/ "Dialogue." /
/ 'Internal Thoughts.' /
/ "Flashback Dialogue." /
"One more... one more!"
Xenovia Quarta had never felt more confident in her expertise with Ex-Durandal. She dashed forward, narrowly avoiding an explosion of dark magic. Her eyes locked onto the Greek magician who had just tried to kill her. Activating her Knight piece, her movements accelerated—fast. So fast that the enemy had no time to teleport away before her blade cleaved through him. One half of his body flew into the sky, while the other collapsed to the ground.
These soldiers were not allied with the Underworld. Nor were they even devils.
Evil Gods Nyx and her brother Erebus had led the assault with their Greek forces. However, they had been confronted by their fellow deities—Zeus and Poseidon—and were currently locked in battle.
While the Old Satan Faction had rained down hell from above, their allies had appeared from all directions. Magic circles flickered to life across the battlefield, and from the lake below Agreas, a dark abyssal portal had formed, spewing forth the forces loyal to these foreign deities. They attacked everything in sight—far more ruthless than their human-magician counterparts or even the Old Devils.
The moment Serafall Leviathan had discovered this, she froze the entire body of water. So, when reinforcements came, they drowned—suffocating in their own black-liquid abyss. Her magic was formidable and durable, making it nearly impossible for them to break free for oxygen.
Now, the Knight of Rias Gremory stood on land, cutting down any who managed to escape or had come to rescue their comrades.
Though she told herself, 'One more!' It was never just one more.
There was so much chaos. So much death.
[ZAP]
Behind her, a fighter from the Old Satan Faction had appeared, sword drawn, but he had been vaporized before getting too close.
Xenovia looked up. "Akeno-senpai!" she yelled with a smile. Her eyes then widened. 'A Fallen Angel? Her father?'
Descending below was the Queen of her peerage along with Baraqiel from the Grigori.
"Have you seen Buchou?" the Knight asked. "Kiba is on the other side of the lake. We were both ordered by Lady Serafall-sama to hold this area down to prevent the enemy from coming."
Akeno rubbed her bloodied head. "I was recovering from the crash. And trying to stop as many Old Devils in the sky," she exhaled. "I'm still worn out from the Rating Game. Had I known we would be in a battle, I would have prepared for more endurance."
Baraqiel tensed. "You're doing fine," he said, trying to be supportive. "We all knew Shalba Beelzebub would return, but..." his eyes traced the destruction and madness, "not like this..."
The Knight sighed. "I don't know, we have to find Buchou." Her grip tightened around her sword. "But... we also can't leave the enemy unattended. We have to—"
As she spoke, her body suddenly flinched, as if someone had grabbed her from behind unexpectedly.
Except, it wasn't that.
A sound had shaken all of them.
Akeno and Baraqiel knew it better than most. It was rough, fast, a rupture like no other. A roar like no other. And a flash like no other.
They all snapped their heads toward the source of the thundering sound that rattled the entire Underworld.
Far off, a massive cyclone had formed, stretching from the ground to the sky, a swirling mass of destruction, a tornado of lightning that shredded everything in its path. Even the colossal behemoths grew wary, instinctively avoiding its reach. Figures who battled in the sky were disintegrated the moment they ventured too close, their bodies reduced to nothing by the sheer force of the storm.
Only few had ever witnessed anything like it, and it inspired as much fear as it did awe.
"W-What the hell is that?" Xenovia asked, her eyes trembling.
The Queen looked toward the cyclone, "I-Is it the enemy?"
Baraqiel swallowed. 'That's where Azazel went. And that power... a god, no doubt.'
He had lived a long time, seen thousands of battles, and met the most powerful and influential figures across the world. If anyone knew what divine power looked like, it was him. Yet, in this moment, he struggled with what to say, a rare and surprising turmoil stirring within him.
If he told them Uchiha Sasuke was in that storm, which he more than likely was, they might do something reckless, like try to save him.
However, if he lied, or did not inform his daughter that her companion, as he likes to describe the relationship, was in danger, then that might shatter the relationship they have slowly rebuilding.
'No.' The Fallen Angel thought. 'It's too dangerous.' Even if it meant Akeno would be angry with him, he would not risk her running off to face whatever that power was.
Xenovia suddenly flinched once more, "Sensei!" she yelled.
There was no doubt that the Queen had many concerning thoughts during this battle, just as she had during the Rating Game. She wondered if he was watching, if he cared, if he was proud. But when the attack had come, she tried to suppress those worries. Sasuke hated being worried over, absolutely loathed the idea of it. He believed that if someone truly wanted to help him, they would worry about themselves.
But when he emerged from the smoke, she saw him... and exhaled. So loudly it as if she had held her breath this entire time.
There was blood on his blade, fire raging all around him. His eyes were black, devoid of color, unlike how they usually were in battle.
Professionalism was her specialty.
Yes, she wanted to run to him, to wrap her arms around him, to take what she wanted.
Life, was short though, especially now.
There was war going on, it would have to wait.
When he came close, his expression remained unchanged. Normally, he would smirk, grin, or smile, or do something. That was how things had been since they accepted each other. But for some reason, he remained oddly neutral.
Then, her body moved on its own.
She would not wait.
Sasuke appeared surprised by the move. Her speed somehow taking him off guard.
Just as she placed her hands on his waist, his grip on his sword shifted. It was raised upward, ready to stab down through her collarbone.
[BLOCK]
Akeno flinched, her eyes widening as Ex-Durandal hovered just above her shoulder, blocking the sword her boyfriend had aimed down with his left hand. Then, before she could react, her body was yanked backward, her vision spinning. She looked up and saw the same-colored eyes as her her father's. Baraqiel looked down at her with a frown. He had known Sasuke was not here and had immediately grown suspicious. The moment he witnessed the human boy, he had been prepared to save his daughter.
Xenovia's eyes trembled, 'Sword in your left hand!? Attacking her!? Of all people!? And... you would have seen me coming! I wouldn't have matched your speed like this! this is not you!'
[CRASH]
A heavy and loud boom had slammed into the ground, causing everyone's balance to be thrown off.
Hyoudou Issei emerged in his Balance Breaker form, his armor—normally durable—now cracked and battered. Blood seeped through the openings in his scale-mail, and in certain angles, bits of exposed flesh could be seen. Without hesitation, Ascalon extended from his gauntlet. Then, taking advantage of the loss of equilibrium, he rammed the sword through Uchiha Sasuke's back.
The three watched in horror as the body was lifted into the air, impaled, forced to face the sky.
For a moment, blood spilled from the human's mouth. Then, his form darkened, his body turning black like a shadow, before vanishing as if the sun had burned it away.
