"Then it'd have to be one bloodsoaked boat." Kenshin said with a shrug.
"If we have to, we will destroy you all." Xenovia said. "Sister of a Satan and the Elemental Dragon Emperor or not."
"If I had a yen coin for every time I've heard that or something like it, I'd be a rich man." Kenshin said with a small, mocking grin.
"Then let me tell you something, I will never side with a Fallen Angel, in the name of the Gremory, I will never do anything to humiliate my family again." Rias said crossing her arms.
"Good." Xenovia said with a small smile of her own. "All we want is a pledge of non interference from you, and from you." She said glancing at Kenshin.
"Fine then." Rias said.
"I won't actively seek them out, but if they and their servants come after me...or if you two or your allies get any wise ideas...it's open season." Kenshin said crossing his arms.
"I'd expect no less." Xenovia said getting up as did Irina. They started walking away when Xenovia glanced at Asia. "You know...I've been wondering this since we left your house. Are you Asia Argento?"
"H-Hai?" Asia asked.
"Hm...I didn't think I'd see a witch here." Xenovia said with narrowed eyes.
"Aah? !" Asia gasped.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes.
"Aah, you're that ex-nun that became a witch." Irina said with an ever present smile. "Didn't you become a witch when it became apparent that you could heal even Devils and Fallen Angels? I didn't think you'd become a Devil yourself?"
"Um...I..." Asia said with a quiver running through her voice.
"To think a saint has become a devil...well no one's perfect I suppose." Xenovia said.
"Hey! You shut the hell up!" Issei shouts from the nearby mirror.
Kenshin glanced at the mirror. "Issei, don't."
"Eh? Issei?" Irina said glancing at the mirror.
"Damn, I can't cause a scene right now, but what they're saying is pissing me off!" Issei growled.
"I know, but they haven't done anything yet other than talk, let's hope that's all they do." Kenshin thought.
Xenovia ignored Issei. "Do you still believe in our God?"
"Xenovia, she's a Devil." Irina reminded.
"That may be, but some blasphemers feel guild and retain a bit of their faith." Xenovia said. "I can sense that much."
"Is that so? Ne, Asia-San, do you still believe in God despite being a Devil?" Irina asked.
"W-Well...I-I can't quite let it go." Asia said with a tear dripping from her eyes, something Kenshin didn't fail to notice.
"Kenshin!" Issei said.
"Not yet. They're still just talking." Kenshin thought slipping his hands into his pockets.
"If that's the case then allow us to kill you now." Xenovia said walking toward Asia who gasped. "Whatever sins you have committed, God will always forgive you. I will mete out punishment to you, so you can go to him with your conscience clear. She began to reach for her sword when she froze. "!" She turned, wide eyed to Kenshin whose eyes were blinded.
"Listen here, if you threaten my friend's life in front of me again, we're going to have a serious problem." Kenshin said holding his naginata in his hand.
"Hmph" Xenovia smirked. "I'm merely performing my duties as a woman of faith."
Kenshin canceled Undine. "And I'm telling you, you're going to have to go through me to do so. You people are the ones who put her up on a pedestal and left her alone. Then rejected her existence when she did one thing you did not like only because she didn't have the heart to turn an injured person away, despite them being a devil."
"A saint only needs the love of God." Xenovia rebuked. "Those seeking more than that, are unfit for sainthood."
"What a load." Kenshin snapped. "Would you be saying that same thing if yours and Asia's positions were switched?"
"..." Xenovia said nothing.
"Would you honestly be able to handle the solitude, the soul crushing loneliness, that in the end...you were only revered for your abilities, not for who you were." Kenshin asked. "If you can't, then you are no more fit for sainthood than she was and you should turn in that blade you're carrying and excommunicate yourself."
"...Wow...even I can tell what this Kenshin is saying to Xenovia..is really getting to her." Irina said looking at Xenovia.
"And what exactly would you know about any of it?" Xenovia asked.
"Not too much, but I've seen you 'holier than thou' types before, you're not much different from each other." Kenshin said. "I used to be a demon before I became this."
"And yet you have the gall to comment on the faith of us pure women." Xenovia said.
"Like I said...I've seen your type before." Kenshin said. "You think your faith gives you the power to trample on whomever you please, and nothing will happen to you."
"You assume much in saying that." Xenovia said with a small smirk.
"You've shown me no different." Kenshin said. "Now, if you're willing, we can go outside and you can show me what sets you apart from the rest."
"Are you challenging me?" Xenovia asked.
"Indeed I am, there's only one thing that dragons really respect, and that is strength or power." Kenshin said. "It won't be to the death mind you, as I do not feel like taking a life and I can tell you share my sentiments on the matter."
"Very well, but you'll be needing some help, however I want first crack at the Excalibur Destruction you can't count on the other one staying out after all." Kenshin turned and shot an annoyed glare at Kiba.
"I'll let you in, but next time get in on it from the start, don't butt in at the end." Kenshin said.
Xenovia glanced at Kiba. "Very well, I could use the warm up."
"Krgh..." Kiba growled.
Kenshin, Kiba, Xenovia and Irina walked behind the Occult Research Club building. They stood across from one another. "There, you're getting another shot at the Excalibur, so calm down!" Kenshin said smacking Kiba over the head.
"Fine fine, I'm not really angry right now anyway." Kiba said.
"Yeah, right." Kenshin said taking out his cards and readying his naginata. He turned to Irina. "If you don't wanna get hurt Ojou-Chan, step out now. I'm not one for holding back once I've gotten serious."
"And leave you to gang up on Xenovia, fat chance!" Irina huffed.
"Not at all, I'd leave these two to their dance, but if you're so intent on being my dance partner, that's the choice you'll stand by." Kenshin said. "Card Equip! Sylph!"
"Finally I find the thing I've been dying to destroy." Kiba said as swords shot from the ground.
"Sword Birth...I remember now, there was that one person who escaped the Holy Sword Project's disposal." Xenovia said.
"And you just found him." Kiba said with a scowl.
"How do you know of Issei Hyoudou?" Irina asked Kenshin.
"Well that's very simple. His soul now resides in this body." Kenshin said gesturing toward himself.
"Ah, hi Irina...didn't know you were a girl." Issei said with an awkward grin.
