Draconis: Humm...
Kenshin: Something wrong?
Draconis: Eh, I had a pretty nice review streak going, but it was broken last chapter. But oh well. It was bound to break sooner or later.
Rias: There is something I'd like to ask you though, Draconis-San.
Draconis: What's up?
Rias: Is there anything special planned in the future, or are you just going to keep going through the volumes?
Draconis: Interesting question Rias. The answer is Yes. I won't say when or what will happen yet, but there is an arc coming up that will break away from canon DxD for awhile. However for now, we begin Volume Seven. By the way, the Poll is still ongoing, if you haven't voted yet please do. Issei if you just want to see Issei and Koneko together, Kenshin if you think the flow of the story calls for it.
Dragon of the Elements
Chapter 22
Fallen Angel Father.
Draconis: Begin!
(start)
In the the living room of the Hyoudou Residence, the group watched an episode of Issei's new T.V show. It was a tokusatsu show, which basically meant it was a live action with actual actors and not just animation with seiyuu providing voices, also it was mainly for children. Kenshin sat on the couch with Koneko sitting on his lap. Issei was in Kenshin's body for the time being. "I can't believe I actually have a T.V show!" Issei said.
"I can't either...heheheheheh..." Kenshin mentally snickered.
"What's so funny?" Issei asked.
"I told Ragnarok-ossan about this show and showed him the pilot. Ddraig hasn't quit crying ever since." Kenshin thought.
"Whhhhhyyyyyyyyy? !" Ddraig wailed.
"Pfftt..." Kenshin held back an audible snicker. "Needless to say...it kinda went like this."
(flashback)
"What about what?" Ragnarok asked. "What is this thing?" He pointed at the T.V
"It's a television, it receives signal from a satellite in Earth's orbit, or in this case from the Underworld and displays it on the screen. It used to be bigger, but society seems to be obsessed with making them thinner and bigger." Kenshin explained.
"...uuh huuhh.." Ragnarok said with sparks popping out of his hair, a clearly bewildered expression on his face.
Kenshin pinched his nose, groaning to himself. "Oh this like when Tamamo and Sheena sprung a visit on me when I was younger...come here." He said.
Ragnarok walked up to Kenshin who placed his hand on Ragnarok's head. "What are you...?" Ragnarok asked.
"I'm transferring all my knowledge on the technology of this era into your head." Kenshin said. "I don't feel like explaining shit to you."
"Aaah..." Ragnarok said. "So that's what that is...can we go out for pizza after this? I really like the pizza." He asked.
"...Y-Yes, we can go out for pizza after this..." Kenshin said. "What the hell...he usually acts like a cynical bastard, but when he sees something that interests him, he acts like a kid who just saw a shiny new toy." He thought.
"Well...think about it, Father grew up in a world at war and he also died in it." Undine said. "He never really got to experience peace, and I think anyone would act like the way you're referring to, coming from the era he did."
"I guess." Kenshin thought.
"Ahh, I get it now." Ragnarok said. "This is a strange era you live in."
"Tell me about it." Kenshin said.
"Anyway, what is this you want to show me?" Ragnarok said.
"Hang on." Kenshin said turning on the T.V. He found the show and put it on. Ragnarok stood there and watched it. "...Is that Ddraig's partner?" He asked.
"It's supposed to be." Kenshin said.
"...Pff...keh...heheheheheheh...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! !" Ragnarok threw his head back and laughed. "Ahhhahahahahahahaha! Oh my lord! You have got to be kidding me! !"
"Nope." Kenshin said with a grin.
"Oh Ddraig, I sort of feel sorry for you! Hahahahaha!" Ragnarok's back hit the floor and he started rolling around.
"Uuuoooonnnn! !" Ddraig cried out.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Ragnarok laughed. "Unbelievable, one of the fearsome Heavenly Dragon's, nosediving straight to the ground like that!"
(flashback end)
"I-I'm sorry, Ddraig..." Issei said, honestly feeling sorry for Ddraig.
"Eh, I kinda feel sorry for him too, but it is soooo funny..." Kenshin thought.
"You know, it'd be nice if you showed a bit of gratefulness here...the Gremorys own the copyright, and because you're in the show, they cut you in at five percent." Issei said.
"...Seriously?" Kenshin thought.
"They told me to tell you, but I forgot until now." Issei said. "They said it was for likeness rights and that you were supposed to divide your cut amongst your family."
"Huh..." Kenshin said.
"Is something wrong Kenshin-Senpai?" Koneko asked.
"No, uhm...nothing's wrong actually." Kenshin said. "Issei, how am I to show gratitude when I don't know anything about it?" He thought.
"Oh...r-right." Issei sweatdropped.
Kenshin looked over and saw Asia approaching him. "Hm?" He said,
"Uhm, Kenshin-Oniisama...this letter just arrived for you." Asia said holding out a letter to him.
"Oh?" Kenshin said taking the letter. On the front it said 'Walk outside.' "Huh?" Kenshin said. "Uh, Koneko, I have to get up for a bit." Koneko nodded and hopped off of his lap. Kenshin left the house after letting Issei out of his body and opened the letter. It read.
Dear Kuroshi Kenshin
We have not met yet, but I will formally introduce myself in person later.
I used to belong to the Astaroth clan, however seeing as they are mired in controversy due to Diodora's treachery. I have taken it upon myself to settle my family's arrangement with you, sixty seconds after opening this letter, your weight and a half in gold shall appear in front of you. Call the half weight hazard pay.
I hope to hear great things about you in the future.
Sincerely,
Ajuka Beelzebub.
No sooner than Kenshin having finished the letter, a magic circle appeared in front of him and a familiar appeared in front of him and handed him another envelope. He opened it and found a card and a note. It read.
P.S. The gold is in a bank in your name, when I wrote the previous letter I had forgotten that gold appearing out of nowhere would be amiss in the human world, the card you hold will take you to your safe upon entering a bank in Kuoh.
Without thinking, Kenshin leaped high into the sky. "WOOHOO! !" Kenshin shouts. As soon as he landed he immediately glanced around. "Shit...that was dumb of me." He muttered. He walked back into the house to see a few things. Rias over on the side of the room, looking miserable. Issei gushing, no doubt thinking something perverted. Azazel grinning like an idiot. Irina looking at Issei like a proud friend of his, and Yukari and Xenovia reading different books. Koneko was still sitting where Kenshin had been previously.
Rias approached him. "I can't believe they put me in that sh-show as the S-Switch Princess." She said nervously.
Kenshin tilted his head. "Is that bad?" He said as he noticed Issei complimenting Irina which caused her to blush and stammer, but what struck Kenshin as odd was that Irina's wings appeared and flickered between white and black. "Huh...that's weird." He thought. "Apparently Issei notices it too."
"It is, just look at this." Rias said handing him a magazine.
Kenshin looked at it. "Let's turn into the Switch Princess everyone?" He said. "Sooo?"
"So? !" Rias huffed. "This show is going to ruin my reputation. It even has an article in there called 'Becoming the Lust Dragon, the Oppai Dragon's greatest ally'."
"Oh really?" Kenshin said flipping over to the page in question. "Oh, cool."
"Cool?" Rias said out of surprise. "You're not worried about what people might think?"
"Rias, I came from a world where my reputation was already in a septic tank." Kenshin said with a shrug. "Let 'em think what want, it won't bother me any."
"...Oh...I had forgotten about that." Rias said.
Kenshin stroked his chin, eyes narrowed with a grin. "Besides, being on the other end of fame could be an interesting experience. Especially when I'm engaged to such a ravishing fellow celebrity."
Rias' face lit up and she laughed nervously. "Hahaha, Kenshin you flatterer, are you trying to seduce me?"
"Depends, is it working?" Kenshin asked, his grin widening.
"Hmhm...well, let's go up to our room and find out." Rias suggested quietly, winking at Kenshin.
"Alright..." Kenshin whispered back. However before Kenshin could make good on it, he felt a pair of breasts press against his back. "Ah?" Kenshin turned his head, finding Akeno. She set her head on his shoulder.
"Y'know, seducing Rias is alright, but I'd be worried if you failed to keep your promise with me." Akeno whispered into his ear.
"I haven't forgotten Akeno." Kenshin said.
