Draconis: You good now?
Kenshin: Yeah, you?
Draconis: Hurts to walk right now, because I planted my foot down on a screw, but other than that. Eh.
Issei: Ouch, that sounds painful.
Draconis: It was, and bloody.
Asia: I could-
Draconis: Appreciate the thought, but no...you couldn't. (chuckles) Anyway enough about stupid self injuries, lets get started.
Dragon of the Elements
Chapter 70
More Devil's Downtime.
Draconis: Begin! This chapter will also be released with a side story update.
(start)
It was a few days after everyone had arrived back at the Underworld. Kenshin, Rias, Issei, and Yukari were sitting in the dining room of Lucifer Castle. "So how is Forbesii adjusting to life as a prisoner here?" Yukari asked.
"Fine." Kenshin said.
"Why didn't you just do him in? I mean you were extremely pissed at him weren't you?" Issei asked.
"I don't expect you to understand Issei." Kenshin said. "But my keeping him alive is absolutely not a kindness in any way."
"It's not? I figured you were keeping him alive because you felt sorry for him after it was revealed the Shinigami set him on that path." Rias said.
"No." Yukari shook her head. "I get why he did it. He's forcing the former Demon King to live with his regrets and mistakes...just like we had to."
"Really?" Issei said. "So that bit about him wanting to die?"
"It was true." Kenshin said. "And the same could have been said for the two of us if you recall. If Yukari and I didn't have each other during that time, we both probably would have just ended it."
"Well thankfully you did have each other." Rias said with a smile.
"Yeah." Yukari said.
"So why are we here?" Issei said. "Grayfia-San said Sirzechs-Sama was gonna be busy."
"Michael's coming for this, I figured I could give it to him at a place where he wouldn't attract much attention." Kenshin said tapping his hand on the weapon box containing the Tsurugi no Kami.
"And I thank you for that." Kenshin turned his head upward seeing a flash of golden light as Michael appeared with Irina, Gabriel and another man he didn't recognize. He had blonde hair, green eyes and wore priest clothes.
"Thanks for coming." Kenshin said gesturing them to come to the table. "Just to prove I'm not lying, here it is." He said taking the top off of the weapon box.
"Whoa..." The blonde priest said. "So this is the Almighty's sword."
"It's been so long since I had last seen it myself." Gabriel said. "Father's weapon."
"I never thought you were lying Kenshin." Michael said.
"I know, but it's still necessary." Kenshin said.
"Can I ask something?" Yukari asked.
"What is it?" Gabriel asked.
"Why does that blade burn youkai mana and torpedo youkai regeneration?" Yukari asked. "I mean Kenshin did die to it once."
"Father's grace is of the purest light in the world." Michael said. "The only things that come close to would be the light of an Archangel like Gabriel or myself, or the light wielded by the Primordial Goddess of Light, but Father's light of Being would win out."
"So you know about Ilias." Kenshin said.
"Just in passing from both Yama and Ragnarok. The former often raved at Father's strength." Michael said.
"..." Kenshin didn't respond.
"...I don't know what happened, but the Shinigami changed after the Three Factions War." Michael said. "He felt...impure. I mean don't get me wrong, he was always a bit crass and uncaring, and unmerciful when it was called for, but he seemed to be even more so after the war. Other than the Heavenly Dragons, Yama was Ragnarok's only other main opponent and his surrogate brother Draco Tsuki often joined him in those battles."
"I already knew most of that, mainly the end." Kenshin said. "When the time comes I'm going to take him down. He's going to be coming after Rias and I to kill us."
"Yes, make no mistake I hold no favor for him, I just thought I'd say that." Michael said.
"Yeah, anyway here you go." Kenshin said stepping to the side
"Hm..." Michael walked up to the Tsurugi no Kami and placed his hand on the hilt.
"You should know that Ilias was trapped in there as well." Kenshin said.
"I know, but she's asleep right now." Michael said.
"?" Kenshin arched his brow at this. "Asleep?"
"I say that, but she more passed out holding an empty bottle of wine." Michael said.
Kenshin, Issei, Irina, Rias and Yukari all blinked in confusion. "Uhhh...what?" Irina blurted out.
"I'm not joking." Michael said. "Hm?" He stared at the sword.
"What is it?" Kenshin asked.
"..." Michael didn't respond.
"Michael?" Gabriel said.
"..." Michael nodded and turned to Kenshin. "Actually Kenshin, I must request that you hold the Tsurugi no Kami with you for safekeeping."
"Uhh...huh...?" Kenshin said.
"Why?" Yukari asked.
"I was communing with Father, he does not wish to return to Heaven at this time." Michael said. "But I must request that you not use the sword. Ever."
"I wasn't planning on it." Kenshin said. "Though I can't say I'm disappointed by yours and his decision."
"Why is that?" Gabriel asked.