"You reaped his soul? ! Are you a dark reaper? !" Irina said with wide eyes.
"Not at all, I was actually dying myself when I did it, and his body was turning to nothing due to a Fallen Angel's attack. I figured I'd give him a body to bury." Kenshin said. "Neither of us were expecting reincarnation into a Devil so soon, but here we are."
"So you inadvertently saved his life?" Irina said lowering her sword slightly.
"Pretty much." Kenshin shrugged.
"Aaahhn! Is destiny toying with us to cause such a tragedy? ! Issei-kun!" Irina said.
"Your idea of a tragedy is adorable." Kenshin said with a smirk.
"Allow me to punish you for your sins, Issei-kun!" Irina said diving toward Kenshin. "Amen!"
"You're a comedian aren't you?" Kenshin said blocking her sword strike. He held his hand at her stomach. "Wind Palm."
"Kuh!" Irina was blown backward by a burst of wind.
"Irina, be very careful. This one is the one I was concerned about. He is the Elemental Dragon Emperor." Xenovia said.
Kiba lunged for and slashed at Xenovia who barely blocked him. "You won't escape with just wounds if you ignore me in favor of Kenshin-kun."
"And Issei himself is nothing to scoff at either, he has a Longinus called the Boosted Gear." Kenshin said.
"Tch, Sword Birth, Boosted Gear, The Four Elements of Creation and Destruction, and Twilight Healing. It's no wonder you all became devils." Xenovia said.
"The Four Elements of Creation and Destruction?" Kenshin said with a curious expression as he blocked a diagonal downward slash to his left from Irina.
"Oh that's right, that's what they called Ragnarok's power back then." Undine said. "It's not far from the truth."
"Yo Kenshin, try and use that disarming spell." Issei said. "In fact use it multiple times!"
"You really wanna see your childhood friend's boobs don't you?" Kenshin said with an exasperated expression.
"Is something wrong?" Irina asked as she kept trying to slash at him, each attempt as unsuccessful as the last.
"Your childhood friend is a pervert, that's what." Kenshin said.
"Kenshin! Don't tell her that!" Issei complained as Kenshin's tail held up a mirror.
"You're the worst Issei-Senpai." Koneko said. "Be wary around him, he has a technique that shreds the clothes of any girl he touches." She warned.
"E-Eh? !" Irina gasped. "Lord please forgive this sinful pervert!"
"Don't look at me with those pitiful eyes!" Issei snapped.
"...I'm sorry." Kiba said with a sigh.
Xenovia closes her eyes. "Such perversion, it must be rough to deal with, Elemental Dragon Emperor."
"You have no idea." Kenshin said.
Irina jumped back as Kenshin sliced upward, taking off a few strands of hair. Kenshin smirked. "Good, I'd hate for you to end up all bloody due to my mistake in thinking you could handle me. Card Cancel."
"Hmm? Are you so confident you think you don't need any power to fight me?" Irina asked.
Kenshin slid the Sylph card into it's slot. "I was just thinking it's time I went on the offensive. Kazerin!"
"Haah!" Irina swung her sword upward, batting the spinning blade skyward. "Now you're defenseless!"
"Am I?" Kenshin said as Irina charged after him.
"!" Irina stared wide eyed as her sword collided against Kenshin's spinning naginata. "How?"
"I can control the blade and it's sentient when equipped with the Sylph Card." Kenshin said. "Now it's time to go night night, Ojou-Cha-? !" Kenshin nearly lost his balance and Irina fell backward. He glanced over and saw Xenovia standing in a small crater while Kiba was backed up. "..." He glanced over at Irina and saw she was distracted and moved his blade chopping her in the back of the neck with his free hand.
"Uhhnnn?" Irina fell unconscious.
"Irina!" Xenovia said.
"Relax, she's just out cold. Now will you two finish up?" Kenshin said holding his four cards in one hand. "I wonder which ones I should use to counteract Excalibur Destruction if Kiba doesn't win...hmmm..." Kenshin muttered to himself. "Sylph's a no go, without Undine, I'd just be running into an ass kicking and I plan on using Gnome. Sorry Sylph."
"Daww, it's alright..." Sylph said.
Kenshin watched as Kiba swung a sword easily twice his size at Xenovia. "I'll break that thing in half!"
"You know, it's not how big the stick your wield is, it's how it's used that determines it's worth." Xenovia said ducking under the horizontal slash and driving the butt of Excalibur Destruction into Kiba's stomach before back handing him into unconsciousness. "His rage blinds him..." Xenovia said glancing down at him in pity.
"Tell me about it." Kenshin said. "Although the pursuit of vengeance against those who wronged you, is something I can admire."
"I've done nothing to him." Xenovia said with narrowed eyes.
"Those can refer to things as well." Kenshin said with a grin. "Now, are you ready, cause here I come!"
"Hn!" Xenovia grunted as she blocked Kenshin's stab at her shoulder. "So...strong...!"
"That's the power of earth for ya." Kenshin said.
"...Your eyes..." Xenovia said throwing Kenshin off of her blade and slashed at his neck. "!" Xenovia was surprised when he blocked it. "How, your eyes are clearly blinded!"
"Heheheheheh, how many people am I gonna get with this?" Kenshin said staring at her his naginata balanced on his shoulder, he whipped his head around and spun it around his neck. "My eyes are blind, but my perception has never been stronger." Kenshin said lunging at her. His blade collided against hers multiple times. "Gotta say though, I can feel it...you're damn strong yourself Xenovia...and not just because of this fancy holy sword."
"Heh, flattery will get you nowhere!" Xenovia said slashing her sword downward. Kenshin moved out of the way and let the force of the blade shattering the earth blow him back. He flipped backward and caught himself with his left hand and flipped back onto his feet. The next instant he leaped over a horizontal slash from Xenovia and landed on her shoulders. "!" Her eyes widened as he twisted his legs around and sent her into the ground. Kenshin lofted his sword overhead and slashed downward.
"Earth Rumbling Decapitation!" Kenshin called out.
"Hn!" Xenovia kicked his arm changing the trajectory of Kenshin's slash and kicked him in the head after it was buried in the earth. "Aw, you limited the destruction for the sake of not killing me? I should thank you!" She said kicking at his temple again. Kenshin grabbed her leg and flung her to his left.
