Dragon of the Elements

by Draconis678

After observing him fighting against the Demon King of his world, Lucifer Sirzechs brings a demon by the name of Kenshin to Kuoh where he soon passes out from his injuries, he is reincarnated as a Devil by Rias who reincarnated the soul he just took in. How will this new twist affect the world around him, and did his family have history in this world? He would soon find out.

59. Troubling Matters

Draconis: Alright Yukari, you and your group ready?

Yukari: Yeah, been ready.

Miyuki: Yep.

Kuroka: Of course-nya.

Draconis: Alright, I got a guest review on Chapter 23, with some constructive criticism, so I'll respond to it here. James, you're not being harsh. I know my writing can be blunt at times, and some subtly would be nice. Thanks for the review.

Draconis: Oh, another one. This time it's someone that was pissed about...Chapter 29. You think I don't know that Serafall's a Satan? It would be boring if I just had her curbstomp them. DxD has a lot of obscenely powerful characters and I needed a way to keep villains believable for the short time or long time they're on screen. Also, making Serafall a virgin was something I did on a whim, and I am CERTAINLY not the first person to do it. Sorry if you don't like it, but it is MY story I'm writing.

Dragon of the Elements.

Chapter 59

Troubling Matters.

Draconis: Poll is still up, please vote on it. Begin!

(start)

Kenshin was sitting in the meeting room at Grangold Castle when a knock was heard at the door. "Come in!" He called out.

The door opened and Gasper entered. "Y-You wanted to see me Kenshin-Senpai?"

Kenshin smiled comfortingly. "Yes Gasper. I wanted to ask if you would like to help me with something."

"M-Me? !" Gasper squeaked.

"Yes yes, please calm yourself." Kenshin said. "It's something that requires your ability to hide and keep out of sight."

"Uuuu..." Gasper shivered.

"Don't worry it keeps you here in Grangold." Kenshin said waving off his worries off.

"Oh...OK, what is it?" Gasper asked

"I would like you to keep an eye on Rias for me." Kenshin said.

"On Chief?" Gasper said with a curious tilt of the head. "...Why?"

"I just wish to have something confirmed." Kenshin said. "Just keep an eye on her from a distance and report back to me with what she's doing."

"Why can't you do it?" Gasper asked. "Don't you trust Chief?"

"My trust in her isn't the issue." Kenshin said closing her eyes. "Yesterday I found her spending time with one of my clones. That in itself is innocent. It means I'm spending time with her somehow, and I've been so damned busy lately I can't seem to remember if and when I make clones at the moment."

"Well if she's spending time with your clones, what's the problem?" Gasper asked.

"The problem is that yesterday when I found her. She said that the clone had went to the restroom to swap out stencils, so I said I'd go and do it myself. When I got in there, there was a stencil, but no clone." Kenshin said.

"And that's bad?" Gasper asked.

"Yes, because the substitution stencil was never activated." Kenshin said. "When my stencils are used up they revert back to paper, unless I use them as bomb decoys. They can be refilled sure however it takes a few minutes, but why leave a full one behind, and why was there no clone when I came in?"

"...I see..." Gasper said with a thoughtful look. "But...I don't know how I feel about observing Chief."

"Trust me I get where you're coming from Gasper. I don't necessarily like the thought of having someone look in on her like this either." Kenshin sighed. "But...I just wish to know what's going on. It's the 'clone' I want you to observe really."

"I understand." Gasper nodded. "I'll see what I can find out."

"Thank you." Kenshin said with a small smile. "I'll repay you for this."

"Well..." Gasper shifted his legs back and forth. "There was this outfit I really wanted to buy."

"Back in the Underworld?" Kenshin asked.

"Yes." Gasper said.

"Well it'll have to wait then." Kenshin said.

"I understand." Gasper said.

(knock knock)

"Now who could that be?" Kenshin said. "Come in!" He said as Gasper left via teleportation circle.

Tamamo and Erubetie walked in. "Oh, The Grangold King said you'd be at the inn, but we decided to check here anyway." Tamamo said.

"I'm on the clock. That said, you two are back fast." Kenshin noted. "You could have taken your time getting back, there was no need to rush."

"It was no rush." Erubetie said. "Poseidoness said she'd align with us by the way."

"Neat." Kenshin said.

"Yeah, besides I thought you could use the help balancing out the duties as Vice Commander." Tamamo said.

"I'd hate to be a bother, I can handle it." Kenshin insisted.

"Kenshin, there are bags under your eyes." Tamamo pointed out.

"Huh?" Kenshin pulled out a mirror. "No there's..."

"No, there isn't but you still paused to check anyway. Showing a clear sign of mental fatigue." Tamamo said.

"...Ugh..." Kenshin slumped. "I can't help it. It's like every time I settle an issue here two more spring up in it's place..."

"Kenshin, if I may. Tamamo was the second in command of Makai's government behind the monarchs before the Revolution. She is the head of the Taiyoukai Council. She can handle some of your duties." Erubetie said.

"Yes, let me take some of the work off your hands." Tamamo said.

"...Alright." Kenshin said with a sigh as he walked toward them. "I'm gonna go take a nap. A meeting's beginning here in a few minutes."

"OK." Tamamo said. "Go get some rest."

"Yeah..." Kenshin yawned.

He bumped into Grayfia on his way out of the castle. "Grayfia?" Kenshin said. "What are you doing?"

"I was asked by Lord Grangold to educate his maids on proper etiquette. Apparently before the Revolution began he had a bit of a labor dispute and his servants grew lazy." Grayfia said. "I just finished."

"I see." Kenshin nodded.

"Where are you off to?" Grayfia asked. "Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting soon?"

"Tamamo offered to sub in for me." Kenshin said.

"Kenshin, you can't just blow off your duties." Grayfia reprimanded.

"I'm not..." Kenshin yawned. "I didn't sleep too well last night...and it's not like I'm blowing it off for the sake of blowing it off or being a siscon like Sirzechs does."

"He does-" Grayfia was cut off.

"Grayfia...are you really gonna try that lie...with me?" Kenshin drawled with a grin.

"...Touche..." Grayfia sighed. "Well, here I'll escort you to your inn then."

"There's no need." Kenshin said. "I wouldn't want to take up any of yo-"

"I actually have some things I need to talk to you about." Grayfia said. "Well...not need, more want."

"OK...?" Kenshin said as they left the castle.

"First. Though you're taking a break today. I have to say. Observing you in this position of leadership makes me believe you're better suited for such a position than I previously thought." Grayfia noted.

"Well it's certainly made me see my leadership trait, so to speak." Kenshin said.

"Oh?" Grayfia said. "What do you think it is?"

"A Motivator." Kenshin said. "I guess I'm suited to lead the charge, fighting with my all, inspiring those around me to do the same. At least that's what Alice thinks. Looking back, I guess I can't argue."

"Well she is right. Working with that Rikudou Organization didn't give you much opportunity to show it because you preferred to work alone or with Yukari, but when were brought to our world it really started to show." Grayfia remarked with a smile.

"Thanks." Kenshin said.

"Secondly, I wanted to ask your advice on something." Grayfia said.

"Huh?" Kenshin arched his brow. "Wouldn't someone closer be better suited to give you advice?"

"I need a neutral party." Grayfia said. "Now...hmm...how to word this...aah. When the exams were going on. Sirzechs pulled me aside and brought up something of interest to me. He wants to build a small harem with me as it's manager. I'm guessing a three person one, him, another woman and myself."

"He already brought that up? Man that takes balls." Kenshin said.

"Hm? You knew about this?" Grayfia asked.

"He talked about it while we were in the baths one night." Kenshin shrugged. "I just gave my input."

"I see." Grayfia said. "Well...honestly I told him I'd think about it, but I honestly don't have any idea how to approach the idea."

"Hmn..." Kenshin stroked his chin in thought. "Well, the main reason he asks is because you two are both busy and have next to no time to be together, right?"

"Yes..." Grayfia said letting out a sigh. "He sleeps in Lucifer Castle mostly and I stay at the Gremory household. Being a maid does help me move around, but it's at a moot point when my husband's the Strongest Devil."

"Yeah, I can see how that'd be a pain." Kenshin said. "Well, here's my thought, and you can choose to take it or not, I don't care."

"OK." Grayfia nodded.

"If he wants someone to sleep with and get close to and spend time with when he can't do so with you, then it's only fair that you get that same opportunity." Kenshin said. "I mean I imagine you get lonely too."

"Yes." Grayfia said. "There is Millicas, but a mother must know when to not be clingy."

"True." Kenshin said. "Anyway, that's just my thought." Kenshin said. "By the way, clingy? You don't even let him call you Mom in front of guests."