Issei roared to them all, "The enemy is impersonating Uchiha-kun! I thought he was with me, but when I turned my back, he stabbed me! I thought I was dead! But he didn't have his holy sword. It was just a basic one!"
Akeno swallowed hard, her eyes wide. Even if it had been a false Sasuke, witnessing that was something that would stick in her mind.
The Pawn saw her understandable distress and gripped her shoulders. "He's fine!" he assured her. "I don't know how... maybe illusion magic... but... this is not him!"
Their clashes were heavy, both literally and symbolically.
In traditional warfare, spears were better in formations, giving an advantage in reach and the ability to hit in vulnerable areas. If one were fighting in a line or in a crowded battlefield, which was often the case, maintaining distance while killing enemies was ideal.
Anything to protect yourself, especially if you had a shield.
But a swordsman? A master swordsman?
Blades were designed for close combat. They had superior maneuverability and speed. Striking, slicing, and parrying were more practical.
Uchiha Sasuke's Divine Spiritual Sword met Cao Cao's Holy Spear of the Setting Sun.
Hit after hit, the two were in a continuous motion of striking, blocking, and striking again.
The Hero was on edge. His friends had been defeated, or worse, captured. Or even worse than that—dead. There was no one else to help him. Even if by some miracle he killed his enemy, he had no allies left and was facing the world alone.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was hoping to end this as quickly as possible. He had been here too long and now had other priorities clogging his mind.
The first was to find Ophis and figure out what was happening with her. She was not his master, make no mistake, but she was someone he needed to work with in order to go home. If her power truly had been drained, which was hard to imagine, then she may die.
And that could not happen.
The next was finding Leonardo for reasons he did not even fully understand. The boy had promise, and Sasuke wondered how valuable of an ally he could truly be. But none of that would matter if someone else got to him first. If Shalba killed him, that would be terrible. And if he reunited with Cao Cao, there was no telling what else they would use his Sacred Gear for.
That was supposed to be it.
Except for one more concern that had rapidly gnawed at him.
Akeno.
He wondered if she was okay.
He certainly hoped so. She was strong, and he had faith in her ability as well as her comrades. Yet, the desire to ensure her safety was clouding his mind.
"Worried for your friends?" Cao Cao suddenly asked. "I know what you mean. Don't worry, I'm sure the abominations are having a grand time killing one another."
With a powerful thrust, the leader of the Hero Faction sent a projectile hurtling through the air, forcing the Uchiha to dodge. He leapt backward, skidding across the ground, but his movements halted as the ground beneath him turned gray.
No!
He was turning gray.
Sasuke glanced up at the spearman and narrowed his eyes. 'A dōjutsu?' He hadn't even noticed that the replacement eye Cao Cao had gotten was real. His body slowed, growing heavier. He had been struck mid-motion, and now he was slowly petrifying. His legs hardened, but he reacted fast. Chidori crackled, cutting through any solid material that attempted to generate on him.
Cao Cao thrust the spear once more, aiming for a killing blow, but his enemy moved too fast, teleporting out of position and appearing close to the Hero.
The latter repositioned his weapon, focusing for another pierce, but his eyes widened when fire surrounded him like a shield.
'Enton: Kagutsuchi (Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi)!'
Spikes of Amaterasu erupted around his body. The Hero flinched, knowing full well how dangerous the blaze was. He pulled back his spear, but his eyes widened when a purple hand gripped the tip and squeezed it. The ribs of Susanoo formed around its user, quickly morphing into a skeleton. Its glowing yellow eyes lowered in an ominous stare.
'Darkness?' Cao Cao thought. He tried to free True Longinus, but the spear would not budge.
Susanoo's free hand slammed down, about to pummel the human into the ground until there was nothing left. The Hero felt the same as well, and would do anything he could to prevent his spear from being taken away like this.
It was only a matter of time before it came to this.
A sudden, searing brightness.
[LIGHT]
Holy Aura exploded from the Sacred Gear, its intensity and vibrancy so blinding and overwhelming that it felt as if God Almighty had returned from the dead, unleashing His wrath upon the Underworld. Even from a far away, devils could feel the warmth of the power causing them to shiver as if they were in a blizzard.
When the light eventually faded, Sasuke scanned the area around him, but his foe was not on the ground.
He, was in the sky. And not the same as before.
No—his entire aura had changed.
The energy within his body had shifted from a basic human-yellow glow to sea of pure white. Just from this alone, it made it seem like he was an entirely differently person.
'Almost like Michael...' Sasuke thought.
The spear began to spin, like a fast clock, circling all around the wielder as he closed his eyes.
His Sacred Gear had evolved.
On Cao Cao's head floated a small halo. Perhaps the crown he had always believed was there. Hovering behind his back was a larger, rounder, more formidable one. It was, without a doubt the source of his Balance Breaker, similar to how Issei and Vali had cores in their Scale Mail. His body now levitated naturally, no longer needing magic to hold himself up.
Lastly, around him floated seven identical golden spheres that reminded him of the truth-seeking orbs.
Could he be Madara? Obito? The Sage of Six Paths?
Not even close.
'Perhaps in the Infinite Tsukyomi.' He thought with a smirk.
One orb at the top of his broke from its rotation, coming close to the spearmen.
Vanish.
[BLOCK]
Sasuke turned 180 degrees, his sword pressed down. In the blink of an eye, his enemy had teleported. Fast. Much faster than his own position-shifting jutsu could achieve. The two pressed against each other, and he could feel the surge in strength Cao Cao possessed. His speed, his strength, his stamina, and his power. Even his normal eye glowed white, almost trance-like.
"Assaratana." He uttered tonelessly, sending one of his fast holy spheres.
When the orb touched Sasuke, he found himself reappearing elsewhere. But the Uchiha countered, swapping positions with another object.
Both were now engaged in a fight of disorienting teleportation, each combatant possessing a similar ability. One would strike, the other would block, and then both would vanish—flashing in every possible direction, searching for an opening, an advantage.
They tried to overwhelm each other, to throw off their opponent's senses.
Eventually, frustration took hold of the Uchiha, and he allowed Susanoo to manifest.
Cao Cao lunged forward, stabbing through the ribs, the blade cutting deep inside. But as it struck, the tip of the spear was nicked, then stuck—lodged into the spectral bones.
Sasuke sliced the Hero across his arm, blood splattering, poison infecting him. Instead of doubling down, his foe forced his weapon out, taking a more cautious approach. But the shinobi refused to let him escape easily. He vanished from his spot, swapping places with one of his orbs and appearing above. Once more, the spearman was cut, this time on his back, the blade slashing and damaging a piece of the core of his Sacred Gear.
The Hero vanished backward, panting. "Your poison won't work," he said with confidence. "This spear cures, as supportive as it is offensive." His eyes lowered as he looked down. "And your blade? A mere joke. All holy weaponry is inferior to this spear."