"Well I did say this wouldn't be to the death." Kenshin said. "I have near perfect control of my muscles, I could have stopped the blade and requested your surrender."
While he was talking Xenovia had caught herself and slid across the ground and smirked. She stood in front of a tree. "And you wouldn't have gotten it, I won't submit to a man like you."
"Heh, good thing I love a challenge then eh?" Kenshin said with a wide grin as he moved in to clothesline her, she dodged and Kenshin took down the tree instead.
"I feel like you two are subtly exacerbating the small amount of sexual tension between you." Salamander said. "Like you two might start making out in the middle of the fight."
Kenshin closed his eyes with an exasperated expression as he turned around to face Xenovia. "Something the matter?" Xenovia said slashing at him again and again.
Kenshin seemingly danced out of the way of her slashes. "Nothing, just idiot fire spirits who don't know what they're talking about." He said.
"Right, I don't know what I'm talking about..." Salamander said rolling her eyes.
"Grh! Why can't I hit you? !" Xenovia said as she grew increasingly frustrated.
"Because." Kenshin said as he slipped his naginata under her guard and sliced upward cutting her outfit straight up the middle. "You..." He swung it back down, lining his blade with the power of earth batting Excalibur Destruction from her grip. "Aren't..." He brought his fist into her stomach knocking her back. He rushed her and had his blade at her face before she could get to her feet. "...Focused." He said with a calm smile as he deactivated his cards.
"..." Xenovia stared up at him, astonished that he beat her so easily. "Was he always capable of doing that?" She thought. "If so why didn't he do it sooner?"
As if to answer her question he spoke. "I couldn't do that at any other time except now because your guard was almost perfect." Kenshin said. "I couldn't see anything I could exploit until now. When your frustration gave rise to sloppiness."
"I see...well...I have no blade now and you've got me pinned...literally..." Xenovia drawled as she looked up at him again. Kenshin was on top of her, his blade at head level, one of his legs in between hers, his left hand in between her right arm and her ribs.
"Ara Ara." Akeno said with her usual smile.
"K-Kenshin-San!" Asia squeaked with a blush.
"...Was that just an accident or were you going to take advantage of her?" Koneko asked.
"It was an accident." Kenshin muttered as he got up and let Xenovia up.
"Well, now I have to go get my clothes repaired, thanks." Xenovia muttered with narrowed eyes.
"The opening was there." Kenshin said. "I don't have to defend my reasoning."
"Oh man, her boobs are about to pop out!" Issei gushed.
"Didn't you want me to severely punish her earlier?" Kenshin thought.
"Well, I won't try to move on Asia Argento anymore." Xenovia said grabbing her mantle and putting it back on.
"Good, and if you wanna have it out again, you know how to find me." Kenshin said.
(break)
"No way!" Saji said trying to run away from Issei and Koneko.
"Why are you running Saji? !" Issei whined. "I really need your help here!"
"Why me! Isn't this a problem for you two? ! I'm just a stranger to this situation!" Saji complained.
"I figured you'd be able to give us a hand as a fellow devil." Issei said scratching his cheek.
"Easy for you to say, you get into trouble you get to call on Kenshin for help! If I help you I am going to die, not by whatever trouble faces you, but by the Student Council President!" Saji said.
"Sona? Oh come on man, she can't be that bad." Kenshin said as Issei held up a mirror.
"Hah! Yeah right! You two get to go home to the Gremory heiress! A woman whose both serious and gentle, but my master, the Sitiri heiress is only serious!" Saji said.
"I'll help too, if it's for Yuuto's sake." Koneko said.
"What about you Kenshin? Can I count on your help?" Issei asked.
"Well you're already taking me along for the ride, might as well. When things get dicey, I'm open for a switch." Kenshin said.
"Also Koneko-Chan, could you keep this a secret from Chief and Akeno-San? I'd rather not get them involved." Issei said.
"Then consider this a Kuroshi peerage expedition." Kenshin said with a shrug in the mirror. "Might be a little hard to throw past Sona, but I think Rias will be OK with it. She wouldn't want me going it alone."
"Y-You can prevent the harsh punishment from Kaichou?" Saji asked.
"I can't make any promises." Kenshin said. "If anything she'll probably levy it against me...in which case you owe me one."
"I can deal with that." Saji said with a relieved sigh.
"Gee thanks." Kenshin said rolling his eyes.
"Alright, let's go track us down some nuns." Issei said. "By the way, if things get dicey, take off."
"No." Koneko stated flatly. "I'm not leaving you two to deal with this alone."
"Alright then." Issei shrugged.
The three of them walked around town for a bit before finding Irina and Xenovia. They were panhandling for money and were currently arguing amongst each other. "Yo, lookin a little broke there." Issei greeted.
"Panhandling eh?" Kenshin said from the mirror. "You're doing it wrong."
"Oh? And what're we supposed to be doing Mr. Know it all?" Irina huffed.
"Issei switch with me for a moment." Kenshin said.
"Right-o." Issei said as they swapped places.
"What are you doing?" Saji asked.
Kenshin closed his eyes. "Just need a little False Image Illusion." He said.
"Eh? !" Xenovia blanched as Kenshin transformed into her, except for his left hand and forearm which was hidden from sight. The clothes looked the same, only they were in tatters almost to the point that they couldn't be called clothes anymore.
Kenshin winked at them. "Observe." He walked up to a random business man. "E-Excuse me sir." He said in as meek and helpless a tone as he could.
"Hm? Oh my word! What happened to you? !" He said.
"P-Please sir, c-could you find it in your heart to spare me some kindness, by giving money for food...I-I haven't eaten in days...my clothes are in tatters as you can see." Kenshin said.
"..." The business man struggled with his morals.
Kenshin's stomach growled loudly for effect. "Hnn...i-it hurts...!"
"Oh god please take it!" The business man said holding out a large stack of bills. "Please go get something to eat, my treat!" He said.
Kenshin's eyes brightened as she accepted it and bowed. "Thank you sir! You don't know how much this means to me!"
"O-Of course, happy to help!" He said as he walked away. Kenshin waited until no one was in sight and transformed back. He grinned and fanned himself with the stack. "I do believe I'm getting warm."