Grayfia glanced away. "Well...uhm..."

"Well?" Kenshin said.

"...I got nothing." Grayfia sighed.

"Heheheh." Kenshin snickered.

"Well, you've given me something to think about." Grayfia said as they approached the inn. "I'm going to go see what Serafall's up to."

"Say hi for me. I've been so busy I haven't been able to spend time with her...or anyone for that matter." Kenshin said, shoulder's slumping.

"Now you know how they feel." Grayfia said with a short laugh.

"Indeed. Anyway, see you." Kenshin said as he entered the inn.

(break)

Meanwhile.

Yukari and her strike force came upon a village. "..." She looked it over. "It seems...unassuming...then again that gives it the perfect cover."

"Of course-nya...unassuming village, dark secret, man discovers said secret, gets eaten." Kuroka said.

"Pretty much." Miyuki said with a small glower.

"So...Alice...what exactly are we walking into here?" Yukari asked. "Kenshin says you fought and defeated this Cassandra before."

"Yes, but there was more than just her and myself fighting. Tamamo was there, and Sheena as well." Alice said. "I was able to out last them all and Tamamo bowed out after Cassandra and Sheena were beaten."

"Wait, Sheena tried to claim your throne-nya?" Kuroka said.

"She's more powerful than she lets on." Yukari said.

"Alright, as the name states, only female youkai live here." Alice said. "But, under the rule of Cassandra they've become cruel and violent. They typically don't hurt female youkai, but now that they've aligned with Forbesii, ironic I know, they probably won't hesitate to attack you."

"Fun fun." Evangeline said.

"Alright. Reya, scan ahead and tell me where and how many there are." Yukari said.

"Yes." Reya said activating her Artificial Sacred Gear Scouting Persona. "Hmn..."

"Well?" Akeno asked.

"There are some rank and files in the houses, all led by a a couple of stronger presence, but there's only two present in the big mansion in the back."

"Hmn..." Yukari said. "Anything else?"

"The two in the back...the first one doesn't feel that powerful, but stronger than those outside the mansion, but...the other one is stifling. It's almost as strong as Lady Alice's." Reya said.

"Well Miyuki we have our targets." Yukari said cracking her neck from side to side.

"Really? You're just gonna take the two big fish?" Evangeline drawled.

"Wait, there's a third presence in the mansion or rather in the mansion grounds." Reya said.

"Dibs!" Evangeline shouts.

"Alright..." Yukari shrugged. "What do we do now?"

"Cover your ears." Alice said moving to the front. "Cassandra! ! !" She shouts, sending a vibration through the air.

"Damn! Even with my ears covered that's loud as fuck!" Evangeline grunted.

"She must have lined her vocal cords with youki!" Miyuki said.

A crowd of female demons came out of the houses, they were led up by a woman with short sandy blonde hair, a fair skin complexion wearing a red dress, a blonde girl wearing a white dress shirt and black skirt. A maid, a raven haired woman wearing a pure white dress carrying a parasol and lastly another blonde wearing a black dress and hat, carrying a white umbrella.

"Aah, it's you Alice. I wasn't expecting you to come yourself. Are you that scared of me?" The blonde in red asked with a coy smirk.

"Of you Cassandra? Hardly." Alice said across the battlefield. "I will give you one opportunity and one opportunity only. Stand down and do not fight against us. If you do this, you will all be spared."

"Why in the world would I surrender to someone I can defeat?" Cassandra laughed haughtily. "Once you die, I will be the Demon Queen as I should have been this whole time!"

"...Then the choice is made." Alice said as she turned around. "I am not responsible for what happens now. Yukari, they're all yours."

"Yes." Yukari said.

"Hmph." Cassandra said. "Alright then, Emily. Ran, let us return to the mansion." She said.

"Yes Mom." The blonde girl said.

"Yes, Cassandra-Sama." The maid said. The three of them disappeared leaving the two other women behind with the fifty or so rank and files.

"Hey where did they go?" Evangeline said.

"The woman in red was the powerful one." Reya said. "The blonde and the maid were less so."

"I see." Yukari said. "Alright. Miyuki set up the formation and we'll get moving."

"Right. Akeno, I need you protecting Asia and Reya. Asia I'm gonna need you on standby in case anyone gets hurt." Miyuki said. "Xenovia, Kuroka. You have the 'fun part' you will take on those two youkai there and their vassals.

"Consider it done." Xenovia said.

"Whatever you say-nyaa..." Kuroka purred.

"Akeno, in addition to defending Reya and Asia, I want you to pick off some of the vassals and make sure Xenovia and Kuroka don't get overwhelmed. Is that fine with you?"

"Of course." Akeno said.

"Alright, are the rest of you fine with your roles? Reya I also need you to keep an eye out in case reinforcements show up. Bureijin might send help or help for them might arrive, if it's the latter, get in touch with Evangeline or myself and we'll order a retreat." Miyuki said.

"If it looks like one of us can't make it however, you are commanded to leave us behind." Evangeline said.

"That command is only extended to those not in the mansion team." Yukari said. "If Kuroka and Xenovia find themselves in trouble, save them."

"Well, hopefully it won't come to that." Xenovia said.

"OK...Charge! !" Yukari shouts as she took off.

"Come on!" Miyuki said as the rest followed her.

Xenovia and Kuroka sped up, passing by Yukari as the former slashed Ex-Durandal at the charging youkai. "Haa!" She shouted.

A force blasted a path between them. "Thanks!" Yukari said. "Come on Miyuki, Evangeline!" She said blasting past them and their leaders.

"What are you doing? ! After the-? !"

"Ah ah ah..." Kuroka said wagging her finger playfully as her Youjutsu mist blanketed the area. "We were told you keep you here-nya."

"And that's just what we'll do!" Xenvoia said pointing Durandal at them.

The raven haired woman turned to the blonde. "Well Umbra, let's show them what sort of mistake they made."

"Yes, Chuu..." Umbra said as tentacles began forcing themselves from her umbrella.

"What the hell? !" Reya said with wide eyes.

"Uuu..." Asia said seeing Chuu's transformation which morphed her lower body into that of an insect.

"Shake it off!" Chuu said closing her parasol and slashing it forward, creating a burst of wind that scattered the mist.

The youkai got back to their feet and charged Kuroka and Xenovia. However and arc of lightning cut them off. "Oh no no no...this just won't do." Akeno said walking forward in her miko outfit. She had a slight flush of her cheeks. "Xenovia-Chan, Kuroka-Chan, take care of those two back there, I'll handle this."

"Like hell!" The crowd chorused. Another arc of lightning struck them directly this time, holding them in place as the shock worked out of their system.

"Now I said I'd be the one to take care of you." Akeno said licking her lips. "You should all be good girls...and sit down!" She shouts hitting them with another bolt.

"Aagh!" They let out a collective gasp in pain.

Xenovia and Kuroka walked by them and approached Chuu and Umbra respectively. "How strange, you decide to put the swordwielder on me." Chuu noted.

"Ufufufufu, it's been a while since I've had fresh calamari." Kuroka said with a leer.

"Such arrogance, you think you're a match for me?" Umbra asked as one of her tentacles swung toward Kuroka. "!" Her eyes widened as it phased through Kuroka. "What? !"

"Sorry-nya...but it's going to take more than brute force to deal with me." Kuroka said from behind her.

"!" Umbra turned to find nothing.

"Haa!" Xenovia shouts slashing down at Chuu, who raised her arms to block.

"Ggh!" Chuu grunted. "Heh!" She smirked as she sunk into the ground.

"Whoa!" Xenovia said, her own momentum sending her to the ground. "!" She was unable to get up in time and was knocked into the air by Chuu who reemerged from the ground. She brought out her wings and caught herself.

"How foolish to think that one a piece would be enough to handle us." Chuu smirked.

"There's a reason for that." Xenovia said closing her eyes.

"Oh?" Chuu said. "That would be?"

"Destruction!" Xenovia said slashing Ex-Durandal downward, using Excalibur Destruction's aura to attack her.

"Guuh? !" Chuu gasped as the full force slammed into her.

"Usually I like to test myself against an opponent, but against you, I cannot do that." Xenovia said.

"Test yourself? Don't make me laugh!" Chuu shouts, struggling to get up.

"You've only ever preyed on the weak, you've never fought someone who is strong." Xenovia said.

"I'll show you!" Chuu shouts going under ground again.

Xenovia closed her eyes and focused. "!" Seconds after she did she felt the ground fracture beneath her feet and jumped. "Haa!" She said stabbing Ex-Durandal downward.

"Gulh!" Xenovia barely made out the gasp Chuu let out before exhaling her last breath.