"The power of the Almighty and Ilias. No offense Gabriel-Sama, but that is too much power to trust to a group of people who largely I've never seen. I only know three angels and they're all present right now." Kenshin said crossing his arms. "I'm sorry, but I was pondering this since I first got my hands on the blade once before, when Sona and I got separated from everyone."
"You need not apologize." Michael said. "I would have understood, and given you my word that the sword would never be used violently again."
"Yes, it does present a problem, seeing as some of the people that betrayed the alliance were rebel angels and exorcists." Gabriel nodded.
"I'll keep the sword safe until the Almighty wants to return home." Kenshin said.
"Thank you." Michael said with a smile.
"Rebel Angels? Won't they just fall if they rebel?" Issei asked.
"That's how it used to be, if they rebelled God would just make them fall as their punishment and throw them out of Heaven, but the System doesn't account for His nuances." Gabriel said.
"Well did he say anything on how to adjust it?" Rias asked.
"No. He just told me that it would not be a good idea for the sword to return to Heaven at this point." Michael said. "Then he went back into stasis."
"Stasis? God's in a stasis?" Yukari asked.
"Yes, but he wouldn't say why." Michael said with a pensive look. "Anyway, Kenshin I ask that you just keep the sword safe and never use it. Also if you can find a way to cast the Goddess of Light out I would appreciate it."
"We'll figure something out." Kenshin nodded.
"OK, Irina thank you for bringing us here." Michael said. "Come Gabriel, Dulio."
"Hang on Lord Michael." The blonde priest said as he approached Kenshin.
"Hm? You're Dulio Gesualdo." Kenshin said. "Find anything good to eat lately?" He joked idly.
"Hahahaha, heard that little tidbit about me eh? Well I don't do it for my own benefit, I'm out looking for good food to send recipes or straight up send back to home where I help run an orphanage." Dulio said.
"I see, good on ya." Kenshin said. "What's up?"
"Well I just wanted to meet that Dragon of the Elements who bested that sword." Dulio said crossing his arms with a grin.
"Well we already know each other's names so a formal introduction's kind of at a moot point now don't ya think?" Kenshin asked.
"True. I assume you know I have power of the elements in my own way, right?" Dulio said.
"Yes, yours is mainly external, mine's mainly internal." Kenshin said.
"Right you are." Dulio said. "I'm not asking right now because the Archangel Siblings back there need to be going, but we should have a match sometime."
"Anytime you're willing." Kenshin said with a small smirk.
"Heh." Dulio mirrored his expression. "I like you. Alright, that's all. Ready when you are Lord Michael, Lady Gabriel."
"Have a nice day." Gabriel waved.
"Take it easy." Kenshin said. Michael, Gabriel and Dulio left.
"Huh, I wonder what's making the Almighty not want to return to Heaven?" Irina said.
"Who knows, but now this is my responsibility." Kenshin said boxing up the Tsurugi no Kami. "Good thing Forbesii's wardings on this box remained active. It should be pretty easy to hide."
"Yeah." Yukari said.
"Well, I'll let Sirzechs know we're leaving." Kenshin said.
"OK." Rias said as she, Issei and Yukari left.
Kenshin walked up to where he was sure Sirzechs' office was, however as he approached the door he was stopped by Souji, Sirzechs' knight. "I probably wouldn't do that." He said in a low tone.
"Huh? Why...and why are we whispering?" Kenshin asked.
"Just, trust me." Souji said.
"Look, all I'm going to do is pop in, tell him Michael wants me to hang on to the Tsurugi no Kami and that I'm headed home. It won't take long." Kenshin said.
"Wai-..." Souji said as Kenshin walked toward the door and opened it. "OK..."
"..." Kenshin stood in the doorway. Sirzechs was indeed in the room. However he had a massage table set up, and he was currently rubbing down a cherry blossom haired woman with horns protruding from her forehead. She wore but a towel over her waist and hips while Sirzechs himself had his shirt off.
"!" Sirzechs noticed him, but the woman did not. 'What are you doing here? !' He mouthed silently with an irritated look as he kept rubbing the woman down.
"Mmmhh..." She let out a content moan.
'I-I...' He held up the Tsurugi no Kami's box, pointed upward, then to himself.
"Michael wants him to hang on to the Tsurugi no Kami?" Sirzechs thought. Kenshin then pointed at himself then pointed out the window. "And now he's leaving. Oh..." Sirzechs nodded and shooed him away. Kenshin closed the door as silently as he could.
"Who was that Sirzechs-Sama?" The woman asked.
"Oh, just a servant delivering some papers. I told him to place them in my personal quarters." Sirzechs lied smoothly.
"Mmh...OK." She said.
(break)
The Next day.
"The Red and Black Dragons which are said to bring misfortune onto Devils, Levia-Tan will destroy you!"
