"I need these filed within the next few hours," said a certain ruler in his usual self-important and condescending tone.

"Yes, your Majesty," said a certain Fallen, currently fighting the urge to complain.

"And don't forget once you're finished with that you must go tend to my younger self."

"Yes, your Majesty," responded the Fallen, having difficulty keeping her annoyance out of her tone. With that she took her stack of documents and left for her new quarters. How did it come to this? she thought to herself.

(Hyoudou Residence: The day before)

In the living room of the Hyoudou household, two uninvited guests had come to visit. On the couch sat Issei, Mash, and Rias, all sporting less than pleasant expressions. Across from them sat Azazel and Raynare, with Azazel sporting his usual smile and Raynare with her usual scowl. Issei was fighting the urge to kick both of them out but held back. "Azazel… I'm going to say this now, before you say anything stupid. I'm in a bad mood right now and I'm not in the mood for one of your ridiculous ideas that undoubtedly involves her," Issei said, pointing to Raynare, whose glare became more severe. "So, you only got one chance to explain yourself before I have my Servants throw you both out on your asses. So, explain."

Azazel still kept his carefree smile. "Yeesh. Why the sore attitude?" asked Azazel, trying to be casual. Issei raised an eyebrow as if to question if he was being serious with that question. "Ah, right. The situation with the Astorath heir. Well, there's not much you can do about that until he gives up or unless he crosses a line. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm here to help finally put an end to this cold war between you two," he said, gesturing to Issei and Raynare.

Issei didn't look convinced and neither did the others. Issei rubbed his forehead to fight back a headache. "You don't seem to get it Azazel. I don't necessarily mind letting the past be the past. She's far from the first to try to kill me and she won't be the last. It's entirely on her. If she was willing to actually apologize and admit she was wrong, then I would move on and not bring it up again. But she stubbornly thinks she isn't in the wrong because she did it for your sake. So, since she refuses to accept that she's wrong then there's nothing to gain from being kind and helpful to her."

Azazel sighed. "Look, there must be something we can do to put this past us."

"Why are you so fixated on trying to make us reconcile? What is there to possibly gain from this?"

"I've been wondering that as well. What are you trying to do Azazel?" asked Rias suspiciously.

"Even though we've formed an alliance, you've made it clear on multiple occasions about how fragile this alliance is if someone were to make a mistake. Even if you're smart enough to tell if someone is acting on their own or not, I would rather avoid that situation from happening to begin with than simply wait for it to crop up. I know what you said about letting it go is true and that the problem is from my side, but there must be something we can arrange to put this past us."

Issei and Rias gave Azazel an annoyed look. They really wished he would just let this go. Issei looked at Raynare, who had a complicated expression. It was clear she was torn between fulfilling Azazel's wishes and her own pride. Issei contemplated what to do when an idea came to his head. A small evil smile appeared on his face, causing everyone to shift uncomfortably when they saw it. "Alright Azazel. I have a proposition for you." Azazel perked up at Issei seemingly going along with Azazel's wish. Raynare got a foreboding feeling. "I'm going to have Raynare work for one of my Servants. Once I feel she has done enough we can consider everything resolved. How does that sound?"

"I'm surprised. I was honestly expecting you to have her work here for you, but you're going to have her work for Chaldea?"

"Not for Chaldea, for my Servant, and his variants." Mash looked at Issei with stunned confusion. There were only a few male Servants with variants, and she had a feeling she knew who Issei was referring to. "If he gives me a good report about her, "desire" to make amends, then we'll consider the whole issue solved. Deal?"

Azazel smiled. "Deal." He looked at Raynare, his eyes looking serious. "Raynare, I expect you to be on your best behavior. If you cause trouble after I've given you this chance, then don't expect to come back."

Raynare had a horrified look at the thought of being expelled from the Grigori. She truly realized this was her last chance, and that if she messed this up, she would be abandoned or killed. "Y-yes Azazel-sama! I won't let you down!"

"It's not me you're trying not to let down," responded Azazel, gesturing his head to Issei.

Raynare looked at Issei and had a complicated expression. Issei didn't feel like playing the staring game with her and spoke first. "You should go back and get your things. You're going to be staying in some temporary quarters for now, so I suggest you prepare yourself to get comfortable."

Raynare made a reluctant expression before getting up and teleporting back to the Grigori. Once she was gone Mash spoke for the first time in the conversation. "You're trying to set up Raynare with Senpai, aren't you?"

Mash's statement made both Issei and Rias stare at her in shock and disbelief before they shifted their gazes to Azazel who kept a straight face. "What would make you say that?" responded Azazel, neither confirming nor denying.

"Because it would be the most convenient solution for you. You would have a tie between the Grigori, Senpai, and Chaldea, and you would get rid of someone whose affection you're not interested in."

Issei and Rias' gaze became dangerous as a cold sweat began to form on Azazel's head. "That's a bit of a jump, isn't it Mash-san?"

"Azazel…" said Rias in a dangerous tone, some of her aura flowing off her.

Azazel, seeing that he wasn't getting out of this, decided to be honest. "Fine. It's true. It would be the most convenient solution." Issei and Rias were glaring really hard at Azazel, while Mash just looked disappointed. Azazel tried to plead his case. "But come on. If you could reform her attitude, wouldn't it be a nice bonus for you? It's not like Raynare is unattractive. You're telling me you never considered it?"

Rias wanted to protest more, but she looked over at Issei and saw that he seemed to be contemplating it. This stunned her. "Issei?! You're not seriously considering this, are you?!" asked Rias.