"So, are you meaning to say you don't want to anymore?" Akeno asked with teary eyes.
"Uhm...n-no that's not it." Kenshin said. "It's just with me getting knocked out earlier, we missed the Sunday it was supposed to be on."
"Ah, you're right." Akeno said wrapping her arms around his neck in an affectionate manner. "Well then, why don't we go out on our next day off." She suggested.
Kenshin started to sweat, seeing Rias glaring, not exactly at him, Koneko seemed displeased, Xenovia seemed annoyed, and Yukari rolled her eyes at him and mouthed. 'Just do it, you know you can't refuse.'
"Well if I remember correctly Yukari, it's my inability to turn down affections that led to us becoming closer than siblings." Kenshin thought, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Well?" Akeno asked.
"Ok, sounds good." Kenshin said.
"Aaah! I'm so happy! Ufufufu, my first date with Kenshin-kun." Akeno giggled and let him go, walking away with a bit of a skip in her step.
"Kenshin, did you really have to offer up a date with Ake-" Rias was cut off.
"I know, Rias...I know I'm a two timing scumbag." Kenshin said walking past her.
"?" Rias turned to look at him. "...Where did that come from?"
"..." Yukari got up and walked over to Rias, grabbing her wrist. "Can I talk to you?"
"Uhm...sure." Rias said with a curious look.
They walked outside and Yukari walked ahead of Rias. "Listen, I know you want to keep Kenshin all to yourself, and as much as it pisses me off, I understand it." Yukari said.
"He IS my fiancee." Rias said. "Why wouldn't I..."
"Did you not just hear me say I understood it you daft redhead?" Yukari snapped.
"Your hair is red too!" Rias countered.
"Ugh, I am not getting into an argument with you right now." Yukari said. "Back to what I pulled you out here for. I know you hate everyone horning in on him, but Kenshin won't turn them away if their affections for him are honest, like yours, or Akeno's, or even Xenovia's in a way."
"Why is that?" Rias asked. "I've been wondering that for awhile. I've asked Kenshin before, if he prefers a harem or being with one person, and he kind of just dodged the subject."
"The only answer I feel like giving is that he DOES have to maintain contact with everyone that does pursue him, but if you will...remember this. No matter what happens, Kenshin's always gonna care about you, and what you think. If you're afraid that Kenshin's gonna lose interest in you because of other women around him..it shows a startling lack of faith in him...and confidence in yourself." Yukari said walking past Rias.
"So you're saying I shouldn't get jealous when other women try to take my fiancee away from me?" Rias asked with a critical look.
"No, if you wanna be jealous that Kenshin's not paying as much attention to you, feel free. I don't care." Yukari shrugged. "I'm just telling you not to worry as much as you have been. Until he decides to break off the engagement, which by the way I really freakin' doubt he'll do...you've got him." She said walking into the house. "Just remember, none of us are going to stop."
Rias sighed in response as Yukari walked back inside, before walking back inside herself.
(break)
Kenshin was walking to Kuoh alone, he had been late washing up after training and everyone already left for the academy. "Well, I guess this gives me some time alone with my thoughts." He said.
"I'm still here." Issei said.
"Like I said before, I can isolate my thoughts." Kenshin thought.
Kenshin, not paying attention for that one moment, almost crashed into someone. "Wh-Whoa!" Kenshin said stopping as the person in front of him fell on her butt. He looked down. The girl in front of him had short black hair styled into a bob cut and glasses over violet eyes and wearing the Kuoh Academy girls uniform. "...Sona?" Kenshin asked.
"W-Watch where you're going." Sona huffed, glaring up at him.
"S-Sorry, I was speaking with Issei and got distracted for like a moment." Kenshin said extending his hand. Sona took it and pulled herself up. She dusts herself off and adjusts her glasses.
"Well, that's fine, just try to pay more attention from now on." Sona said. "And speaking of Rias' perverted pawn, why does he not come out and attend classes with the rest of her peerage."
"He only get's twelve hours outside my body a day, we feel that's better served for training. It's not like he's not paying attention in there." Kenshin said. "Besides, what if someone were to attack and I wasn't there and his time ran out?"
"...Good point." Sona sighed.
"So...?" Kenshin said.
"What?" Sona asked with a semi annoyed look on her face.
"What are you doin' here? Shouldn't you be at the academy already?" Kenshin asked.
"What about you? Doesn't Rias usually have everyone arrive early?" Sona shot back.
"Well if you want me showing up, stinkin' to high heaven because I didn't bathe after my training, then by all means I'd already be at the academy." Kenshin said.
"How much sleep do you get?" Sona asked. "It's still early."
"Between four and eight hours." Kenshin said. "I'm used to it."
"That's no good, you need to get more rest than that." Sona said in a stern tone.
"Ugh, you sound like my mother." Kenshin groaned.
"Well she's right." Sona harped.
"..." Kenshin said nothing, rolling his eyes. "Anyway. What's keeping you?"
"I was making my lunch." Sona said holding out a bento box. "Granted, yes I'm running a little late, I got distracted by Saji chasing a stray black cat out of my home and had to start over, so I just asked Tsubaki to manage things in my stead until I arrived."
"Huh, I see." Kenshin said. "Well, let's get a move on before we're really late."
"Yes." Sona nodded and the two started walking. "Kenshin-S..."
"Please, just Kenshin." Kenshin said.
"Kenshin, that's one more question I would like to ask of you. Why is it you refer to everyone so informally?" Sona asked.
"Because it's part of who I am." Kenshin said. "I think addressing someone formally doesn't mean much in the end. I mean I address Sirzechs and Serafall informally and they don't seem to care, and they're two of the Satans."
"Well, it's true that you seem to think actions speak louder than words. So it's not really a issue of respect with you, you just don't think formalities are necessary." Sona said. "But...
"Some situations call for it, and I do use them, but for just casual conversation informality is fine." Kenshin said.
"Aah." Sona nodded. "Well, a man that can change how he speaks with people, even with different women...I believe that is a really wonderful quality."
"Hm?" Kenshin arched a brow. "What do you mean?"
"Well, for example. How we're talking now and how you speak with your sisters, or even the female members of Rias' peerage. You handle them all differently, maybe not too much so, but still. I can tell you see them all as themselves and me as myself." Sona said.
"Aw gee Sona, ya makin' me blush over here." Kenshin jested.
"Hmhm..." Sona laughed to herself.
"To be honest, Issei handles himself similarly." Kenshin said.
"I realize that, but I don't really know him all that well." Sona replied.
"Huh?" Kenshin said placing a hand on his head.
"Go ahead, tell her." Issei said. "I don't feel like taking you over."
"Alright." Kenshin thought with a shrug.
"What is it?" Sona asked.
"Eh, Issei wants me to tell you he thinks you look cute with your glasses on." Kenshin said.
"Hm?" Sona said with an arched brow. "Oh, well thank you...I guess."
"You said you wanted to ask me more than one question, go ahead." Kenshin said.
"Well this is more of a curiosity, but as you know the Sitiri clan specializes in water magic, with my sister actually having control over ice magic in addition to that. So I wanted to know...what does it feel like to use the element of water as it flows through your body?"
"...?" Kenshin arched a brow curiously.
"Ah...well, if you don't want to then forget I asked. " Sona said glancing away.
"Nah, it's fine...it's just I wasn't expecting that, what's next? Is Ravel going to ask me what it's like to use Salamander's power?" Kenshin wondered.
"Salamander?" Sona asked.
"Yeah, all the spirits have names." Kenshin said. "Sylph is the Wind Spirit, Gnome is the Earth Spirit, Salamander is the Fire Spirit and Undine is the Water Spirit." He held out his cards to show her.
"Oh, I apologize." Sona said.
"It's OK. You didn't know." Salamander said, her card lighting up speaking in a casual tone.
"They can communicate through these with other people other than yourself?" Sona asked.
"Yeah, the Sekiryuutei, Ddraig can also communicate with me and others through the Boosted Gear." Kenshin said as the jewel lit up.
"Uuuuooonnnn!"
"Is he...crying?" Sona asked.
"Let's just say...he's not taking to his partner's new title very well." Kenshin said scratching his cheek with a grin.
"Heheheheh, yeah..." Issei said through the Boosted Gear with a nervous chuckle.