Another teleport, another clash.
One of the orbs descended, closer to the Kusanagi.
When it touched the katana, the human uttered a word.
"Cakkaratana."
Out of nowhere, the sword the shinobi had been carrying for all this time, had a complete change right before his eyes.
The blade itself, broke.
Sasuke looked down at the hilt of his now worthless weapon. It had endured every battle, every clash, and every force it had met. Truth be told, he had thought it was indestructible—unlike the weapons Kiba could forge with his Sacred Gear. But True Longinus had the ability to break any weapon, if it was capable of being broken. Not every sword was the same, but for now, the Uchiha was no swordsman.
'Is the dragon dead?'
Unlikely. The sword was still a sword. Just a useless one that needed to be repaired. But that wouldn't happen now.
If his hand could no longer hold a sword, then it would simply become the sword.
Chidori crackled in the air, black and fierce. While i the sky, Cao Cao levitated, looking down.
Sasuke held out his open-right palm.
'Banshō Ten'in!'
Using the Deva Path ninjutsu against someone who could teleport would not work—he would simply shift out of it. Instead, across the scarred earth lay a massive, jagged boulder that had crumbled down from a nearby hill. Indra's lightning had torn through the foundation, shredding dirt and exposing the dark rubble beneath. The rock sluggishly shifted at first, then, with greater force, it came hurtling toward the one who had summoned it.
The Hero narrowed his eyes and braced himself, Even before this fight, Georg had seen your telekensis in Kyoto. Strange magic. Foreign magic. Only a sacred-gear would typically be used to use power like that.' It was nothing to him, though. One of his orbs, or his spear would be enough to shatter a mere rock.
Sasuke would catch it, and throw it against his enemy.
It accelerate further, the boulder, and fast, and faster, velocity increasing by the millisecond.
Cao Cao aimed his spear down, but in the blink of an eye, it was somehow then pointed... up.
His eyes widened. Before his orb could teleport him away, he was struck by the massive piece of earth, crashing into his body, throwing him down like a ragdoll. It crushed parts of his body, the blunt force making his head and body spin in a variety of random directions. Tumbling, slamming, shredding into the ground—he was no more than dirt.
The Rinnegan flared once more.
Though he knew Sasuke could teleport by swapping positions with objects, he had not been aware he could make others swap positions the same way.
When the Uchiha appeared above him, Cao Cao attempted to regain his footing, but his disoriented body was not nearly capable of readjusting. Chidori came, slicing across his chest, but missing the penetration that was supposed to hit his heart. It grazed his chest, sending more blood and sharpening shrieks into the air.
The spearman then teleported himself to safety, finally able to calculate what had happened.
'From what I can figure out... each eye does something different. Like with that illusionary figure from earlier, the red one can make blames. While the purple is likely how he teleports. Either blind him, or remove his eyes.'
Then, he rubbed his own, fake eye, 'It snagged a rock when I was struck, it won't work. I'll have to go back to get another.'
He coughed in pain. There were many wounds on him, most visible, but some deeper, aching toward his core, toward his bones.
Meanwhile, Sasuke observed with his Mangekyo, 'The orbs. Only one of them has been used to teleport. Do they have all have some unique power?' It must be, especially recalling the strange words he had used whenever something abnormal would happen, 'Seven Orbs. Seven Words. Seven Powers. Teleport. Holy Aura. Break weapons. What else?'
Black fire.
'Amaterasu.'
Instead of panicking, Cao Cao swung his spear, sending an orb toward the fire he had come to fear. When it hit, the shinobi watched as his jutsu suddenly spun out of his control, redirecting itself and shooting down toward his position on the ground.
"Let's see how you handle it!" The spearman yelled in fury.
To further antagonize his enemy, Sasuke stood still, allowing his own dojutsu to come toward him. He could have suppressed it, as he did when Karin had been unintentionally burned, but instead, he chose a more unique approach.
When the fire came, he simply extended his palm out and absorbed his own jutsu.
'Destroy the orbs. Destroy the halo. Destroy the man.'
["TAKE ME!"]
He spun his head around, his eyes narrowing.
The Demonic Emperor Sword lay upright on the ground, calling out to him once more.
["THE DRAGON YOU WISH? THE GREAT ONE? I CAN CUT THROUGH THOSE SCALES LIKE CARVING A CAKE!"]
Cao Cao suddenly muttered something lowly. His hands came together in a prayer-like gesture while his spear spun once more like a fast-moving clock.
"Parinayakaratana".
["I PURGE THE LIGHT!"]
There was a rising sun. A bright, sea of yellow and white. No matter how many times a person would see the star come off the horizon, it would always be captivating to the eye. This blazing, brilliant, dazzling, flashing, glistening, glittering, golden, intense, luminous, radiant, shimmering, shiny, silvery, sparkling, sunny, vivid light spawned from the orb that had been sent crashing down toward the ground right before him.
Sasuke would not flee, nor would he look away.
When Gram flew on its own, and came into his hands, he struck the light.
And cut right through it.
There was no better feeling than being on the offensive and winning.
"Kahabateiratana!"
After purging Cao Cao's most powerful ability, Sasuke stood idle with a grin.
The newest attack sent seven cloaked figures from the spearman's position. They were invisible, and it reminded the Uchiha of Madara's Limbo jutsu. However, these could even be seen with his Mangekyō.
In order to confuse his enemy, he simply did not acknowledge their existence until they came near him, surrounding him. He rose to the sky, and when the Hero teleported to the ground, he chased after him.
Then, the phantoms struck.
"Shinra Tensei!"
A rush of chakra had been poured into the jutsu. Its speed, power, and devastation expanded in a 360-degree radius around him. Every phantom and the spearman himself were blasted in all directions.
The clones of the Hero faded, and he was left alone to rise from the ground.
Cao Cao, like many, had lost battles before, but this time, he was pushed hard. He held onto his spear, keeping his body upright. He still had rough wounds on his body, blood leaking across his entire figure. He panted heavily, and the truth was that his power was waning.
Though a powerful warrior with the most powerful Sacred Gear, he was no master.
"You're insane for using that sword..." he said weakly.
Sasuke shrugged. "I was curious to see if it was as effective as it is irritating." He then inspected it, "But you are right. No sane man should use this more than once, if ever."
There was something the sword was doing to him— negatively. Its power was immense but also dangerous—it clouded his senses, whispering dark promises he had no desire to hear.
'It's manipulating me. Giving me the feeling that I've already won. Destroy. Destroy. Destroy.'
Not only could he feel his body being drained with each strike, but he could also feel a rush of foreign adrenaline coursing through him.
Confidence. Assurance. Madness.
But no one could deny the effectiveness of it.
The orbs...
One by one!