"Hmph.." Xenovia said as he walked toward Akeno.

At the same time, Umbra couldn't hit the real Kuroka to save her life. She closed her eyes and calmed down. She turned her head and shot one of her tentacles outward, wrapping it around the real Kuroka's wrist.

"Kuroka-San!" Asia said in worry.

"Relax-nya, I knew this was going to happen." Kuroka said as she grabbed the tentacle with her bound up hand while blue senjutsu flames levitated behind her. "Bad move." She said as she sent them along the tentacle and into her face.

"Aaagh!" Umbra hit the ground, lifeless after a few moments of being in shock from the pain.

"...Does anyone else feel like we over matched them." Xenovia said getting back to Akeno.

"Well, these two weren't that much more powerful than the ones Akeno-San took out." Reya said. "The maid's about twice as strong as them, the blonde girl was about one and a half times stronger than her...but..."

"But?" Xenovia asked.

"The woman in red, Cassandra...she was at least five times stronger than that. She's close to Alice-Sama's own power. I think she's the sole reason Alice recommended coming here." Reya said.

"I see..." Xenovia said. "Well let's get back to Alice-Sama and ask what we should do."

"Right-nya." Kuroka said.

However, when they got to where Alice was supposed to be. She wasn't there. "What the?" Asia said. "Where is she?"

"Her power's definitely still nearby, but I can't track it." Reya said. "...Hmn..." She cast away her Sacred Gear. "Oh well. I can't sense any reinforcements for kilometers so she should be fine."

"Let's head to the mansion anyway." Kuroka shrugged.

Meanwhile, at the mansion. Evangeline was fight with Ran, the Maid. "Hah! It's been awhile since I've fought a Scylla!" Evangeline said batting away several tentacle attacks with her hands and legs.

"Just the same it's been quite some time since I've last crossed paths with a vampire." Ran said, leaning forward, thrusting her straight hand out at Evangeline's neck, looking to crush her windpipe.

"Not today!" Evangeline said grabbing her arm and twisting it around. "Seventeen arrows of Ice!" She said lining them on her fist. "Chilling Blow!" She shouts, thrusting her fist into the side of Ran's torso.

"Ghh!" Ran grunted as she was knocked back. As she was however, she wrapped one of her tentacles around Evangeline's neck and threw her to the ground.

"Gah!" Evangeline said. "Heh!" She extended her hand and wrapped strings around Ran's wrist. She got up and pulled Ran toward her. She ducked as the Scylla went over her head. She then pulled again and sent her overhead and crashing into the ground.

Ran grunted and got back to a vertical base. She was being pulled again, but let herself go flying, cutting the strings as she did. She then pivoted her lower body forward and wrapped her tentacles around Evangeline, taking her to the ground. Ran laughed. "Hahahaha, I have you now..." She said licking her lips.

"Do you now?" Evangeline said. "It's a shame, you youkai in particular seem to be all physicality."

"What was that? You really want to talk tough now that I've got you bound?" Ran asked with a smirk.

"It's not you that has me Scylla, it's me...that has you." Evangeline said as the air around her started to get colder by the second.

"Wh-Wha? !" Ran shouts. "What are you doing? ! Why is your aura so dark and your body so cold now? !"

"Meet my Magia Erebea transformation, the Queen of Ice." Evangeline said. "You sealed your fate the second you grabbed me."

"No!" Ran shouts shooting off of Evangeline. She looked down in shock as her tentacles started to freeze. "No!" She said as they still froze even after the separation.

"The second you touched me in this form, you were doomed." Evangeline said extending her hand toward her. "Goodbye." She said.

"Aaaahhhhhh! !" Ran screamed as she was frozen completely.

Evangeline thought about punching the frozen maid, and shattering her completely, but decided against it. "It's a lovely sculpture." She said as she walked toward the door. "...Huh?" She said as she found she couldn't open the door. "Oh ho?" She cast a spell on it to break it down, but to no avail. "...It must be Cassandra's doing, if I can't break it like this, then Miyuki and Yukari are on their own...Shit..."

At the same time as the fights outside. Yukari and Miyuki cornered Emily and Cassandra in the foyer of the mansion. "I'm warning you right now, step down and lay down arms and you won't be killed." Yukari said.

"The same drivel as Alice...such weakness." Cassandra said.

"I do not see mercy as weakness." Yukari said.

"But it is, you're too weak willed to kill your enemy." Cassandra said with a demure smirk. "Emily, take care of them.

"Yes mother." Emily said as she transformed, her twin tailed hair turning to yellow tentacles and red tentacles coming out of the bottom of her dress.

Yukari sighed. "This is what I get for trying to spare a family."

"Balance...Break." Miyuki and Yukari said.

"Balance Breaker! Elemental Overdrive!"

"Hm?" Cassandra said. "...Well well, you've gotten stronger, but it makes no difference."

Emily moved toward them only to collide with Miyuki who swung her staff at her. "Onee-Chan, move forward, I got this."

"Ghh, get out of Emily's way you common filth!" Emily snapped.

"No, I don't think I will!" Miyuki said punching Emily in the face.

"Aagh! You hurt Emily! You bitch!" Emily wrapped her left twin tail tentacles around Miyuki's arm and threw her into the wall. Miyuki quickly caught her bearings and ducked out of the way as Emily sent more tentacles out at her.

"..." Yukari stepped toward Cassandra as the two fought.

"Don't tell me you're going to try and talk me out of it again." Cassandra said.

"Why waste my breath." Yukari said unsheathing both her swords. "You're just going to shoot it down anyway."

"I would." Cassandra said. "...Ufufu, you're going to go down smooth."

"Is that right?" Yukari said appearing behind her. "Hellfire Flash!"

"? !" Cassandra's eyes widened slightly as red hot flames impacted her back.

"Mother? !" Emily said only to get kicked in the face by Miyuki.

"Pay attention." Miyuki said. "Earth Breaker Staff!"

"!" Emily moved her tentacles over her head. "Hnngh!" She grunted.

"Sylph!" Miyuki said as wind forced itself out of the top of her staff.

"You...will not over power Emily!" Emily shouts.

"Hah! You're pretty tough for a noble girl!" Miyuki said.

"You can crack that up to Emily's mother's superior genes!" Emily shouted, wrapping her tentacles around Miyuki's staff and threw her to the ground. "You're mine now!"

"!" Miyuki watched as Emily bore down on her.

(crash!)

"!" Emily gasped. "Oh no! Emily broke a vase! Mother's gonna kill Emily!" She said. "Wait, where did the neko youkai go? !"

"Haa!" Miyuki said punching Emily in the back. "Thank you Kaede for the ninja tricks!"

"Agh!" Emily gasped. "You tricked Emily!" She said.

"Stop that." Miyuki said with a glower.

"..What does Emily have to stop?" Emily asked.

"That!" Miyuki said pointing at her with an annoyed glare. "Stop talking like that."

"But Emily always talks like this." Emily said.

"Ghh!" Miyuki growled. "It's annoying!"

"It's normal." Emily said.

"OK Dwayne." Miyuki drawled. (1 )

"Dwayne? Who's Dwayne?" Emily asked.

"Don't worry about it!" Miyuki said appearing in front of Emily in a burst of wind.

"!"

"Downburst Fist!" Miyuki shouts punching down at Emily.

"? !" Emily held her fist back. "Aagh! Wind Magic? ! No fair!"

"This is a war you brat." Miyuki said. "That's what your mother's competing in! If you didn't realize that you should have been hiding!"

"Gaaahhh! !" Emily shouts as she was sent flying backward. She bounced off the floor and caught herself. "Ulgh..." Emily said pushing herself up.

"Had enough?" Miyuki said pointing her staff at Emily.

"Not a chance!" Emily shouts getting to her feet.

"..." Miyuki sighed, putting away her staff and moved to strike her down again when tentacles came out of her skirt and she went into a spin. "!" She stopped and shielded herself.

"Hahahahaha! How do you like this huh? !" Emily laughed.

"Are you kidding me...it doesn't hurt...at all!" Miyuki said cocking her fist back. "Alright, let's see if I can replicate this attack..." She thought. "First wind magic, then use fire magic to heat the air up around and in the wind magic, there by heating up the molecules...then pressurize the air!"

A spark flared to life along Miyuki's fist before it was surrounded in red lightning. "Got it!" Miyuki thought as she shaped the lightning into a head of a dragon.

"? !" Emily's eyes widened. "If that hits Emily, it will hurt badly!" She tried to move back only for Miyuki to grab a handful of tentacles and hold her there. "? !"