"Lie to them, that's it?" Xenovia asked with narrowed eyes. "And how did you transform into me anyway?"
"False Image Illusion, lets me change my image into whatever I please." Kenshin said. "Problem is I suck at illusory magic, so it's exhausting to hold together for long periods of time without breaks."
"That is unfortunate." Xenovia said shaking her head.
"The trick is to make yourself seem helpless and meek. People feel good when they help someone who really looks like they need it, which means you need to hide the swords...and whatever the hell that is." Kenshin said pointing at a painting Irina had set up.
"Hey it's the painting of a Saint!" Irina said.
"Who? ! Bigfoot, the Patron Saint of Sasquatches? !" Kenshin blanched.
Xenovia covered her mouth. "Hahahahaha, That was better than what I had thought it was."
"What?" Kenshin asked.
"A painting of a hobo who had passed away." Xenovia answered.
"Aaahhh!" Kenshin said with an amused expression.
"Mrrrmmmm..." Irina glared at the two.
"So, anyway now that Kenshin got us the money, care to go grab a bite to eat? Cause that stomach growl wasn't fake, we skipped breakfast." Issei said as he and Kenshin traded places.
"No we're fine like this, we don't need your help." Xenovia said.
"Aaaawww Xenoviaaaaa...!" Irina whined.
"Alright." Issei shrugged. "Koneko-Chan hows bout you and Saji pick the place."
(growlllll!)
"Haaah...fine." Xenovia said packing up and running after them with Irina.
"Yay!" Irina cheered.
Later, Xenovia, Irina and Issei were all eating while Koneko and Saji sat to the sides of Issei drinking tea. "So, why did you three decide to come in contact with us?" Xenovia asked
"Well, you want to get back the holy sword, but really what better way to ensure that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands than to destroy it?" Issei suggested.
"Hmm...well I suppose I could allow it, if you are indeed able to do so." Xenovia said. "We were going to probably just break them anyway."
"If not me, Koneko-Chan or Kenshin could pull it off." Issei said.
"Sure." Koneko said.
"In the end they're just swords with holy properties." Kenshin said.
"Well you're not wrong." Xenovia said taking a sip of her tea.
"Xenovia, are you sure we should be doing this? I mean...allying ourselves with devils?" Irina asked.
"Sure, go ahead and try, fair warning though. If they have three, and you have only two...the numbers game is in their favor...and Kiba and I ran into one a few nights ago and he is a psychopath." Kenshin said. "If he doesn't kill you accidentally, you can wave bye bye to your chastity."
"Who was it?" Xenovia asked as Irina gulped in fright.
"Freed Zellsan." Kenshin answered.
"The Rouge Priest." Xenovia said with an eyeroll. "Lovely."
"Ain't it?" Kenshin said with a grin.
"Besides Irina, I think a better show of faith would be to complete our mission and return to fight for the Almighty another day." Xenovia said. "I'm not like you, My faith is flexible."
"I knew your faith was strange." Irina said in a critical tone.
"I can't deny that, but I also look at it this way. We aren't borrowing the devil's power, we are borrowing the powers of the Dragon of the Elements and the Crimson Dragon Emperor." Xenovia said. "Besides, isn't the latter your childhood friend, how about trusting him for now?"
"I know..." Irina said glancing away.
"Alright then, I'll lend you the powers of a dragon, may I now call you my partners?" Issei asked taking out his phone.
"What're you doing?" Kenshin asked as Issei sent a text.
"Getting Kiba over here." Issei said.
"Dude, he's probably going to try and destroy their blades, and we kinda need them right now." Kenshin said pointing at Xenovia and Irina.
"Too late, he's already here." Issei said noticing Kiba was right across the street and looked at his phone.
"...Seriously?" Kenshin said with narrowed eyes.
Kiba came into the shop and sat down. Kenshin looked around and noticed everyone was sitting down, so he used Serene Conqueror on the entire place, knocking everyone except Xenovia, Irina, Koneko, Kiba and Saji unconscious. "What did you just do?" Xenovia asked.
"I used my Undine Card to intimidate everyone except us to pass out." Kenshin said "If there's going to be a shouting match in here no one will hear it but us."
"That technique is so awesome..." Issei gushed quietly.
"I see thank you, if there is one it will likely contain sensitive information." Xenovia said. "Even if there isn't one at that." "So...why is it you despise the Excaliburs if you were a part of the Holy Sword Project?" She asked Kiba.
Kiba sighed and recounted part of what he had previously told Kenshin. "I see..." Xenovia said.
"Honestly...I kinda feel sorry for you not getting permission to use one of them." Issei said.
"Now you've done it..." Xenovia said drinking her tea.
"You still have reservations against the project? But thanks to it, the usage of holy swords has been extended greatly." Irina said.
Kenshin placed his hand on Kiba's shoulder before he lashed out at her. "That might be Irina-San, but what do you think happened to those who did not receive permission?"
"...Considering what we know about the Archbishop who oversaw the project...they were all killed." Xenovia said.
"Oh, look who's right." Kiba spat glaring at her. "His name was Valiper Galilei."
"Honestly, even for the church that is a big turnoff. He was exiled afterward and found shelter and employment with the Fallen Angels." Xenovia said.
"With the Fallen Angels huh?" Kiba said with narrowed eyes.
"It'd probably wouldn't be a stretch to assume that Freed's teamed up with Valiper." Xenovia said.
Kiba glanced at Kenshin. "Yeah I told them about Freed. I figured they knew something about his crazy ass."
"He was a priest who had no faith from the beginning only bearing a hostility toward monsters." Xenovia said.
"Yeah, he even began to turn his blade on his own brothers in arms." Irina said.
"Well if we're done with our meeting here, contact us with this number." Xenovia said handing Issei a folded piece of paper.
"Got it." Issei said.
"I'll repay you for the meal. Dragon of the Elements, Red Dragon Emperor." Xenovia said.
"Thanks, you really helped us out!" Irina said as the two left.
Kenshin, Koneko, Saji and Kiba walked toward the fountain in the center of town. "Kenshin, Issei...why are you doing this?"
"Well Issei's doing it because your his friend and because you're important to Rias, I'm doing it for those reasons and because I'm bored." Kenshin said.