"Gyaaaahhh! !" Issei shouted out in terror as Serafall in her magical girl attire, launched a massive burst of her magic at Issei and Kenshin.
"Heh!" Kenshin smirked in response and slashed Kuroi Jigoku at it. "Crimson Katensho!"
The two attacks clashed and gave Kenshin enough time to get out of the way with Issei in tow as Serafall's magic tore through his. "Haa, thanks."
"Look, if you're going to do is quiver and scream, get off the field." Kenshin said. "I can't focus if I'm saving your ass every five seconds"
"Can you fucking blame me? ! We're fighting a damn Satan!" Issei snapped.
"Don't care." Kenshin said nonchalantly. "I asked her to do this."
"What? ! ARE YOU NUTS? !" Issei shouted
How did Issei and Kenshin find themselves in this predicament? Well let's go back to the night before as Kenshin and Rias' peerages were wrapping up their summons requests for the night. "Wait what?" Issei said to Rias who was holding the request contract in her hands.
"Serafall-Sama wants to borrow you and Kenshin." Rias said.
"I'm sensing an also." Kenshin said.
"Right, she also wants to borrow Koneko, Gasper and Xenovia from me, while she also wants Evangeline, Alma Elma and Miyuki to accompany you." Rias said.
"Uhh...why?" Miyuki asked.
"What she said." Evangeline said sipping a glass of blood wine.
"Well I'm not quite sure." Rias said. "I'd come with, but I was asked to be elsewhere, I'll have Akeno and Kiba with me. Asia you go as well, it will be good experience for you."
"Uh...hm...Erubetie, you come with too." Kenshin said. "You could stand to get out of the house."
"Why not?" Erubetie said with a nod
Akeno hugged Kenshin from behind. "It pains me that we must be apart, but responding to Leviathan-Sama is something you would and should do." She said petting his head.
"Eh..heheh." Kenshin chuckled.
(smack)
Rias dropped her hand on top of Akeno's head. "It won't be that long Akeno, come."
"Oh alright." Akeno said.
The next morning the group of ten showed up on an unpopulated island. "Hm..." Issei looked around. "This seems pretty secluded, is this really part of Japan?"
"It is. The air is still the same as it is in Japan." Evangeline shrugged.
"Still, where is Leviathan-Sama." Xenovia said looking around.
The sound of massive footsteps fill the air. "Whoa? !" Everyone except Kenshin, Erubetie and Evangeline had trouble standing as the earth began to shake under their feet.
Suddenly a T-Rex cut through the forest nearby and walked toward them, but stopped in front of them. "Yoo-hoo! Hello Servants of Rias-Chan, and Kenshin-Chan and his servants! It's Levia-Tan!" Serafall called out, riding the T-Rex like a horse.
"Eh?" Kenshin said.
"What the hell?" Evangeline drawled.
"What is this, Dino park?" Miyuki asked.
"...Heheheheheh..." Kenshin chuckled fondly.
"What's so funny?" Erubetie asked.
"Nothing, just remembering something about Negi." Kenshin said.
"Negi?" Miyuki and Evangeline said before it hit them. "Oh right, during the festival Negi did say she wanted to use the Time Machine to go back to the Dinosaur times." Miyuki laughed.
"That girl, she may have been more mature than the girls she taught, but she had moments where she acted childishly." Evangeline said with a fond smile.
"Coming down!" Serafall said jumping off the T-Rex. She tried to land gracefully, but ended up faceplanting in the dirt.
"Pfft." Evangeline started snickering.
"Oh my." Alma said.
"Huh, so she's wearing stripes today." Kenshin noted.
"Eh? I'm surprised you voiced that." Issei said.
"Meh." Kenshin said. "You OK Levia-tan?" He called out.
"I'm fine!" Serafall said sitting up, flashing a piece sign and a smile, even with her face covered in dirt. Kenshin shook his head and walked up to her, took a package of wet wipes out of one of his seals and handed it to her. "You know we made the news a few days ago right?" Kenshin whispered.
"Yahuh, I kinda planned on it. I was getting a lot of date requests from men I'm just not interested in, and...seeing as I'm interested in you, I figured I could kill two birds with one stone." Serafall said as she cleaned herself off.
"Ah ha." Kenshin said as he helped Serafall to her feet.
"So what exactly brought us here?" Evangeline said as everyone walked up to them.
"Well he already agreed..." Serafall paused to point at Kenshin. "But I called you all here to help us shoot a movie."
"A movie? !" Issei, Asia, Miyuki, Xenovia, Gasper, and Alma all exclaim.
"A movie...?" Evangeline, Erubetie and Koneko said, the former two in disinterest.
"Serafall-Sama, scene 21 'The Magical Girl gets friendly with the ancient dinosaur' We got a good shot for it." A director flanked by his studio crew said walking up to them.
"...?" Evangeline looked at them in confusion.