With black lighting crackling alongside Gram, he teleported and split the orbs into two, evaporating them into thin air.
Cao Cao sweated and panicked. Every thrust, stab, and attempt to send power toward his foe was either dodged, cut, or simply missed. Even when he thought a counter was possible, the Uchiha maintained his composure, not faltering for a second. He teleported behind him, aiming True Longinus for an attack through his back.
With just his peripheral vision, Sasuke sidestepped, turned around, and slashed upward in a wide arc with Gram.
When the Hero gasped, his orbs fell, one by one. They moved almost autonomously, trying to evade. His Sharingan tracked their trajectory, destroying them swing after swing before they could flee. When the last one remained, the spearman attempted one last surprise counter.
He maneuvered his spear, stabbing upward. It came dangerously close to Sasuke's hand, almost piercing his wrist. However, instead of risking it, he simply dropped Gram to the ground and pulled back, saving his hand and preparing a counter of his own.
He did not need a demonic sword to end this fight—just as he didn't when it began.
He swapped positions with the last orb, instead going for the end.
"Chidori!"
Sasuke drove his signature jutsu into Cao Cao's back, breaking apart his Sacred Gear and cutting the back of his shoulder, as sharp as it was fast.
It cleaved through, severing his arm from the shoulder.
Defeat.
At long, last, the Hero Faction's leader had suffered a true defeat.
Sasuke stood over him, looking down, almost with pity.
Most fights he enjoyed, but not this one.
Words suddenly, came, the sound soft, softer than they had ever been before, even lighter than a whisper.
Yet, they were from the defeated opponents mouth, and the ambition that he always carried.
["O Spear. The true Holy Spear which pierces through God.
Absorb the ambition of the King of Domination sleeping within me and pierce through the gap of blessing and destruction.
You. Announce the will, and turn into a light."]
The Uchiha tensed, but he waited to see if something would come. He recognized it as a chant of some sort, likely to gather more power. In the sky above, a glowing light burst downward. He leapt away but quickly realized it was not an attack, nor was it aimed at him. It was as if Heaven itself had cast a beam down toward the Underworld, striking the fallen Hero and filling him with a glow.
Cao Cao explained, "My forbidden technique. The Brightness of Supremacy. Truth Idea." he coughed, "It is the Will of God that is imbued into my spear. "
There was no doubt about it, it felt divine.
"God! Help me!"
Sasuke looked up, his eyes scanning the vibrant light.
"Recognize my will! My ambition!"
[...]
A voice called from the heavens, but only the the spearmen could hear it.
The Uchiha tensed.
He did not know this God Almighty, but everyone feared or at least respected him. He was said to have been the strongest entity in existence, even more powerful than Trihexa, Great Red, or Ophis. Rizevim had told him that he was the reason why 666 had been sealed to begin with. And the reason why it has been so difficult to try and find and unseal the beast. And the reason why they hadn't unsealed him was because of how powerful the seals were.
If his power was truly as magnificent as everyone claimed, and a piece of it was embedded into True Longinus, what could it do?
And the reason why they hadn't unsealed him was because of how powerful the seals were.
Cao Cao paused for a moment. "Destroy this one!" he urged. "Strike him down with your might! Smite him! Or bring something from his world or ours to destroy him!"
That got his attention. And no doubt, that would be a miracle. Who from the Elemental Nations could defeat Uchiha Sasuke? The list was small. And for just a brief second, he wondered if Uzumaki Naruto would spawn right before him, and they would battle it out once more.
Could a miracle kill Sasuke?
He did not have to wait long to find out.
No.
The light faded.
Divine Intervention would not save the Hero.
Cao Cao finally relented, "I'm too weak to use it. My power will not listen. Either that, or, Gods Will chose your ambition over my own."
Sasuke looked down, his eyes lowered, 'No, you idiot.' he thought, 'Your ambition was always to protect humanity. Asking it to strike me down went against your own beliefs and what you spent so hard fighting for. But you chose to kill me, rather than help those closest to you. You know I was never a threat to humanity. I'm a human myself...'
There was no desire to tell him this, it would do no good.
In his peripheral vision, movement arose.
'What now!?' his mind raced with irritation. Interruption, after interruption.
Black.
Black in the sky. Black cloaks around him. Black-hooded figures.
There was never a doubt in his mind that the Grim Reapers would eventually come back for him. They wanted him, his soul, as much as their God commanded them to. When he left the Realm of the Dead, he had done so with fire, not with permission, unlike how deities usually allowed souls to escape. It was only natural for them to seek vengeance, no matter how pitiful the undead creatures were.
"They're coming..." Cao Cao whispered weakly, blood leaking from his mouth. "Kill me... before they get us both..."
Thanatos and Orcus emerged. But their scythes remained undrawn.
Sasuke obliged his request. He aimed his Chidori downward and-
Blinding blue light erupted.
Cao Cao's body suddenly convulsed violently, his eyes stretching wide. Light burst from his mouth, his nose, his ears, his very being.
Watching this in vivid detail brought back a memory of something Xenovia had told him. It was about her past and her job as an exorcist. This was called an exorcism. An event where an evil spirit or demon would take possession of a human body to bring about corruption and torment. The 'Knight' had personally overseen these and, oftentimes, had to deal with the aftermath in case they could not save the soul.
But this was no demon.
The Hero's lips twitched. But when he spoke, it was not his voice.
"YOUR PITIFUL SACRED-SPEAR WON'T PROTECT YOU NOW!"
Sasuke clenched his teeth. That voice.
That dreaded voice.
Hades.
First Indra, now the Greek God of Death.
All of the deity's the Hero had betrayed seemed to want his corpse.
The shinobi then realized, 'They are not here for me...' No, just from there stances and posture, these foes were not here to claim him or seek vengeance for how he destroyed there precious realm.
"CAO CAO! YOU'RE MINE NOW, BOY! YOUR SOUL! YOUR SPEAR! EVERYTHING IS MINE!"
A foreign, malicious grin formed on the face of the human. His body suddenly levitated, his limbs twisting unnaturally.
Orcus suddenly lunged for True Longinus—
[SWAP]
Sasuke vanished, reappearing in Orcus' place, the spear now in his grasp. He dashed away.
Cao Cao's possessed body sneered. "WHAT IS YOUR ISSUE, BOY!? I CAME HERE FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, NOT TO BRING UP OLD WOUNDS!"
It appeared the God did not mean to bring the wrath of his former captive.
The Uchiha grinned, "You want it? Come get it."
Hades' voice boomed through the hero's mouth.
"FINE! YOU AND I, ARE SETTLED, THEN!"
