Draconis: Whew, sorry I've been taking so long with this one.
Kenshin: Don't worry guys, this happens.
Rias: (filing nails) We weren't worried.
Draconis: Well it's not like I was slacking off. I was working on something else.
Yukari: Like?
Draconis: Like that idea I had that branches from chapter 33. I actually wrote that out and it will be going up with this chapter. It's a separate one shot story called A Dragon of His Word.
Grayfia: Hmm...
Draconis: Now, I will take this time to respond to a guest reviewer calling himself Thorvasio. Thank you for your continued reading and I am glad you are enjoying the story so much! I won't respond to your request at this time, but as for your question.
Kenshin: What question is that?
Draconis: What is it you've been smoking?"
Kenshin: Oh! It's a special blend of marijuana that my old buddy Daniel liked to smoke. Dude had a ton of the stuff when I had to destroy the main Rikudou HQ when the organization went defunct, so I took it and stored it in its own seal.
Draconis: If you're against this, just stow the angry review because I don't do it myself.
Kenshin: It's true, he doesn't. He just don't consider it a drug.
Draconis: Right, also there are new fanarts on my profile, this time of Yukari and Miyuki.
Yukari: Hm?
Miyuki: Neat.
Draconis: Also, to those of you reading my work that can draw. If you want to draw fanart of my characters or the story, go right ahead, I welcome it just message me with the work so I can look at it. However...I have no way of compensating you. I'm just letting you know I'm cool with it.
Dragon of the Elements
Chapter 41
Problems of a Perverted Heart.
Draconis: Begin!
(start)
(knock knock!)
"I'll get it." Kenshin said walking toward the front door, an unlit smoke in between his lips.
He opened the door to reveal Seekvaira. "Good afternoon Kuroshi Kenshin." She greeted.
"Seekvaira? What brings you here?" Kenshin asked.
"I was asked to come here by the council, amongst other things." Seekvaira said adjusting her glasses.
"The council sent you?" Kenshin asked. "Oh dear, they haven't changed their mind about me, and decided to execute me after all have they?"
"..." Seekvaira covered her mouth to laugh. "No. You're quite alright as far as that goes.
"OK." Kenshin nodded. "What's up then?"
"I've been asked to come and inform you personally that due to your stellar performance in the match against Sairaorg Bael, you have ascended in rank from Duke to Archduke. Remember this is just as a personal Ranking. Your clan's ranking still remains as Count." Seekvaira explained.
"I know." Kenshin nodded. "But just Archduke? Wasn't Sairaorg a Great King?"
"Well, the council took into consideration of how evenly matched you were and ranked you accordingly. It would be a different story if you wiped the floor with him and you might have actually lost rank if he wiped the floor with you." Seekvaira said.
"I see...so just three more upgrades till Satan level." Kenshin remarked with a grin.
"You've really rocketed up the ladder since arriving. You're the fastest to ever do it." Seekvaira said. "You and Sairaorg-San anyway."
"Yeah." Kenshin nodded. "So, are you doing anything right now?"
"Other than this?" Seekvaira asked. "No, nothing."
"Well why don't you come in? Stay a little while. Being part of an Archduke clan must be exhausting." Kenshin said with a smile.
"You have no idea." Seekvaira said. "I'll accept your offer...partly because I have a question to ask of you in private."
"Hm?" Kenshin said as he let her in.
"Hm? Princess Seekvaira?" The two turned to find Yukari, Akeno and Rias walking down the stairs. "What brings you here?" Rias asked.
"Oh, she swung by to tell me that I've been upgraded from Duke to Archduke." Kenshin said.
"Oh, Congratulations Kenshin-kun." Akeno said with a smile.
"She also said that she wanted to ask me something." Kenshin said.
"Well, no one's really here right now. Everyone except for Issei is out on summons work." Rias said.
"Wait even Evangeline?" Kenshin asked.
"Yeah." Yukari nodded.
"...Oh dear lord..." Kenshin thought with a paling expression.
"It's that weird one." Yukari clarified.
"Which weird one?" Kenshin asked. "I dunno if you recall Yukari but three quarters of our summoning requests come from weird people."
"I think you know the one." Yukari said. "The one who was into fut-"
"OK!" Rias said cutting her off. "So...anyway Seekvaira-Sama you can say it here."
Yukari glanced over at Rias. "What did she think I was gonna say? I was going to say futuristic technology, dude is always all over Chachamaru." She thought.
"Very well." Seekvaira said as they all took a seat. Akeno brought them tea.
"So what's up?" Yukari asked.
"Well, I was asked not to tell this to anyone, but..I feel I must." Seekvaira said. "The Lord and Lady of the Agares house are expecting."
"Your parents are expecting a child?" Kenshin asked.
"Congratulations." Akeno said with a smile.
"Yes, they've been expecting for awhile and recently found out the gender...it's a boy." Seekvaira said.
"And...?" Kenshin said.
"Well your fiancee knows better than anyone what happens in this position." Seekvaira said.
"...You fear you might be married off?" Rias asked.
"Yes..." Seekvaira sighed as she took her glasses off and cleaned them with a cloth. "I came to ask your fiancee for a favor."
"No." Kenshin declined.
"Wha? You didn't even give me a chance to..." Seekvaira said.
"Ask Issei and don't give me that 'I don't wanna trouble him stuff'." Kenshin said leaning back into the couch. "Your parents would never believe you're interested in me. Besides since we've been back from Mundus Magicus, you've come over often enough to spend time with him."
"Huh?" Rias, Akeno, and Yukari all said. "When?"
"He told you?" Seekvaira said stroking her left arm with an embarrassed look.
"What do you think we're doing while I'm recharging his rings?" Kenshin asked. "He told me what happens on these little get togethers, tells me you're a me-" Seekvaira covered his mouth.
"I am gonna kill him..." Seekvaira muttered.
"Well he didn't tell it to me knowingly." Kenshin said. "Read his mind out of sheer boredom."
"Isn't that an invasion of privacy?" Seekvaira said with a glare.
"Just getting him back for peering into my thoughts when we were still stuck together." Kenshin said. "Besides if anything perverted happened I didn't see it...did anything perverted happened."
An uncomfortable silence reigned as Rias, Akeno, and Yukari all stared at Seekvaira. "Well?" Akeno asked.
"NO!" Seekvaira shouts. "We just watched a bunch of mech anime and played games the whole tim-aah? !" She stopped herself with wide eyes, an embarrassed blush on her face.
"What I said earlier...complete bullshit..and your hesitation to say anything suggests something did happen." Kenshin snickered. "So, the daughter of the house of Agares is a mecha otaku huh?"
"...I hate you so much..." Seekvaira seethed.
"I know." Kenshin replied with a smirk as Rias, Akeno and Yukari all laughed to themselves. "Hey Issei, could you come down here for a minute? !"
Issei walked down the stairs and into the main room. "Wha...oh Seekvaira-San." Issei greeted.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "What the...?"
"Issei, have you been sleeping regularly?" Rias asked with a concerned expression.
"Wha? Oh, y-yeah Chief." Issei said waving his hand with a grin.
"..." Yukari narrowed her eyes at him. "Think fast." She said throwing a rubber ball at him.
"Aaah? !" Issei shielded himself as it bounced off of him harmlessly. "Huh? Oh it's just a rubber ball, hahaha nice one Yukari-San. So...what is it?"
"Well, Seekvaira-San needs someone to pose as her boyfrie-(whack!) significant other...in front of her parents." Kenshin said rubbing his head as Seekvaira smacked him over the head. "Seeing as you two have been hanging out I figured you could do it."
"E-Eh? !" Issei said with a blush.
"It's no trouble is it?" Seekvaira asked.
"Aaah, uhm...n-no! Of course not!" Issei said.
"...Is everything really alright Issei-kun?" Akeno asked.
"Y-Yes! I'm just feeling kinda...put on the spot..." Issei said waving her off. "When should we leave then?"
"We could leave now if you like." Seekvaira suggests.
"Sounds good." Issei said. "Uhm...Chief I'll be back later."
"OK Issei, take care." Rias said waving him off with a smile.
Seekvaira and Issei left. Kenshin, Yukari, Rias and Akeno all shared a glance. "OK...so I assume we're all thinking it." Kenshin said.
"Issei-kun...really doesn't seem like himself." Akeno said.
"Yeah, I mean...I'm not exactly complaining, but he hasn't leered at my chest in awhile." Yukari said scratching her cheek.
"Oh Issei..." Rias said, her hand over her chest with a worrying look.
"Well...nothing we can really do about it. We can't really pry here." Kenshin said.
"I suppose." Akeno said.
"Hm?" Rias said seeing a communication circle next to her head. "What is it?"
"Rias, would you mind coming home for the day?" Venerana asked on the other end.
"Eh?" Rias said. "Why, what's going on?"
"We'd like to ask you some things. Your father and I." Venerana said
"Uhm..." Rias said. "Sure, I guess I could come home."
"OK. Would you mind bringing Kenshin along with you?" Venerana asked.
"I was already going to." Rias said. "OK, see you then."
"?" Kenshin and Yukari glanced over at her.
"I'm heading back home, Akeno you're in charge of things until I get back." Rias said. "Kenshin, you're coming with me, my parents are requesting your presence."
"Alright." Kenshin shrugged.
"Hey Kenshin, would it be too much trouble for me to come with? I could use the change in scenery for training." Yukari said.