"Director-San, these are the ones I talked to you about." Serafall said gesturing toward Kenshin, Issei and company.
"Oh I see! So this is the Gremory and Kuroshi groups. Who achieved an outstanding result in the Rating Game." Director said.
"Oh, by the way Kenshin-Chan. Yasaka-Sama sent this to you." Serafall said handing him a package.
"Hm? Really? I thought she'd send Issei some provocative pictures of herself Tasteful nudes, provocative shots, the whole shebang." Kenshin said making Issei laugh.
"I would welcome that." Issei said.
"Pervert..." Evangeline said.
"Oh ho? Issei-Chan's into that sort of thing?" Alma said. "You two are more alike than I thought." She finished, making Kenshin roll his eyes.
Kenshin opened the package and found it was a stack of papers. "Hm?" He scanned over them. "Oh wow, Yasaka-Sama's giving me and my peerage permission to have summons in Kyoto, but asks me not to go overboard. I'll find something nice to send back to her." Kenshin said storing the package away.
"So...basically this is a tokusatsu program turned movie?" Miyuki asked.
"Script." Kenshin said holding his hand out. One landed in his hand. "...What the hell? 'Is it really OK to have such an anti-government setting?'"
"Oh come on Kenshin it doesn't really say that." Evangeline said looking over his shoulder. "What the fuck it really does say that as one of the lines."
The Director laughed fearlessly. "It's my motto to include an anti-government message within my works."
"Walk." Kenshin said turning and walking away.
"Agreed." Alma, Evangeline, Miyuki and Erubetie joined him.
"Awawawa, Kenshin-Sama is it really that big of a deal?" Director panicked.
"This is a movie directed at kids right? That's your target audience?" Alma asked.
"Yes." He replied.
"Then we walk." Miyuki said.
"What we're trying to say is that kids don't need that sort of crap crammed in their heads. They're kids." Erubetie said.
"Also, it's hypocritical seeing as your lead there is more or less Top Bitch in the government." Evangeline said pointing at Serafall who merely laughed.
"So drop the propaganda or we walk." Kenshin said. "Seriously, thumbing through more of the script, fighting a corrupt government isn't even a selling point and we should all know, Serafall-Sama included, as we just finished toppling one."
"B-But..." The Director stammered. "Haa...fine. We can do without it this once. But know the only reason I'm even agreeing is that my star would be upset that the man she specifically requested walked because of me."
"There we go." Kenshin said.
"Ow!" Issei gasped out as Koneko stepped on his foot.
"What were you doing?" Kenshin asked as they walked back to them.
"He was having perverted fantasies." Koneko muttered.
"So you acted accordingly." Kenshin said before petting her head. "That's good Koneko, keep it up." He said with a smile
"Nyaaa..." Koneko said, closing her eyes, mewing in content, while Issei glared at Kenshin.
"What? Just like you wouldn't be you if you weren't the biggest pervert in the world, it would be weird if Koneko didn't get on to you about it." Kenshin said.
"I suppose." Issei sighed. (1 )
"Well are you all on board?" Kenshin asked Issei, Asia, Koneko, Gasper and Xenovia.
"Sure." Koneko said.
"Of course." Issei shrugged.
"Yes, it seems interesting" Xenovia said.
"Well Issei-San's got no problem with it and they're OK with having me..." Asia said poking her fingers together shyly.
"OK." Kenshin said. "Looks like we're all on board Serafall-Sama."
"OK." Serafall nodded with a smile.
(break)
One Script Edit and a few hours later.
(clank, clank)
"So heavy..." Issei grunted.
"Why are you even wearing that? Just use your Balance Breaker. It looks identical to it." Kenshin asked, dressed in his own Balance Breaker garb.
"There's still a time limit." Issei said.
"You were resurrected and had your current flesh carved from the Dragon of Dream's body while the Infinity Dragon Goddess' mana was converted to your own, Your Balance Breaker went Subspecies long before mine did...and you still have a time limit that would be reached during our time here?" Kenshin drawled. "Ddraig's asleep still so maybe you don't know what the time limit is." He said.
Issei sweatdropped. "When you put it that way...it does feel kind of dumb. Hey, speaking of Subspecies Balance Breakers, what about yours...I don't mean to put it down, but having the Holy Cancel effect applied to your whole body feels kind of...useless now that we're not fighting that godsword anymore."
"We've been bouncing ideas on what to do with it." Yuurei said to where Issei could hear. "So far nothing's come to mind."
"Why not do what mine does and match the spirit's powers up to the pawn pieces of Sirzechs-Sama?" Issei suggested.
"No." Kenshin declined flatly. "That's your thing."
"Besides, Partner was a King first. I think using the pieces might have an opposite effect as he was a King Piece before ever becoming a Pawn." Yuurei said.
"Right, Right..." Issei stroked his chin in thought.
