Chapter 34: Stolen Moments

"Are you sure you have to go?" The small Kitsune turned her puppy dog eyes up to their maximum setting, staring up at me as she pleaded with a trembling voice.

Ever since I arrived from the guest quarters, she had been attached to my side, much to Shiro's visible consternation. Even when a blushing Yasaka commended my peerage and I for helping to rescue her daughter, the small girl had not separated from me.

"I'm afraid so, little fox. I have a lot of obligations waiting for my in the Underworld." My answer elicited a devastating pout, but my resolve was unshaken, "Don't be scared. Your Mom is very strong, you know?"

Yasaka's ears flicked in my direction at my remark, but my attention was taken by the girl who stomped her foot at my words, "I'm not scared! I just…"

She looked down, ears drooping, "I just want you to stay."

"I'm sorry, but I can't. However, let me give you this before I leave." Reaching into a circle I conjured that linked back to the vaults of the Sagan manor, I pulled out a silver necklace wit ha brilliant blue sapphire hanging from it.

Holding it within my grasp, I weaved a familiar enchantment unto the gem, causing it to start glowing slightly. Kneeling down, I gently hefted it over her head, letting it come to a rest on her chest. She brought up a hand, letting the jewel rest on her palm as she marvelled at the colour.

"Put some of your magic into it." I directed, watching as she did so. Holding up my own arm, I showed her the bracelet that I had on it as a gem on it lit up brilliantly, "If you are ever in serious trouble, just do that and I will come running, okay? It's how Shiro called me to help you two."

"You gave one of these to Shiro? Is it really okay that I can have one of these?" She asked, eyes wide.

"Of course it is. I already came and saved you once, didn't I?" Her eyes looked down to thee gem in her hand at that, a troubled expression on her face.

"But I was with Shiro. Didn't you just come to save her?" She asked, voice small.

"Of course not. If I wanted to just do that I would have taken Shiro and left." I laughed, reaching out a hand and ruffling her hair, causing her to start and look back at me, "As hard as you apparently find it to believe, I like you Kunou. If anyone wants to hurt you they'll have to deal with me first."

Looking at the older Kitsune who was unsubtly listening to me talk to her daughter, I sent a wink her way, "After you mother is done with them, of course."

Seeing that she had been caught, Yasaka swept up and put her hands on her daughter's shoulders, looking down at the jewelled necklace her little fox was wearing, "That's quite the gift Damocles. Are you sure it's okay?"

"Of course it is. Remember? An attack on you is an attack on me." I leant in, bringing my lips close to one of her vulpine ears as I whispered, "Usually they are only for my family… If you insist on it being given properly…"

Yasaka blushed, causing Kunou to wriggle out of her grasp and put her hands on her hips in a huff, "What are you whispering about?!"

"Don't worry about it." I waved it off, laughing, "I should get going. Let me know if I can help in any way with the clean up, Yasaka."

The elder Kitsune looked at her daughter, then back to me with a calculating gleam in her eye, "I will do that Damocles. Maybe next time you visit we can talk about getting me one of those necklaces?"

The sudden return to her flirting took me a bit by surprise, but I responded quickly with a wink, "Looking forward to it."

I appeared from the teleportation circle, being greeted by the sight of my peerage, Ranni and Melina awaiting me. They had arrived before, having been sent ahead while I said me goodbyes.

"So, this is that tremendous presence I felt." A voice sounded out, the owner revealing itself as she walked into the lounge.

"You could tell instantly, Tiamat?" I asked, a bit disappointed.

"Anyone who is used to divinity could." She sniffed, slit eyes locked onto Ranni's form, "Her domain… it stretches beyond all reason. Reminds me of some primordials, but somehow even more so."

"Who is this, Mine Consort?" Ranni asked.

"Ah, right. Tiamat, this is my Consort, Ranni the Dark Moon. Ranni, this is Tiamat, the Chromatic Dragon. The Guardian of my family."

"Well met." Ranni inclined her head towards the blue haired woman, "My thanks for guardin my beloved's clan."

"Your thanks are… appreciated." Tiamat blinked at that, a shrewd look entering her eyes as she turned them on to me, "I see. To have garnered the attention of one so strong… You grow ever more intriguing Sagan."

"Is that a good thing?" I asked tiredly.

"Ask me again when you've gathered my treasures." She sniffed, before inclining her head in Ranni's direction, "Seeing as there is no threat, I will return to my slumber. Well met, Goddess of the Moon."

"You as well, Noble Dragon." Ranni's response earned a smile from the Babylonian, before she turned and disappeared further into her wing of the manor.

"You truly are proficient at charming all sorts of females, Damocles." Melina snarked.

"Careful." CC shot back, "That sounded dangerously close to jealousy."

"You wish." Melina denied it instantly.

"Why would I wish for that? I am the one he holds…"

I interrupted CC, "Enough."