Kenshin glanced over at Rias who shrugged. "Sure, come on."
"Moou...you're leaving me all alone?" Akeno pouted.
"Ahh..hahaha...s-sorry Akeno, I'll make it up to ya." Kenshin said with a grin as they teleported away.
(break)
Later.
Kenshin, Yukari and Ragnarok were doing some light sparring in the Gremory mansion's training area. "What did Rias' parents want?" Yukari asked.
"Ask some questions about the wedding." Kenshin said as he ducked a kick from Yukari and blocked a punch from Ragnarok.
"Doesn't she want to wait until after she graduates anyway?" Yukari asked as she jumped back, dodging two horizontal kicks from Kenshin and Ragnarok.
"Well, they obviously want to get a jump on it." Kenshin said.
"Stop." Ragnarok said calling a stop to the spar.
"What's up?" Kenshin asked.
"I've been meaning to ask you something since you got back from Mundus Magicus." Ragnarok said crossing his arms.
"Go ahead." Kenshin said.
"Did you make contact with the spirit of the Tenrai Sesshou Yuurei?" Ragnarok asked.
"Huh?" Yukari said.
"...Yeah." Kenshin nodded. "It...happened when Negi died."
Ragnarok closed his eyes. "I see...what did it do?"
"As you can imagine, I was in an exceptional amount of pain...it tempted me to give into it, and it would wipe away all of the pain." Kenshin said.
"Well, obviously you didn't...so..." Ragnarok said.
"No...you see...had Serafall not arrived there to yank out that tendril, or arrived any later than she did...I..probably would have." Kenshin said with a somber look. "She really saved my ass."
"I see." Ragnarok nodded. "You're not ready to control that thing yet."
"What was it?" Yukari asked. "I mean it had to have a body at some point right?"
"I can't remember, the original me omitted it from my memory." Ragnarok said. "All I can remember was that it was connected to the Dark Goddess."
"So, it has some history with the one you love." Yukari said.
"Yes, I would have to assume so." Ragnarok nodded.
"Well...if you guys will excuse me, I'm gonna go take a bath. Some parts of me are still sore from my big fight." Kenshin said.
"Why did you use the Vessel?" Ragnarok asked. "It wasn't a fight against someone you were looking to kill, so why?"
Kenshin turned to him with a calm look. "Simple, it was a fight between men. He was going all out, and beating my ass doing it...he deserved to fight me at my best." He finished with a grin.
"Heh." Ragnarok smirked back in return. "Whatever you say. Alright Yukari let's continue."
"Right." Yukari said.
Kenshin went up to the baths and disrobed. He did the reverse of what you usually did. He took a soak first. "Haaa..." He sighed in content. "Haven't really broken a sweat, so I can hold off on cleaning for a bit."
"Mmm...this feels sooo good..." Undine sighed
"Yeah..." Salamander said in agreement.
"Yeahhhh...really helps ease the stress out of your wings." Sylph said.
Kenshin received a mental nod from Gnome and chuckled. "Well why don't you all come out here and soak with me then?"
"Mmn...well we might take you up on that some other time, but right now we're content to just do this." Undine said.
"Whatever you say." Kenshin thought.
About thirty minutes into his soak he got out and dried off before going over to wash up. However before he could begin Kenshin heard footsteps proceeding in. "Hm?" Kenshin said looking over to see who was coming in.
He was surprised when it turned out to be Grayfia. "G-Grayfia?" Kenshin said. "Uh...this is the men's side."
"The women's side is being renovated, so for the time being, this is a mixed bathing area." Grayfia replied with a smile.
"I-Is that right, well I was just leaving!" Kenshin said getting up to do just that.
"Were you not just about to wash yourself?" Grayfia said. She pursed her lips in thought. "That's no good. Here let me help you."
"Aah, th-that's fine Grayfia I can wash my-" Kenshin was spoken over.
"Nonsense, I insist." Grayfia said with a smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down to a seated position. She started lathering up soap and spreading it across his back.
"..." Kenshin couldn't respond. "Think calming thoughts! Think calming thoughts! Think calming thoughts! This is Sirzechs' wife so think calming thoughts damn you!" He berated himself.
"Hehehe...you have a well defined back, Kenshin." Grayfia said.
"U-Uhm thanks." Kenshin said.
"Mmhm...I must say, this isn't anything against him, but you are in better shape than Sirzechs is...I guess it's no surprise, seeing as you have to defeat so many strong enemies, not only of the Underworld, but of your own as well." Grayfia said. "You train your body so often."
"Well, even if I didn't I'm kind of a workout freak." Kenshin said with a nervous laugh. "When I'm not doing other things, I'm usually training."
"Ufufu..." Grayfia giggled in a sultry fashion. "Well...I'm all done here, shall I proceed to the front?"
"!" Kenshin rounded on her. "Th-That's fine, I can do that...my..." He got a good look at her, she was completely nude, lacking even a towel, but her cheeks were tinted red and she seemed wobbly. "...Oh my lord you're drunk."
"...Maybe I am, just a little bit.." Grayfia said cupping her cheek with a smile.
Kenshin narrowed his eyes at her as she let out a hiccup. "A little?" He spoke incredulously.
Grayfia moved in with narrowed eyes, smiling, completely ignoring what he said. "You know Kenshin, I saw you looking me over just now..."
"A naked woman in the baths, who wouldn't? !" Kenshin asked with a blush as the Strongest Queen cornered him.
"I agree...but still..the only man to ever see my naked body has been Sirzechs...and now you." Grayfia said moving in, pressing her chest against his staring into his eyes.
"!" Kenshin's face flared brightly. "Oh shit! Oh fuck! Oh DAMN! ! Please don't let my heat cycle kick in or I'm going to do something I will not live to regret!"
"Kenshin!"
"? !" Kenshin and Grayfia turned to find Rias. "R-R-R-Rias!" Kenshin stammered.
"K-K-Kenshin and O-O-Onee-Sama? ! Why? !" Rias said with a quivering tone and body.
"I-It's not what you thimmph!" Kenshin was silenced by Grayfia's hand.
"Rias, I don't think you're supposed to make noise in a bathroom." Grayfia said.
"Kenshin, I was thinking of coming in here with you, what is going on here? !" Rias asked.
"You tell me and we'll both know!" Kenshin snapped
Grayfia moved behind Kenshin wrapping an arm around Kenshin's chest. "What if I told you I wanted to become allies with the Kuroshi family?"
"E-Ehhh? !" Kenshin's neck snapped toward her.
"I-I see..." Rias said bowing her head with a dark, crimson aura. "Onee-Sama, I will defeat you and rescue Kenshin."
"Wa-wa-wa-wa-wait!" Kenshin shouts.
"Sounds fun." Grayfia said standing up straight with a lucid giggle.
"Eeeh? !" Kenshin said. He looked between the two. "W-Wait Rias, Grayfia's drunk right no-!"
"Prepare to be defeated!" Rias said throwing her destruction magic at Grayfia, but striking Kenshin who dove between the two to try and defuse the situation.
"! K-Kenshin? !" Rias and Grayfia both exclaimed.
"Krh..." Kenshin grunted and pulled his head out of the water. "...Rias...Grayfia...I know this is your house, but..."
"Balance Breaker! Elemental Overdrive!"
"Get out of here so I can get cleaned up!" Kenshin shouts.
"Aaah, OK!" Rias said running out of the baths knowing he wouldn't hesitate to invoke the one thousand spankings punishment right now.
"Ufufufu..." Grayfia giggled.
"I know you're Sirzech's Queen, but I won't hesitate to bend you over my leg and swat your ass until it's beet freakin' red." Kenshin said with a greatly annoyed glare.
"Ufufu...OK, OK Kenshin you win." Grayfia said taking her leave.
"Kaah..." Kenshin unsealed a bottle of vodka and knocked it back, dropping out of his Balance Breaker.
Thirty minutes later Kenshin was soaking again when Sirzechs came in. "Hey." Sirzechs greeted.
"Just the man I wanted to see!" Kenshin said with an annoyed look.
"Are...you drunk?" Sirzechs asked.
"No, but someone that was happened to be in here earlier." Kenshin said.
"Haa, I see." Sirzechs said with a sigh.
"Sirzechs, I hate to say this, but I'm gonna need it in writing that I will not be held responsible for what happens if Grayfia's drinking around me while I'm in heat, like she was just now." Kenshin said. "I'm sorry, but with what happened earlier...haaa..." He shuddered.
"What happened?" Sirzechs asked. Kenshin explained what went down earlier. "...I see...well...I guess it couldn't be helped if that indeed does happen...besides we already have come to you for that before."
"By the way Sirzechs, can the Satans have harems? Because if Issei or I strive to become one, we'd like to know if we'd have to give that up and tell all but one of the women who love us to move on." Kenshin said.
"We can." Sirzechs nodded. "People mix up non interest with inability I mean Falbium's single for cripes sake, but we can same as anyone else, just like we can participate in Rating Games, but we just can't be ranked."
"Ah." Kenshin nodded.
Sirzechs stroked his chin in thought. "I've actually been wanting to ask Grayfia if she would mind managing a small harem. I mean she'd be far and beyond my number one woman, but the fact remains that we're both busy most hours of the day and have needs. Hell we don't even sleep together most nights...gets lonely y'know."