"I feel sorry for him." Sona said repressing a giggle, having heard of Issei's show and title. "Alright, back to my question."
"Well...if I had to describe it...it's like being adrift in a massive body of water, your body is relaxed and it's movements are fluid...it just feels...so nice." Kenshin said with a look contentment on his face.
"Hm...to be honest...I feel a bit of that same feeling when I use my magic." Sona said. "It's so relaxing."
"Heheh." Kenshin chuckled. "Must be nice for you, considering your stressful position."
"Ah...Y-Yes." Sona said with the slightest of blushes.
"So, how is your sister? Still embarrassing you?" Kenshin asked.
"Whenever she can. I swear, sometimes I think she does it on purpose." Sona sighed.
"Well...the devils went through a civil war right?" Kenshin asked. "A war that the four current Satans participated in?"
"Yes." Sona nodded.
"Well, maybe she's been nervous that another war would break out since you've been born. Maybe...acting like she does is her way of coping with the horrors of war." Kenshin said. "With me, I kinda just focus on my training and increased how much I smoked and drank."
"Huh...I never thought of it like that." Sona said stroking her chin in thought before turning to him. "Listen, I know you like to do those things, but please don't do such during school hours."
"Hahahaha, relax. I know when to enjoy my vices." Kenshin said with a laugh. "Now, before we get to Kuoh Academy, because it's right there." Kenshin said pointing ahead. "There's something I wanna ask you."
"What is it?" Sona asked.
"Is there any way you could get a full copy of the treaty between the Tsuki clan and the Sitiri clan?" Kenshin asked. "I am technically the patriarch of that clan as I am reviving them as a single entity."
"Oh, right. I actually have a copy sitting at home, I had asked for it before I left the Underworld. Why do you ask?" Sona asked.
"Eh, just wanna know if there are some special provisions or anything I have to do in it." Kenshin said. "You know, just fulfilling any obligations I have with your family."
"Aaah." Sona nodded. "Well, I'll have to track it down, but I'll see that you have it soon."
"Thanks." Kenshin said.
(break)
Later
"You couldn't just leave it at Rias-Senpai, Himejima-Senpai, Asia-Chan, Koneko-Chan, Yukari-San, Miyuki-Chan and Xenovia-San...you have to move in on Sona-Kaichou as well? !" Matsuda shouts.
"OK, wow...we just happened to bump into each other on the way here, you freakin' idiot." Kenshin said chopping him on the head. "She doesn't like dumbasses anyway. She'd only be with someone with as much intellect as her or more."
In her class Sona happened glance downward, on an impulse muttering a thank you to Kenshin.
"...Ah...well I guess he has a point." Motohama said. "I'm kinda interested in Gasper-Chan myself."
"Pfft!" Kenshin covered his mouth, trying to prevent a fit of laughter from coming out of him.
"What? What's so funny?" Motohama asked.
"Oh...Oh fuck...please help me..." Kenshin gasped for breath. "You're interested in Gasper, the male student from the first years?"
"The male student? !" Motohama shouts in anger. "That's not very nice, She's very cute."
Kenshin held his head and bent over his desk. "Gasper's a boy I'm telling you." He said in between hushed laughs.
"Dude, stop trying to ruin my fantasies." Motohama said with a glare.
"I'm not! Gasper really is male! We're both in the Occult Research Club, I've chatted with him multiple times!" Kenshin laughed.
"No! Come on, a man's ass isn't supposed to sway like hers does!" Motohama shouts.
"Hahahahahahahahaha! Ask him yourself. Class hasn't begun yet." Kenshin said.
"Fine I will." Motohama said leaving the room.
"Eh, to be honest I've known for awhile myself." Matsuda said. "I just never knew how to tell him."
"It's best to just let him spring the trap on his own." Kenshin snickered.
A couple of minutes later Motohama ran by the class room screaming "NOOOO! ! !" Earning laughs from Kenshin and Matsuda.
"That was glorious." Matsuda said fist bumping Kenshin.
"Thank you, Thank you." Kenshin said with a grin.
"That was so cruel...and soooo hilarious." Issei laughed.
(break)
After School.
Kenshin was sitting in the club room with Rias and Akeno. "So...there's gonna be a school trip?" Kenshin asked. "Should I let Issei run around with Asia and Irina while I'm there?"
"Eh, it couldn't hurt. Just have Yukari work her magic." Rias said with a shrug.
"Where is it by the way?" Kenshin asked.
"In Kyoto." Akeno answered.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes in thought.
"Hmm?" Rias said with a curious look. "Is something wrong.
"Well, it's nothing really wrong per se. It's just, back home I had went to an academy like this one, only instead of devils, fallen angels and angels, it was mages attending and running the joint. We went to Kyoto as a field trip as well." Kenshin said. "A lot of shit happened and...well it's also when my father passed away."
"Oh..." Rias said with a sympathetic look.
"I'm...sorry to hear that Kenshin-kun." Akeno said with a similar look.
"Aaah, that was then and this is now." Kenshin said waving them off. "Anyway, and after that the school festival begins?"
"Yes. There's not really a whole lot of time between the three events, the first one already having passed." Rias said.
"Yes, when we went to Kyoto last year. We managed our time poorly so we couldn't see everything. Ufufufu, Rias was sooo upset she was stomping her foot at the railway station." Akeno said in a teasing manner.
Rias' face lit up in embarrassment. "Akeno! You said you wouldn't say anything like that!" She complained.
"...Heheheheheheh..." Kenshin chuckled.
The door opened and in walked Azazel. "Kenshin." He said.
"Yo?" Kenshin said.
"It's time, I finally got him here for you to have a little chat." Azazel said. "Who are you bringing with you? I'm going to be there just because it's one of my guys."
"Eh, I'll bring Mom, just so you have someone to shoot the breeze with while I chat with your buddy." Kenshin shrugged.
"Alright, let's go. It's a tight schedule for us." Azazel said. Kenshin nodded and got up.
"Well, it's been fun Rias, Akeno. But I gotta go for a bit. See you at home." Kenshin said.
Azazel and Kenshin left the room. Rias and Akeno glanced at each other curiously. "What do you think that was about? Azazel hasn't been here in a good while." Rias asked.
"I dunno." Akeno said.
"Well, I don't think you have any summons today. If you want to go check it out. I don't think Kenshin would mind." Rias shrugged. "Just keep the public displays of affection to a minimum."
Akeno walked out of the room giggling. "No promises."
"Mrrrnnn..." Rias glared at the door before sighing.
Akeno trailed Azazel and Kenshin as well as Hikari to an outdoor cafe. She felt a pulse of magic that she recognized. "Warding magic? They don't seem to want humans around." She thought.
"Alright, all the humans are gone. You can come on out." Azazel said.
Akeno's eyes widened in astonishment as a male with tan skin, a dark beige mantle, wearing black armor with glided trimming. He had narrowed, almost closed eyes and short dark hair and a thick beard. She recognized this man almost immediately. "F-Father? ! What is he...?"
Kenshin stood up. "Hello Barakiel. I realize this must be on short notice for you, but thank you for coming." Kenshin said extending his hand with a polite smile. "I am Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi. The one who asked for you to come here."
"!" Akeno let out a sharp gasp at this. "W-Why does Kenshin-kun wish to talk to my father?"
"Well, you have my thanks for asking politely for an audience with me. The last experience you had with one of us, aside from Azazel...wasn't a pretty one." Barakiel said with a gruff tone.
"Everyone's different. I don't judge the whole field just by looking at a few rotten plants." Kenshin said with a chuckle.
"Hm?" Hikari glanced behind her.
"What is it?" Azazel asked.
"It's nothing to worry about." Hikari said shaking her head. "I must have just sensed Issei training back at the house."
"Aaahh, I see." Azazel nodded.
Akeno sighed in relief. "Whew...that was close." She thought, having hid when Hikari glanced over at her.
Barakiel and Kenshin took their seats. "So..what is the reason you called me here, surely this wasn't so we could exchange formalities." Barakiel said.
Kenshin slung his arm over the back of the chair and leaned back. "You would be right in assuming that."
"So what then?" Barakiel asked.
"Well, I am a close personal friend of your daughter's." Kenshin said.