"Um..." Kenshin and Issei turned to Asia who was wearing a miko outfit, playing a miko who worships the Red Dragon Emperor, complete with ominous accessories.
"Does this look good to you Issei-San?" Asia asked.
"Y-Yes!" Issei said flashing a thumbs up.
"..." Kenshin turned his head hearing a splashing sound. "Erubetie? You didn't get a costume?"
"Clothes don't agree with me and they had nothing waterproof." Erubetie said. "They did ask me to shape my 'hair' into a braid." She turned her head showing the two ends that made her hair up was indeed braided together.
"Wow Erubetie-San that looks really great for you." Issei said.
"Hm?" Erubetie stared at him for a moment. "Th...Thanks."
"Awww Betie's embarrassed." Alma said walking up to them, also not changed from her usual attire.
"Alma?" Kenshin said.
"Eh, they thought the look worked for the movie." Alma shrugged.
"And I already had this." Evangeline said appearing next to her in a black ballroom gown, her devil wings brought out to accentuate her look. "I have to admit, I've always been curious what it'd be like to have a Succubus as a familiar. I always used Dolls."
"Well you drink blood...I drink something else." Alma said with a wink.
"Haha." Evangeline laughed. "Though I hear you only like strong mates, kind of like the Dragonkin does."
"If they weren't strong, they'd never be able to last with me." Alma shrugged. "I am the Succubus Queen after all."
"Oh yeah, I forgot, Alma-San's from the people who live for sex." Issei thought with a perverse grin and nosebleed.
(smack)
"Agh!" Issei grunted as a whip of slime slapped him upside the head.
"Pervert." Erubetie muttered.
"Thank you Erubetie-San, I was just about to do that." Koneko said walking up to them wearing a maid's outfit with her ears and tail brought out.
"A neko maid. Interesting." Kenshin noted.
"Apparently I'm supposed to be an amazon." Xenovia said walked up to them dressed as just that.
"A Holy Sword wielding amazon." Evangeline drawled.
"Where's Gya-kun?" Koneko said, looking around.
"You're...not going to believe this." Evangeline said as she stepped to the side revealing a large box with eyeholes in it.
"..." Kenshin stared.
"I'm here." Gasper's voice came from the box.
"O-Oi. Gyasuke, don't tell me you'll be appearing like that." Issei said.
"Y-Yes! When they were choosing my costume, I ran inside this box and the Director who saw that said. 'This is New! Alright you will be positioned as a Danball Vampire!'"
"Kenshin, can you lift my card facing Erubetie?" Undine asked.
Kenshin did as the water spirit asked. "Hm?" Erubetie said taking notice of this.
"Erubetie, that boy is more reclusive than we used to be, and that's saying something." Undine said.
"...No kidding...is this what I looked like to outsiders?" Erubetie asked.
"Either this or a man eating ragebeast." Alma shrugged.
"Touche..." Erubetie said.
"By the way Issei...Serafall asked me to do this first, but...seriously...why am I always playing second banana to you in showbiz?" Kenshin asked.
"I-I don't know!" Issei said. "Why am I always playing second banana to you on the battlefield? !"
"Because Kenshin-Chan's stronger and more experienced." Alma said.
"Yeah, Yup, Mmhm...s-sorry Issei-San." Xenovia, Evangeline, Erubetie and Asia all said respectively.
"There you have it." Kenshin nodded. "In any case, the first scene will be starting soon. Miyuki, Koneko and Gasper get in position." Kenshin said. "Also, another thought comes to mind. Is Ravel busy? She's supposed to be our manager."
"She said something about taking a couple of days to relax at her house. She apologized for any inconveniences." Alma said. "She said she wanted to be here too, but after the war she needed the rest."
"Ah, well that's fine, now let's hoof it." Kenshin said as he, Issei, Evangeline, Alma, Erubetie, Xenovia and Asia left.
"...Gasper do you need us to move you?" Miyuki asked.
"Uhm...please?" Gasper said.
Miyuki walked over and lifted the box onto her left shoulder and moved it to a vantage point before rejoining Koneko. "They wanted you to wear your outfit from Issei-Sempai's show?"
Miyuki let out a disgruntled sigh. "Yes."
"Is everything alright?" Koneko asked.
"Have I ever told you I hate the moniker 'Pettanko Sage' or 'Pettan Sennin' because I fucking hate that moniker." Miyuki grunted as she held her polearm behind her neck.
"Isn't that Akatama-San's?" Koneko asked.
"Oh, he said I could keep it after he heard I lost my staff. He had spares made." Miyuki said twirling the polearm with one hand.
"That was nice of him." Koneko said. "Then again you two are technically family. Do you all plan to keep in touch with him?"
"Yeah." Miyuki said. "On both questions."