"There's a chance I could screw this up again and puzzle Chief Rias." Kiba said.
"You leave Rias to me." Kenshin said.
"Yeah and besides, I'm sure Chief would be saddened if we just went on a random rampage like that, and so I got Xenovia and Irina to go along with us so it'd be like we're helping them out instead of acting on our own." Issei said.
Koneko grabbed Kiba's sleeve. "Yuuto...I...I'd feel lonely if you weren't here. So please don't just up and disappear..."
"...hahahahaha, well it seems I've lost. If you insist I guess I have no choice." Kiba said with a smile.
"Might as well get a move on then." Saji said with a sigh.
The five, if you count Kenshin and Issei separately walked along. "Kiba." Kenshin said.
"Hm?" Kiba said.
"Our childhoods aren't too much different from one another, if you really think about it. You spent years subjected to inhumane test after inhumane test and in the end, losing all the friends you had made during it all. I only had one friend during that torture I endured from ages six to ten, and I watched her die from a distance, helpless to stop it." Kenshin said.
"I think you had it worse, mainly because there was more people hurting you." Kiba said. "That and you act like this is the first time you've ever been able to just worry about yourself, giving me the impression that whomever was harassing you couldn't take you down so they'd try to attack those around you."
"..." Kenshin glanced at Kiba before letting out a sigh. "No offense Kiba, but I really don't like reflecting on my past."
"I understand." Kiba said. "You've told me enough as it is."
(break)
Later that night.
The group had advanced toward the abandoned building where Rias and her peerage had fought Vizer and found Freed
"Do you really think you can take us all on you psycho?" Kenshin asked.
"Hehehehehehe! We'll just have to find out won't we? !" Freed shouts bearing down on Kiba who took out a sword to block his attack. Kenshin leaped over Kiba and kicked Freed in the face sending him rocketing into the wall.
"Heh." Kenshin smirked.
"Kenshin, I want to handle this alone." Kiba said.
"Well sorry pal, but I can't count on you not to lose your focus so like it or not we're jumping in." Kenshin said.
"Be careful Saji, that sword is an Excalibur." Koneko advised.
"OK Issei, start boosting, when it feels like it's about to go into explosion we'll switch." Kenshin thought.
"Got it! Boosted Gear!" Issei called out.
"Boost!"
"Make no mistake Freed Zellsan! I am your only opponent!" Kiba said leaping at him, jumping onto the roof of the abandoned building giving chase.
"Well well, I don't care how many of you devil shits I gotta kill, with my Excalibur it's not a problem at all!" Freed said as the two clashed. "This is the Excalibur of the Heavenly Flare, or Excalibur Rapidly!"
"Don't you know that the sword doesn't make the man!" Kenshin said slashing at Freed's back.
"Rrgh!" Kiba gave chase with Kenshin following behind.
"Tch! A barrier huh?" Kenshin said.
"You really think I'd come unprepared? !" Freed shouts.
"Did you think I would? !" Kenshin said placing his hand on Freed's barrier and looked over at Kiba. "Back up!"
"Right!" Kiba said as he and Kenshin backed away. The latter snapped his fingers and Freed was engulfed in an explosion.
"Aahahahahaha! You think a tiny explosion would be enough to hinder me?" Freed said coming out of the explosion with minimal damage.
"Tch, that barrier's tough." Kenshin said with a glower.
"Come on!" Kiba said chasing after Freed.
"Yeah Yeah." Kenshin said following suit.
"Damn! If only we could stop him we could give Kiba a chance." Issei said as Kenshin's tail held up a mirror.
"Stop him huh? That's all we need?" Saji asked. "I can do that. Line!" He said as a purple light condensed on his right wrist making a tiny lizard appear on top of it. "Extend!"
"Hah? !" Freed said as something wrapped around his ankle. "Whoa!" He said as he slammed face first into the ground.
"Earth Rumbling Decapitation!" Kenshin shouts bearing down on Freed swinging his sword straight down. Freed rolled out of the way as the ground cratered from the slash.
"That was nice Saji! You have a Sacred Gear? !" Issei said.
"Sure do! It's called Absorption Line." Saji said. "Now get him!"
"With pleasure!" Kiba said stabbing down at Freed who sprung out of the way.
"Kenshin! I'm ready!" Issei shouts.
"Right!" Kenshin thought.
"Boosted Gear! Gift!" Issei said placing his hand on Kiba's shoulder
"Transfer!"
"Sword Birth!" Kiba shouts as multiple swords shot out of the ground and toward Freed who ripped himself free from Absorption Line retreated from it.
Kiba turned to Kenshin and Koneko. "Both of you help me throw these at him!"
"Right!" Kenshin said grabbing several of the swords as did Koneko.
"Ahahahaaa! It's like a trip to the circus out here!" Freed said slashing around himself to destroy the blades before they got to him. "Did you think you three could beat my Excalibur Rapidly? !"
"!" Kiba saw Freed appear behind Kenshin. "Kenshin-kun! Behind!"
"Serene Demon Sword!" Kenshin said turning and slashing at Freed causing him to jump over Kenshin to evade.
"Damn, that was close." Freed said with a glower.
"Absorption Line!" Saji said wrapping the strand of it around Freed's ankle. "Ha! I'll keep sucking out your energy until you fall!" He said with a smirk. "Kiba, I've got him so go ahead and strike him down!"
"Got it." Kiba said taking hold of two of his blades.
"Grraaahhh! You Dragon Type Sacred Gear users are so annoying!" Freed shouts.
"Not exactly how I wanted to do this, but with two more out there, I'll take what I can get." Kiba said.
"You sure about that? If you do, you'll never have a super satisfying Excalibur battle again!" Freed said with mockingly amused expression.
"Like I ca-!" Kiba said.
"Oh...if it isn't the Sword Birth boy?"
"?" Kenshin turned to find an old man dressed as a priest standing on the roof.
"Valiper...Galilei! !" Kiba snarled.
"In the flesh, Freed...what the hell are you doing?" Valiper asked.
"This damn Dragon Type has me wrapped up.
"Use the Sacred Element you idiot, you've been granted." Valiper said.
"Oh, like this?" Freed said as he slashed through the Absorption Line and leaped up. "I'll be taking my leave!"