"Where do you think you're going? Don't be a coward now!" Miyuki said as her red lightning covered fist laid into Emily's chest. Thunderous Dragon Fist!"

A thunderclap was heard as she was sent flying back, landing in front of Cassandra who was still fighting Yukari. "Hm?" Cassandra said.

"Huh?" Yukari said turning her head to Miyuki. "Nice!" She said.

"You having trouble with her Onee-Chan?" Miyuki said.

"Just having trouble figuring out how to damage her." Yukari said. "It's like every time I try, something blocks it, and look at this." She raised her hand out toward Miyuki.

"The hell? You're burnt?" Miyuki said seeing burns on Yukari's knuckles and fingers.

"I don't know what it is, it happened when I went to punch this bitch in the stomach." Yukari said.

"..." Miyuki narrowed her eyes.

"So...it's just me left now, is it?" Cassandra said.

"..." Yukari and Miyuki felt the temperature drop about ten degrees.

"What is this...pressure I'm feeling?" Yukari thought.

"Her presence, it's..so immense!" Miyuki thought.

"That's right. Give up or end up like your daughter." Yukari said.

Cassandra smiled eerily at them, unfazed by Yukari's words. "My family had always lived here in this village you know, every male youkai or even wayward human that came by...we would feast upon. I've lost count of how many there have been here, that have fallen, but that doesn't mean we discriminate completely, troublesome women were dealt the same fate as well...just like you."

"That's...insane!" Miyuki said with wide eyes.

"That said, you two look positively delectable." Cassandra said licking her lips. "A pair of youkai that caught Alice's eye, the same aura as I felt a few weeks ago from the west..."

Yukari felt disgust washing over her. "So you want to eat us? Fat fucking chance." She scoffed.

"Mhmhmhmhmhmhm..." Cassandra laughed derisively as liquid began to ooze out from her body, her dress changing shape and even color.

"Gulh? !" Miyuki said as bubbling dark red flesh began to cover Cassandra's body forming a dress like appearance. "Disgusting!" She shouts.

"Mother." Emily said stirring from her unconsciousness. "Give Emily some power, Emily will fight alongside you."

"..." Cassandra glanced down coldly at her daughter. "I've explained this to you many times before Emily...this world works on the principle of 'Survival of the Fittest.' Those deemed unfit will be deemed as nourishment for the victors."

"? !" Yukari and Miyuki's eyes widened in horror as Cassandra's dark red flesh extended outward, covering the whole of the room, Emily included. They jumped to evade getting covered themselves.

"No! ! Mother...! !" Emily's screams were heard, drowning out in the flesh covering the room.

"N...No way..." Miyuki said in disbelief. "You...You ate your own daughter? !"

"Of course..she was mine, and I've merely returned the life I gave her...back to myself. A daughter who cannot understand the law of this world...is no longer necessary." Cassandra said.

"!" Miyuki heard rattling and she looked over at Yukari. Kazeken and Ryuuga were both shaking in her hands.

"You...You bitch...!" Yukari growled in an almost feral fashion. "That was your daughter...she's supposed to be able to depend on you!" She roared.

"The Nereneid family line has always been this way, foolish girl. Just because you foolish Kuroshi and Tsuki valued such stupid things, doesn't mean every family in Makai did. Maybe that was why they met the loathsome fate they did...killed by their own, how pathetic." Cassandra said.

That was the straw that broke the camel's back. "YOU BITCH! ! !" Yukari screamed, charging Cassandra with the elements and a blue aura wrapped around her.

"Wait is that Touki? !" Miyuki thought.

Cassandra made a wall of her corrosive flesh to block Yukari's fist. "Ngh? !" Cassandra grunted feeling a massive force pushing against it.

"First I was going to defeat you because it was my job, but now...I'm going to kill you because I fucking feel like it!" Yukari said. "Rrrghh! !" She took a step forward and launched Cassandra into the wall.

"Guh? !" Cassandra gasped as her back crashed against it, the blow lightened by her flesh covering the wall.

"Miyuki!" Yukari said.

"Y-Yes? !" Miyuki said, surprised by the shout.

"The girl is buried in the flesh around here." Yukari said stabbing one of her sheathes into the flesh, surround the tip that went inside the flesh in rocks. "Dig her out. I can still feel her presence."

"Onee-Chan?" Miyuki said.

"Oh? You mean to save my daughter, how foolish." Cassandra said getting to her feet. "Wasn't she your enemy?"

"I don't care about that." Yukari grunted. "No child deserves that fate. To have her parent eat them."

"I understand Onee-Chan." Miyuki said appearing behind Yukari and getting to work.

"Now...the killing continues!" Yukari shouts shooting above Cassandra. "Katensho!" She shouts slashing both swords down at Cassandra who blocked with her corrosive flesh.

"Uhuhuhuhu...this room is no different than my body now girl. You're in the epitome of my territory." Cassandra said.

"? !" Yukari placed her heels on the wall of corrosive flesh and backflipped off of it as a torrent of flesh aimed to capture her from behind. "Hn? !" Yukari noticed her shoes were gone, melted. "Shit." She said using wind magic to cut off her stockings. "Fuck..!" She hissed as she felt a slow burning sensation on the soles of her feet.

"Like it? My whole body like it is now...is like one giant digestive organ. You're basically already in my stomach." Cassandra said.

"Onee-Chan! Use your elemental magic to act as a shield!" Miyuki said.

"Shut up you foolish girl!" Cassandra said launching a torrent of corrosive flesh at Miyuki.

"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY SISTER! !" Yukari said stepping between them and blasting the flesh back with a Katensho. "The attacking flesh isn't as thick..." She noted. "I've got an idea." She thought.

"Very well, I shall take you down first, as your order of birth suggests I should!" Cassandra said attacking Yukari who had taken to the air. Yukari ducked under the tendril of flesh and shot by it.

"Mrn.." Cassandra grunted as she sent more at her.

Yukari kept dodging and weaving the tendrils until there was only one escape point left. She shot through it and landed on the ground. "Katensho: Flash Kill!"

(boom!)

As Yukari shot by Cassandra, the flame around her sword connected with Cassandra and exploded. "..." Yukari glanced back to see Cassandra still standing there.

"...Is that all you got?" Cassandra said turning her head toward Yukari with a cruel smirk.

"!" Yukari's eyes widened as the tendrils she had avoided earlier all came around and above her. "Ngh? !" Her eyes widened as corrosive flesh wrapped around her ankles. "Damn!" She shouted. "Earth Guard!"

"Uhuhuhuhuhu, it's no use..." Cassandra giggled derisively.

"Onee-Chan!" Miyuki shouts.

"Yes, she'll be apart of me shortly girl...now it's your turn."

"Ssss..." A hiss and bubbling could be heard.

"Hm?" Cassandra said turning her head to find a red light in her flesh. "Oh dear, she is persistent."

"Haaaaaa! !" Yukari roared, burning away the corrosive flesh with flames.

"You're looking pretty worse for wear there girl." Cassandra giggled.

"Haa...haa...haa..." There were light chemical burns all over Yukari's body, her shirt now looking more like a bikini top and her pants had been melted all the way to her pelvis. She panted heavily. "I said...I'd kill you...and I will! !" She shouts jumping in the air, swords over head.

"? !" Cassandra's eyes widened as blue light surrounded her sword. "That energy, it's quite powerful!" She thought.

"Heavenly Demon Revival!" Yukari shouts slashing downward.

Cassandra raised a wall of flesh that was sliced in half. Yukari held both her swords in position. "Eighteenfold Rakshasa!" She shouts, cutting Cassandra multiple times with both her blades. "Flame Tiger's Prowl!" The eighteen pointed star cut in front of her congealed into a tiger that slammed into Cassandra.

"Gulh? !" Cassandra spat out blood as she was blown back.

"I got her!" Miyuki said finally 'unfleshing' Emily who was moderately burned. "Damn! I gotta get these clothes off her!"

Cassandra got back up, her flesh greatly burned and cut. "Hrn! !" She grunted, and it all healed.

"What...the hell? !" Yukari said in shock.

"Heh..." Cassandra smirked and grabbed Yukari by the feet into her corrosive flesh.

"? !" Yukari's eyes widened. "No...!" She growled at Cassandra.

"Onee-Chan, aah? !" Miyuki gasped as the same happened to her.

"Now...you're both mine...!" Cassandra said with a predatory smirk.

"Onee-Chan! I can't move, she's got my hands and feet!" Miyuki said.

"Damn it! !" Yukari roared.

"So...it came to this, like I thought."

"? !" Yukari, Miyuki and Cassandra turned to find Alice approaching them.

"Alice? ! When did you...how did you? !" Yukari said.