Serafall flew up to them through the forest with her devil wings and the camera started recording. "Aah, you must be those trying to awaken the Red and Black Dragon Emperors. A nekomata maid and the Pettanko Sage."
"Grh!" Miyuki growled.
"I won't let you go any further." Koneko said, acting as she normally did.
Serafall glanced at Miyuki. "Hm, I've noticed this for a while, but Miyuki-Chan really seems to hate that stagename." She thought.
"You will go no further, Levia-tan." Miyuki said pointing her polearm at Serafall.
"Whatever you say 'Shiri Sennin.'" Serafall said pointing her staff at Miyuki.
"Nh? !" Miyuki shirked back. "Great, now I'm the Butt Hermit...agh, well at least it's referencing something I have that's nice to look at, or so people say, instead of something I don't have." She thought.
"Well don't you technically have a flat chest too Miyuki-Chan?" Sylph asked. "I mean in my large form even I have bigger boobs than you."
"You stay out of this!" Miyuki thought.
"Hehehehehehe." Sylph giggled.
"In any case, what we're doing is none of your concern, if you get in our way, you will be eliminated." Koneko said.
"Tou! Levia Beam!" Serafall said shooting a beam from her staff.
"They don't use CG for this?" Issei said
"No, it's a waste of money so she decided to just use her own mana and attacks." One of the staff said.
"What? !" Kenshin blanched.
Miyuki and Koneko dodged out of the way "Amazing, as to be expected from servants of the Gremory and Kuroshi." The Director applauded.
"Relax Kuroshi-Sama, it's not a serious attack, she does hold back." Kenshin heard one of the staff say.
"R-Right." Issei said.
"I should have figured..." Kenshin slumped. "Serafall's an experienced fighter."
Miyuki rushed forward and slashed her polearm at Serafall who dodged out of the way and swung her staff into Miyuki who was knocked back. "Ah I see, she's not taking us seriously, this is just a film after all." Miyuki thought, feeling no real pain from the staff.
"Ufufu, Nice try Shiri Sennin." Serafall said.
"Agh!" Miyuki said as she and Koneko dodged more magic beams, until they finally connected. "Crap..." She said falling flat on her face, as did Koneko as one made contact with her.
"Now, Shiri Sennin, Nekomata Maid...will you continue to fight me?" Serafall said pointing her staff at them.
"Krh..." Miyuki grunted and rose to a kneel, as did Koneko.
"That's not in the script." Issei said looking through his script
"Keep rolling." The Director said. "It's inconsequential."
"D-D-D-Don't take another step forward." Gasper said, appearing in front of Koneko and Miyuki in his box.
"It's so dumb it's hilarious..." Evangeline said, laughing under her breath.
"Seriously, he is way more reclusive than I ever thought about being...at least Undine and I stood off against people who came as a threat to us." Erubetie thought.
"U-Unlike the nekomata maid and the Shiri Sennin...I-I-I..." Gasper could say no more as a large shadow dropped from the sky, in the shape of a bird and picked up Gasper, box and all and flew off.
"Hey!" Miyuki said chasing it down.
(Break)
A little while later.
"Hiiiii!" Gasper cried out standing in his box after Miyuki had rescued him.
"There there, it's over now." Miyuki said patting him on the back and ruffling his hair with a smile.
"Uh guys. I hate to say this, but there's no way he's going back out there." Kenshin said. "I'm not forbidding it, but he's too worked up."
"What do you propose then?" The Director asked.
"Why not send Erubetie here in his place?" Kenshin said gesturing toward the Slime Queen.
"Hm...sir read ahead in the script a bit." The Director said.
"Hm?" Kenshin flipped through. "Oh...Oh shit we don't have much left do we?"
"No." The Director said. "We don't."
"Hm...Evangeline, Alma you're on as well." Kenshin said. "Just...don't ham it up please."
"Please, I know what I'm doing." Evangeline said.
"I was referring to her." Kenshin pointed at Alma.
"Oh? I'll just treat it like sex." Alma said smiling casually.
"Huh?/E-Eh?" Kenshin and Issei both said respectively as they both suddenly got the image of Serafall and Alma Elma together in a yuri situation stuck in their heads.
"Kenshin would you hold it against me if I said I really wanted to see that?" Issei whispered.
"Issei, I am nowhere near as perverted as you, and I kind of want to see it." Kenshin whispered back.
(crunch!)
"Perverted Sempais..." Koneko muttered stepping on their feet.
"Agh..." Issei and Kenshin both grunt in pain.
"Ufufufu." Alma giggled.
"Alright everyone in position." The Director said.
Xenovia, Evangeline, Alma, Erubetie got on the battlefield which was an mysterious ruin. "Huh...nice job on the ruins guys." Kenshin said glancing at the staff.
"Thank you Kuroshi-Sama." They chorused in response.
"So you gave Ascalon to Xenovia?" Kenshin asked Issei.