"Yes come on, we need to regroup with Kokabiel." Valiper said.
"Not on our watch!" Kenshin watched as Xenovia and Irina chased him down. Freed threw down a smoke bomb and he and Valiper escaped.
"Damn! Irina I still have a lock on Freed Sellzan, let's go!" Xenovia shouts.
"Right!" Irina said.
"Kiba, back them up!" Kenshin said.
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Kiba said taking off after Xenovia and Irina.
Kenshin sighed as he deactivated Gnome and Undine. "Thanks for your help Saji, but that'll be all."
"Whew." Saji sighed in relief.
"We leave it in Yuuto's hands now." Koneko said.
"So what's going on here?" Kenshin turned to find Rias and Sona walking up to them.
"I was trying to help Xenovia and Irina destroy the Excaliburs." Kenshin explained. "I asked for Koneko's and Saji's assistance in this endeavor."
"What were you thinking? !" Rias and Sona snapped.
"OK look, the sooner those things are dealt with the sooner Xenovia and Irina leave and the sooner Kiba can move the hell on with his life." Kenshin said crossing his arms. "That's all we were trying to do."
"Why did you go along with it Koneko?" Rias asked.
"I...didn't want to see Kiba leave." Koneko said bowing her head.
"And you Issei?" Rias asked.
"Well I'm along for the ride no matter what, so I figured I'd help a friend out." Issei said.
Rias sighed. "Kenshin...next time you get another dangerous idea in your head, please consult me first."
"I'm sorry." Kenshin said.
"And you Saji, why did you go along with it?" Sona said staring down at Saji.
"Listen Sona, it was my idea, so whatever you're going to do to him, do it to me instead." Kenshin said.
"I'm afraid that can't happen, Saji needs to learn to consult me about these things and have you or whomever he is being asked by for help to get in touch with me for permission instead of deciding for himself." Sona explained. "That's what's really upsetting me here."
"Whelp Saji, I tried." Kenshin said with a wincing smile.
"Yeah...I know..." Saji said crying comically.
(break)
Early Next Morning.
"..." Rias stared ahead as she and Kenshin walked home.
"Rias, relax...I'm sure Kiba is OK." Kenshin said. "He's with Xenovia and Irina after all."
"Yes, but still..." Rias said bowing her head.
Kenshin reached over and grabbed her hand. "Xenovia has my number if things got too hot for them I'm certain she'd call me for help, if that talk about not wanting to fail her mission no matter what is true."
Rias sighed and smiled. "Thanks..."
Kenshin nodded as they got to the Hyoudou Residence. He went to open the door when it swung open. "...Eh? !" Kenshin said seeing Asia standing there, wearing nothing but a white apron.
"A-Asia!" Rias said.
"You two must be exhausted after working so late, I'll get breakfast ready!" Asia said
"...OK Asia what gives?" Kenshin said. "Why the apron and nothing else?"
"Umm...well my classmate Kiryuu Aika-San told me about it. She said it was the best way to soothe a tired gentleman." Asia said.
"That four eyed pervert again..." Issei muttered.
"No kidding..." Kenshin thought.
"Ah what a good idea, Asia you're on the right track to become a succubus, you're very seductive." Rias said.
"So...in other words you want her to be more like you." Kenshin sniped with a grin.
"Wh-What is that supposed to mean?" Rias said in a defensive tone.
"Are you kidding me? You try to seduce me at least twice a day." Kenshin said. "I've seen you trying to rub my ears while you think I'm not looking or when you think I'm asleep so I might just get all groppy in my sleep."
"U...Umm..." Rias said stumbling over her words.
"Now Asia, please go get changed. What if Auntie sees this?" Kenshin asked.
"I'm all for this you know." Mrs. Hyoudou said walking out of the kitchen. "I helped her get dressed."
Kenshin fell comically to the floor. "I see..."
"Auntie, I'd like to try this out as well!" Rias said.
"Oh but of course!" Mrs. Hyoudou said. "Follow me."
Rias walked by Asia. "You were one step ahead of me for once, good job."
"Th-Thank you." Asia said with a smile.
Kenshin got to his feet and stared. "..."
"What is goin' on here? !" Issei said.
"I have no clue." Kenshin thought.
"Um...Kenshin-San. Am I causing trouble for you and Issei-San?" Asia asked.
"No, you're fine." Kenshin said. "You look nice, but you caught me off guard."
"Yeah, you look great." Issei said as Kenshin held up a mirror with a smile. "And don't worry about those two church people we aren't letting them do anything to you."
"...Th-Thank you...you know I don't regret becoming a devil, but I just can't relinquish my faith." Asia said bowing her head.
Kenshin reached over and pet her head. "Hey, no one said you had to." He said with a smile. "Some things are hard to let go of, you had your faith all your life, it's no surprise you can't let it go."
"Yes, but...there are people now who I love more than the Lord. Chief Rias, all the club members...Mr and Mrs. Hyoudou...and most of all you two...Kenshin-San, Issei-San." Asia said with a warm smile.
"..." Kenshin felt his face heat up at her bold declaration. Asia took the chance to embrace him.
"You're all precious to me." Asia said.
"..." Kenshin smiled and embraced her back. "Yeah, I feel the same."
"Whew...if that was me, I don't think I'd have been able to stop myself from doing something perverted." Issei said with a relieved sigh.
"It's why I'm here." Kenshin thought.
The two separated as Rias walked back into the hallway. "So Kenshin, what do you think?" She said wearing a pink/red apron
Kenshin wiped his nose and gestured his thumb upward. "Great."
Kenshin sat on the couch as Rias and Asia prepared something to eat. "Kenshin's probably going to want to take a nap soon so why don't we make something quick and simple?" Rias suggested.
"Hai." Asia said with a smile.
Mrs. Hyoudou giggled. "It's like you have two lovely wives Kenshin-kun."
Kenshin flipped a page in his book. "Certainly feels that way." He said with a smile.
"No kidding." Issei said.
(break)
Kenshin stared out the window of the classroom. "...Hmm...no contact from Xenovia or Kiba since last night...I told Rias not to worry, but...now I'm starting to worry." He thought.
"So Kenshin, whatcha thinkin' about?" Motohama asked.
"Probably the choice between Rias-Senpai's or Himejima-Senpai's boobs." Matsuda said.