"I figured she'd be too much for you, but still I am impressed...I see that Kenshin trusts his back to some powerful allies." Alice said.

"Alipheese..." Cassandra glowered.

"To think you would last this long in battle against Cassandra Nereneid." Alice said.

"Such a high level demon in such a remote village..." Miyuki said.

"She is simply put one of the strongest members of the Taiyoukai Council." Alice said. "Like I said before, she challenged me for the right to the throne, and my mother before me."

"Yes, I was defeated straight up by your mother in the past, but I should have defeated you, and if not for that meddlesome fox, I would have." Cassandra said.

"Fool, Tamamo was only there to ensure their was no teaming up amongst you, Sheena and myself." Alice said. "Sheena wanted the throne and felt she was strong enough to take it, while you coveted it greatly."

"I'm much different now." Cassandra said.

"Now you say..." Alice said laughing under her breath. "From what I see, nothing's changed, you've merely gorged yourself."

"I've stored and saved my power since that defeat, now I would destroy you, Alipheese." Cassandra said.

"Just as I thought, you would never have been fit to sit on the Demon Queen's throne." Alice said.

"This coming from someone who put a tyrant on the throne next to her?" Cassandra said.

"..." Alice closed her eyes. "That is a mistake I am in the process of correcting."

"Following in your mother's footsteps, a fool to the very end. Except you won't be murdered by Forbesii, no, it is I who shall kill you!" Cassandra's corrosive flesh slammed into Alice.

"Agh!" Alice gasped in pain as it slipped off of her body after hitting.

"So tell me, what reason did you really have for coming here? I doubt you would really travel all this way to attack me." Cassandra said. "I would have just waited for your inevitable defeat at Forbesii's hands you know."

"As long as a demon like you exists, the fissure between youkai will never truly close." Alice said. "You egged it along, raping the now leader of the Gorgon's Eye when he was a young teenager, thereby planting and growing the seed of hatred he has for female youkai. If it wasn't for RyuuTaisho Kuroshi and his father's interference he would have died. As Demon Queen, I cannot allow trash like you to live any longer."

"Alice, don't...I can...handle this, you don't have to dirty your hands on your own subjects..." Yukari grunted in pain as the acid burned her.

"A Queen is allowed to execute those she deems to be treasonous. Though this will be the first time I've done such." Alice said.

"Why should predators spare any thought for their prey? What kind of world do you think we live in?" Cassandra asked. "Those who are weak should just bow to the strong and become their sustenance!" She shouts as more corrosive flesh slams into Alice. "No matter how hard you cry out for your pathetic dream of peace, you will never change the laws of this world!" Cassandra shouts as her flesh swarmed around Alice. She smirked. "Prepare yourself Alipheese, though we youkai can ensure no pain comes to those we devour, you will not be granted that courtesy. Then I will do the same to these two girls, the ones outside, and the run down that last Kuroshi and give him the same fate! Those fools, who ignore their youkai instincts to devour and conquer and take what is theirs! It's no wonder they fell from their status as Leaders of the Taiyoukai Council!"

"I see..." Alice said. "So this is how you devour, just like an amoeba. Moving your digestive organ outside your own body at will you ensure there will be no escape for them."

"That's right, I can control it at will and it stretches from any impact." Cassandra said with a smirk. "Now scream! Scream as your better devours you Alipheese! !"

"If that's the case..." Alice said gazing at Cassandra. "Eyes of Chaos!"

"Gh? !" Cassandra grunted.

"What the?" Yukari said as the corrosive flesh began to vibrate.

"What happened, it's releasing us and it doesn't burn anymore." Miyuki said as it fell off and turned to goo. "Even Alice is free now."

"N-No! ! My control? !" Cassandra gasped in dread as all the flesh not directly attached to Cassandra herself began to melt away.

"Your corrosive flesh is made up of many individual cells that each have their own will, If someone were to disturb the connection, they'd fall to nothing but useless flesh like they used to be." Alice said.

"That can't be possible! Eye magic from a low rank youkai like you shouldn't affect me! !" Cassandra spat.

"Well, if I am a low rank youkai...then you are even lower than dirt...as you were careless, and are much weaker than I am." Alice said with a smirk of her own.

"I fought your mother on equal terms before! I did!" Cassandra shouted.

"Stop clinging to the past." Yukari said walking up next to Alice. "Obviously if you can't beat this Alice...then she's obviously surpassed her mother already."

"In reality you aren't even as strong as one of the Knights or Cardinals." Alice said.

"Or even my brother, the Vice Commander of the Revolution." Miyuki said.

"No...! My body! !" Cassandra said, her own flesh beginning to devour her.

"She's...digesting herself?" Yukari said.

"No...not me...why do I have to die? !" Cassandra shouts desperately.

"I believe Yukari here could explain it to you." Alice said.

"You said yourself that this world runs on survival of the fittest...right?" Yukari asked. "Well, if that is the law of the world, then...you're guilty of the crime of not being one of the fittest then."

"No! Help me, please! Don't let me die!" Cassandra pleaded.

"...You know, we'd love to, but...we'd just hate to pull you from your ideal, darwinism world." Miyuki coldly stated.

"My apologies Cassandra, but we won't help you, even if you beg." Alice said with a cold glare. "You killed too many, I must pass judgment on you."

"AAAaaaaahhhhhhhh! !" Cassandra let out a horrifying scream as she was digested and dissolved by her own flesh.

"Seems like poetic justice to me." Yukari said. "Killed in the same manner in which she killed others."

"Yes..." Alice said. "Don't let this get to you, you did well, it's just Cassandra in this form was a horrible opponent."

"Yeah, but still it's gonna leave a bad taste in my mouth." Yukari said. "Miyuki, how is she?"

"She's alive, but...she's badly injured and burnt." Miyuki said looking over Emily.

"..." Alice moved up to Emily and opened her eyes. "Eyes of Sleep."

"Lets take her to Asia then, she should be able to take care of most of it, but she needs to remain asleep for now, we need to get away from this village." Yukari said.

Evangeline watched as the door opened and Yukari, Alice and Miyuki came out. "You went in there? And what's with the girl? Why are we taking a hostage."

"She's not a hostage." Yukari said walking by her, carrying Emily in her arms.

"What happened?" Evangeline said.

Miyuki leaned over and whispered into Evangeline's ear about what happened. "...I see...she's probably traumatized by it, you're right to keep her asleep for now." Evangeline said, knowing how touchy a subject that was for the siblings.

(break)

A few days later.

Kenshin, Tamamo, Erubetie and Granberia stood in the field outside Grangold as Bureijin and Yukari's groups came back to them. "I see there were few if no casualties. That's good." Kenshin said.

"Report." Tamamo said.

"Right, we ran into a homunculi force at Murasaki, and a rouge succubus who used Lilim and Lilith to cast the Great Barrier of Babylon over the village. The rouge succubus has been detained, everything is back in order at the village, but..." Bureijin said.

"But?" Kenshin said.

"The Grand Cardinals also had to contend with the Artificial Yonseirei." Issei said with Irina and Sextum nodding.

"Hmn...I see." Kenshin said.

"We ran into one at Undine's Spring named Grandine, but the other three?" Erubetie said.

"The other three resemble the other three spirits, just darker in complexion, and attitude." Bureijin said. "Though I believe they might not have been at full power."

"I see..." Kenshin closed his eyes.

"The Great Barrier of Babylon huh? That's concerning..." Tamamo said furrowing her brow. "The fact that they had to get a rouge succubus to make Lilim and Lilith do it suggests a homunculized Succubi or Incubi can't pull off Minagi's magic."

"Right." Kenshin nodded. "Alright, so everything went OK on your end." Bureijin and his group all nodded their heads. "OK, then Yukari you report."

"We arrived at Lady Village to a small force, according to Xenovia, Kuroka and Evangeline, the main fighters weren't all that strong." Yukari said.

"OK?" Kenshin said. "I'm sensing a 'but'"

"But the one leading them all, Cassandra, proved to be a formidable foe." Miyuki said.

"Of course, she was one of the strongest Taiyoukai." Tamamo said.

"I fought her until I couldn't any longer, but Alice had to step in and finish her off, by using her magic to make Cassandra's own body consume itself." Yukari said.

Kenshin blinked. "Wha?"

"Aah, nice going Alice, you made the Amoeba youkai kill herself." Tamamo said with a nod.

"We also brought her daughter Emily Nereneid with us." Evangeline said.

"You didn't take her out too?" Tamamo asked. "I mean I'd rather you didn't but..."

"..." Yukari closed her eyes. "I felt sorry for her."

"Sorry? What happened?" Kenshin said. "You don't bring people back on jobs without good reason, especially ones that were enemies."