"AS FOR THIS ONE! HE OWES ME A GREAT DEBT! HE PLAYED ME A FOOL! AS HE DID WITH YOU! AND MANY, MANY OTHERS! KUKU! BUT HE FORGETS! THE UNDERWORLD WAS ONCE ALL THE REALM OF THE DEAD! MY ROOTS ARE EMBEDDED IN THESE GROUNDS, AND ONLY GROWS STRONGER WITH DEATH! AND MORE DEATH WILL COME, WITH WAR!
"EVEN NOW! I AM ON MY THRONE! WATCHING! LAUGHING!"
"I HAVE YOU, BOY! AND I WILL NOT LET YOU GO!"
That was it then, they had simply waited for an opportunity to snag the Hero. It was a fitting response. No deity, especially one who acted like a child, wished to be embarrassed by a human.
Sasuke then asked, "...What's going to happen to him?"
Though he already knew the answer.
Cao Cao's head tilted unnaturally.
"THE SAME THING THAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU, SOMEDAY! KUKU! THE SAME THING THAT WILL HAPPEN TO EVERYONE!"
"EXCEPT THIS ONE WILL BE MINE! MY FAITHFUL, SUBSERVIENT DISCIPLE-IN-WAITING!"
"BUT I WILL NOT GRANT HIM THE BENEFIT OF A QUICK TRANSITION! NOR WILL HIS SOUL MOVE ON!"
"NO! HE WILL LEARN TO SERVE ME... VOLUNTARILY!"
"TO PAY HIS DEBT!"
For someone like Cao Cao to become a Grim Reaper against his will... a truly terrible ending for a Hero.
Suddenly, Hades' subordinates chanted, a strange hum in a language the Uchiha did not know.
Then, a magic circle spawned by Thanatos formed beneath them. It expanded, swallowing a vast area that captured all figures from the Realm of the Dead, as well as their soon-to-be brother-in-arms. They all stared at the Uchiha, who stood motionless, unfearful as the power reached toward him. But inside, they knew better than to stray too close. They may have subdued one human, but attacking Sasuke would be a different story.
Hades knew of the shinobi. He would not make the same mistake Indra had made earlier.
And so, there was no desire to fight the Greek God.
Nor help Cao Cao.
Gone.
They were all gone, having teleported.
Having taken what they came for.
There was no coming back for the Realm of the Dead for Cao Cao. He, was as good as dead now. Actually, it is even worse than death. He would eventually break, and submit to Hades, becoming one of his dreaded Grim Reapers. His entire body and soul would fade away. His flesh, his organs, his memories, even likely his powers would vanish as he would be forced to face the inevitable.
True Longinus pulsed in the shinobi's grasp.
Then, its light faded.
The Holy Aura. The Power. Vanished.
Now, it was just a regular, basic, spear.
Sasuke stood for a long moment in complete silence. As victorious as he was, he did not feel entirely satisfied with the situation. Perhaps, it was sympathy for his fellow human, something he had never needed to understand, since back home, most were human.
Then again, it had been Cao Cao who had intentionally and knowingly sent him to the Realm of the Dead to suffer the same fate.
A thought came to his mind, that, maybe, he should have killed him, at his request.
He was his enemy, and as a shinobi, he should not feel empathy for the enemy in battle.
But, the battle was over.
And now, his enemy would die, one way or another.
'Akeno...'
That name gnawed in his mind again, filling the void that had come. She was a priority, and the thought of her in danger brought a strange sense of anxiousness in him.
What was she doing to him?
Yet, he also other priorities in mind.
'Ophis...'
"You shitty Heavenly Dragon! How about this!"
The fight between Shalba Beelzebub and Hyoudou Issei had reached its climax. Despite the clear difference in power, the true-blooded devil fought with everything he had, which clearly had not been enough. His body was broken, having been pummeled and beaten like a ragdoll. He was covered in his own blood, his bones heavily fractured, his magic drained, even with Ophis' snake drawn out to its max.
But it did not stop him.
Issei, on the other hand, panted, injured as well—though not nearly as badly as his foe. His magic was draining, but his armor remained, and he had anger—true anger. That emotion kicked in, driving his power, fueling his rage. He had to be careful, though. Last time, when he became too unstable and emotional, his Juggernaut Drive had revealed itself. And in a situation like this, many friends and enemies alike would die.
While sprinkling blood, Shalba created a magic circle within his hand. What appeared from there was… a single arrow.
Ophis floated behind him, watching the blood with a cautious gaze.
'Samael...'
Whether it was borderline arrogance or simple naivety, the Pawn stood his ground. There was no way something like a small, magic-infused arrow could harm him. His armor could sustain massive attacks from beings far more powerful than Shalba himself.
Then again, he had no idea what was on that arrow.
One hit, and he would die from it.
Luckily, a friend did know what was on it.
Beelzebub was drooling with ecstasy, bloodlust, and fury. His eyes widened, and a grin stretched across his face. He did not care about his life, his ambitions, his goals, or his dreams. It was all about killing the Sekiryuutei and as many devils as possible. He would give it all up for his hatred of the Red Dragon Emperor. If he could rid the entire Underworld, of all live, he would.
When the projectile was released, it was almost sad. In his moment of true desire, it had seemingly vanished.
Rather, it had been replaced.
Shalba's eyes widened as a figure appeared between him and Hyoudou Issei
A boy.
A human boy.
The devil then sensed something behind him. He turned around to see that Ophis, who had been there the entire fight, had suddenly vanished. Instead, she had been replaced—just like the arrow—by the same person who now stood before him.
Though now, his left hand was coated in black lightning.
Uchiha Sasuke ran, his Chidori Eiso extended outward, reaching like a sharp, pointed spear.
Shalba tensed and raised magic circles for his defense. 'Fast!' he thought at the sudden arrival. But Sasuke was even faster than he could process. In a speeding blitz, he sliced through every defensive magic barrier the Old-Devil could muster, breaking through with ease and going even further. The base of his torso was severed from his lower half, leaving him in two. Both halves of his body flew backward, crashing onto the ground, blood spewing into the air like an exposed hose.
Not even Uchiha Madara had defended against this. But unlike the latter, the descendant of Beelzebub would not regenerate.
Now, on his back, the perpetrator of this entire battle lay staring up, his brown eyes forced to face the sky of the Underworld he had grown up in.
The sight only changed when his attacked towered over him.
"You..." Shalba rasped, blood spilling from his mouth. "You were there..."
Sasuke stared down, fury in his colored eyes.
Just one glance at Ophis, and that confirmed what Cao Cao had said.
She had been weakened.
"What did you do to her?" he asked in a low voice, "Send her power back. Or your death will be even worse than it is now."
Shalba repeated, "You were there..." he said, "In the Dimensional Gap. You stood behind Rizevim..."