"But you know you're going to have to give up something to her in return." Kenshin said.
"Indeed." Sirzechs said. "Anyway..."
"Hey Sirzechs, what if Issei and I used the Boosted Gear to make Grayfia more voluptuous?" Kenshin said.
"Ah..." Sirzechs paused. A blush flared to life on his face. "Oh...my...lord..." He said.
"Neh heh heh." Kenshin snickered as he got out of the baths. "Enjoy that."
"Aah Kenshin wait!" Sirzechs said only to be ignored.
Kenshin got dressed and left the bath hall only to bump into Yukari. "Oh, hey." Kenshin greeted.
"Hey yourself, you were in there for awhile, everything OK?" Yukari asked. Kenshin explained to her what happened. "Oh wow...that's...actually kinda funny."
"Yeah yeah hahaha..." Kenshin said with an eye roll.
"Ufufufu." Yukari giggled.
"Well, I gotta go apologize to Rias for shouting so see you." Kenshin said. He was stopped as Yukari tugged on his sleeve. "Huh? What is it?" Kenshin asked.
"Uhm...Kenshin..." Yukari said.
Kenshin noticed the blush on her face. "What's up?"
"Could we...go on a date sometime?" Yukari asked.
"..." Kenshin smiled. "Sure, but why the shy tone?"
"Well...after we had our fun in Kyoto, Xenovia and I talked for a bit, and it made me realize that well...we haven't done much as a couple, instead of just as siblings...and I want to do some of that stu..." Yukari was cut off as Kenshin kissed her on the forehead.
"I understand." Kenshin said. "Just let me know when so I can set that day aside for you."
"OK." Yukari said, smiling at him.
(break)
The next day.
Issei had returned early from Seekvaira's place the night before. He teleported into the ORC where Kenshin was lounging around. "Yo, how was Seekvaira's place?" Kenshin asked, not noticing the slight glare on Issei's face.
"Uuh..." Issei said glancing away. "I'm not allowed back there for the time being."
A pin drop was heard as Kenshin stared at Issei. "Explain." Kenshin said.
"Wha?" Issei said.
"You and Seekvaira were spending time together quite easily before, what happened?" Kenshin asked.
"Uhm...well.." Issei said.
(flashback)
The Agares heiress and the Sekiryuutei approached the Agares Castle by limo. "Whoa...this is your main house?" Issei asked.
"Yes." Seekvaira nodded.
"Man it's bigger that Chief's place." Issei said. "Err I mean uh..."
"I know who you refer to, remember?" Seekvaira said waving him off.
"Oh, r-right." Issei said with a wincing smile.
The two arrived at the front gate where two people were waiting flanked by maids and butlers. The two in question were dressed in regal outfits. The woman resembled Seekvaira, while the man had her eyes, but had short black hair. "Aaah, Seekvaira. I see you're back in quite a hurry. You left right when we told you the news." The male said.
"I...needed to go speak with someone, I had just caught the time when you told me." Seekvaira said. "I apologize for the abruptness of my departure." She said with a respectful bow.
"It's quite alright, but why is the Chichiryuutei with you?" Lady Agares asked.
"Uhm...I-I was asked by S-Seekvaira-San to come with." Issei said nervously. He missed the slightly disappointed look on Seekvaira's face.
"I thought we had moved past that." Seekvaira thought. "I mean I know it's my parents, but still they wouldn't raise too much of a problem over the lack of title or suffix and if they did, I'd have just said it was alright."
"Ah, I see." Lady Agares said. "How is the Dragon of the Elements behaving? I merely ask as a member of the council."
"He is his usual self." Issei said with a nervous laugh. "As long as he's with Chi- er...Rias-Sama, he's pretty well behaved."
"Hm, so another key to keeping him with us is Princess Rias...Aah, what am I saying? Outside of two incidents, one of which I agreed with him on, he's been a great ally to we Devils, we should start treating him as such." Lady Agares said.
"Yeah, Kenshin and Rias-Sama are crazy about each other." Issei said.
"So, why did our daughter see fit to drag you out here?" Lord Agares asked.
"Um...actually." Issei said.
"Because I wanted to introduce you to my choice of suitor." Seekvaira said.
"E-Eeh? !" Issei said.
"Hm?" Lady and Lord Agares said. "Is that right?" Lord Agares asked.
"Seekvaira dear...are you certain about this?" Lady Agares asked. "If I hear correctly, he wants a harem."
"I will manage it if that's the case." Seekvaira said adjusting her glasses.
"U-Uhm?" Issei said.
"Haha! We're to have a boy and our lovely daughter has chosen a suitor, what a joyous day this is!" Lord Agares laughed.
"..." Lady Agares stared at her daughter before turning around. "Very well then please come in. We were about to have dinner."
"Yes, Yes. Come in!" Lord Agares said.
Issei glanced at Seekvaira as they followed her parents. "S-Seekvaira-San, what in the...you want to m-m-marry me?" Issei asked in a low voice.
"Well I...wouldn't be dissatisfied with you." Seekvaira said glancing away from him shyly.
"..." Issei's face flushed, but then his mind raced about his current problem. "S-Seekvaira, the Agares Princess wants me too? ! Oh...no..." He thought.
"Are you OK?" Seekvaira asked looking over at him, and the worried look he had on his face.
"Aah? U-Uh...yeah nothing's wrong. I'm fine." Issei said.
"...?" Seekvaira arched her brow curiously. "Well...if you say so."
(break)
Later that night.
Issei was sitting in the baths of the Agares Castle, or rather the sauna of the castle. It seemed that Seekvaira used the one at his house and liked it so much she had one put in here. "Haa...man...now even Seekvaira...? What do I do...?" Issei lamented.
"Partner..." Ddraig said.
Issei had been sitting in the sauna for a good ten minutes, but as he was thinking of leaving someone came in. "Oh? Issei?"
"? !" Issei's eyes widened seeing Seekvaira walk in, wearing absolutely nothing. "S-S-Seek-? !"
"What? You naturally should come into the sauna wearing nothing so the sweat can flow freely, right?" Seekvaira asked. "It's fine if you look, it's not like you haven't already seen it at this point."
"Sh-She doesn't mind if I look? ! Oh thank the demon lord!" Issei thought, his pervert mode fighting for control.
"U-U-Uhmmm...I-I..." Issei hid his manhood with his hands and moved to leave, but Seekvaira grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.
"No, it's OK. Please stay with me for a bit." Seekvaira said.
Issei gulped and nodded. "A-Alright."
The two sat down across from one another. "Unholy crap! She must have just taken a bath or something, her hair's clinging to her body...it looks so damn hot!" He thought. "Fuck...! I'm getting hot from the sauna and my own desires, shit! If I was man enough I'd try to push her down right now!" He thought watching her wave her long hair
"Humm...a man and a woman all alone together in a sauna...I wonder...if you were to push me onto my back, what would happen to me?" Seekvaira said.
"!" Issei stared at her in shock. "Wh-Wha?"
"Well, from what I've heard you've seen the naked forms of Princess Rias and all of her female pieces, and most of the pieces in Archduke Kenshin's peerage...so I guess my body pales in comparison." Seekvaira said with a small smile.
"W-Well I wouldn't say that!" Issei laughed nervously. "Your body is right up there with there's! Hell yours is probably the best I've seen of women not already interested in Kenshin!" Issei said.
"Oh? That's a nice compliment, thank you." Seekvaira said. "To be honest I was angry with you the first couple of times you walked in on me changing when I invited you to come watch mech anime with me, but after awhile I just grew to accept it as something that happens with you."
"Oh really? Sometimes I wondered if you were going to take my head off." Issei said with a wincing smile.
"Oh no!" Seekvaira laughed. "You're far too nice a person and I think Princess Rias and Archduke Kenshin would be calling for my head if that happened...that said...I may not show it often, but I do feel a little self conscious about my image. So it's nice to hear someone I think fondly of tell me that I look good."
"W-Well hell you look more than good, you're a high class beauty with an amazing body." Issei said.
"..." Seekvaira smiled again, this time noticeably wider. "I see...well..." She leaned over, her chest shifting with the motion of her body. "Why not show how much you think that then?" She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her left breast.
"? !"
"Mmmn..." Seekvaira's left eye closed, letting out a moan.
"S-Seekvaira-San? !" Issei said with wide eyes.
"Come on, put me on my back...and take me." Seekvaira said.
"T-Taaaakkkkeee yooouuuu? !" Issei gaped.
Seekvaira's face was flushed, but there was a bit of sadness in her expression. "Issei, we've spent a lot of time together, playing games, watching shows, even shopping...we found out a lot about each other in the process...so what am I to you?"
"S-Seekvaira-San is Seekvaira-San! N-Nothing more or less!" Issei said.
"..." Seekvaira gritted her teeth slightly. "What if I wanted to be more than that? What then?"
"H-Huh?" Issei said.
Seekvaira began to lean toward him, pushing him onto his back instead. Seekvaira laid against him looking into his eyes. Issei's body shivered in response to the soft feeling of a woman pressed against him. He felt her hardened spires digging into his chest as well as her heart racing. "Oh man! This is not good! I-I'm not going to be able to hold back here!"
He looked into Seekvaira's eyes, seeing nervousness in her eyes too, but she was less affected by it. "Iss...ei...let me feel you more..." She leaned down and kissed Issei, easily sliding her tongue past his lips.