"Yeah, she still can't control Durandal, and we wouldn't want the swords power to rip everything to shreds. Serafall-Sama can control her power at least." Issei said
"Right Right, I still have to carve out some time to train with her." Kenshin nodded.
Serafall came up to the ruin like she had been searching for it. "Oh? A whole crowd is here to greet me this time. That said I can't let you awaken those two dragons!"
"Fufufufu, like I will let you do that." Xenovia said.
"..." Kenshin and Issei slumped. "You were worried that Evangeline-San or Alma-San might ham it up..."
"Turns out Xenovia's the ham." Kenshin muttered.
"I suppose it can't be helped because we're rookies." Issei said.
"Speak for yourself. My former line of work required experience in this bullshitting we call acting." Kenshin said.
"Here I come!" Serafall said.
"Bring it!" Xenovia shouts.
Serafall's staff collided against Ascalon. "Ugh!" Xenovia jumped back as Serafall reeled her weapon back and swung it outward.
"Did you forget that we were here?"
"? !" Serafall's eyes widened in surprise as blue slime surrounded her and enclosed.
"You're dealing with the Slime Queen as well." Erubetie said appearing over the top of her. Her hand poised to strike.
"I didn't forget." Serafall said.
"!" Erubetie's eyes widened as the air around her got colder, restricting her movements.
Serafall dove out of the way of the slime and snapped her fingers, freezing the Slime Queen. "I'll unfreeze you after I'm done here OK?" She said with a cutesy smile.
"Ghh..." Erubetie's frozen form budged slightly, but did not move much more than that.
"Wow, I haven't met anyone yet that could freeze her." Alma said appearing at her side, grabbing Serafall's wrist and throwing her to the side.
"Ey!" Serafall said swinging her staff at Alma.
"Ara?" Alma said ducking under the swing and sending a telegraphed uppercut at Serafall. The two exchanged unsuccessful blows. "Sorry Levia-tan, but I am one with the wind." She said with a nonchalant smile. "You can't hit me." She teased.
"Besides, it's not like she's your only opponent." Evangeline said sending several lances of ice at her.
"Well maybe so, but..." Serafall leaped skyward and lifted her staff up "What if I erased any place you had to run to hm?" She said as numerous stars appeared behind her and started falling.
(boom!)
The only one left standing was Xenovia. "Danball Vampire Shogun, I require assistance!" Xenovia called out.
"Eh?" Kenshin looked at his script. "That's not in my script."
"Oi!" Issei said pulling on Kenshin's shoulder.
"Wha?, ? !" He watched as a T Rex was currently chowing down on the box Gasper was in.
"Spit him out!" Miyuki shouts ramming the butt of her polearm into the dinosaur's stomach.
(break)
"Fueeeeehhhh! It smelled so bad and my clothes are ruined!" Gasper whined.
Kenshin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Miyuki, please take him home before these idiots try something else."
"Yeah, come on Gasper, lets go home and get you changed." Miyuki said.
"(sniff) OK." Gasper said as they warped away.
"K-Kuroshi-Sama, we could have needed him!" The Director said.
"Too damn bad, I told you he was too worked up." Kenshin snapped. "I sent him away so I wouldn't have to explain to my fiancee why her bishop's a gibbering, whining mess, or maybe I should have kept him here so that could happen, then you could answer to her."
"Fine fine..." The Director sighed. "I think we were beginning to crutch on him anyway."
"No kidding." Kenshin snorted.
"There's only so much he can take guys." Issei sighed.
"B-But...I didn't want this to be a mere children's film...I wanted it to change the world." The Director said.
"OK, seriously...if you had put him in harms way again, or changed the script again, then I would have walked." Serafall said with a huff. "If you didn't want to do this type of movie, then you shouldn't have accepted the offer I gave you. I told you what I wanted to do, and it was the job of you and your staff to make a script around that."
"Y-Yes Serafall-Sama..." The Director said, admonished.
"Alright, everyone in position." Serafall smiled at Kenshin, Issei and Asia.
"Right." Kenshin said.
"On it!" Issei saluted.
"Yes!" Asia said.
Kenshin escorted Serafall to her spot. "So that's not your usual Director?"
"Nuh uh, my usual director came down with the flu and was more suited to the T.V format anyway." Serafall said.
"I see. Like Evangeline said, it does seem awfully hypocritical of him to add in anti-government crap, considering who you are." Kenshin said.
"Yeah..." Serafall sighed. "I'm sorry you and him butted heads like this."
"It's fine. It's not your fault. Maybe next time we can just do a special on your show together." Kenshin offered.
"Hehehehe." Serafall giggled. "Sure, just let me know when a good time for you comes up."
"OK." Kenshin said. "That said...doing battle with another Satan, I'm kinda excited."
"Ah...ahahahaha." Serafall laughed nervously. "You...uh fought the strongest amongst us last time Kenshin-Chan. I'll probably just disappoint you in comparison to Sirzechs-Chan."