"Onii-Chan...after I finished fighting Emily, she asked her mom to restore her power, to heal her, but..." Miyuki closed her eyes, shaking her head.

"What?" Kenshin asked.

"The bitch...she tried to devour her, her own daughter!" Yukari snarled.

"!" Kenshin and everyone not in Yukari's group either gasped or stared at her in shock.

"It's true." Alice nodded.

"And she is for sure dead, right?" Kenshin said.

"Yes, we watched her die, begging for her own life." Yukari said.

"Good, cause if she wasn't and was prisoner, I would have found her, and slashed her throat myself." Kenshin said with a scowl. "You made the right choice. Have the men take her and get her a room at the inn."

"Right." Akatama said, whistling for some of the men.

"Was there any hiccups along the way?" Kenshin asked crossing his arms.

"No." Bureijin and Yukari said. "...Well..unless you count some of the men and women having to work out some of the excess lust from the Barrier, which I don't." Bureijin added.

"Hahahaha. Very well then." Kenshin said. "If that's all, you may carry on inside and..." He paused seeing three familiar faces. "Rami, Rumi, Remi, what are you doing here?"

"Uhm..." Issei said scratching his cheek. "That...would be because of me. Rami heard my alias, and fawned on me while Rumi and Remi want me to help grow theirs."

Kenshin sweatdropped. "Ahum...I see..." Kenshin said. "Carry on."

Everyone split up and Kenshin walked back to the inn. No sooner than he sat down, he heard a knock on the door. "Must be Gasper with his report. Come in!" He called out.

"Is now a bad time?" Alice said coming inside.

"Alice? Huh...I figured you would wanna get a bite to eat first." Kenshin said, a slight pang in his chest being felt as he recalled the dream he had.

"In a bit." Alice said closing the door. "Is it a bad time though?"

"No. I was probably going to take a nap." Kenshin said. "Tamamo and I got a system going, I'll take all the morning meetings and issues, and she'll take the afternoon while we'll both handle the nighttime ones."

"Aah, you are smart to accept her help, I go to her for help too from time to time." Alice said. "So...I noticed the vampire boy stalking your fiancee earlier, what's up with that?"

Kenshin sighed. "Just a precaution I hope, I can't help feeling Rias isn't safe."

"What makes you say that?" Alice asked. Kenshin explained to her what took place a few days prior. "...I see...that is strange."

"I just want assurance that whatever is happening isn't endangering her." Kenshin said.

"I can't say I blame you." Alice said.

"You seem troubled." Kenshin said.

"...I'm just thinking about what happened back in Lady Village." Alice said taking a seat next to him. "Until recently, a lot of Youkai had those sentiments against me, they didn't like the way things were going and all."

"Probably because they were caught in a bind, they didn't want to serve Forbesii, but at the same time, you were losing ground so they were about to cut their losses." Kenshin said.

"Well, before he...went rouge, Luka also helped." Alice said.

"..." Kenshin let out a sigh. "I can't believe someone who is supposed to be me did something like that."

"Maybe he was conditioned to the desperation we were all feeling." Alice said. "Then he knew you were alive and stronger than he was...and it scared him into joining forces with Forbesii."

"I guess." Kenshin said.

"...Kenshin...can I admit something to you?" Alice said.

"What is it?" Kenshin asked.

"...Back forty or so years ago, which would be around twenty in Mundus Magicus...Forbesii came to me, and took some of the venom I produce as a lamia. I didn't know what he did with it, until just recently." Alice said.

"..." Kenshin turned his head toward her.

"Yukari tells me that your father succumbed to a slow acting poison. That he was hit with twenty years ago in your world." Alice said.

"...So...you're saying it was yours then?" Kenshin asked.

"...Yes. It has to be." Alice said.

"..." Kenshin went silent.

"Are you...angry?" Alice asked.

"...No." Kenshin said. "I'm not, not at you anyway."

"?" Alice gazed at him curiously.

"I don't blame an unaware source for what someone did with their power. Like if someone killed someone else close to me with the elements, I wouldn't blame the Yonseirei." Kenshin said.

"Are you sure?" Alice asked. "Yukari tells me he died right in front of you."

"I am...I mean were you there, was it your own physical hand or powers that killed my father? No. It was just venom that was taken from you." Kenshin said. "Don't blame yourself for something out of your control."

"...Thank you." Alice said with her eyes closed.

"Besides, I don't recall seeing a beautiful lamia on that fateful night." Kenshin said.

"..." Alice rolled her eyes. "Sweet nothings will get you nowhere."

"Aah damn." Kenshin said snapping his fingers.

"..." Alice covered her mouth and laughed into it. "You're engaged, what the hell?"

"I have a harem that my fiancee manages, so I can at least engage in flirting." Kenshin shrugged.

"Hmn...how unfortunate...we lamia are rather possessive of our mates." Alice said.

"Well then as a tip, don't take an interest in Issei, I may have backed into this, but he actively wants one." Kenshin said.

"Haha, I see." Alice said. "I'll keep that in mind."

"On second thought, I think I'll go for a walk before I take a nap." Kenshin said getting up off the bed. However as he went to take a step to turn and help Alice up, his foot caught on her tail and he lost his balance. "Whoa? !"

"Aaah? !" Alice exclaimed as Kenshin landed on top of her.

"Ngh...s-sorry." Kenshin said.

"Watch where you step, there's a long tail in the room." Alice grunted.

"Hey I said I'm sorry, what more do you...want..." Kenshin trailed off as he pushed himself up, his eyes meeting Alice's.

"..." Alice went silent as well, her eyes gazing into Kenshin's own.

"Alice...?" Kenshin said.

"Yes...?" Alice said.

"Would...you be upset if I were to kiss you right now?" Kenshin asked, a smidge of pink adorning his cheeks.

"...I think I'd be more upset if you did nothing." Alice said, her own blush flaring to life.

"I see..." Kenshin said before lowering his lips on top of hers.

"Mmh..." Alice closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around him.

Kenshin's hands cupped her sides, stroking her skin softly. He could feel a shiver run through her.

Alice bit down gently on this bottom lip, gaining access to his mouth as she pushed her tongue through. "Mmgh!" Alice moaned as she felt her chest press against Kenshin's. Her erect nipples digging into his skin.

"Mh..nn..." Kenshin moaned into her, feeling one of her hands rubbing his ears softly. He pushed back against her longer, serpentine tongue, but she moved more of it into his mouth and wrapped it around his, stroking it.

"Haa..." Alice sighed out, feeling something nudging against her, she thought he might be getting aroused, but felt a palm moving down her stomach.

The two broke apart for air, initially intending to go back for a second round when both their eyes widened and they shot off each other like they had been burned. Kenshin turned around. "Aaah...u-uhm..." Kenshin started to stammer.

"Aaah...w-well..." Alice was faring no better.

"I...I think I'll just be going." Kenshin said.

"Y-Yes..." Alice said. "I'll be heading back to the castle, let me know if you need anything..." She said.

As the two went their separate ways, they both brought their fingers to their lips. "That felt so good..." They both thought. "But what the hell? ! OK I may be infatuated with him/her, but that was a lover's kiss! I still love Luka/have only kissed Rias like that recently!" Alice and Kenshin both thought respectively.

"Well, remember what we said about the Dragons of the Elements and the Fateburns?" Undine asked Kenshin.

"Yeah, but that's just a parallel." Kenshin thought.

"Maybe it's not...maybe you're falling for her." Salamander said.

"Yeah, I mean you are worried about how she's feeling a lot, like you are with members of your harem." Sylph said.

"..." Gnome nods.

"Ugh..." Kenshin said as he went on his way.

(break)

A few more days later.

Rias sat in Kenshin's room in the inn, she had been told by Kenshin himself as he was on his way to a meeting the he finally had some free time and if she wanted to spend time with the real him, she could.

Meanwhile Gasper was just leaving after checking in on Rias, when Kenshin came up to him. "Eh? Kenshin-Senpai?" Gasper said. "Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting."

"Aah, I got someone to cover for me, is Rias in, Gasper-kun?" Kenshin asked.

"U-Uhm...n-no." Gasper said. "OK, he never uses suffixes unless he's going out of his way to insult someone or be polite! I have to get to the real Kenshin-Senpai!"

Kenshin's hand slapped down on Gasper's shoulder as he tried to back away. "Gasper-kun...you know it's not OK to lie to me." Kenshin said with an eerie smile.

"You're no-Guoh? !" Gasper doubled over as Kenshin punched him in the stomach. He felt to the ground unconscious.