"Hm?" Kenshin said. "Hey Issei, wanna fuck with these two for a bit?" He thought
"Sure." Issei said as they switched places.
"Remember, sound like me with your voice." Kenshin said.
"Got it." Issei thought.
"Ah come on guys I think about that one everyday." Issei said waving his hand. He smirked. "For future reference though..."
"Yeah? !" The Perverted Duo said.
"I usually call Rias by her name, just do that." Kenshin said.
"Rias wins in firmness, Akeno-San's are a little softer. Even though Rias' have a better shape, Akeno-San's tips are perfectly balanced in her areolae, as they should be on a Japanese Beauty."
"I think Akeno-San might jump us if she heard all the nice things you're saying about her." Kenshin said with a grin.
"Tips? !" Matsuda said.
"Areolae? !" Motohama said.
"For a simple groping session I'd choose Akeno-San for her greater size, but Rias puts up a good fight." Issei said. "...Huh?"
At this point Motohama and Matsuda were crying in front of them. "Kenshin! One of these days their fans are gonna kill you!"
Kenshin smirked. "I'd like to see them try." He glanced outside and saw a small white tiger cub in the school yard. "I gotta go, see ya." He said jumping out of the window.
"Eeeehhhh? !" Matsuda and Motohama said as he landed safely.
Kenshin looked up at the roof. "How was that shot! Good? ! Good! He looked around at the stunned students. "Shooting a movie, I do my own stunts, nothing to see here." Everyone nodded and walked off. Kenshin walked toward the white tiger cub and let it climb up to his shoulder and continued walking. "Did you find him Sheena?"
"No, I'm sorry, but I've not been able to find his scent." Sheena said.
"Damn, let me try Xenovia." Kenshin said taking out his phone and calling her number. "...Tch." He said as it went to a busy signal.
"But I did find something else." Sheena said.
"What?" Kenshin said.
"Follow me!" Sheena said hopping off of Kenshin's shoulder and running off.
It was sunset as Sheena led Kenshin up to what she had found. "!" Kenshin stared in shock
"Irina!" Issei shouts in worry.
Irina laid on the ground unconscious, her clothes torn to the point they couldn't be called clothes anymore. Kenshin took out his phone and called Rias. "Hey, Rias we got a problem. Yeah...Yeah I just found one of the exorcists unconscious. Yeah, it's Issei's childhood friend. I'll start healing her, bring everyone...whoever did this far outpaces Freed."
Kenshin walked toward her, first using magic to repair her clothes before placing his hands on her stomach and charging healing magic into her body. "Hnn!" She stirred awake.
"Try to relax." Kenshin advised. "You're badly injured."
"Th...Thank you..." Irina said.
"What happened? Where are Xenovia and Kiba?" Kenshin asked as his tail held up a mirror so Issei could speak.
"They...ran..." Irina said.
"Who did this to you? !" Issei asked.
"He...was incredibly strong...he called himself...K-Kokabiel..." Irina said. "A Fallen Angel."
"Alright, just relax, you're gonna make it." Kenshin said. He pressed his fingers to her forehead and cast a sleeping spell on her.
"A Fallen Angel..." Issei growled. "Just like with Asia!"
Rias and the others appeared behind him. Asia took Kenshin's place in healing her. "What happened?" Rias asked.
"They were attacked while giving chase after Freed and Valiper Galilei, by a Fallen Angel named Kokabiel." Kenshin informed.
Another magic circle flared to life and Sona, Tsubaki and Saji appeared. "Thank you for coming Sona." Rias said.
"You called me, why wouldn't I come?" Sona said before glancing at Irina. "She's badly injured."
"Hai...my Twilight Healing can't recover the energy she's lost." Asia said.
"...My house has a healing room, Tsubaki." Sona said.
"At once, Kaichou." Tsubaki said gathering up Irina and teleporting away.
"..." Kenshin glanced out at the space she just occupied. "You can come out now Freed."
"Yo yo yo..." Freed greeted with his usual crazed smirk. "Looks like everyone took the bait."
"I knew you were there the whole time." Kenshin said. "But I'm not leaving an innocent girl with injuries unattended to and now I'm going to enjoy killing you, and turning over that Excalibur to Kiba to bust apart." He finished, drawing out his naginata.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Time out, I have to chat with the redheaded dame for a moment." Freed said. "Well my boss wants to anyway." He said as the sky turned into a distorted purple horizon.
Kenshin glanced upward to find a man wearing a black outfit covering his pale skin, with ten wings sprouting from his back. "So you must be this Kokabiel I've heard so little about."
"And just who the hell are you?" Kokabiel asked turning his red eyes on Kenshin.
"Kuroshi Tsuki Kenshin. The Dragon of the Elements." Kenshin introduced.
"Hello there, Fallen Angel Leader." Rias greeted. "I am Rias Gremory, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." She said with a derisive smile.
"What beautiful crimson hair...you resemble your brother Sirzechs." Kokabiel said with a smirk. "Just the thought of that Crimson Satan makes me sick."
"So tell me, what is the purpose of this meeting?" Rias asked.
"Yes, it is quite uncommon that the enemy leader comes out for a chat." Sona said.
"Oh nothing in particular, I'd just like to have some fun at your headquarters, Kuoh Academy." Kokabiel said.
"Yeah, but to get there, you'll have to get past us!" Kenshin shouts darting right at Kokabiel with a burst of wind.
"Kenshin!" Rias said.
Freed hopped up and clashed against Kenshin's naginata grounding them both. "Have some manners Kuroshi! You challenged me first!" Freed said.
"Then you die first." Kenshin said with a scowl.
"Hahahaha, you've got one battle hungry ally. That's something I can admire." Kokabiel said. "After all, if I cause a ruckus at your headquarters...Sirzechs will have to come and help you."
"Krh...you'll just be causing another war of the Three Factions." Rias said.
"Hahahahaha, I expected Michael to come after the Excaliburs, but all he sent was some weak exorcist." Kokabiel said. "As well as two women with holy swords. That is not enough, far from it!"
"So that was your goal from the beginning, to cause another three way war." Rias said with a glare.
"Che...always has to be some idiot who wants to sate his bloodlust." Kenshin muttered as he held Freed where he was.