An obscene lip smacking sound filled the room as she made out with him. "Oh man...! She wants to...and we're...oh man!" Issei thought. Seekvaira pulled away. "Seekvaira-San...I..."
"Still with that..." Seekvaira said cutting him off. "I...I thought we'd moved past that...I...guess I was wrong..." Seekvaira spoke with a quivering voice.
"Wha?" Issei said.
"Was...I wrong to assume we'd gotten much closer since that first date we had went on...?" Seekvaira asked as she got up off of him her body shaking.
"S-Seekvaira-San..wai-!" Issei said as she ran out of the sauna.
"Don't follow me!" She shouts, half angrily, half crying.
(Flashback end)
"...After that I ran into her father who asked that I probably shouldn't come back for awhile." Issei said.
"...I see." Kenshin said. "She thought you were much closer than you thought you two were and...she also thought you were her way out of a potential omiai."
"..." Issei bowed his head, glaring in frustration, knowing he was right.
"Issei...come on man, tell me what's been eating you, in full detail." Kenshin said.
"..." Issei gritted his teeth. "No." He got up and walked toward the window.
"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes as he got to his feet, put off by the sudden anger in Issei's tone.
"You wouldn't get it." Issei said.
"Try me." Kenshin said.
"Krh..." Issei bowed his head. "No, trust me you wouldn't understand 'Mr. My love life is so damn perfect.'"
"..." Kenshin stared at him. "Ok Issei, what the hell crawled up your ass? Now you're pissed at me?"
"..." Issei didn't respond.
"Hey, I'm talking to you." Kenshin said walking up to him and gripping his shoulder.
Issei rounded on him and punched Kenshin in the face. "Just piss off already!"
Kenshin responded by decking Issei in the nose. "If you're going to punch someone stronger than you, you better make damn sure you knock his lights out. Now what the fuck is your deal?"
"Oh trust me Kenshin, I don't need your help, you're about the last person who'd understand my problem." Issei said gripping the cloth over his heart.
"...So let me get this straight, you're refusing someone's help, simply because you don't think he'd get your problem?" Kenshin said with narrowed eyes. "That's a damn poor reason Issei, but whatever. I offered, you refused. You deal with it then."
"You want to know why I can't find it in me to tell you of all people? You've gotten everyone you've ever went after or come after you and succeeded in everything you've set out to do and I hate that. The first time I tried, I got killed for no damn reason, by someone I fell in love with!" Issei shouts. "What the hell would you know about any of that? ! You've never had someone you loved try to kill you and even if you did, you'd probably just shrug it off and bottle it up like the emotionless bastard you are!"
(clench, crash!)
"Kacckk!" Issei choked out as Kenshin gripped him by the throat and planted him against the wall scowling into his eyes.
"...You wanna fuckin' repeat that?" Kenshin snarled.
"Haackk...haacck...I-I'm soorrhyy!" Issei gasped out.
Kenshin dropped him in a heap and looked down at him in disdain. "I tell you to think long and hard about what I told you before my fight against Sairaorg, and that's what you came up with?" He scoffed "I've tried to help you every time I could Issei and this is how I'm repaid? Fine then...I wash my hands of you and refuse to help you anymore." Kenshin turned around and started walking away.
(slam!)
Kenshin opened the door, left and slammed it shut. He walked by Gasper and Evangeline, the former who shivered in fright. "Whoa? What the hell's got you so pissed off?" Evangeline asked. "What the hell happened up there?"
"Why don't you go ask the pervert up there?" Kenshin asked as he walked out the door.
Evangeline watched him leave before opening a communication line with Rias. "I think you need to get over here."
"What? Is something wrong with Gasper?" Rias asked.
"No, but Kenshin is positively livid right now." Evangeline said.
A second circle came up. "What's up? Why is Onii-Chan angry?" Miyuki asked.
"I don't know, he just came downstairs with this pissed off look on his face and when I asked him about it he told me to ask the pervert before storming out." Evangeline said. "The two were up there talking beforehand."
"OK, Mom says she'd like to speak with Issei, but she wants to do it alone, so have him come to the Lunar Cafe." Miyuki said.
"Wait, would this have anything to do with the message I got from Seekvaira this morning?" Rias asked.
"What would that be?" Evangeline asked.
"She told me to tell Issei that she won't be inviting him over or coming over to do things for awhile." Rias said.
"Hn...you freakin' brats..." Evangeline sighed.
Meanwhile Kenshin was in the forest, having just put his fist through a tree when Tamamo and Yukari came up to him. "You know, killing an inanimate object won't make you feel better."
"Not in the mood Tamamo." Kenshin said as he slashed his sword outward and cut the tree down. He made a clone to grind the stump to the ground, pull up the roots and plant another tree.
"Kenshin, what's wrong?" Yukari asked, concern showing in her eyes.
"Issei said something that hit a very raw nerve." Kenshin said as he started chopping the tree up into firewood.
"Just saying something? You don't look like the kind of guy that offends easily." Tamamo said.
"Maybe not, but even I have things that which said, can really get under my skin." Kenshin said.
"What did he say?" Yukari asked.
Kenshin took a breath. "I'd rather not talk about it. Just let me stew."
"O...OK." Yukari said seeing the distant look in his eyes.
(break)
That night
With Issei.
Issei walked down the road leading up to the Lunar Cafe. Beforehand, he had been grilled by most of the other women about Seekvaira, and now Kenshin. "They all seem to agree with Kenshin that it's on me as far as Seekvaira-San goes, but...I couldn't bring myself to tell them much about Kenshin, except that I said something that set him off and that I'd rather just save it for Hikari-San."
He thought back to Seekvaira. "...Could it be that she's fallen for me? I-I mean...I do treat her like a normal girl, instead of the Agares Princess, but...what could I have done that made it that way? Surely that can't be enough." He thought.
Then he thought back to his argument with Kenshin. "...He was only trying to help, but how could he know about what I've been through? He hasn't had someone he loved try to kill him before...has he? That look in his eyes though...when he grabbed my throat...it looked like he was recalling something painful." He thought.
"What if Seekvaira does want a deeper relationship with me? What if Irina and Asia want one too?" He thought. "But...then again...what if I'm wrong?"
"Will you die for me?"
Issei shivered as the image of the Fallen Angel Raynare came to mind. A horrible memory for him, of his first girlfriend, who he fell in love with instantly...only to be killed by her.
"I've tried to help you every time I could Issei and this is how I'm repaid? Fine then, I wash my hands of you, and I refuse to help you anymore."
What Kenshin said to him earlier rang in his mind. It was thanks to Kenshin...that he was even still alive. Without Kenshin, Rias wouldn't have gotten to him in time and he would have been dead and gone.
He arrived at the Lunar Cafe and walked in. It was empty. Issei looked around. It had a painting of a night sky with a full moon on the ceiling and on the walls were references to various lunar creatures both supernatural and not. Hikari was drying off glasses behind the counter. "Not much business huh?"
"I closed shop early." Hikari said. "Slow day."
"I see." Issei said
"Sit down." Hikari said setting a cup down with tea in it.
Issei came up to the counter and sat down taking a sip. "So...um...what do you want to talk to me about?"
"Something you said to Kenshin earlier." Hikari said. "I have my ways of getting him to confide in me."
"...I'm s-"
"No you're not." Hikari said. "The only reason you're apologizing is because you think I might lash out at you, that's not why I asked you to be here. I came to tell you about the last year of my apprenticeship under Kenshin and Yukari, when they were in the past." She said setting out a wine glass and taking a sip. "It started with Kenshin and I in prison with Arika, Princess Theodora of the Hellas Empire and Nagi Springfield's master Filius Zect. Because we couldn't do much in way of physical training, we did so in a mental training area or a Phantasmagoria."
"You've been in Kenshin's training area?" Issei asked.
"No, it was a different one, it looked different." Hikari said. "Now, other than the Schismatic War that was still raging, I had no real idea why Kenshin wanted to train me so much, but I found out the day I escaped."
"What happened?" Issei asked.
"Remember how we told you back in Mundus Magicus that Ryuushin and I found out our masters had been lying to us?" Hikari asked.
"...Yeah?" Issei asked.
"Well Ryuushin had at least found out about Kenshin's involvement with the massacre of our clans, but not the reason why." Hikari said. "When the Ala Rubra came to free us from the prison we were held in. Ryuushin attacked Kenshin in a rage, but was easily dispatched by him."
"Kenshin fought his own father in the time before he was born?" Issei asked. "Even wounded him?"
"It was all a part of the lie Kenshin and Yukari had been living all those years." Hikari said. "Kenshin deliberately avoided killing him, and that when we both found out about Yukari's involvement."
"They didn't tell you anything?" Issei asked.
"No." Hikari said. "The end game of their plan was to die, remember?"
"..." Issei went silent, listening to her.
"When Ryuushin had found out, Kenshin told him to train whilst reviling at hating him to the core as he had been before he knew who wiped out the clans." Hikari said. "They had only met us a a couple of years before we found out, by then...Ryuushin had already suffered greatly, being a demon and a Kuroshi, one of the clans that was vilified in Mundus Magicus."
"So...he chose to have you two kill him and Yukari?" Issei asked.
"They did." Hikari corrected. "The both of them...after they massacred the clans and brought down the Kingdom of Vespertatia...they were broken...many times they both thought of turning their own swords on themselves just to end the pain and had they both been alone, or separate from each other rather...they probably would have."