"I see, it's good to see that Akeno found some friends." Barakiel nodded. "That still doesn't explain why you called me here."
"Well, being her close friend. She has told me a bit about her past." Kenshin said. "Granted, the part she told me about brought her to tears."
Barakiel let out a short sigh. "Now I see what this is about."
"Mind giving your side of the story?" Kenshin asked.
"I don't see why I should. Just because you're my daughter's friend gives you no right to question me." Barakiel said with a slight glare.
"OK, answer me this then Baraki." Kenshin said. "Just...where the hell have you been?"
"..." Azazel glanced at Kenshin, then to Barakiel before letting out a sigh.
"..." Barakiel crossed his arms. "I was on a mission for my friend, I had come back to find out that my wife had perished. The murderers had been her own family because they didn't approve of me." Barakiel clenched his fists. "My wife Shuri died by the hands of her own family."
Kenshin closed his eyes. "My condolences."
"Than-" Barakiel said.
"But that wasn't what I meant." Kenshin said staring at him impassively.
Akeno, peering from the corner watched this conversation listening in. "I-Is that what this is about?" Akeno thought, swallowing a lump in her throat.
Kenshin continued to stare at him. "Well?"
"Well what? I believed my daughter to be dead as well." Barakiel said.
"I don't believe you." Kenshin said.
"And just why is that? You know nothing about me." Barakiel glared at him.
"You're a leader of the Fallen Angels, one of the Grigori who served during the War of the Three Factions." Kenshin said. "You mean to tell me that you can't sense magic, much less magic that feels like your own?" He glared right back at him. "Don't insult my intelligence."
"..." Barakiel held his glare. "OK then, I was too overwhelmed by grief to look for her."
"Losing your wife is a very traumatic experience, but at the same time you had an obligation to your wife to love and take care of your daughter." Kenshin countered. "Did you even look for a body, or did you take your wife, bury her and just leave?"
"What does this even matter to you?" Barakiel growled. "You're just her friend, it's not like you're my daughter's lover, Dragon of the Elements."
"It matters to me because I give a damn about Akeno!" Kenshin snapped. "Maybe you do as well, but you have a really shitty way of showing it."
Barakiel shot up out of his chair, getting in Kenshin's face, who did the same. "Don't you ever...insinuate that I do not care for my daughter..." Barakiel snarled.
"If you're trying to intimidate me with that holy lightning in your left hand, I already have the elements on, so take your best shot." Kenshin said. "I stand by what I said. You all but abandoned Akeno, she almost got herself killed by her own grandfather...I can see why she holds you in such contempt."
"Hey! Hey! HEY!" Azazel said as he and Hikari separated the two. "We came here to talk, not fight!"
"Keep your brat on a leash." Barakiel said to Hikari.
"Like you're one to be giving parental advice." Hikari scoffed.
"We are both similar in to a certain regard, why not?" Barakiel said.
"RRGH!" Kenshin hauled off and punched Barakiel in between the eyes, shocking Azazel, Hikari and Akeno.
"Oh dammit! It just had to come to this!" Azazel thought.
"Kenshin, be careful!" Hikari shouts.
"K-Kenshin-kun actually struck my father?" Akeno thought wide eyed.
"Don't you ever insinuate that my mother abandoned me, you ten winged piece of shit!" Kenshin roared.
"Hrn!" Barakiel fired off his holy lightning at Kenshin who unsheathed Kuroi Jigoku to cancel out the holy effect.
"Ghh!" Kenshin grunted, instantly losing feeling in his hand.
Barakiel was back on his feet in a matter of a second and punched at Kenshin's face, Kenshin grabbed Kuroi Jigoku in his other hand and blocked the fist with it. "Nice...try.." Kenshin said.
"Fighting me is suicide boy." Barakiel scowled. "At your level, you will die."
"Let's see it then." Kenshin said. "Without the holy element in your lightning, I don't think you're that tough."
The two closed in on each other, their heads next to one another. Barakiel began to whisper into his ear. "I can tell you care a great deal about Akeno. She'll hate me even more if I kill you."
"I believe she might still care about you, although I'm not sure." Kenshin whispered back.
"I have not been the best father." Barakiel whispered. "After I heard her cursing my name, I figured it best to leave her be. She was well protected by the Gremory clan."
"Understatement." Kenshin whispered. "However, that's no reason to just give up. You're a father...act like it."
"..." Barakiel and Kenshin jumped away from each other. "Now's not the time or place for a fight."
"I agree." Kenshin said sheathing Kuroi Jigoku. "I've said everything I'm willing to say."
"Then I shall take my leave." Barakiel turned around, his teleportation circle activating as his mantle swung about. He disappeared as it settled.
"I'm never calling one of my friends to talk to you ever again." Azazel said with an exasperated glare.
"Hahahaha, I understand." Kenshin laughed.
"It's not funny." Azazel said. "Both of us could have caught shit if one of you got killed."
"I'm sorry." Kenshin said. "I just felt like I was going to get what I wanted to know, by getting under his skin."
"Haaah..." Hikari sighed. "You're going to get yourself killed one of these days doing things like that Ken-Chan."
"Yeah, I'm aware. Here go get yourselves a bite to eat on me." Kenshin said placing some money on the table and walking away.
"Well, I'm still irritated with him. However, I've never been one to turn down a free meal." Azazel said grabbing the money.
Hikari rolled her eyes and walked away with him. "Whatever you say, but I pick the place."
"Fair enough." Azazel said.
"We get that you're basically fearless Kenshin, but could you please try to preserve your life?" Undine asked.
"Yeah, there's not that many elementalists left." Salamander said.
"It's not like I was planning on fighting him when I went into this." Kenshin thought.
Kenshin pocketed his cards and obliviously walked by Akeno. "Did he not notice me?" Akeno wondered.
She walked behind him as she felt the warding magics dissipating. As more and more people started walking to and fro around them. Akeno finally approached Kenshin. Giving him her usual greeting.
"!" Kenshin turned his head feeling her breasts on his back. "Oh. Heya Akeno." He greeted with a smile. "I thought you were with Rias."
"I had the night off so I decided to just talk a walk around Kuoh." Akeno said with a smile of her own.
"Oh? Kenshin said. "Well then...ghh..."
"Is something wrong?" Akeno said feigning ignorance.
"Huh?" Kenshin said. "Nah, my right hand's been locking up for a couple of hours now."
"I see..." Akeno said. She turned to find themselves walking past the game corner and pulled Kenshin into the photo booth. She brought his right hand to her face and kissed the index finger gently while winking. She also took both of her hands around it and started rubbing it.
"Hnn..." Kenshin bit back a moan as Akeno started to suck on the tip of his finger. "D-Don't you think it's a little early to be extracting Ddraig's power? I just had you do it a couple of days ago."
"Ufufu...it's never too early to help out my dear sweet Kenshin-kun." Akeno giggled. "You may have overused magic in this hand, so I'm pulling it out of you, you should be able to restore it naturally."
"I see...carry..naah...on." Kenshin said.
"Humm...I suppose I should be upset that Kenshin-kun pried into my private matters, but at the same time..." Akeno trailed off in thought.
'It matters to me because I give a damn about Akeno!' Kenshin's words from earlier rang in her head.
"Hearing him say that to that man of all people, and Kenshin-kun wasn't even scared of him at that..." Akeno thought, a feeling of warmth spreading through her body.
"You can stop now, the feeling's back into my hand." Kenshin said after a few moments.
Akeno nodded and let Kenshin's finger slip from her lips. "Alright, let's go."
Kenshin and Akeno left the game corner and as they arrived at the Hyoudou Residence, Kenshin stopped. "Hm? What is it Kenshin-kun?"
"Well, as much as I believe this should be saved for our date." Kenshin said as he turned around. "I guess I can give it to you now." He said as he turned back to her, holding a miniature figurine in his hand.
"Eh?" Akeno said. "What's this?"
The figurine was of her, much like the one Kenshin and Issei had made of Rias. It was also unclothed. It depicted her hands behind her head, her long ponytail spiraled around her. Her wings were out as well. Her devil wing was in front of her breasts while her fallen angel wing was slightly in front of her pelvis, her feathers blocking view of her privates. "Well I said I'd do it, it took some doing, and I tried to get it down perfect, but well...eh heheh. There's no substitute for knowing the feel for something, or in this case someone."