"Tch...So I was too polite. Need to make sure I don't fuck up here, without any augments I'm pretty sure that Rias chick can take me until help arrives." 'Kenshin' said.

'Kenshin' entered the inn and made his way to 'his' room. Rias turned her head seeing the door open. "Oh! Kenshin, what are you doing here? You said the meeting wasn't supposed to let out until later."

'Kenshin' smiled and put his hands in his pockets. "It let out earlier than I thought."

"I see." Rias said. "So you came straight here? You don't need to force yourself if you need to unwind, I'll be happy to help you do so."

"Hahaha, thanks, but...it won't be necessary." 'Kenshin' said. "So, what are you doing?"

Rias turned to the folders she had laid out, they were from Rasai who had been taking notes on how she could improve. "Nothing much, just looking at some training stuff for later."

"You seem concerned about something." 'Kenshin' said.

"Not at all, it's just really getting into training comes with some mental wearies." Rias said shaking her head with a smile.

"Well, honestly even when we're together, you seem lately, like you're depressed." 'Kenshin' said.

"!" Rias turned to him.

"Oh, Did I say something strange?" 'Kenshin' asked.

Rias closed her eyes, shaking her head. "No, it's fine, I'm glad you care enough about me to worry, but I'm fine."

"I see." 'Kenshin' said. "Well, Rias...I may be just guessing here, but I think you're forcing yourself to be happy around me, knowing I've been a clone most of the time."

"H-Huh?" Rias said. "I'm not..."

"I know how you must have been feeling, the real me being busy all the time, and being forced to spend your time with a cheap imitation." 'Kenshin' said wrapping an arm around her waist. "You've been trying so hard to hide it, but I can see it clearly."

"Kenshin? !" Rias said as 'Kenshin' pulled her into his arms.

"You don't have to hide it any longer. You can have me to yourself, from here onward." 'Kenshin' said.

"...!" Rias let out a gasp. "You're not Kensh-? !" Her body went slack and her eyes dulled.

"...There." He said as his image reverted to what it was before, purple hair, red eyes. "It's nothing personal, I'm just pushing my plan forward." Luka said with a small, humored smile. "I am sorry, honestly. Now...the core he prepared should subjugate you." He scooped her and moved to place her on the couch...when the door opened again.

"Rias I've come for a rematch I hope you're re- Rias? !"

Luka turned to find Sona in the doorway. "..."

"I recognize you, you're that other Kenshin, who wore the mask!" Sona shouts as her magic circle flared to life. "Unhand Rias this instant!"

"You really shouldn't have come, Sitri." Luka said vanishing from sight.

"Where did he ahh?" Luka appeared in behind her and chopped her in the back of the neck, knocking her unconscious.

"Now my plan has to include you too." Luka said scooping her up and carrying her to the couch.

Moments later Kenshin was approaching the inn, while talking to Issei. "So, you didn't think to bring a change of clothes with you?" Issei asked.

"No, I forgot, it happens." Kenshin said. "I was gonna wear something japanese in style."

"Well, Chief should like that." Issei chuckled.

"Haha, Indeed." Kenshin said. "Huh?" He looked ahead.

"What the...?" Issei said doing the same.

"? !" Kenshin ran forward seeing Gasper laying on the ground.

"Gasper!" Issei said. "Oi Gasper! Wake up!"

"Huuuhhnn?" Gasper stirred and sat up. "Issei-Senpai...Kenshin-Senpai...oh thank goodness it's the real one this time..."

"The real one?" Issei said.

"FUCK!" Kenshin shouts running into the inn.

"Kenshin? !" Issei said taking off after him.

"Damn it! God fucking dammit! Why the fuck didn't I see it earlier? !" Kenshin berated. "I guess I didn't want to see it!"

"What?" Issei said as they ran upstairs to Kenshin's room.

The door swung open and Kenshin saw Luka, holding Rias in his arms, both of them looking at him with the same derisive smile. "Oh, hello Kenshin." Luka said.

"Chief!" Issei said. "And Kaichou too!" He said seeing Sona on the couch.

"..." Rias didn't respond.

"Luka...you have till the count of three to let Rias go and we'll step outside and finish this." Kenshin said with a scowl.

"Aah you know I would, but then all the planning I've done would have been for nothing." Luka said with a smirk. "All the things I did to make sure you were kept busy and all that."

"So that was you huh?" Kenshin glowered.

"Let Chief go you asshole!" Issei said charging at him.

"Issei don't!" Kenshin shouts.

To Issei's and Kenshin's utter shock, Rias raised her hand and blew Issei back with her destruction magic. Kenshin caught Issei. "Chief...?" Issei said

"R...Rias?" Kenshin said seeing her keeping her magic circle active.

"Oh, I see, looks like your fiancee works for me now Kenshin." Luka said.

"Bastard! What did you do? !" Kenshin shouts.

"What did I do? I think it's more...what did you do?" Luka said. "I merely gave her what she wanted."

"...Krh!" Kenshin growled.

"If you want her and this one over here." Luka said gesturing toward Sona. "Come and find me on the Masouen continent. We'll settle our score there."

"Like hell!" Kenshin shouts. "You aren't going anywhere!" He shouts charging at him.

Luka, Rias and Sona disappeared before Kenshin could get to the former. "..." Kenshin stopped and just stood there.

"Kenshin?" Issei said.

"Fucking dammit! !" Kenshin roared. "Rrruuooohhh! !" He seethed and walked past Issei.

"Yo wait Kenshin, where are you going? !" Issei said chasing after him.

"Where do you think? I'm going to Masouen." Kenshin snarled.

"Kenshin, do you even know where that is?" Issei asked.

"It's the continent south of Sentora." Kenshin said.

"Kenshin!" Issei turned his head finding everyone running up to them. The two of the three peerages, Sona's being the lone exception, Serafall, Raiser, Ravel, Sextum, Grayfia, Rasai, the Grand Cardinals and Alice included.

"What's up Kenshin? Your mana's in an uproar and a furious one too." Akatama said.

"Yeah, if you want we can use that for training." Inutora said.

"Speaking of, where's Rias? It's about time for our training." Rasai said.

"Krh...!" Kenshin growled.

"Chief...isn't here." Issei said.

"Huh? Where is she?" Grayfia said.

"I'll going to go and get her." Kenshin said walking by. "Tamamo you're going to have to carry my duties for the next few days."

"What? Why?" Tamamo asked. "I don't mind it, but what's going on Kenshin? You seem like you're about to explode."

"Kenshin you're not getting out of here without telling them, we might as well come clean." Issei said.

"What?" Yukari said.

"The Betrayer." Kenshin said.

"? !" Everyone from Makai's eyes widened. "He was here? !" Akatama shouts.

"How? ! We should have been able to notice him!" Granberia shouts.

"He was using my image." Kenshin said. "Masquerading as one of my clones he got close to Rias...and..." Kenshin trailed off, gritting his teeth.

"What? What did Luka do Kenshin?" Alice said with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"He...some how brainwashed Chi...er...Rias." Issei said. "When I tried to attack him to get Rias away from him. She...blasted me back."

"Wh-What? !" Akeno said in shock.

"N-No way! Chief Rias has been taken? !" Kiba asked with wide eyes.

"Onee-Sama...no..." Asia said with tears in her eyes.

"That coward!" Xenovia shouts.

"Chief Rias..." Koneko said

"We have to get her back!" Rossweisse said.

"When do we leave Kenshin?" Issei said.

"You don't. I leave." Kenshin said.

"What? Kenshin this is obviously a trap!" Yukari argued.

"And there's no telling what he might do if I take everyone down there! Also, taking too many would weaken our defenses!" Kenshin snapped. "I have to go alone, I have to get Rias and Sona back!"

"W-Wait, he got So-tan too? !" Serafall said with wide eyes.

"Yes." Kenshin said. "She was unconscious when I got there, and he took her with him when he left. I don't think she's been brainwashed. I think she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Kenshin, you realize that this could very well be a ploy to get you alone, right?" Grayfia said.

"I realize this, but what choice do I have?" Kenshin said.

"Lady Alipheese! Lord Kenshin!" One of the youkai came running up to them.

"Easy, catch your breath." Kenshin said. "Get him some water."

Irina handed him a bottle of water. "Thank you." He said taking a sip. "Haa..."

"What message do you bring?" Kenshin asked.

"Lady Sheena...of the White Tigers has fallen in battle!"

"? !" Kenshin and Issei let out a pair of gasps while everyone else was either shocked or worried, or didn't know enough to react properly.

"Fallen?" Kenshin said.

"She's still alive, but she was bested in battle by her brother Toraki." He said. "If we do nothing, the White Tigers will turn against us in a short time."