"..."
"I know what you're thinking, if he chose it, then it must not have hurt as much, right?" Hikari asked. "I'm afraid that's not the case...had it been anyone else, sure...it might not have hurt as much, but the time period they came from, their father was already dead...meaning that their last technical memory of their father, would have been him killing them..and try as they might to hide it, to be strong...it hurt them deeply."
"Why didn't he try to tell you two from the start? Why go through all that?" Issei asked.
Hikari shook her head. "Like I said, Ryuushin had already suffered greatly...he already hated them to the core, even if he didn't know them yet and once I found out...I...grew to hate them too..." Hikari said. "So...they told a bunch of lies and half truths, so they could get closer to us and train us for the inevitable day that we would find out about them."
"..." Issei went silent again.
"...If you were Kenshin, what would you have done?" Hikari asked.
"I...don't know..." Issei said.
"You didn't know this until now, but...you could have worded what you said a little differently." Hikari said. "Like, you could have said Kenshin wouldn't know what it feels like, because he's never had someone he was in love with try to kill him, because he hasn't...he's good about keeping people at arms length until he's sure of their intentions, but...just saying that he couldn't possibly know what it feels like to have someone he loves try to kill him, that's what set him off."
"I see that now." Issei said hanging his head. "You did both forgive him and Yukari after you found out the truth, right?"
"Of course." Hikari nodded with a small smile.
"Well...thanks Hikari-San, you've shown me what an idiot I was..." Issei said.
"Of course." Hikari said. "Although it's not my intention."
"Haa...I must have really come off as a prick to him." Issei said. "And sometimes it seems like coming off as a prick to Kenshin is hard to do, because he'll just fire right back at you instantly."
"Well...Ken-Chan's really sarcastic at times." Hikari said with a sweatdrop. "But about the other thing you said, about Ken-Chan being emotionless...I didn't like it when he used to bottle things up, but I understood it. Some things he just felt that he couldn't get help with like you're feeling now...and he didn't want to feel weak."
"He felt weak just talking to his family about his problems?" Issei asked.
"With me, it was kind of hard for him, having not known me until he was ten." Hikari said. "If he really needed to, he would usually talk to Ryuushin about them."
"..." Issei went silent for a moment. "...Y'know...I..I kinda wish I could confide in my parents about some of this stuff, but they think I'm dead."
"You know, I don't think what you said was the main reason that Ken-Chan snapped." Hikari said.
"Huh? What was it then?" Issei asked.
"I think Kenshin trusted you." Hikari asked.
"Trusted me?" Issei asked.
"Mmhm. Ken-Chan's only willingly shared his pain with people he could trust." Hikari said.
"So...you think I betrayed his trust then...great that just makes me feel worse." Issei sighed.
"I think he'll come around eventually, but you have to pick your time to speak with him about this." Hikari said. "You seem really torn up about this though."
"Because even though I said those things, I owe Kenshin a lot...and he's always helped me when I needed it, even now and I threw it back in his face." Issei said.
"Well, just give it some time, now if that's all be on your way. I need to finish up." Hikari said.
"Hey...um...Hikari-San, if I could ask, would you happen to have any advice about my problem involving Seekvaira-San?" Issei asked.
"Hm? What happened there?" Hikari asked. Issei explained and Hikari nodded. "I see...well Issei there's a couple of things I could say that she was trying to do. One, she was trying to do, like what Rias tried to do before with Kenshin to force off any omiais by giving you her virginity because for whatever reason the worth of a woman up for marriage shoots down if they're not a virgin."
"Well, there is a certain feeling men get from being the first person to...y'know." Issei said.
"Most arranged marriages aren't done for love." Hikari countered. Issei nodded, unable to argue that point, if Rias' arranged marriage with Raiser was anything to go by. "Which brings me to my next point...she thought you two were getting close. People who are close to each other typically drop suffixes from each others names...so when you kept using one, it frustrated and hurt her because she might think you aren't as interested in her as she is in you."
"But all I did was watch anime, play games, and go shopping with her at the times we met." Issei said.
"And how did you treat her during these times?" Hikari asked.
"W-Well I treated her like I would any other girl, u-um! M-Minus the perversion though!" Issei said.
"And did you seem genuinely interested in her as you were doing these things?" Hikari asked.
"W-Well yeah, why wouldn't I have been?" Issei asked. "Still doesn't answer my question."
"Sometimes that's all it takes." Hikari said with a smile. "See, to everyone else, she's Princess Seekvaira of the Archduke ranked Agares clan, just like before Rias met Kenshin, she was Princess Rias of the Gremory clan, but to you and Kenshin. The two noble devil heiresses got to know what it feels like to be looked at as just regular women...such a thing can really touch a woman's heart you know."
"R-Really?" Issei said. "S-So, y-you think that what Kenshin has with Chief...that S-Seekvaira wants with me?"
"It's certainly possible." Hikari said before petting his head. "For someone who wants a harem, you have a lot to learn about women."
"I-I see..." Issei said. "But..."
"Issei, not every girl's going to treat you like that bitch Raynare did." Hikari said. "That was just cruel."
"It's...not just that...at the heart of it...if I were to fall for someone and get rejected..." Issei said.
"I see." Hikari said. "Because of what she did...you're scared to take the next step...well..can't help you there...you have to figure it out yourself."
"Well...thanks anyway Hikari-San." Issei said.
"Of course." Hikari said.
(break)
The next day.
Issei was in the clubroom with everyone. Azazel was present as were Kenshin and his peerage. He glanced over at Kenshin who was reading a manga. "He hasn't glanced at me this whole time we've been in here...I guess I can't blame him...that was a pretty dickish thing I said to him."
"Why are we here? Aren't you just going to go over the rules and what not for the Rating Game?" Evangeline asked.
"That, and I'd like to give an update on the state of the factions...namely what we were able to glean up about the Khaos Brigade's Hero Faction."
"Or as Kenshin refers to them. The Oxymoron Faction." Evangeline said.
"Actually I've taken to just calling the The Hypocrites." Kenshin said without looking up from his manga.
"This is kinda important Kenshin, you should probably pay attention." Azazel said.
"The Hero Faction is finding Sacred Gear users who are mixed up with common people and showing them how to easily attain the Balance Breaker, this is not limited to just the Hero Faction as the Khaos Brigade themselves are doing this as well with reincarnated devils using research gained by the Hero Faction. This present quite the problem as so many people with Balance Breaker ability mixed up with the common people and there are some who were tricked by the more assholish devils and became a servant." Kenshin explained. "When presented with a way out of their misery as some human Sacred Gear wielders lead very shitty lives, they will almost certainly take it...and the reincarnated devils who were tricked would likely revolt against the system that allowed this to happen. To this point I can't fault those who were tricked and those were leading those miserable lives, coming from both things myself...but at the same time, if they come at me, they will be crushed."
Everyone stared at Kenshin who said all that without looking up from the manga he was reading and even paused to flip a page here and there. "Um...yes, that about covers it, how did you know all that Kenshin?" Azazel asked. "That and you don't seem too concerned about this."
"I'm privy to this information as a member of the Lucifer peerage and only a fool walks onto a battlefield without doing their research." Kenshin said. "As for why I'm not too worried, is it not the mark of a good leader to trust in their lieutenants?"
Hearing this brought a smile to Yukari's, Miyuki's and Hikari's faces, a grin to Kazumi's and Tamamo's and a smirk to Evangeline's while Chachamaru held no reaction "Ha, so my dumping the leadership on you did have an effect on you." Azazel remarked.
"I suppose so, the old Kenshin couldn't trust in many people other than himself." Sextum said.
"The old Kenshin was also hunted by an entire world." Kenshin remarked. "Now, if that's all, shouldn't you be doing your adviser job now?"
"Oh right. Anyway, let's get started." Azazel said.
Chachamaru raised her hand. "Excuse me, before you begin."
"Yeah?" Azazel asked.
"Does Sairaorg Bael have some acting the role that you do?" Chachamaru asked. "It seems unfair if only you are an adviser."
"That's not the case. Every peerage has an adviser. For example when Raiser was a youth devil his elder brother Ruval helped him." Azazel said.
"It's true, Ruval-Oniisama did help us a lot." Ravel said with a nod.
"Then who is Sairaorg-San's?" Rossweisse asked.
"Diehauser Belial." Azazel and Kenshin both said. Azazel turned to him. "OK how do you know that?"
"I had to go to a Lucifer peerage function the last time I was in the Underworld, we met, chatted. We drank each other under the table." Kenshin said. "He said he looked forward to a challenge from me when I got some official game experience to which I replied that maybe I'd take the gauntlet I'd be throwing and slap him across the face with it as soon as I was eligible."
"K-Kenshin, that is E-Emperor Belial you were talking to, don't you think you should have been a little more..." Rias was cut off.
"Rias, we were in the middle of a drinking contest and he laughed at me when I said it, there is such a thing as screwing around." Kenshin said. "I doubt he took me seriously, and if he did, oh well."
"Right. Well anyway. Have you guys all memorized the video data of the Bael peerage?" Azazel asked. Rias and her peerage nodded.
"Still it doesn't feel like even with what Kenshin got Sairaorg-San to do, that it was much help." Issei said.
"Yeah, Regulus' Sacred Gear is capable of more than what Sairaorg showed." Azazel said. "He's also Sairaorg's pawn and can control his form."