Akeno took it and looked it over with a smile. "It's a really great piece of work. I love it."
Kenshin scratched his cheek with a grin. "You might not want to show that off to Rias, she didn't exactly like the fact that I made it."
"Ufufufu. I understand." Akeno said walking over to him. "Thank you for the gift." She said leaning over and kissing the corner of his lips and walking toward the house.
Kenshin smiled at her as she walked off. "It's nice to see her look so happy." He thought.
"Don't you think you might have gotten a little too upset at her Dad though?" Sylph asked.
"I might have gotten a little too involved emotionally. I mean come on. I was separated from my parents and my sister, or sisters as I would later find out. That hurt, but to have to travel the world like Akeno did at the age she did, then have an attempt on your life by your own family? That's too much. He could have stopped it." Kenshin thought. "That said...it also hurts immensely to lose someone you love like he did. It's no excuse for not looking for her, I think Azazel would totally have understood Barakiel needing the time away to look for her."
"True." Salamander said with Gnome nodding in agreement.
"Maybe he just didn't consider it until later on? He did say that he had heard that she hated him, which implies that he did look for her at some point." Undine pointed out. "The alliance between the three races is very recent after all, how else would he have known?"
"Good point, but I've done what I can for now." Kenshin thought. "Best to see how things play out here. Besides I can't imagine Akeno would be too pleased if she finds out I've been prying into matters that ultimately don't concern me."
"...Heheheheh..." Undine stifled a laugh.
"What?" Kenshin thought.
"Nothing." Undine said.
"...OK..." Kenshin thought with narrowed eyes as he walked inside.
"He has no idea..." Undine thought with a humored smile.
(break)
Later that night.
The Gremory and Kuroshi peerages were exploring an abandoned factory after reports came in of odd presences is at the place in question. It didn't take them long to find the source of the presences as it quickly made itself known.
"The Gremory and the Kuroshi. You guys are fast on the draw." Said a man wearing a black suit.
"Well then, someone shouldn't have been skulking around in someone else's territory then should they?" Kenshin asked standing at the middle of the formation.
At the front were Issei and Yukari with Kiba and Xenovia acting as support. In the middle was Irina, Miyuki, Koneko, Gasper and Kenshin. At the back was Rias, Akeno and Asia with Hikari in front of them, shield at the ready.
"Khaos Brigade...I assume you and your partners back there are a part of the Hero Faction?" Rias asked coldly.
"Right you are, our aim is to purify you devils and liberate this town." The man in black declared.
"Tsk tsk tsk, you see, we can't have that." Yukari said. "That's tantamount to threatening our lives."
"Exactly." He said with a sneer.
"It's three against thirteen my friend." Kenshin said. "And we've been making pretty short work of you idiots as it is. We'll give you the chance to leave now, but if you don't take it, we'll take you out here and now." Kenshin said unsheathing his sword.
Two people appeared next to the man, one wore the same suit and a pair of sunglasses, and another who wore clothes native to China. "It's four against thirteen actually." The man said. "The fourth man is just running a bit late."
"Three, four...I don't think it makes a difference." Miyuki said.
Issei took out Ascalon and tossed it to Xenovia while the man in black charged up some white flames and fired them at the group. Issei charged forward and deflected it with his Balance Breaker armor. He then fired a small scale dragon shot at the three of them, only for them to dodge. Issei took aim at the man in black and fired again only for his shot to be devoured by shadows. "What? !" Issei blanched.
"Issei get off the ground now!" Kenshin shouts seeing a part of Issei's shadow glowing.
"!" Issei hopped of the ground as his own dragon shot fired out of the floor.
"A Sacred Gear user!" Kiba exclaimed.
"You think that's the only one being redirected somewhere?" The man in black asked with a smirk as the first dragon shot fired at Asia.
"Shit!" Issei shouts, firing a third one to cancel it out. "I won't let you lay a finger on Asia!"
Xenovia moved in front of Asia, trading places with Kenshin in the formation. "I'll act as her guard, you take the offensive." Xenovia said.
"My pleasure." Kenshin said running down the China native who held a bow made of light. He dodged the arrows that were fired, only for them to be swallowed by shadows. "Mom! They're coming out behind Rias! When she dodges, take them into your shield!" Kenshin instructed.
"Right!" Hikari said as Rias dodged the arrows, already turned around to absorb them.
"Haah!" Akeno shouts flinging out spears of ice, which were redirected at Koneko, only to be shattered apart by both Koneko and Irina. The other fellow in black fired off flames into the shadows forcing Kenshin to back flip over them, giving the light bow user enough time to fire their arrows into shadows as well.
"Issei!" Kenshin shouts as a wall of shadows formed on either side of the group.
"Right!" Issei said as he and Kenshin stood next to each other and smacked away the attacks, the ones that got past them being taken care of by Yukari and Miyuki.
"!" Kenshin felt a presence behind him.
"You're coming with me, Kenshin." A man garbed in black robes, wearing a white mask said.
"! Like hell!" Yukari shouts as she, Miyuki and Hikari broke formation and tried to stop the man, only to get dragged in with him.
"!" Rias rounded on the man in black. "What just happened to them? !" She demanded to know after they disappeared.
"Huhu...that was the fourth man in our group. Another ally sent to us by the organization Cosmo Entelecheia."
"? !" Issei recalled Kenshin getting filled in on what Azazel's people had gotten out of the Averruncus. "That same group Kenshin was dealing with before he got here? !" He thought.
"I see...Kenshin's spoke about them a few times." Rias said.
"There's nothing we can really do until we take care of these guys." Kiba said. "Kenshin-kun can handle himself, and he has his peerage with him.
"Right." Rias said with a nod.
Meanwhile. Kenshin, Yukari, Miyuki and Hikari were flung out in four different directions as they landed outside of the factory. "..." Kenshin sprung back to his feet. "Dynamis." Kenshin crossed his arms. "So tell me, how's being Hottan's male cock sleeve been treating you lately?"
"Cute." Dynamis said in a humorless tone.
"Ah, I forgot, trying to piss you off won't work. You're a lot more controlled than Teritum or Tsukuyomi. I suppose I'll just cut right to the chase." Kenshin said. "What are you doing here? I for one think it's kinda ballsy for Hottan to send his right hand man after someone who can clearly kick the living shit out of him."
"Hmhmhm, if you think you can, just tr- ulgh!" Dynamis grunts as Kenshin rammed his hand through the masked man's chest.
"You're weaker than normal...did Hottan have to dumb down your power just so you could be contained in a barrier to ship your ass across the Dimensional Gap?" Yukari asked. "Jeez, he might as well not have sent you at all."
"Now you're going to pay." Miyuki said, scowling at Dynamis.
"You miss your friends? Heh, you're all fools, clinging to a pile of corpses." Dynamis said. "Hrn..!"
Kenshin shoved his arm further into Dynamis' body. "What are you talking about?"
"Your darling partner in crime over there's not told you? Tsk tsk tsk...and you thought you could trust hER-k!" Dynamis gasped in pain as Kenshin squeezed down on one of his organs.
"This may not be your core, but I bet this hurts something awful." Kenshin said. "Now, what...are you talking about?"
"Aaah, you know those girls you were teaching back at that school? Both you and that insufferable optimist Negi?" Dynamis said.
"Yeah..." Kenshin scowled.
"Most of them are dead. Your childhood friends not withstanding, although I hear you already know about Setsuna." Dynamis said.
"..That's it...you're dead." Kenshin growled as he beheaded Dynamis. He picked up the head.
"Hmhmhmhm, I happened to bring one of them with me, I was just now using her to find you, she should be on her last legs now as it is." Dynamis said. "You really shouldn't have disappeared. We were preparing to go to war with you. While Negi might have had her way in stopping our plans, there is more than one way to victory."
"You lot only targeted the denizens of Mundus Magicus who were there before humans started to inhabit the planet..why the change of heart...? Answer me and I won't crush your skull in my hand." Kenshin snarled.
"When Negi launched her grand project to terraform the Mars of our dimension to make Mundus Magicus more than just a illusionary world on a fantasy plane created by Hottan...there was no need to differ the two anymore. I suppose you can see where I'm going with this. We were gracious however..anyone that didn't resist us was merely put to sleep. They are after all...a precious resource."