Out of all the strange entities that had attended that Khaos Brigade meeting, only Kuroka had remembered him, and that was only because of his unique scent. He had been like a fly on the wall, just one mere human who seemed far less significant than the many influential and powerful figures present. Yet, this devil recognized him instantly, and that was something Sasuke had not expected.
"Help me..." He pleaded, "Kill that dragon. Help me... if you do... I will give her power back..."
Even now, on his dying breath, he thought he could manipulate and lie to the Uchiha, like he had done with many others.
Sasuke repeated, his foot pressing down his wound, causing pain, "I'm no fool. You don't have her power. I can see it, it became exhausted within you." his eyes lowered, "Tell me! What did you do with the rest of it!?" It would be impractical for the devil to have taken all the strength from a Dragon-God. And, even if he did, he still had lost to Hyoudou Issei.
"You weren't involved..." Shalba answered weakly, "We divided it amongst ourselves. A deal had been made... after the last meeting..."
"...What deal?"
"Cao Cao... myself... and Rizevim..."
Never once had been aware of it.
It did not make ense.
Ophis was their strongest asset. She alone was more powerful than the entire Khaos Brigade combined. She was their leader! And yet, they had turned on her that easily? Had she done something to deserve this? Had she gone against her desire for Great Red? No. The shinobi knew that wasn't it. Even though he hadn't been there, he could figure out that the reason was fairly simple.
She must have said no them.
Why weaken her, though? Even if she did not actively fight, her presence alone was a threat to all.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, 'More plans without me. More lies. More betrayals.'
This was the worst part about it all. Being compelled to deal with allies who kept important things from him.
By now, Hyoudou Issei walked over. "Oi... is he still alive!?"
Before Shalba could utter his last words, a quick slash from Chidori tore through his neck, blood spewing into the air in a grotesque display of violence. His hands reacted instinctively, gripping the wound in a desperate attempt to contain it, but it was futile. The life in his eyes faded—just as his ambition for greatness had when he began this second Devil Civil War.
The Pawn immediately gasped, and looked over to Sasuke.
He saw the anger, the fury, the darkness, in those red and purple eyes of his.
Even though they had won, he appeared as if he had lost everything.
In truth, Issei was scared to say something to his classmate. Never had he seen him like this.
After a moment of prolonged silence, the Uchiha spoke, his voice low, void of any emotion, "What happened here? And Where's Leonardo?"
Though he felt tension, Issei gulped and answered, "Shalba came to us and lured me away. I didn't want to abandon everyone, but I had to rescue Ophis. He was controlling her. All of them. The Khaos Brigade was just using her like a mascot." He frowned. "I just hope everyone sees that. But look! She isn't attacking me or anyone else! We just have to explain it to everyone, and they will see it!"
Them controlling Ophis?
'Sure.' Sasuke thought, 'Let's call it that.'
To his surprise, the Uchiha appeared open-minded.
"Good job," he complimented. "But a terrible idea. They won't go for it. She is the leader of a terrorist organization, and now, she is weakened. Look around us—all the blame can be scapegoated onto her. With her power drained, they will seal her at best... and kill her at worst."
Ophis then appeared before them.
"My friends," She began, her voice carrying genuine concern, "Abandoned me..."
The Dragon God who represented Infinity, Chaos, and Nothingness… yet Sasuke struggled to see her that way.
Maybe it was because he had never seen her in a monstrous form. Maybe it was because she bore the appearance of a young, vulnerable girl, making him more sympathetic. Maybe it was because she had saved his life in the Dimensional Gap. Or maybe, it was because he knew he needed her to face Great Red.
It did not matter.
He gently placed his hand on her head and patted it, his simmering anger having calmed down by this point.
"You still have one friend left."
Ophis smiled and nodded, "...Friend...
Issei crossed his arms in jealousy, "Oi... I'm the one who rescued her."
The Uchiha then looked at the boy and scowled, "Under no circumstances are we giving her up. To anyone. Azazel. The Maous. Michael. No one." he then added, "... We have to hide somewhere." he rubbed his chin, "After this battle... factions will take a side. For us. Against us. Most will be neutral, and will not host the leader of a terrorist organiztion. No, it has to be somewhere close...somewhere... local."
"No way!" The pawn objected, "Put her in your house! It's crammed enough in my room. Asia and now Irina already snoop through everyone!"
Sasuke shook his head. "For the time being, keep her with you. Then... I will find somewhere to put her." He paused. "We should get her safe now. Come, let us go."
His comrade hesitated. "W-Wait!" he said. "We can't just leave!"
"...And why is that?"
Issei frowned at his question, "Buchou..." he said softly. "I have to find her. And... you too. Akeno-senpai. You should talk to her, after the battle. She was a bit rattled up. A bit... shaken." he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and avoided eye contact, "Something happened..."
The Uchiha paused, taken aback.
"... What happened?"
What did the aftermath of a battle like that look like?
Unfortunately for Rias Gremory, she was not there to see it. Instead, she found herself back in the human world, back in the Occult Research Club. This was her safe area, where she gain clarity, peace, wisdom, and experience joy with some of the most important people in her life. Yet, when she stared out the open window, all that she could see was the droplets of rain.
'The tears of the Underworld…'
Never in her life had she been more saddened, but she did her best to not let it show.
For the past two days, she had been sulking, trapped in depression, in complete and total dread.
"The King is the most important piece. If it is lost, all is lost."
She recalled what Sasuke had told her, how she was the core of the peerage's identity. For her to lose faith would be the ultimate capitulation.
That is why she had wanted to stay. To be with her family, her House, her lands, her fellow devils, and for her Underworld. Yet, that is not what had happened. When it was over, her order was to restore as much as possible. And though many accepted her help, it was her Sirzechs Lucifer who had ordered her to be sent back to Kuoh Academy and the human world.
Not her brother.
It was Lucifer.
There was no negotiating with the Maou. He had spoken in his powerful, authoritative tone. One he had never used with her before.
He saw his little sister as a beacon of innocence and youth, and truth be told, he did not want to spoil that. That wasn't fair to Rias, though, who wanted to help her people, her family, her society.
'I'm not a child.'
Maybe it was true, maybe not. But one thing was clear. She had proven herself in the battle, and she had not broken in the eyes of allies or enemies alike.
Her serene blue-green eyes shifted to the desk facing the club room.
'Azazel…'
The leader of the Grigori had suffered a catastrophic wound, pierced by none other than True Longinus. Even though he was not a devil, it had left a strong imprint on his body. Luckily, his friend Shemhazai had found him resting against a tree. There were rumors that he had even been praying, strangely enough. He must have been, as he was still alive, though currently in a coma.
There was no denying she had grown deeply concerned for the well-being of the club's advisor. And though he was expected to live, there was a deafening silence in the clubroom now that he was gone. He had always given them confidence in times of need.