"Hey, Onii-Chan, why don't you ask the spirits if they'd want to join us?" Miyuki asked.
"I did, they said no." Kenshin said. "Supplying the three of us with power is enough."
"Hey Sensei, what are the chances we collide with the champion in the future?" Issei asked.
"Well, you guys as well as Kenshin's and Sairaorg's group are special cases, you keep gathering strong people. You've faced down world level foes and survived." Azazel said. "That doesn't happen very often, you all are seen as a big shot newcomer teams and as such you will have a lot of eyes on you. Hell even in this match Rias and her group will have the entire Underworld watching just as everyone watched the fight between Kenshin and Sairaorg that ended up being a thriller as well as a showcase to everyone to what even a little hard work and training can do for you. This Rating game will be a bigger showcase of that as Sairaorg's entire peerage is made up of people who train hard."
"That said, Sairaorg is favored to win." Kenshin said turning a page. "The logic being that it's still Sairaorg and Issei isn't me."
"Well we'll have to prove them wrong." Rias said.
"Of course." Akeno said.
"We will win." Koneko said.
"We won't be brushed aside that easily." Xenovia said with a fire in her eyes.
"I agree." Kiba said.
"Being discounted right out of the gate...is kinda frustrating." Rossweisse said.
"Also there's been something changed about the match, in that Grayfia will not be officiating the match." Azazel said. "She'll have already officiated the match between Sona and Seekvaira and she wanted to watch with Sirzechs."
"Eh? If it's not Onee-Sama then wh-" The sound of a book closing cut Rias off. Everyone turned to see Kenshin putting away his book. "E-Eh? W-Wait."
"I was waiting until later to tell you, but while I was at the Lucifer function, Grayfia asked me if I could stand in for her as the official." Kenshin said. "I agreed. So I guess I'll get a front row seat to watch Issei get his ass kicked." Kenshin pushed off the wall and left.
A while later everyone had been working around the old school building and were now taking a break. Suddenly a communication circle opened up on the table. "Phenex?" Koneko said.
"Huh?" Ravel said looking over at it. "Oh! I wonder who it could be?"
"I really hope it isn't Raiser...I know we patched things up, but I really don't want to deal with him right now." Kenshin groaned.
"Seriously, I remember him leering at me as we were leaving the Phenex territory." Yukari sighed.
"You too? I had half a mind to freeze him." Evangeline said rolling her eyes. "Nothing serious, just leave him frozen for a little while. A little mild hypothermia never hurt anyone."
"Oh h-he's not that bad..." Ravel said smiling with a sweatdrop.
The figure of a high class woman with blonde hair who resembled Ravel appeared. "O-Okaa-Sama? !" She shouts in surprise.
"Hello Ravel, I apologize for calling at this time, it's still school time isn't it?" Lady Phenex asked. "How do you do anyway?"
"I-It is and I'm fine." Ravel said.
"By the way are Rias-San and Kenshin-San there?" Lady Phenex asked.
"Yes, Yeah?" Rias and Kenshin both said.
Rias stepped in front of the projection. "Hello Obaa-Sama. It's been quite awhile."
"Heya Mrs. Phenex." Kenshin waved, moving next to Rias.
"You two look nice together." Lady Phenex said. "Better than my son and Rias ever did."
Rias' face flushed while Kenshin chuckled. "Yeah. That's because we're happy together."
"Anyway. I wanted to come introduce myself properly to everyone along with my husband, but we couldn't find the time." Lady Phenex said.
"It's quite alright Obaa-Sama, we know how hard your family has been working to prepare the Phoenix Tears for the alliance." Rias said.
"Swing by when stuff calms down." Kenshin said. "Just...if you're going to bring Raiser with you, please know my peerage is well within their rights to discipline him if he decides to act untoward to them."
"I understand." Lady Phenex said. "I wish to talk to you about my daughter's attendance there at Kuoh Academy."
"Uhm...she's right there ma'am." Yukari said pointing at Ravel.
"I know, I know." Lady Phenex said. "I just wish to apologize for having you come out to build my son back up and for taking care of Ravel."
"It's no trouble." Rias responded with a smile.
"Yeah, it's no trouble at all. I actually had fun training in the mountains." Kenshin said with a grin. "As for Ravel, she's been no trouble at all."
"Aah, well I'm glad." Lady Phenex said with a smile. "But another thing is I wish to ask of both you and Sekiryuutei-San."
"Eh?" Issei said with an arched brow.
"I would like you both to watch over Ravel so that no weird pests come near her, with the Sekiryuutei and the Dragon of the Elements watching over her, her father, brothers and I will be able to rest easier." Lady Phenex said.
"Ok, keep all weird pests, including the Sekiryuutei away from her, got it." Kenshin said.
"Hahaha, I'm sure he's not that bad." Lady Phenex said.
"I'll protect your daughter." Issei said with a salute.
"Yes, thank you and Ravel, please do behave in a manner that would not shame you as a lady." Lady Phenex said. "Now if that is all, I must be going."
"Y-Yes O-Okaa-Sama." Ravel said with a blush.
"Good day to you Mrs. Phenex." Kenshin waved her off.
"Do take time to rest up Obaa-Sama, all of you." Rias said.
"Oh don't worry we will." Lady Phenex giggled as she vanished.
Kenshin cracked his neck and turned to leave the room. "Alright...it's time to get back to work."
"U-Uhm Kenshin!" Issei said.
Kenshin stopped walking. "What?"
"Kenshin, I...uh..I just want to..." Issei was cut off.
"Shove it." Kenshin said.
"E-Eh?" Issei said.
Kenshin turned to him with an impassive glare. "I said shove it, your apology that is...you think what happened yesterday is something you can just sweep under the rug? It took everything I had not to beat your ass yesterday/."
"B-But Kenshin...I..." Issei was cut off again.
"What was that you said? That I wouldn't possibly know what it was like and that I was an emotionless bastard?" Kenshin asked drawing surprised looks from everyone except Hikari, Evangeline and Chachamaru. "Well anyway. I'm not as angry with you as much as I was before, but..." He let out a sigh. "I didn't expect to hear such things from you." He walked out of the room.
"..." Issei watched him leave, but turned to find Yukari scowling at him. He saw her fist shaking.
"..." Yukari shook her head in disdain and left the room.
"Why the hell would you say that?" Miyuki asked shaking her head and following after her.
"Issei-kun..." Kazumi said with a sympathetic look.
"Kid, Kenshin and I may not see eye to eye all the time, but that?" Evangeline shook her head.
"..." Chachamaru glanced over at him, before closing her eyes and shaking her own head.
"I haven't been here long, but I can tell he held you in high regard before this mess." Tamamo sighed.
"Issei aside from me, he was always willing to help you...why?" Rias asked with a conflicted look.
"Kenshin-kun maybe a man, but even men have things they take personal offense too." Kiba said shaking his head.
"Exactly, I can understand why Kenshin-kun's upset with you." Akeno said with a slight glare.
"E-Even Chief and the others don't know what to say..." Issei thought.
"Kenshin-Senpai trusted you..." Koneko said.
"I-Issei-San, that's a horrible thing to say to someone like Onii-Sama..." Asia said.
"Even I think that's a bit much and I'm kind of dense to these matters." Xenovia said with closed eyes.
Everyone left the room except for Issei, Gasper and Hikari. "Uhm...Gasper...just to be clear...you think I'm in the wrong here too right?"
"U-Uhm...y-yeah. I've never seen Kenshin-Senpai upset like that before...he must have really taken offense to what you said." Gasper said before leaving.
Hikari sighed. "Issei, that...was the wrong time."
"Can.. you at least tell me how much he trusted me, to make him that upset over this?" Issei asked.
"..." Hikari placed her hand on his head and closed her eyes. "I wanted you to find this out on your own, then apologize, but that plan went out the window."
Issei heard something being spoken in his mind. "...I don't know Mom...I guess I just never expected to hear something like that from someone I looked at as a little brother."
Hikari took her hand off of Issei's head and walked out of the room. Issei opened his eyes and looked at himself in the mirror. "...I am such an idiot."
(Break)
Later.
Issei was working by himself. Yukari had gone to find Kenshin who went awol after he tried to apologize the first time. Issei assumed he headed back home to train. "Man...first this situation with Seekvaira-San, now I've went and pissed off someone who thinks of me as a sibling."
First he thought about Seekvaira. "She's not Chief, whom I've known for longer, but at the same time. She is very beautiful, but also very serious, but even I can tell she treats her servants relatively the same as Chief. Then there are those times we watched anime together. There were times she would move up close to me and lay herself against me. I always just assumed she was tired...and when we go out shopping, she'd always try to dress us up like we were getting ready to go out on a date or something..."
"...Could it be...that...she really does like me?" Issei asked himself.
"...Idiot..." Ddraig said to himself.
"Then there's also Irina and Asia...they haven't yet...but eventually...I think they'll get tired of my hesitance..." Issei said. "I..." He trailed off, a hot feeling going through his body, unlike when his perverted thoughts went awry he felt a different emotion coming through him.
"Hmhmhm..." A laugh was heard and Issei turned to find Sheena and Sextum standing in the doorway.
"Sheena-San? Sextum-San?" Issei asked.
"Hello..." Sextum greeted.
"Issei, we've been listening to you talk to yourself for awhile. You're really torn up about all this huh?" Sheena asked.