Kenshin closed his eyes. "I see..." He said in an quiet tone.
"And if you think your threat of killing me intimidates me, think again...I'll be back, in another body. Don't you worry." Dynamis said. "Until then, you'll be dealing with our special ally. You'll meet him soon enough."
"Well then." Kenshin said tossing Dynamis' head into the air and burning it to nothing before it landed.
Kenshin turned to Yukari, Miyuki and Hikari as he burned Dynamis' body to nothing. "Don't worry about not saying anything, I wouldn't want to relive that either." He said. "Fan out and look for anyone familiar, he couldn't have had her too far off."
Yukari, Miyuki and Hikari nodded and the former two sped off, while Hikari remained behind. "...How are you holding up?" She asked.
"I'm fine. I half expected this to happen." Kenshin said. "But if I may...why are almost all of them dead?"
Hikari closed her eyes. "When we attacked Hottan's HQ, trying to both get home and get two of the girls they kidnapped back. We ended up inadvertently heading back to the school town we had left in the first place. All the girls found out about magic, then when Negi launched her project, it was figured that keeping it secret would no longer work. So it was exposed in full."
"Has Hottan attacked Mundus Vetus?" Kenshin asked. "Or, you know...what Mundus Magicus referred to as our dimension's Earth?"
"Other than the mage communities that stood against him, like the ones in Kansai and Kantou of our Japan...and the academy in Wales. No." Hikari shook her head. "I don't think he was interested in normal humans."
"I see."
(rustle rustle)
"!" Kenshin and Hikari turned to find a young woman wearing a tan light jacket that was open and matching sports bra, and beige jeans. She had short red hair and brown eyes. "Ka-!"
"Aaahh...I...finally...found you..and if you're here..then..." She said before collapsing.
Kenshin rushed toward her. "Kazumi! Hey! Stay with me!"
"Hahahaha...ah drat...I get captured by that masked bastard, my energy drained out of me and I finally find you and your family. Now I'm gonna croak...next to being on the run and being petrified, this is the worst my life has sucked." Kazumi said with a bleary smile.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "...What if there was a way...you could continue to live?" He asked.
"Eh? You can do that?" Kazumi asked.
"I can't heal you and restore the energy you've lost. It's well beyond the fatal line." Kenshin said. "However...since I've been gone, I've become something different than I was before. Simply put, My family and I are now devils."
"Well, I guess that's not a huge leap from demons." Kazumi said with a tired laugh.
"I can make you into one." Kenshin said. "Would you want me to do that?"
"Hmm...die...or go on living as a being said to drag souls to Hell...well..I can't say I've been the most faithful person in a spiritual sense lately, what with...losing all my friends..." Kazumi said with a distant look in her eyes.
Kenshin closed his eyes. "...I'm sorry...I should have been there."
"Hahahaha, don't worry about it. Just by the look on your face. I can tell you didn't plan on whatever happened to you, to happen." Kazumi said. "Anyway...I guess I'll take your offer. To be honest if I wasn't so tired...I'd probably be crying in fear of death right now."
"I see." Kenshin nodded and took out his evil piece set. He took out a pawn piece and placed it against her chest. "I command thee, Kazumi Asakura on my name Kenshin Tsuki Kuroshi. Become my servant and once more return thy soul to this land and become a devil. Thou shalt lead a new life with great joy as my Pawn!" Kenshin declared.
"Hnn!" Kazumi bit back a moan as she felt a magical energy filled her body. The pawn piece sunk into her skin and the light eventually died down. She looked up at the sky before getting to her feet. "That's it?" She said.
"Yeah." Kenshin said. "You also have wings now."
"Seriously?" Kazumi asked. On cue a pair of devil wings shot out of her back. "Oh cool." She said. "But...I can't seem to find my artifact card."
"Artifact card? You made a provisional contract with Negi?" Kenshin asked.
"Yeah." Kazumi nodded.
"Hmm...think of it really quick. Just do what you would usually do." Kenshin said. "Uh without the keyphrase it probably won't be necessary."
"OK." Kazumi nodded. She thought of calling for her artifact which did nothing for a moment before single mechanical being formed in front of her, as well as a wristband with a display on it. "Oh! There it is!"
"Huh...your artifact must have become a Sacred Gear." Kenshin said. "Not surprising, the magics the contracts use to make artifacts and the magic in Sacred Gears don't feel too different to me." "I'll ask Azazel take a look at it tomorrow."
"Azazel?" Kazumi asked.
"You'll see him tomorrow." Hikari said waving her off with a smile.
"Especially considering he's Mom's new boy toy." Kenshin sniped with a grin.
"Shut up you." Hikari said with a comical glare.
"When you did this Kenshin-Sen..." Kazumi was cut off.
"I'm not your sensei anymore. I never should have been to begin with." Kenshin said. "Just call me Kenshin."
"Right." Kazumi nodded. "Well, when you did this...you referred to me as a servant. What was that all about?"
"What I used to reincarnate you is an Evil Piece. A pawn piece to be exact. There are fifteen pieces that I can use, all based off chess pieces. I'll go into it in further detail later." Kenshin said. "But while they are looked at as servants. I do not consider them such. Yukari's my Knight, Miyuki's my Rook, and Mom here is my Bishop. You are my Pawn, one of eight. Depending on ones power, it could take more than one piece to reincarnate someone."
"Well I wasn't much of a fighter, my specialty was recon, and well you know how much of a snoop I am." Kazumi giggled.
"So...you're the only one left?" Kenshin asked.
"...As far as I know." Kazumi said, losing all humor in her voice. "When Hottan first attacked, after Negi-Chan's plan went into effect, Evangeline disappeared and a lot of people were taken out."
"I see." Kenshin said. He put his hand to his head. "Come on back Yukari, Miyuki. She came to me."
A few moments later Yukari and Miyuki landed. "!" Yukari let out a light gasp. "K-Kazumi? !"
"H-Heya Yukari-Chan." Kazumi greeted meekly. "I see you and Miyuki-Chan are doing well."
"Hee..." Miyuki wiped her eyes. "Waaaahhh!" She threw herself onto Kazumi. "You're alive! You're alive! I'm so glad! Aaaahhh!" She cried out.
"Hahahaha, relax Miyuki-Chan. I'm here...you didn't lose all your friends." Kazumi said petting Miyuki's head.
"Did you reincarnate her?" Yukari asked.
"I had no choice. She was going to die." Kenshin said.
Yukari nodded and smiled at Kazumi. "Well then, welcome to the family." She greeted.
"Uhh...I don't have to change my name do I?" Kazumi asked with a sweatdrop.
"Hahaha, nah." Yukari said with a grin.
"Alright then. Glad to be a part of it." Kazumi said with a grin of her own.
(break)
The next day.
"So, you all did alright after I got taken away?" Kenshin asked.
"Oh my yes." Rias said waving him off. "We had a few bumps, but everyone handled themselves quite well. What about that man that pulled you all away? I saw a look on your family's faces that I don't typically see, even in battle." She said.
"I dealt with him, destroyed his body, but he'll be back." Kenshin said.
"How so?" Rias asked curiously.
"It's a man made body, simply put he is a homunculus." Kenshin said.
"Hum...I see." Rias said. "You don't seem too concerned."
"He's only barely able to come here, His power has to be weakened to do so." Kenshin said. "I guess being Hottan's right hand man has it's disadvantages."
"His right hand man? So you didn't think to capture him?" Rias asked.
"We have nothing to threaten him with, so interrogating him would be impossible." Kenshin shrugged.
"I guess." Rias nodded.
(knock knock)
"Come in." Kenshin and Rias said.
The door opened and it was Kazumi walking in with Irina. "So you liked to report things?" Irina asked.
"I just always loved a good story." Kazumi said with a smile.
"Oh hello." Rias greeted. "I don't believe we've met before."
After the order of suppression was settled. Kenshin had put Kazumi in a hotel room for the night as he didn't want to run her into so many people so quickly. "Aaah, I'm Asakura Kazumi." Kazumi said with a respectful bow. "I just enrolled here as a first year. I was told by the student council president that you were holding my uniform for me...uhm..."