"Aren't you the same, you devil shit? !" Freed asked with a smirk.
"There's a difference between being battle hungry and blood thirsty, you piece of shit!" Kenshin said slamming both their blades to the ground and cocking his fist back. "Senkoudanken!"
"Gah!" Freed yelps as Kenshin punched him in the jaw sending him flying back.
"..." Kokabiel turned to Kenshin. "You. You referred to yourself as the Dragon of the Elements right?"
"Everyone I meet recently has, so I might as well." Kenshin said.
"So, the bloodline of Ragnarok Kuroshi has returned, alive and well huh?" Kokabiel said with a wide smirk. "My most enjoyable battle came when I fought him, I had to be pulled away by Azazel and Shemhaza during our fight."
"Probably because he was about to smear the battlefield red with your blood. Those same two were against another war as well I hear." Kenshin said.
"Azazel, the highest lord of the Fallen Angels." Rias said with narrowed eyes.
"Not only was he against the war, he started collecting Sacred Gears and researching them, becoming a glorified scientist." Kokabiel said.
"So you're after the Holy Swords and Sacred Gears? !" Issei shouts taking control of Kenshin for a moment.
"Hmph, your gear might be of use to someone Crimson Dragon Emperor, but I couldn't care less about it." Kokabiel said. "Azazel might want it and the Elements of Creation and Destruction though. He's pretty fanatical about his collectibles."
"Our gears aren't going into anyone's damn collection!" Kenshin and Issei snarl at once.
"Heheheheh, good for you." Kokabiel said. "Now, as the three factions sit on the brink of war, one small nudge from me should send them all into chaos."
"You bastard." Kenshin said. "You think we're just gonna let you do as you please?"
"Heh, I'll have you devils start it. You, Sister of Lucifer." Kokabiel said pointing at Rias. "And you Sister of Leviathan...and of course you as well, Heir to the power of Ragnarok Kuroshi." He said pointing to Sona then to Kenshin.
"Hahahaha! Don't you love how my boss is so fucked up? !" Freed shouts. "And I have a present I haven't even shown yet, observe!" He said opening his jacket revealing more blades.
"Hn, more Excaliburs." Koneko said. "And he even took Irina-San's as well."
"Now let's start a war!" Kokabiel said as a magic circle appeared in front of him firing off spears of light.
"Everyone take cover!" Kenshin shouts. "Kurimuzonhariken!" He said throwing his fire encased naginata at the spears, causing them to detonate prematurely.
When the smoke cleared Kokabiel and Freed were gone. "Tch! Oh no you don't! Get back here, you COWARDS!" Kenshin roared taking off toward Kuoh Academy.
"Kenshin has the right idea, a Fallen Angel of his level could very easily wipe this city off the map." Sona said.
"!" Asia gasped.
"Asia, Koneko, Akeno, we're heading to the academy." Rias said.
"Right." Koneko said.
"Alright." Asia said.
"On the way Chief." Akeno said.
(break)
Meanwhile in the Underworld.
"I know Akeno-San, I've been observing." Sirzechs said. "I appreciate you calling for Rias, she's too proud to do it herself. I'm sending someone." He ended his call with Akeno and walked toward his audience chamber.
"Is everything alright?" Grayfia asked.
"No, Kokabiel of the Fallen Angel Grigori has appeared at Kuoh Academy." Sirzechs said. "Now while I have confidence that Kenshin, Rias and her peerage can handle themselves. Kenshin can still only use two of his spirits at a time. So I think I should send someone."
"Sounds like Kenshin's in a bit of trouble." A female voice said making Sirzechs turn around.
The source was a young woman with short dark red hair that framed her face, she had green eyes and cat ears on her head. She wore a blue vest with matching pants and black combat boots. At her left was a kodachi with a dragon shaped tsuba and at her right were two nodachi, one with a green blade with small white streaks going up and down it and the other was a black blade with flames painted on it. Sirzechs nodded with a smile. "Indeed, I hadn't expected an enemy of Kokabiel's caliber to appear so soon."
"So send me out there to help him and your sister, that is after all why you pulled me out of that sure death situation I was in, right?" She asked.
"Yes...and I'm sorry...I had no idea what would happen when I brought your brother Kenshin here." Sirzechs said with a bow of his head.
She shook her head. "The funny thing about the future is...it's unknowable to anyone."
"Yes. I just wanted to have someone to protect my sister when I couldn't..and to give him the life he deserved." Sirzechs said.
"I'm going to tell him what's been going on at home when this is over, you know that right?" She said.
"I know and I don't blame you, Yukari-San." Sirzechs said.
"Alright, just so we're clear on that." Yukari said. "Alright, just drop me as close as you can to the battlefield and I'll see what I can do, besides I have something I need to return to Kenshin anyway." She said lifting up the black nodachi.
"Oh? I thought you used a three sword style." Sirzechs said.
"What do I look like the first mate to a straw hat wearing pirate made of rubber?" Yukari said. "I don't have the time or the patience to develop my jaw muscles to carry a sword and fight like that."
"I see." Sirzechs said. "Now I won't be able to drop you terribly close, so you'll have to make your way to Kuoh Academy from there." Sirzechs said as a teleportation circle flared to life under Yukari's feet.
"I understand." Yukari said. "And...thank you...not just for letting me see Kenshin again, but...for taking him away from all the pain he experienced. I knew what he was going through better than anyone and I couldn't stop it."
"Of course, now off you go." Sirzechs said as Yukari disappeared. He sighed and turned to Grayfia. "I hope that was enough."
"Rias and Kenshin are both strong." Grayfia said with a smile. "But, as a precaution I've prepared a teleportation for you."
"I see. For now we'll see how things play out." Sirzechs said.
(chapter end)
Draconis: Abrupt.
Kenshin: You're telling me.
Rias: So we're here already?
Draconis: Where?
Rias: Near the halfway point of New.
Draconis: (shrugs) What can I say? I swing for thirty pages in each chapter, sometimes I go over it getting to a certain point, like I did now.
Rias: True.
Freed: Aww, you did let me fight both of them, aaahhh! I love you so much! (hugs Draconis)
Draconis: Aaaah! Get him off of me! !
Anyway, next time. A Desire For War.
Draconis678 out.