Everyone straightened, surprised by the firmness in my voice.

I continued before they could resume bickering, "We are still in trouble. Ranni descended in Kyoto, after I left towards it for an emergency. It won't take long for the story to circulate, I'm already expecting a call from Serafall soon about this."

CC nodded, her teasing demeanour shifting to seriousness, "Do you have a plan?"

"I do." I confirmed, "It will get dicey for a while. Could you tell Rias that I have to cancel for this week? I need to get a free day as soon as possible."

"Understood." My Queen confirmed, standing up and walking out of the room, fishing out her phone from her bosom.

Kasane sighed in relief, causing me to send her a consoling look, "Sorry that you have to work with him, if you want me to…"

"It's fine." She waved off the concern with practice.

"Alright." I stopped pressing, "Ranni, Melina. I'm sorry that things have been happening so quickly. We can discuss things more soon, but I need to make sure our position is secure."

"It heartens me to see thee in thine element, Damocles. Attend to your duties, I will not begrudge thee." Ranni responded graciously.

"I wish to speak with you soon." Meina interjected, "I shall wait until a better time, but please make some space quickly."

"I will." I promised.

With the situation somewhat calmed, I moved to my office, fishing out my own phone and sliding off the do not disturb setting, wincing as I saw the dozens of missed calls that filled the screen. Sighing at some of the names displayed, I unlocked the device before it started vibrating in my hand. Narrowing my eyes at the expected caller ID, I accepted the call and brought it to my ear.

"Serafall. What a coincidence. I was just about to reply to your mother's messages." My voice was drier than a desert.

"This is hardly the time for jokes, Sagan." Came the annoyed response, "What the hell happened in Japan?"

"Family secret." I deadpanned, causing a shocked choke to echo from the other end.

"Cut the crap! The fucking moon moved through the sky! It was over India before something threw it all the way to hover directly over Japan! Over Kyoto, specifically! Where you just so happened to be!"

"Coincidence." I must admit, winding her up like this was cathartic as hell.

"The hell it was. I am the Satan of External Affairs, Sagan, no matter the personal issues between us you did something that has all sorts of people breathing down our necks. I need to be informed." Her voice was low, deadly.

"That's great for you." I responded flippantly, "The agreement I have with you four stands. I will explain myself to Falbium, not you."

"He's not the one dealing with everyone and their mother demanding answers Sagan! For the good of us all, we need to work together on this!" She started to raise her voice, my attitude breaking through her composure.

"'Work together', is it?" I muttered, "That's a fine sentiment. I agree."

"Good! Now tell me…"

I interrupted her, "When you find Falbium, you know, someone I can 'work together' with, let me know."

"You insufferable...!" Click.

Fuck me, that was satisfying.

That should buy us some time, hopefully. The chaos should keep her swamped for a while, by the time they roused Falbium to ask me some questions, I should be well on my way to get the next member of my peerage. Using this event to explain both Ranni and her at once would be ideal.

Falbium will likely show up when I am busy fetching her, so I will need Ranni and CC to deal with him. Once I am finished here, I need to track them down so we can get our stories straight.

First though, I need some answers.

"Catharsis. I know you're there. What the fuck?" I spoke into the empty air of my room.

No response. Of course. I sighed and brought my hands together preparing to pray, before out of the corner of my eyes I noticed an object on my bed. Walking over to it, it was revealed to be a folded letter. Opening it, in fancy, flowing writing, I was met with the following message;

'Be careful what you wish for.'

Wonderful.

A knock sounded out, causing me to look towards the door, before turning back to the note. Which had vanished into thin air.

Of course.

"Come in." I sighed.

The door opened, revealing a wary looking Kasane, "Bad time?"

"No, sorry." I took a deep breath, "Just trying to get answers about the Ranni situation."

"Ah." She nodded, "Not going well?"

"Yeah. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?" I moved on, doubting that thinking about the topic further would present a solution in the immediate.

"Ranni is your Consort." Kasane spoke, her voice serious, "Melina called herself your Maiden. You've slept with CC. My Sister loves you. You're going to go soon and pick up someone else… And I…"

"Having second thoughts?" I asked gently.

"No." She answered defiantly, "That's not it."

She reached up to her neck, pulling on the delicate chain that coiled around it. Lifting the necklace up, she displayed the ruby fastened to the links.

"Shiro used this and despite the fact that you were busy, had plans, were all set to go… You dropped it all and went to her."

I admit to being slightly affronted, "You thought I wouldn't? I didn't give you those for show."

"I know." She nodded, "But knowing and having proof are different things. You care for us. You will protect us, even when it doesn't fit into your plan. It happened at your Reveal, it happened again just now… I trust you."

I moved to speak, but she held up a hand, looking troubled, "I… I'm not good with this. Feelings. Speaking to people."