"Rias Gremory. It's nice to meet you." Rias greeted. "How are you adjusting?" She asked as she went around her desk and brought out a stack of clothes.
"It's a little hectic." Kazumi said. "And I noticed that there's a lot more girls here than boys."
"Kuoh Academy used to be an all girls school until very recently." Rias answered.
"So...who are you exactly? You carry yourself like someone I know, who had a lot of affluence and pull in a lot of different areas." Kazumi said.
"Uhh..." Rias said.
"She's my Pawn Rias." Kenshin said.
"Oh. Why didn't you say so sooner?" Rias asked.
"Hoo? Speaking to one another without honorifics?" Kazumi said with a teasing grin. "Kenshin, did are you and her?"
"Well we are engaged." Rias said.
"..." Kazumi went silent for a moment before turning to Kenshin with narrowed eyes. "...seriously?"
"..." Kenshin closed his eyes. "Before you harp on me, tell me...do you know where Negi is?" He asked. "If so I'd really like to know so I either go see her, or mourn her properly."
"...I understand. I'm sorry." Kazumi nodded.
"It's OK." Kenshin said nodding back at her.
Kazumi turned back to Rias who was staring at her sympathetically. "Was she important to you?"
"She was important to a lot of us. She kinda just...threw herself into her work when Kenshin vanished." Kazumi said.
"I see." Rias said. "Well anyway. As a Devil attending this school, you must join either the Occult Research Club or the Student Council. All of Kenshin's peerage members are here in this club."
"Hmm...well I guess I might join the council. Don't want to crowd everyone up here." Kazumi said. "Also I was gonna ask the president if there was a journalism club or a school newspaper."
"Fair enough." Rias said. "Now, seeing as we aren't sure of your measurements. Might I ask for you to strip down so we can measure you properly?"
"Uhm, sure, I couldn't have changed that much..." Kazumi shrugged as she took off her clothes, leaving herself in her sports bra and biker shorts.
"We just want to be sure of whether or not we need to tailor the uniform." Rias said as Akeno walked over with measuring tape.
"I see, then there's no problems." Kazumi said.
As Kazumi was being measure. Issei happened to walk in. His eyes immediately landed on Kazumi. "U-Uuuoohooohoooo!" He gushed with a nosebleed. "What a nice figure!"
"Huh?" Kazumi said as Issei leapt at her, unable to control his pervy glee.
"Haaahh..." Kenshin sighed as he haymakered Issei. "Issei...you don't even know this girl...can you eighty six the perversion?"
"I'm sorry...that's my Pawn." Rias said with a sigh. "Issei, please don't do anything rash."
"S-Sorry Chief." Issei apologized.
"Aww, come on you guys. He's just an eager young man. I kinda find it endearing." Kazumi said with a laugh.
"...Seriously?" Kenshin said with narrowed eyes. "I got a sister and a mother who would rip him apart if he gets anywhere near him with it. A younger sister who's indifferent to it and now a friend who likes it. Odd how that works out."
"Sweeet!" Issei whooped.
"But please, not too much." Kazumi said waving her hand scratching her head with a nervous grin.
"You got it." Issei said with a grin.
"By the way, Issei can I speak to you outside?" Kenshin asked. "Just out here." He pointed at the door.
"Uhm...sure." Issei said as he and Kenshin walked downstairs.
"So, I hear your lifespan got cut drastically." Kenshin said crossing his arms.
"...Yeah..." Issei said hanging his head. "A hundred years is what I'm being told."
"Hum...I see. Well that's plenty for humans, but incredibly short for demons and devils, who can live for thousands of years." Kenshin said. "Even before I became a devil I was pretty much guaranteed a long life span."
"...Did that bug you? Wasn't that Negi a human?" Issei asked.
"...Well...it was always in the back of my mind." Kenshin said. "But what I want to say is. Don't worry too much about it. Somebody can be told they won't make it six months and end up living for years longer. Same thing applies here, in the end death will come, but how strong your will is will determine when."
"Sooo I shouldn't sweat it too much?" Issei asked.
"Also, I am by no means encouraging the wanton abuse of things that can lessen your lifespan, all I'm saying is that in the end. Barring some freak accident or sudden occurrence, you are the one who decides when you die." Kenshin said. "Also, if I were you, I would work on increasing my reserves of demonic power. Azazel told us before that Vali uses is demonic power in place of his life when using the Juggernaut Drive, if I ever achieve it I will be no different because my reserves are also huge."
"Right." Issei nodded. "Still not a lot I can do with only being able to come out for twelve hours."
"I know." Kenshin nodded. "Anyway, moving on from the depressing subjects." He started jabbing his elbow into Issei's arm with a grin. "I hear Koneko-Chan personally healed you last night. How was it?"
"Ah...hahahaha." Issei laughed nervously. "Well...the short of it...she did the same thing Chief did with you when we met her."
"Oh really?" Kenshin said with an arched brow. "That must have been nice."
"I-I think Chief and Akeno-San might have finally influenced her." Issei said.
"Or she just trusts you and I." Kenshin shrugged. "I mean despite your perverted nature, you really do mean well."
"You said that must have been nice. Did she do it with you as well?" Issei asked.
"Eh, yeah. It was after we woke up, or after the sports festival had concluded rather. She wanted to be sure I was alright after getting smacked around by your Juggernaut Drive." Kenshin said. "You know, damage to the soul and whatnot. By the way, the attack you used in that form. Longinus Smasher...that fucking hurt...like hell."
"Eeeehh? ! I thought you could ignore pain!" Issei exclaimed only to get bonked on the head.
"There's a limit to how much I can ignore!" Kenshin shouts.
"What did she talk to you about?" Issei asked. "She told me about how her kind was dying out and that she'd wants to leave an offspring behind sooner or later."
"About the same for me." Kenshin said. "She also added that while her body was admittedly underdeveloped. She could still...you know..procreate."
"Y-Yeah, she brought it up with me too." Issei said.
"Hum...I think she might be deciding which one of us she likes more." Kenshin said.
"Probably." Issei shrugged.
"By the way. I noticed you haven't tried to spend any one on one time with Irina." Kenshin said. "Why?"
"Well I'm kinda going out with Asia for one?" Issei said with a comical glare.
"Ah hah, so you are open to monogamy." Kenshin quipped.
"Ah...I..I still want to be a harem king, but I'm kinda just handling it carefully for now." Issei said.
"Hahahaha, I get it." Kenshin said with a nod. "Still the conversation I had with Koneko...kinda took a downturn when I told her that she shouldn't try to copy Rias and Akeno...and then Rias happened to walk in...aaah...my ass still kinda hurts."
"What did you say?" Issei said.
"I might have referred to Rias and Akeno as a bad influence on her." Kenshin sweatdropped.
"Hahaha, you're an idiot." Issei laughed.
"Yeah I know. I had to tell her that I didn't mean that in an insulting way, that the way she acts around me...is kind of a bad influence, this of course came after she was about a hundred spanks in." Kenshin said with a comical slump of his shoulders.
"Ouch." Issei said. "I feel your pain."
"Yeah..." Kenshin said with an absentminded grin.
"...D-Did you enjoy it? !" Issei said.
"Not at all." Kenshin said.
(break)
The next day.
Kenshin was standing in front of a store near the Kuoh train station. He wore a casual outfit consisting of a black light jacket, purple tanktop and black jeans with white sneakers. He had been harped once again by his mother to dress up so he had done so. Today was the date he had promised to have with Akeno. He felt oddly nervous, like he just knew something was gonna happen. He saw a cute girl with long dark hair standing in front of him. She wore a cute one piece dress with frills. He was about to ask her if she was lost when he noticed that it was actually the girl he was here waiting for. "A-Akeno?"
"I'm sorry, did I make you wait?" Akeno asked with a slightly shy tone in her voice.
"Aaah No...I just got here like maybe ten minutes ago...you know we live at the same house, why couldn't we just leave from there?" Kenshin asked.
"Well...it's a little more romantic to meet up like this, isn't it?" Akeno asked.
"Eeh, I guess you have a point there." Kenshin said with a smile. "That's a nice dress, it really suits you." He complimented.
"Aah, thank you Kenshin...uhm may I call you just Kenshin?" Akeno asked.