"Well...y-yeah..." Issei said.
"Yeah, you haven't even been paying much attention Irina-Chan or Asia-Chan, or even Sextum and I. I never left to go back home you know." Sheena said.
"You didn't...oh...oh wow I really have been out of it." Issei said.
"Yeah, hell I've walked right by you, even pulled my kimono down a bit, you didn't even bat an eye." Sheena laughed.
"Seriously? !" Issei said with a blush.
"...You really are a pervert..." Sextum said. "The fact that I have an attraction to you is surprising..."
"Ye-...wait you're a-attracted to me too? !" Issei said.
"The only reason you haven't noticed is because I haven't been very obvious about it..." Sextum sighed.
"...Well...I guess..." Issei winced.
"Also...I guess no one's really bothered to just ask you about it other than Onii-Sama, who can be very blunt and to the point." Issei turned to find Asia walking in with Irina following close behind.
"Yeah..." Irina walked up to him and pat him on the back with a smile before embracing him.
"!" Issei's eyes widened.
"You don't have to worry so much Issei, what I feel for you...it's real." Irina said.
"Yes, it's the same for me, Issei-San..." Asia said embracing him from behind.
"Y'know I may not have been apart of this for long, but I'd like to know you better." Sheena said petting his head.
"...but at the same time, if you close yourself off..." Sextum said.
"Does Raynare-Sama still hurt you, deep in your heart?" Asia asked.
"...Yeah..." Issei said with a quivering voice. "She said before that the date we went on, that I tried my utmost best on was boring, and she also rejected me, killed me...not in that order, but still. It makes a guy feel low, to be told that his best was pathetic and sometimes I actually wonder...if everyone is getting bored of me."
Everyone continued to listen in. "I guess I was just an idiot for planning so far ahead. I thought of the holidays with her and everything. The truth is...I would love to get closer with Seekvaira-Sa-...Seekvaira, I want to enjoy relationship with you all, but...I've always had this in the back of my mind."
"I would never talk ill or anything of the sort about Issei-San. I respect and admire you too much...and I love him." Asia said.
"A-Asia..." Issei said, not noticing the tears flowing from his eyes.
"Yeah and I think Seekvaira-San does want to be with you, but she wants to be sure you feel the same." Irina said.
"And I don't think Kenshin hates you either. If just saying stupid stuff earned his hate, then I think he'd have almost no friends." Sheena laughed.
"Just have some confidence that everything will work out alright." Sextum said.
"E-Everyone, thank you..." Issei said. "I'd...like to stay with you all forever."
"..Ufufu...you think you should really be saying that right now, to me and Sextum? We haven't known each other as long." Sheena giggled.
"Y-Yeah..." Sextum said glancing away with a blushing smile.
"Well, we have plenty of time to get to know each other better and I don't just mean you all." Issei said wiping his eyes.
"I get it." Sheena shrugged and embraced him. "I look forward to it."
"Likewise." Sextum said doing the same.
"Thank you everyone...this means a lot to m-" Issei was cut off as Irina kissed him.
"Hehehe." Irina giggled after she finished. "Don't mention it!"
"Aaah! Irina-San!" Asia whined and grabbed Issei's head, kissing him too.
"Hey Hey now, if he wants to get closer I might as well get a jump on it." Sheena said grabbing Issei's head, away from Asia, kissing him even going as far as to slip him some tongue.
"Mmn? !" Issei moaned.
"U-Uuummm..." Sextum shuffled uncomfortably.
"Oh, where are my manners..." Sheena smiled and turned Issei toward her
"Wh-Wha, nononono I can wai-mm..." Sextum was cut off as Issei's lips laid over hers on account of Sheena pushing them there. "...Ooh..." She moaned into him. "Screw it..." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed back.
That soon ended and Issei moved to get up. "Where are you going?" Irina asked.
"Ah...well..I feel better about myself now." Issei said. "I kinda wanna take a walk though."
"You're gonna go find Onii-Sama aren't you?" Asia asked as Issei walked toward the door.
"...Yeah." Issei said. "I'd just like to talk to him."
"OK, We'll still be here." Sheena waved.
"OK, thanks...for you know..easing my pain." Issei said as he left.
He walked around, trying to get a lock on where Kenshin was. He felt like he was floating on air. "...I know I might have been just overreacting when I started worrying about this, but to actually hear women say it...that they really like me and want to be with me...haaa..." He mentally sighed in content.
"Sounds like you're feeling pretty good." Ddraig said.
"Yeah..." Issei thought. "Hey Ddraig, can you find Kenshin for me?"
"No, it's probably better if you have more time to think about what you wanna say." Ddraig said.
"Aah, good point." Issei thought.
As he walked he bumped into Kazumi and Chachamaru. "Oh, Issei-kun." She said.
"Issei-San." Chachamaru said.
"Hey." Issei said with a smile. "What's up?"
"?" Kazumi stared at him. "Huh, you seem a lot more lighthearted than you have been lately."
"Yeah, I'm sorry if I worried you." Issei said waving her off. "I've just had a problem that I needed a little help getting through."
"Aah. Well that's good. I've been meaning to ask, would you mind judging my pictures for me. You know that ones. The ones your perverted friends keep asking to see." Kazumi said with a grin.
A twinkle developed in Issei's eyes. "Are you kidding? ! I'd love to! Especially if it burns Matsuda and Motohama!"
"Hahahaha!" Kazumi laughed. "Alright then, it's a date."
"D-Date?" Issei said. "Uhm, sure! It's a date then!"
"OK..." Kazumi said leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. "See you then."
Kazumi walked away leaving Issei alone with Chachamaru. "Issei-San." Chachamaru said.
"Huh?" Issei said.
"I don't need it right this minute, but within the next couple of days I'll need my energy recharged." Chachamaru said.
"About that...Chachamaru-San, it's not like it would bug Kenshin or anyone else in his peerage to recharge you, but why do you ask only me?" Issei asked with a curious look on his face. "It doesn't bother me either, It's just been on my mind for a little while."
"..." Chachamaru's cheeks turned a light shade of red. "W-Well...I just prefer it that way."
"Hmm, is that your way of saying you like me?" Issei asked.
"!" Chachamaru bowed her head, stammering out nonsense.
"Hahaha." Issei laughed. "I'm just teasing you there Chachamaru. It's OK if you keep asking and I'm glad you like me, feels kinda science fictiony for a mechanical woman to have a crush on me."
"U-Uuumm..." Chachamaru said.
"Oh! S-Sorry, gynoid." Issei corrected.
"No, it's OK." Chachamaru said. "I just want to bring a function of my Sacred Gear to your attention, that I think you might like."
"Oh? Go ahead then." Issei said.
"I can control the intent of it's attack. I can use it to kill, injure or if we don't want to fight someone, the laser my weapon fires can even destroy clothing." Chachamaru said.
"..." Issei stared at her gaping like a fish. "Oh...my...lord..."
"W-What?" Chachamaru said with an embarrassed look on her face.
"What is thy bidding Chachamaru-Sama." Issei said with a bow. "I will do whatever it is you ask without question."
"..." Chachamaru shook her head with a small smile. "Please don't kid around like that."
"Hahaha, alright. Besides I'm happy with my master." Issei laughed. "Say, would you happen to know where Kenshin is?"
"He's at home. Yukari found him training, trained with him for a bit before they went home." Chachamaru said.
"With Yukari huh?" Issei said. "Well might as well face the music now. Thanks Chachamaru-San."
"Yes." Chachamaru nodded. Issei warped away and walked into the house. Yukari watched him walk in and walked in front of him as he made his way to the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Yukari asked.
"I want to speak with Kenshin, is he in?" Issei asked.
"Why?" Yukari asked crossing her arms. "You're gonna yell at him again for trying to help you?"
"No, I just want to say I'm sorry." Issei said walking by her.
"He might not accept it." Yukari said.
"If he doesn't then whatever. I just gotta get this out." Issei said.
Issei walked into Kenshin's room to find Kenshin drinking a bottle of beer while reading a book. "Didn't anyone teach you to knock?" Kenshin asked.
"Sorry, but I didn't think you'd hear me." Issei said closing the door behind him.
"What is it?" Kenshin asked.
"Why are you drinking?" Issei asked.
"It helps the body relax in small enough amounts and I didn't feel like lighting up." Kenshin said. "What do you want?"
"I just came to apologize for what I said." Issei said.
"Issei, if you thin-" Kenshin was cut off.
"I'm not trying to just sweep it under the rug and move on." Issei said. "I'm being sincere here."
Kenshin got up, setting the book to the side and finishing off his beer. "What you said, it kinda just felt like you blurted it out, at the end anyway."
"It was." Issei nodded. "That's about my only excuse. It may not be a good one to you, but...I was in a bad place."
Kenshin nodded and took something out of one of his seals. "Here." He handed Issei something.
"E-Eh? Kenshin this is..." Issei said seeing it was one of the beers Kenshin was drinking.
"Shut up and drink." Kenshin said popping the top on them both and knocking his back.
Issei shrugged and hesitantly did the same. He recoiled as it went down his throat. "Kaah! It tastes so weird!"
"You wimp. If it tastes weird, tuck your tongue down." Kenshin said
Issei nodded and did just that. "Guh...that's a little better." He said.
"Yeah." Kenshin said. "It's an acquired taste."