The King was stressed. She wanted to paint her nails, but lately, she had preferred biting them instead.
"Rias," Akeno said softly, "We're here for you."
She gave her friend a nod. "I know..." Then, she turned it back on her. "But what about yourself? Did you... mention it to him?"
Akeno's eyes widened slightly before closing. "Not yet..."
Suddenly, the clubroom doors opened, revealing the entirety of the club.
Though everyone had fought well, a dark shadow loomed over them all. It had been bloody, it had been brutal, more of a taste of war than any previous engagement. They were all young warriors, unaccustomed to the constant sight of death and destruction that had unfolded before them. But they endured, as best they could. Being together, united, was no doubt the backbone they all relied upon.
Xenovia - Kiba - Irina - Rossweisse - Asia - Koneko and Gasper.
Lastly, were the two boys from Class 2-B.
They strolled in last.
Together.
Something that was quickly becoming a regular occurrence.
The Queen smiled, "Those two have been spending quite a bit of time together, wouldn't you say, Buchou?"
Rias nodded. "They are as thick as thieves..." she joked.
When everyone had assembled, the 'King' stood where Azazel normally would have been and faced them all. All eyes shifted toward her, their conversations falling silent.
The crimson-haired beauty forced a smile and swallowed hard. She had never been shy in front of her peerage, especially since, even from a young age, she had been instilled with a level of public speaking fit for a noble devil. And these were her beloved comrades, not strangers. Yet, something made it difficult now. Perhaps it was the uncertainty of the future, or perhaps the carnage from the battle still lingered in her mind. Either way, addressing them was not as easy as it once had been.
But what they needed was a rallying cry, something to let them know that despite the battle, more was to come.
"You all..."
She paused, her hand shaking, her breath unsteady.
"You all..."
She tried again, but the words choked in her throat.
"You—"
Sasuke stood up and appeared before her. He gave her a look, his eyes surprisingly soft, his expression slightly amused.
"You all..." he began, mimicking—or joking against Rias, "...do not need a speech. And good for that, because I don't give any." His voice lowered, his face hardening into a scowl, "There are few moments in life where we have to be at our best, where we have to be fearless, and we have to endure whatever comes. Once again, that time has come. More vibrant, more deadly, and bloodier than ever. This is war. And you saw it. Death. That is how it is. That is how it always will be. You don't like it? Get stronger. Be the enemy they fear you to be. Be the enemy they think twice about. But never think you are fighting this war alone. You already proved to be without fear, the rest is easy."
When the words came to an end, there was a moment of silence.
Then, the room erupted—so loud it broke its own sound barrier, the roar carrying beyond the school, letting even those outside hear them.
Smiles, laughs, cheers, even he did not expect such a reaction.
Sasuke then looked toward Rias, who stared at him with wide eyes. Never had she ever imagined he would be able to speak like that, be like that, and now, even smile like that.
'Oh... my...'
The Crimson-Haired Princess had lived up to her name. Even her pale, smooth, skin had boiled to a dark red.
Even the Uchiha had wondered, 'Where did that come from?'
For some reason, seeing the devil stutter and stumble had urged him to speak—for her, for Azazel, and for all of them. It was not like him. No, not even close. He preferred to prove his confidence with force, not with words. But it appeared to have resonated well. And even he could not deny that there was a sense of passion in his own words that made him feel empowered as well.
The 'King' gave herself a moment to calm down.
When her fluster relinquished, she smiled back at him, a smile like no other.
Night had come, and the rain continued to pour down, harder and louder. The clouds blocked out the sky, the moon barely making its way through. It was dark, as one could imagine, the darkest the city of Kuoh had ever experienced. Everyone was indoors, hopefully, and even more fortunate would be to have someone in bed with them, to keep them warm on this cold, wet winter night.
'Almost my whole life here... I don't think I've ever felt rain like this...'
Akeno Himejima was wrapped in a robe, the temperature outside bitterly cold. She stood under the roof of one of the three connected wooden-living quarters at her shrine. When she was a child, her parents lived in the main quarters, while she lived in the eastern building, and the western one was for guests. It had been many, many years since that room had been occupied.
But now... she had a guest.
She watched Sasuke, her companion she had come to care for. Every day, their relationship evolved, whether in peace or war.
"There's nowhere ideal to hide, except maybe the Dimensional Gap. But Great Red will devour you, given the chance."
He spoke those words to a young girl with strange, hollow grey eyes. She had pointy ears, and this expression that made it seem like she was out-of-mind, or was just nonchalant about everything around her. But the Queen was no fool, she had seen this "person" before, back in the Underworld. And it was confusing as it was bizarre to see Sasuke treat her like some child who needed to be looked after.
Ophis complained, "It's so loud here..."
There was no denying the rain made much noise. Especially this rain.
"Then... cover your ears." He replied. She gave a nod in response, and covered them with her hands.
When he stood up, he wondered if the God needed anything. A blanket, a bed, perhaps. Some food, maybe. But then he realized how utterly ridiculous that sounded and immediately withdrew from the room. He gently closed the door, watching as Ophis lay flat on the ground. Then, he turned to face the one person who was understandably very cautious about this entire situation.
"It's temporary," he assured. "But it is for the best."
Akeno sighed and looked away with a frown, "I feel guilty about lying to Rias."
Sasuke replied, "It's not lying. You're just not telling her." he hoped his smirk would appease her worry, instead, he added, "... I will tell her. And I won't mention you agreed."
That made her feel better, but just a little.
They walked side by side, with him closer to the edge where the rain was pouring down. She held onto his arm, learning against his shoulder.
"... Why can't we just turn her in? Was she not at least partially responsible for... all of that?"
For a moment, he thought of not lying. To just tell the truth. It was starting to hurt, these... smaller lies. Of course, toying with facts had never been a huge issue for him in the past to get what he wanted. The world was not black and white, and most people had aspects that made them more complex than simply good or bad. Things that made them... unique in that way. All shinobi are killers, though it did not mean they were automatically evil.
But Akeno... was not grey. She was white, good-hearted, genuine, and the ideal person to be at heart.
And he knew it.
But he, was not.
Sasuke explained again, "She is innocent. Shalba admitted they used her as a scapegoat, blaming all of his and their crimes. They even took her power, and in the end, stripped most of it away altogether. Now, if the Maous, Heaven, or anyone in a position of high power gets her, they may use the battle in the Underworld as justification to seal her. Or worse, kill her. Even Hyoudou agrees."
He would not let happen.
When they stood inside, he adjusted his jacket preparing to raise the hood to shield himself from the rain. Even though he could simply use a magic circle, he oddly seemed to prefer going out into the darkness.