She took a breath, "I've seen how other devils treat their peerages. I've seen how other devils act. You are nothing like them. There is probably a reason for that, A reason you can't tell me, but that's okay. Instead of a servant, you treated me like a person.

She continued, "When I said I wanted to go slow, you agreed. You treated me like a normal girlfriend, not like… a thing, to use and throw away. Basically, what I mean is…. What I want to say is…"

She trailed off, shoulders stiffening. After getting to know her, I could see the signs of her getting irritated, before she swept forwards and grabbed me by my shirt, yanking me towards her where she met me with her lips on mine.

Soon they parted, allowing her tongue to venture out and meet mine. The passion was sudden, shocking, but oh so real.

My hands rose up, finding her hair and waist, pulling her even tighter against me. Her fists, bunched around my shirt, relaxed as she lay her palms on my chest, the limbs trapped by the closeness of our embrace. The world fell away, soon only consisting of Kasane, her heat, and her passion.

Our duelling muscles eventually parted, allowing us to pant out breaths of much needed air. The space between us became even hotter, moistened by our exhalations. She leaned her head forward, laying a kiss on my cheek before resting her chin on my shoulder.

"I'm ready." She spoke, softly, "Take me."

The words lit a fire within me, causing me to attack her with abandon.

Our clothes were discarded, our lips and parting only briefly to allow the fabric to be removed, before making contact again. All while moving back towards my bed. Once we reached the mattress, it swiftly devolved into a grapple.

Mirroring our spars, we struggled and jostled for the position on top. Eventually, I pinned her hands above her head, taking in the sight below me.

She breathed heavily, chest rising and falling subtly, drawing my attention to the pink-topped peaks present there. Her breasts were barely more than a handful, but they looked delectable. Giving into the impulse, I leant down and dragged my tongue up, starting at just above her ribs and slowly sliding up to the eventual prize.

Goosebumps marked my path, a sinful groan fleeing her lips as I teased her. My eyes flicked up to meet hers, a flushed face greeting my gaze. Smiling, I stilled, the tip of my tongue resting just before her nipple.

"Damocles…" She whined.

"Hmm?" I responded.

"Please…!" She pleaded, arching her back and trying to increase the contact between us.

I gave her what she wanted, giving her hard nipple a flick with my tongue, I latched my mouth over it, casing her to moan as I assaulted the bud. She squirmed below me as I did, but I thought nothing of it, as I switched to her neglected breast and gave it the same treatment.

She surprised me however, by slipping her legs out from my own and snapping them across my waist. She bucked her hips, dragging mine along as well, grinding her wet pussy along the underside of my cock. Shivering, feeling the damp warmth enveloping the sensitive skin, I bit lightly on the perfect target in my grasp.

Hearing her hiss out and buck her hips at the sensation, I pulled back and stared into her smouldering eyes. Quickly stealing a kiss from her parted lips, I whispered, "Ready?"

"Do it." Was the breathy response.

Heeding my Knight's words, I positioned myself, tip touching her damp entrance. Pushing forwards, I encountered the expected resistance, but soon the opening parted, allowing me to slip into her heated, moist insides.

Her head fell back, a moan pulled from her at the stretching, as I closed my own eyes at the sensation. As I did, she used her leg's grip to twist sideways, moving with the momentum to throw me onto my back. Any counter that I could attempt was derailed when she gyrated her hips, moving my cock, still inside, in a stirring motion.

"My turn." She spoke, the attempted gravitas undermined by her flushed, dishevelled appearance.

"Do you worst." I grinned, causing her to screw up her face in concentration as she started to lift herself.

The movement was torturous, my dick scraping against the velvet walls of her pussy, before she slammed her hips down once again. Our groins met with a thud, causing a jolt of sensation to run up my spine. Soon she was pulling back up, repeating the motion.

We fell into a rhythm, Her rising and falling and I thrusting up to meet her. Our passion surged, rising higher and higher alongside our pleasure. She started to roll her hips, moving in new directions, testing and learning through doing.

Slipping my hands from her grasp, I grabbed her hair, pulling her face down to mine so that I could taste her once again. Our tongues battled for dominance as her pace picked up, a desperate, needy whine escaping from our lip lock. Her hips jerked, the pleasure catching up her, making her movements shaky and uncoordinated.

Moving my hands down to her waist, I started to take control of the sex, fucking up into her with hard, powerful thrusts. Her head laid over my shoulder, pants and whines echoing into my ear as with one final, strong thrust, I emptied myself into her.

Our passion subsided, the exertion catching up with us. The room was filled with the sound of our breathing, as re rested on each other. Soon enough, she kissed my cheek as started to whisper.

"There, now I'm yours."

"You were always mine." I whispered back, hugging her sweaty body to mine, "That will never change."

She smiled, but the expression melted away at the sound of my Queen clearing her throat from where she stood with crossed arms in the doorway, "As adorable as this is, we do have some things to discuss."

Unfortunately, she was correct.