"I can tell..." Issei said.
"If you become a high ranked devil you could be asked to do this more and more so you might as well learn it now." Kenshin said. "So, you're being serious when you say you're sorry eh? Well I guess I can accept that. This little bit of drama might be a distraction in the coming match."
"Eh? You'd have...?" Issei said.
"Hell no. I'm talking about you being worried about it." Kenshin said. "I might have been mad at you, but I wouldn't dare slight Rias over it."
"Ooohhh..." Issei nodded. "Hey Kenshin..."
"Hm?" Kenshin said finishing off his beer.
"Do...do you really think of me as a little brother?" Issei asked.
"..." Kenshin pulled out another beer. "Think about it. If I didn't, would I have been so calm about you going to Dynamis in Mundus Magicus, or try to help you as many times as I have?"
"..." Issei stared at him before laughing. "...Hahaha...w-well...I've never had a brother, or even a sibling before." He let out a belch and set his empty to the side. Kenshin held out another one. "S-Seriously?"
"Eh, it's been awhile since I've drank with someone who wasn't trying to out do me." Kenshin said.
Issei shrugged and took it. "Woo...man I think it's already starting to hit me though."
"Well yeah, you've never drank before." Kenshin said. "Honestly, I'm kinda glad we nipped this in the bud quickly. The whole deal felt like one long chick flick moment to me."
"Really? Then let's just roll credits on it." Issei said.
"I hear that." Kenshin said as the two knocked their bottles together and drank.
Kenshin set his down and walked toward the door. "Where are you going?" Issei asked.
"Relax pervert, it's a restroom break, unless you wanna hold it for me." Kenshin replied snarkily.
"Ew no..." Issei said.
Kenshin nodded and left the room. Issei looked around. Kenshin had a stereo set up, but nothing was playing despite the power being on. A sneaky grin stretched across his face as he also looked at Kenshin's beer.
Kenshin walked back in a few moments later to see Issei drinking. "Huh, looks like someone adjusted well."
"I think I'm...damn what's the word..buzzing?" Issei asked.
"Aha, I remember my first buzz." Kenshin snickered. "I feel like listening to some music, you want to?"
"Sure, you mind listening to the show's theme song?" Issei asked.
"Eh, sure why not?" Kenshin said walking up to his stereo and pulling up the Oppai Dragon theme and hit play. What happened next almost put Kenshin on his ass as the music blared out of the speakers. "Whoa shi-!" Kenshin hurriedly turned the damn thing down and panted, trying to calm his heart which was racing.
"Hahahahahaha!" Issei laughed.
The door swung open and Yukari and Rias burst into the room to find Kenshin glaring in annoyance at Issei. "That's the best you got Issei? Weak." Kenshin grunted. "That is some bush league bullshit."
"Ahahahaha...you're just pissed that I got your ass." Issei said, knocking back his beer.
"So...are you two back to being on good terms?" Rias asked.
"Meh, I can't stay mad at him for blurting something out in anger." Kenshin said walking over and grabbing his beer. He took a drink and went to set it down only to realize he couldn't. "What the?"
"Pfft! Ahahahaha!" Issei laughed.
Kenshin looked at him. "You didn't..." He said trying to pull the beer bottle off his hand.
"Hahaha, oh...I did." Issei said holding up a tube of super glue.
"...Keh...hehehehe." Yukari tried not to giggle and failed. "Oh come on Kenshin you have to admit that's pretty funny."
"Oh yeah Yukari...let me glue a beer to your hand and see how you...like it!" Kenshin said finally tearing off the bottle. "Motherfucker!" He hissed in pain.
"Issei, maybe you shouldn't..." Rias was cut off.
"Oh no no no Rias, can't stop it now." Kenshin said taking out another beer. "Just remember Issei, you started this." He said, popping the top on the beer and pouring it down Issei's pants.
"Aah! So cold! You jackass!" Issei snapped.
"Well well well, looks like the Oppai Dragon's wet himself." Kenshin said. "Better wipe yourself down."
"Aaah! Yeah, Chief could you have someone bring a change of pants down?" Issei asked running out of the room.
"Um..sure..." Rias said.
"Rias, hang on, have the pants brought here first." Kenshin said.
"Wha? Why?" Rias asked.
"Come on do it, it'll be funny." Kenshin egged on.
"Well...OK." Rias said walking up to Issei's room and grabbing a pair of pants and coming back down. "I went ahead and grabbed a pair of underwear too."
"Perfect, give em here." Kenshin said. Rias shrugged and did as she was asked. Kenshin took out a packet of black powder and spread it around in the seat and groin area.
"Oh lord." Yukari said with a laugh.
"What?" Rias asked. Yukari whispered in Rias' ear. "O-Oh? Isn't that kind of mean?"
"Issei's the one who started this, if he didn't want a prank war he shouldn't have done anything." Yukari said. "Here Kenshin, I'll take those down."
"I thank you." Kenshin said handing off another beer and drinking it down.
Issei came back up with Yukari. He shuffled awkwardly. Kenshin tossed him another beer. "...You didn't do anything to this did you?"
"Nope." Kenshin said. Issei nodded and popped the top and drank it down, before having to adjust his pants.
"..Hehehe..." Yukari covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Issei put down his beer and rubbed his legs. "Gaah..."
"Something wrong?" Kenshin asked with a dubious grin hidden behind his beer.
"Gaah...dude I think something's up with the towels, maybe whoever cleaned them used too much detergent." Issei said with a discomforted look.
"Hehehahahahaha..." Kenshin cackled.
"Hehehehehehe!" Yukari leaned against the wall giggling.
"Oh..oh my..." Rias covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"You did this? !" Issei snapped.
"Hahahahaha!" Kenshin laughed. "It's called itching powder."
"You're a freakin' jackass!" Issei yelled.
"Haha oh yeah!" Kenshin snickered.
One change of pants later Issei was setting something up while Kenshin was grabbing something to eat."What are you doing over there by the door Issei?" Rias asked.
"You'll see." Issei said as he put away a roll of duct tape.
The three waited for awhile. "What is he up to?" Rias asked.
"Probably frying something up. The grease helps absorb alcohol." Yukari said.
Finally the door opened and Kenshin pushed it all the way open only to freeze as a loud blare was heard. "..." Kenshin looked behind the door to see an airhorn taped to the doorframe.
Issei blew on his index finger and pointed at himself. Kenshin rolled his eyes. "You know I was gonna give some of this to you, but not now." He said setting aside a plate of burgers.
"If you cooked them, they'll probably moo when I bite into them." Issei snickered. Kenshin flipped him the bird. Kenshin randomly cleared his throat. "What was that about?"
"I had some snot in my throat, what?" Kenshin said.
Suddenly Sheena appeared in the doorway dressed in a skimpy two piece string bikini. "E-Eh? ! Sh-Sheena-San why are yo-!" Rias was cut off as she saw Kenshin hold his index finger to his lips.
"Sheena-Saannnn!" Issei gushed, diving for the seductive looking white tigress. As he inched closer she suddenly vanished and everyone watched him crash into the wall.
"Kahahahahaha!" Kenshin laughed.
"OK, that was funny." Rias giggled.
"Neh heh heh." Yukari snickered.
"Dick move." Issei said with an annoyed glare. "How did that even work?"
A second Kenshin stood in the door way holding a cylindrical tube. "All done boss." He said tossing the tube to Kenshin.
"Nice work." Kenshin said. The clone turned back into a stencil. He turned to Issei and held out his hand. "What you saw was a picture. OK, I'm running out of ideas, truce?"
"Yeah." Issei reached for and shook his hand only to get an electric jolt up his arm. "Aaah!"
"Hahaha!" Kenshin held up his hand showing a charm attached to it. "Good 'ol Raimei Juumon."
"Now who's into the bush league bullshit? !" Issei snapped.
"Alright, seriously though, I'm done." Kenshin said handing him another beer.
"Fine." Issei shrugged.
(break)
The next morning.
Kenshin was leaning against the doorway to the restroom while Issei barfed into the toilet. "Told ya you shouldn't have drank so much." Kenshin said.
"I wasn't gonna let you get ahead of me." Issei snapped. "Buuoohh!" He retched.
"You know there's a really good homemade hangover cure if you don't wanna bother Asia about it. It's a greasy pork sandwich served up in a dirty ashtray." Kenshin said.
"Buuoohh I hate you..." Issei groaned.
"Heheheh, I know." Kenshin snickered. "Alright, hang tight I'm gonna go find Asia."
"Thank yo-buuoohhh!" Issei went back to hugging the toilet.
"Heheheheh..." Kenshin chuckle. "He better be ready, the big dance is tomorrow." He thought.
That thought in mind, he proceeded to Asia's room to get Issei healed.
(Chapter end)
Draconis: Lightweight.
Issei: I've never drank before!
Kenshin: Exactly, you have no moderation to speak of.
Draconis: Anyone wondering why I started and ended the friction between Issei and Kenshin like I did...(gets cut off)
Rias: Why Seekvaira then, originally in the novel the role she's playing was mine.
Draconis: Needed a reason to get them closer to start, then I thought, why not? At the same time Seekvaira doesn't live with you all so I needed something to fill time with, so I decided to show that Kenshin and Issei can butt heads from time to time.
Anyway, next time, the Rating Game between Rias and Sairaorg. See you all then.
Draconis678 out.