The Queen was nervous. She did not know who Ophis really was. A God? An evil God? Sleeping? Resting? Right next door? That would naturally raise concern for anyone living nearby. It was strange enough she trusted both Issei and Sasuke, and there was no malicious intent coming from her. But she was not easily convinced to trust the Ouroboros Dragon as they were.
She lowered her head, "... Can you stay the night?" Though she had wanted to ask him this before, she had never done so. Usually because she was nervous to do. But now, with everything that happened, she felt no reason not to ask.
"I prefer my own bed."
Well, at least she tried.
Sasuke walked out into the rain and suddenly stopped. Like being hit with lightning, he was struck with a realization. He immediately turned around and quickly walked back inside. Yes, he saw it in her eyes. A look of worry, concern, and a hint of fear. Not against him, thankfully, but toward the obvious entity right next door. He knew Ophis, so he wasn't worried for Akeno's well-being. But she didn't know that. And now, she wanted him here to ensure her safety.
Perhaps, he could stay for a little longer.
What was she doing to him?
"Do you have a towel?"
Akeno smiled and scrambled for a large towel that would cover his body. He took it, rubbing his hair before discarding his jacket. Not everything was drenched, but enough that he had to remove most of his clothing to stay dry. When she saw that much skin, it was apparent he wouldn't be comfortable without proper apparel.
"You'll catch a cold. I'll get you a robe."
He replied, "That won't be necessary. I'll just swap clothes when I go home."
In the corner of his eye, he could see her dissatisfaction with that.
Ever since arriving from the Underworld, Akeno had been… clingy. That was the word he would use to describe it. In reality, she simply wished to be around him, with him—even just seeing him seemed to be her priority. There was an anxiousness within her, and though Sasuke had good eyes, he was not as skilled at reading people's emotions as he was at their movements in a fight.
"Did something happen?" He asked.
The thing was, he knew something had happened. He had forced the answer out of Issei and was also told that the Queen had asked everyone not to bring it up. To him, it was no big deal. One of the clones Leonardo had spawned had made its way to some of the peerage members and, rightfully, had been killed. Apparently, it had dazed the Queen and brought a troubling scene to her mind—one that repeated in her head.
Akeno hugged him and sighed. "I saw you... die," she admitted. "A fake. I'm sure someone told you about it. The enemy used you, and even though I know it was an illusion, it hurts to think about. Sorry for worrying about you. I know you don't like it when people do that."
Her eyes became red, a single tear streaking down.
He hated when women cried, or rather, when anyone cried. Not because he thought it was weak. Even he had cried a few times in his life. But there was something about watching Sakura or Karin sob that always irked him. Likely because he felt they were wasting their tears for him.
For nothing.
Sasuke's eyes softened, he placed his thumb on her cheek, and wiped away the tear.
"That's nice to hear," he replied calmly, "And... thank you for being worried about me. I thought about you, too. My only regret in that battle is not finishing my fight sooner, so I could have prevented you from seeing that. I would have done the deed myself. After all, it was me being impersonated."
She looked up, surprised to feel appreciate for something he often loathed about. Yes, she believed him, that look on his face, and the look in his eyes.
"I'm tired." He suddenly said, "... I don't think I can make it home."
Akeno smiled, "Ara, it is late, isn't it? A boy might get lost in that darkness..."
"So much shame!"
Sasuke laid there, in her bed, most of his clothes off due to them being wet. She had a relatively small futon, though it was soft and comfortable. Much more than his own.
He then asked, "It was your idea." he replied, "Do you have a bed in the other room?"
Akeno jolted, "Ufufu. Trying to escape?" she explained while looking away, "I never had a boy in my room before. Let alone in my bed."
There was a small amount of lingering guilt, or shame, though it was innocent and unwarranted, nor would it be permanent. It was simply different, as she had never experienced this before. Then again, neither has he, but he seemed to not care as much.
When she saw how exposed he looked, she offered, "Are you sure you don't want some of my clothes? You will get sick."
He deadpanned from the thought of that suggestion, "... I'm fine."
The light turned off, and she jumped inside next to him.
"I have you..." she whispered slyly, "In my web."
Sasuke felt her lips hit him, her legs wrapping him like a squid wrapping prey. She nuzzled her way even closer, refusing to let him an opportunity to escape. The two kissed slowly, with breaths in between. It was half the intensity than one might expect, but it was double the affection. They had missed one another, no doubt. And to his surprise, he found himself not wishing to sleep in his own bed as he often did.
She pulled back,, "Ara, I do wonder, if it had been me who was an illusion, would you have figured me out?"
The question was meant as a joke, but he took it a bit more seriously.
"I would know it was you. The way you speak, walk, the way you are... I could spot you from miles away. Hundreds of fakes could be in my way, and I would find you. Killing them? Won't make a difference to me, because I know they are not you. You have it, something that could never be replicated. Something that can only be placed once, and then never again will it show itself. You may not see it. Everyone else might not see it. But I can see it. Illusions? Well, those are the easiest to see through. And you wouldn't be in one, either. Only you could be in reality. You're too good for an imposter."
Truth be told, she had no idea what to say that.
Words to be remembered, no doubt, but for now, she just... blushed.
"T-Thank you..." Akeno eventually replied, "That is very sweet." then, her tone became sly. "... Who taught you how to be romantic? I thought I was your first."
He had not intended to be romantic, but, that's how it came out, to her, at least.
She rested her head on the pillow and came close to him.
"First what?" Sasuke asked, "You mean..."
She nodded.
"You are." He replied, "Was it too much?"
[SMACK]
Lips, on lips, smacked and taken, as she wanted.
"No." Akeno replied gleefully, "It was the right amount." she then asked, "You're usually so stern, but I feel so much passion coming from you. That makes me happy, since, you always seemed composed. Too composed." her eyes darted away, "I'm glad you can be like that, with me, at least. Many girls at the school wondered if you were even born with such emotions."
"I never had a reason to be like this. With anyone. Except you."
Suddenly her portion of the blanket fell off, "Ara ara," She said with red cheeks, "Is it hot in here? It feels so hot in here..."
He shook his head, "It's still cold."
When Akeno heard that, she put the blanket back on, though more of it on him. Then she came even closer, to where they could almost hear there heartbeats if quiet enough.
They did not speak after that, it was late, and eventually her violet eyes fell close as she rested herself so close to him. He had an arm wrapped around her, like hugging while sleeping, something the two had not done before. Though, he was not tired as he had said, he closed his eyes, and allowed himself to be here, just for this night. Though, truth be told, this was much better than being alone.
He wondered if she would mind him being here another night.
To keep an eye on Ophis, of course. Nothing more. Nothing less.
'What are you doing to me?'
Indeed, what was she doing to him?
Been reading lot's of romance manga lately, hoping for some more.
Let me know what you thought!