"Dammit!" Kenshin cursed. "I have to go help her, but I have to go to Masouen, I can't go to both places."

"Then don't." Issei said. "...Leave Sheena-San to me."

Kenshin turned to him. "Issei...you're sure?"

"Yeah." Issei said. "Sheena needs help, and so do Chief and Kaichou, and you have some personal beef with that Luka guy. Let me go in your place to help Sheena."

"Is that OK with you?" Kenshin asked Alice.

"...Y-Yes..." Alice said not wanting to look him in the eyes.

"...Alright, Issei get a team together and head out I'm going on ahead, make sure to take someone who knows how to get there." Kenshin said. "If you take Tamamo, the Cardinals are in charge of HQ if for whatever reason Alice can't lead right now."

Yukari followed after him. "Kenshin. Do you seriously have to go alone?"

"Yeah." Kenshin said. "I know what you're going to say and if the land here was smaller, I'd be a little more inclined to bring the peerage with me, but..."

"No, I get it." Yukari said. "You just don't know what he could do, and want to ensure Rias' and Sona's safety any way you can."

"Yeah." Kenshin said.

"I don't doubt you can come back, but...please just come back alive." Yukari said.

"Hey, I'm not getting myself killed again." Kenshin said. "Trust me."

"I know." Yukari said. "Good luck." She said kissing him on the lips for a second.

Kenshin made his way toward the gate and was stopped by someone wrapping her arms around him, "...?" He turned his head expecting to see Alice's hair, but instead seeing long purple hair. "Alma."

"Kenshin-Chan...I know...I know you're angry with him for taking Rias-Chan." Alma said. "But...could you please find it in your heart to spare him?"

"...?" Kenshin arched a brow at this. "Playing favorites?"

"It's not that..." Alma said shaking her head. "It's just...well...Luka was the first person who ever befriended me." She admitted.

"..." Kenshin didn't respond.

"When I was a child, we met in one of the alleyways of Murasaki, he was scrounging around for food. I...started to feel sorry for him and brought him whatever I could to keep him fed, he always commented that he didn't need the help and was fine with picking apart scraps, that he was used to it." Alma explained. "We began to bond over each visit, and soon we met Betie and Granberry." She said.

"Souka." Kenshin said. "...I'm only going there to get Rias and Sona back...whether or not he forces my hand...remains to be seen."

"..." Alma went silent, releasing him.

"But thank you." Kenshin said as he walked forward.

"...Huh?" Alma said. "What for?"

Kenshin made a ninety degree turn and looked her in the eyes. "Take a good look at my face, and that should answer your question."

"...!" Alma let out a short gasp.

"I brought it up in Lilith, don't you remember?" Kenshin asked.

"I...I must not have been listening, I was probably too focused on the fact that my closest friend betrayed us." Alma said.

"I see, well. Either way, I'm bringing Luka back with me as well, how I bring him back, will be determined by him." Kenshin said as he vanished.

When he reappeared a short distance away. He saw Serafall blocking his path. "I'm not taking you with me Serafall." Kenshin said.

"Why the hell not? !" Serafall shouts angrily. "That's my So-tan out there!"

"And if this ends up being a trap I don't need to give Luka any more leverage than he already has." Kenshin said. "I'd imagine he's going to use Rias against me, but there's no telling what he's going to do with Sona. Especially when he sees one of the Four Satans coming after him."

"..." Serafall went silent.

"I know you're worried. I don't blame you, but Serafall...the best course of action you can take right now is to trust me to bring Sona back to you." Kenshin said. "Besides..." He looked her over. "You're still not fully healed from fighting Tiamat."

"Dammit..." Serafall cursed. "I came here to help prevent this sort of stuff from happening, I feel so damn useless!"

"..." Kenshin shook his head and brought her into his embrace. "If being brought to your world has taught me one thing, it's that you can't do it all alone. I mean I'm pretty sure Sona would be driven up a wall if you were around her all the time."

"I...I guess.." Serafall said. "Kenshin...I trust you, but...I just."

Kenshin leaned down and silenced her with a short kiss. "I know." Kenshin said. "Remember, I'm an older sibling too." Kenshin said. "Luka wants to fight me. As long as he knows he's going to get that, he won't harm his hostages. I'd like to think I know someone who is essentially me."

"OK..." Serafall said pulling away, wiping her eyes. "Go. Don't waste another second."

"Yes Ma'am." Kenshin said as he took off south.

Once Kenshin was out of eyesight she closed her eyes. "Tail him, but don't let him know you're there. She is your master after all. One peerage won't weaken the defenses." Serafall said. She felt several presences rush by her and to the south. "Be safe...all of you."

(break)

A day later.

Kenshin was passing through the border between Noah and Natalia when a white light knocked him to the side. "What the hell? !"

"Kenshin Kuroshi."

"..." Kenshin narrowed his eyes seeing Vali in his Balance Breaker. "Vali, what is it? I don't have much time, and I have even less to fight you at the moment."

"That's unfortunate...because you aren't leaving here." Vali said with a noticeably venomous tone.

"..." Kenshin stared at him. "What the hell crawled up your ass?"

"I am going to kill you, here and now Kenshin." Vali said removing his helmet, scowling at Kenshin.

"Are you now? Might I know why?" Kenshin asked. "Surely I have a right to know the cause of my own demise."

"You killed my grandfather." Vali said.

"!" Kenshin watched as Vali extended his hand outward and a magic circle produced Rizevim's corpse, a deep, bloody gash running down his torso.

"Some devils, who are strong enough can leave a corpse behind." Vali said.

Kenshin closed his eyes. "Did you really care that much for him? He..." Kenshin was about to go on to tell him what he saw in his dream when Vali cut him off.

"You robbed me." Vali said, his fists quivering. "You robbed me of the one chance I had...to reap vengeance upon this piece of shit!" He shouts, blasting the corpse with his demonic power, obliterating it.

"..." Kenshin stared at him. "So that's why you're mad, who gave that to you by the way? When I beat him, he was sent flying away by..."

"Your Quadruple Giga." Vali finished. "While you were fighting Tiamat, I was visited by the King of Demons, who presented that body to me, saying it was only right that I bury him, though I had no intentions of doing so."

Kenshin scowled. "Damn you, Forbesii! So that's your play! You're going to set us against each other!" Kenshin thought.

"The only way I have to attain my revenge now, is by striking down the person who killed him." Vali said.

"I notice you're alone." Kenshin said. "You've not told your team of what you're doing?"

"They are friends, but the only reason I formed my team was to one day kill Rizevim, I planned to get strong enough to kill Great Red alone which would take countless years." Vali said. "Once it's done, I will go my separate way from them."

"What about Miyuki then?" Kenshin asked.

"..." Vali narrowed his eyes.

"Don't think I haven't seen you spending time together." Kenshin said pointing at him. "Even after the attack by Tiamat."

"...That will probably be one of my few regrets about doing this." Vali said. "But, I don't care."

"What does it matter who killed Rizevim? All that should matter is that he's dead!" Kenshin shouts.

"This coming from the person who was allowed to reap his own vengeance, on the one who ruined his life!" Vali shouts back.

"...Fine." Kenshin said. "I can see speaking to you is pointless, I'll fight you, but not right now."

"You don't have a choice!" Vali said appearing in front of Kenshin.

(clench!)

"? !" Kenshin and Vali's eyes widened as Ophis appeared between them and held Vali's wrist back as he tried to punch Kenshin. "Ophis?" Kenshin said.

"You side with him then?" Vali scowled.

"No." Ophis said. "There is no time and Kenshin won't be able to give you the fight you desire right now. He's too focused on going to retrieve the Gremory and Sitri heiresses. Rizevim was powerful, so I don't think you'd be satisfied by defeating the person in front of you presently."

"..." Vali lowered his fist. "Very well. Settle your affairs, then I'll come and find you."

"Fine...but until we meet in battle. Stay the hell away from my sister." Kenshin scowled.

"...Very well." Vali said, his eyes closed as he teleported away.

"...Thank you Ophis." Kenshin said.

"Don't thank me...just settle this as soon as you can." Ophis said walking back into him.

Kenshin let out a sigh and proceeded south, a multitude of thoughts wracking his mind.

(chapter end)

Draconis: Kenshin vs. Vali round three, the rubber match for all the bacon, coming soon!

Kenshin: Stop trying to be a show promoter.

Vali: It doesn't work too well.

Issei: Will you be covering what I'm doing or just offscreening it?

Draconis: I'll be covering it, just one after the other. Anyway there is a footnote.

(1 ) This is a reference to pro wrestling, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson refers to himself in third person during promos.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed. See you all next time.

Draconis678 out.