"S-Sure! Go ahead." Kenshin said. "Aaah man! Did she ask Yukari for some pointers on how to push my buttons? !" He thought.
Akeno smiled brightly. "Yay! Just for today, Kenshin is my boyfriend."
"S-Sure." Kenshin said feeling a pulse of killing intent. "OK, so maybe she didn't get any pointers from Yukari." He thought seeing two shades of red hair, a mop of brown hair, some blue hair and white hair as he glanced back He also saw a person wearing a bag on their head. Kiba, Miyuki and Asia.
As Akeno was turned away from them he started making signs with his hands before turning away.
"What did he just say?" Rias wondered.
"He said and this was more directed at you Rias. 'Don't you think you're being a tad hypocritical?'"
"Wh-Wha?" Rias said.
"You asked Akeno to not interfere in your date with him, now you're stalking him on Akeno's date with him." Yukari said. "Even though I'm here, I have to agree."
Akeno then embraced Kenshin out of nowhere. Kenshin glanced back again to see Rias' face so full of rage she almost broke the telephone pole. "You know you're not going to intimidate me with that when my turn roles around right?" Yukari said with an eyeroll.
"Shut up..." Rias growled out.
"Shall we go then?" Akeno asked.
"After you." Kenshin said.
Kenshin and Akeno went around town shopping for clothes, which of course Kenshin paid for. What Kenshin had noticed was...her usual mannerisms had completely vanished. She acted truly like a girl her age. She gripped Kenshin's hand tightly as they both ate crepes. "Haah, maybe I just never expected this from Akeno of all people. Who usually acts like an unspeakably sexy Japanese woman one point five times her age." Kenshin thought.
"Hmm..hey Akeno, you wanna head to the aquarium something?" Kenshin asked. "Might as well suggest something fun...and most of what I know how to do isn't fun, well maybe not to her anyway." He thought.
"Sure, but first, can we do something else?" Akeno asked.
"Sure, what did you have in mind?" Kenshin asked.
"Well, because my mother was a shrine maiden and made things like exorcism sutras and the like, she had a knack for caligraphy that I picked up from her. I was wondering if you mind doing some with me." Akeno asked.
Kenshin smiled. "Sure. I have a knack for it myself. I was wondering why you had me buy supplies for it at that hobby lobby store."
"Hmhmhm." Akeno giggled to herself as he passed her some of the supplies they had bought. While Akeno drew. Kenshin observed her for a moment before an idea came to mind as he went to work. She finished and turned to him. "I'm done." She said.
"Just a moment." Kenshin said.
"Hmm?" Akeno said. He noticed that another piece was next to his, drying. "You were able to do two in the time it took for me to do one?"
"I got a knack." Kenshin said. "Alright, finished."
Akeno's piece was merely the character for 'Love'. While the second one Kenshin had been working on was the character for 'Strength' "What's the other one?"
"Oh just a drawing I made." Kenshin said.
"Oh?" Akeno said. She looked at it. "It looks like a person drawing something...wait...this long line, is it supposed to be hair? Did you draw me?" She asked.
"Heheheheh, guilty as charged." Kenshin chuckled.
"You did really good...how are you so fast?" Akeno asked with a smile.
"Hmm...I guess I could show you one, as long as I don't try to use it, it should be fine." Kenshin said as he pulled out an ofuda charm. "I used to make these all the time for use in battle. I color coded them to be sure of which one I was using. This one used yellow ink. I called it Raimei Juumon or Thunder Charm."
"Wow, the lines are so intricate. When did you come up with this?" Akeno asked.
"When I was five." Kenshin shrugged.
"When you wer...when you were five? !" Akeno blanched.
"Easy, I only said I came up with it when I was five. I didn't perfect it until I was ten." Kenshin said.
"...Oh." Akeno laughed shyly. "I see. So what would it do?"
"I'd attach it to someone and activate it, and it'd tase them for lack of a better word, immobilizing them momentarily. I have six others, but I'll show them off later." Kenshin said.
"Interesting." Akeno said. "The ink I bought dries quickly so let's get a move on."
The two went to the aquarium and were exiting after an hour and a half. "There are a lot of weird deep sea fish huh?" Akeno said.
"Tell me about it." Kenshin replied. "I still wonder...just who was it that came up with the tentacle fetish?"
"Hehehehe, who knows." Akeno giggled.
"..." Kenshin felt a pressure behind him and turned to find Rias and the others still hadn't stopped following them. He sighed and went through hand signs again.
"What's he saying?" Rias said in a clearly frustrated tone.
"Hmmm..." Yukari said. "Listen, I know you're upset at this, but my promising her this did technically get you out of a jam."
"Reply back." Rias said.
Kenshin watched as Yukari went through hand signs. "I know that, but...screw you Rias I'm not saying that?" Kenshin thought as he saw Yukari whisper harshly at Rias, her hands still going.
He decided to take the chance and grabbed Akeno's hand. "Come on, let's go for a bit of a run." He said as he took off.
"R-Right, h-hold up!" Akeno said.
"They're getting away..." Koneko said.
"Well...I can't say I blame him." Issei said with an abashed grin.
"After them!" Rias shouts.
Kenshin meanwhile stopped running after a few minutes, ducking into a back street. "Whew, I think we shook 'em but man am I gonna get it from Rias later."
"Hmhmhm." Akeno giggled. "Finally got tired of getting stalked huh?"
"Yeah." Kenshin shrugged and looked around. "...Oh dear..." He said seeing love hotels all around him and Akeno. "Uhhh..."
"...I'm OK with it..." Akeno said.
"...Eh?" Kenshin intelligently said.
Akeno grabbed his hand and put on a determined face. "If Kenshin wants to go inside, I am alright with it."
"W-Wha? !" Kenshin said with a dark blush.
"Jeez, trying to bang a girl at noon?" The two turned to find Odin walking up to them with Rossweisse...and Barakiel oddly enough. "Damn Element Dragon brat. You move fast."
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "Can you even see your dick anymore, or is the depth perception becoming a problem in your advanced age and the missing eye?"
"Ahahahahaha, always with the age cracks." Odin laughed.
"So what are you doing here?" Kenshin asked. "Because I don't think Rossweisse there digs on seniors."
"Aaahaahhhhh..." Rossweisse stammered with a blush. "W-We shouldn't be in such a place Odin-Sama! Y-You're a god so please act like it!"
"Let me Rossweisse, you're a valkyrie who has to take care of Norse Heroes, you should learn about these places." Odin said.
"..." Kenshin stared at him before shaking his head "So, Valkyries are basically the 'escort service' to the Norse heroes eh? Hey Rossweisse."
"Eh?" Rossweisse said.
"Rias and I still have space in our peerages if you wanna jump ship." Kenshin offered.
Rossweisse sputtered and Odin laughed. "Hahahaha, I knew you wanted her!"
"Just giving her a chance to serve a master who isn't a bother to serve." Kenshin said. "And isn't always actively trying to ditch her."
"Meh." Odin shrugged.
Kenshin glanced over to see Barakiel trying to pull Akeno away. "Will you cool it Barakiel. I didn't intend on bringing her here. I was trying to lose someone."
"..." Barakiel stepped back as Akeno ripped her wrist from his grip, glaring daggers at him.
"Jeez, you have all the tact of a bull in a china shop don't ya?" Kenshin asked. "By the way, how's that shiner treatin' ya?" He said seeing one of Barakei's eyes was slightly swollen and purple.
"Just fine, how about the feeling in your hand?" Barakiel said with a glare.
"Just fine." Kenshin said with a smirk.
"Might we continue this conversation at your house?" Odin asked. "I'd like to be comfortable right about now."
"Haaah, fine." Kenshin said. "Come on." He said taking Akeno's hand and leading the way.
(chapter end)
Draconis: Trying to keep the relationships Koneko has between Kenshin and Issei even until the poll ends.
Akeno: (glares at Barakiel)
Barakiel: (glares at Kenshin)
Kenshin: (stares at Rias with a slight amount of nervousness)
Rias: (thinks of ways to punish Kenshin for running away)
Issei: (winces in sympathy for Kenshin)
Yukari: OK! Can we stop this!
Everyone: Haaah...
Anyway this was kind of a chatty chapter, and again please go vote on the poll if you haven't already.
See you all next time.
Draconis678 out