Issei looked at Rias with a reassuring smile. "I was just thinking about it a bit. I have a wide scale of people I would and wouldn't consider. I never thought about Raynare because I thought she was dead before, and even when we found out she survived she clearly hadn't changed so I still never considered her. But now since Azazel asked, I'm just thinking of where she falls on the scale," explained Issei.

"What scale?" asked Rias, a bit unsatisfied with his answer but curious.

"The scale of what girls are ok to pursue and what girls would result in a fate possibly worse than death."

His answer got raised eyebrows from both Rias and Azazel. "There are girls like that?" asked Azazel curiously.

Issei nodded solemnly. "Some of the Servants have some, let's just say, detrimental quirks, when it comes to things related to romance and intimacy. Even showing interest could result in death, and that's a best-case scenario."

Rias and Azazel had complex expressions, not sure if he was being serious or not. They looked at Mash who was nodding slightly in agreement, confirming his earlier words. "You're definitely surrounded by interesting people," said Azazel.

Issei gave a small smile as he went into thought a bit more. After a bit he seemed to come to a conclusion. "While I won't say it would be impossible for Raynare, it's definitely not something that I intend to pursue or entertain. If she truly changes and she wants to, I "might" consider it. But it will be her choice." Issei narrowed his eyes at Azazel. "No coaxing from you, or I'll send her back immediately."

"Guh, you really don't leave things half done, do you?" said Azazel, a bit disappointed that he couldn't manage a more favorable situation.

"I'm sure I've said this before, but I don't enjoy being played with. If you try to make decisions for me, I'll go against it just to spite you."

"There's no reason to go to such extremes, right?"

"If I don't do it in extremes then I won't be taken seriously. You only get to say sorry so many times before you lose my trust. I'm sure you understand what I mean, Azazel," said Issei, narrowing his eyes dangerously at him.

Azazel let out a sigh in defeat. "I understand. I'll leave it at this. Please take care of her."

"That'll depend on her," said Issei dismissively.

As their conversation ended Raynare returned. "Everything is packed. I'm ready to move," she said a bit stiffly.

Issei nodded. "Alright then. Let me make a few calls," said Issei as he got up to begin Raynare's "punishment".

(Chaldea)

"What foolishness are you spouting, mongrel?" asked a clearly annoyed Gilgamesh.

"I want you and your counterparts to oversee her rehabilitation," said Issei calmly.

"And why should a king like me look after a worthless bird like her?" Gilgamesh's comment caused Raynare to flinch. Something about him caused her to be on edge. All her instincts told her he was dangerous.

"It's less a case of looking after her and more a case of having a new person to serve you." Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow as Issei continued. "My intention is for her to take care of any tasks you would have for her. You're allowed to order her to do anything… almost anything. The only stipulation is that you can't kill her. It would be problematic if you did."

"Hmph. And what can she do?"

"Well, that's a question you should ask her, but from what I've seen, she has leadership skills, combat skills, and can do secretary work."

"Hmph. How unimpressive. Well, let's hope she at least makes for a good mongrel subject for the time being." Gilgamesh looked at Raynare who managed not to flinch under his gaze. "Let's see how capable you are. With me, mongrel," he said while turning and leaving. Raynare didn't have a chance to respond and rushed to catch up, but not failing to shoot Issei a small glare before leaving. Issei just smiled in response and went to find the other two Gils to let them know.

(Present)

Raynare was currently transporting documents across the Babylonia settlement. She was awed that Servants were able to modify their rooms with their own abilities, creating spaces that put most pocket dimensions to shame. She walked to the throne room where Gilgamesh (Caster) was talking with other officials and going over documents with them. She got in line for her turn to talk with the king while thinking about how hectic the past 24 hours had been. She had started yesterday with Gilgamesh (Archer) who ordered her around while berating her the entire time. Next, she encountered someone who looked like Gilgamesh's child but apparently turned out to be a younger Gilgamesh. He was more friendly but being a young kid he had a lot of energy, and it felt like babysitting for her, which she found annoying. The worst part was that she noticed his expressions a few times and figured out he was acting spoiled on purpose which ticked her off more. Finally at the end of the day Gilgamesh (Caster) came to retrieve her, setting up a temporary place to stay in his pocket dimension and letting her know that she would be helping him with management the next day. While still having a haughty tone, this version seemed to be more level-headed and treated her with some level of dignity, although there was still a feeling of being looked down on by him. She had a feeling that her time here was going to be more difficult than she first imagined. Her thoughts naturally drifted to the one responsible. Damn that human brat! He did this deliberately to try and humble me, didn't he?! I saw his evil smile before I left. He wants to humiliate me for all the times I said I was superior to him! That's why he made me his Servant's servant! He's saying I'm not even worth working directly under him! Just you wait. I'll make sure he pays for this humiliation! she thought to herself.

"Oi! Mongrel. Don't waste my time by standing there. Report!" ordered Gilgamesh (Caster).

Raynare snapped out of her thoughts, realizing that the people in front of her had moved on and it was her turn. "M-my apologies, your Majesty!" she stammered out. Raynare continued with her new duties but continued to quietly curse Issei in her heart.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers and happy holidays to everyone else! Final Chapter for the Volume! Next time, it's time for Volume 6 and the murder of a despicable dumbass. This chapter however was an idea I had for Raynare while stalling for time on figuring out what to do with her. I thought that since I made her so prideful in this story that I would stick her with someone who would put that pride to shame as punishment. This will also give me an excuse to throw her in to any situations I want her to be in more easily, though I currently don't have plans for her right now. I want to know what you all think about what should happen with Raynare. She's kinda stuck in narrative limbo for me since I'm not sure if I want to go the antagonist route with her or have her be an ally and/or harem memeber. I look forward to the comments as always! : )