"Nonsense. Battle isn't just strength. It's a matter of intelligence and ability as well, and your brand of Ice Magic has always intrigued me...as well as your 'magical girl' style of magic." Kenshin chuckled. "You're going to provide plenty of challenge and I'm excited for it."
Serafall stopped and looked up at him. "Kenshin..." She said dropping the suffix.
"What? It's true I like to do battle, so I like to do battle with all matter of opponent." Kenshin said.
"Hahaha, I can see that." Serafall said.
"Also, whenever you have free time Serafall, you're welcome to come over to see everyone." Kenshin said. "I'd, y'know would like to get to know you more."
"..." Serafall's smile widened and she cupped his cheek, bringing her lips to his. "When I find some time...I'll be sure to come visit you." She said after the kiss broke.
"Heh, I'll be sure to expect your visit then, Levia-tan." Kenshin said as he warped away.
"Haa...he is really making it hard to resist him..." Serafall sighed with a smile. "Even if it is for So-tan's sake..." She then giggled. "Then again...I could totally do that thing I talked about with them when Kenshin-Chan and I met!"
(Break)
Asia assumed a praying position in front of the altar of a pair of dragons seemingly doing battle. "Dragon Emperors-Sama, Dragon Emperors-Sama, please hear my evil wishes, set aside your current battle and defeat Levia-tan with all your mighty evil power."
At that moment Serafall appeared behind her. "Stop your prayers right now!"
"...Aaah!" Dragon Emperors-Sama! It's time for your resurrection!" Asia said turning toward Serafall throwing her hands out at her sides.
The statue to her left started to break and Issei broke out, this time in his Balance Breaker armor. "Fuhahahahahahahaha!" I am the Red Dragon Emperor, I have received the prayers of the evil one and I have resurrected, once again unto this world! I will now destroy this Underworld where the Devils who sealed me live!"
A second rumbling was heard. "For thousands of years I lay dormant! Who has awake- Oh it's you." Kenshin appeared and glanced in disinterest at Issei. "What are you doing here?"
"We were sealed together, remember? !" Issei snapped.
"No, YOU were sealed. I was just unable to get away from you." Kenshin said.
"Then you were sealed!" Issei snapped.
"No, I was just dragged down with you!" Kenshin snapped back.
"Uhm..." Serafall said with a sweatdrop.
"Hm?" Kenshin turned to her. "Huh, y'know I've been asleep for a long time, and you're the first woman I've seen in that long time and I have to say...Nice." Kenshin smirked
"Baby you know it." Serafall said with a wink.
"So this is all they could manage huh? They must be in some dire straits." Issei said pointing at Serafall. "To think that one devil would be enough to take me on."
"Ufufufufu..." Serafall giggled and raised her staff.
"Ok, I'll just stand over here and look pretty then." Kenshin said as he backed away. "Seeing as you think you can take her solo and all..."
"W-Wait, is it just me or is that mana a little too powerful?" Issei thought.
"Red Dragon Emperor, I will defeat you!" Serafall declared.
"Uwwwwaaaggghh!" Issei said as the mana shot toward him in a burst.
(break)
Back in the present.
"You asshole. You asked her to take us seriously?" Issei said in a low tone.
"Technically I merely stated that the prospect of fighting another Satan excited me. She's the one taking it this way." Kenshin said.
"Next time keep me out of your suicidal brawls." Issei snapped.
"Shame, you were to be the centerpiece of my next brawl." Kenshin smirked.
"Hey, quit moving around, fight me head one!" Serafall said coming right at them.
"Oh shit, oh fuck, oh DAMN! The mana around her staff is dangerously high!" Issei thought, paling beneath his helmet.
"Alright Levia-tan!" Kenshin said, the elements coating his fist.
"E-Eh?" Issei said. "Ah screw it!" He thought.
"Ey, Levia Beam!" Serafall shouts out.
"Elemental Spica/Dragon Shot!" Kenshin and Issei shout firing their own attacks to meet the beam.
(booommm!)
"Hahahaha!" Kenshin laughed. "Whoa? !" He dodged as a tendril of ice whipped by and blew his shoulder armor clean off.
"Crap!" Issei said jumped out of the way as Serafall rushed forward, swinging her empowered staff at him.
"Hn!" Kenshin held his sword out, sheathed to block as Serafall turned her staff to him. "Woo! Man she's way stronger than she looks!" Kenshin thought.
Flames surrounded Kenshin like an aura, and ice surrounded Serafall. "Haaaaaaaa!" They both let out battle cries as tendrils of flame and ice dueled against each other.
(Boom!)
The two slashed downward, sending a blast of mana toward the ground, where Issei was at the moment. "Uwagh!" Issei shouted as he was grazed by it as it, managing to dodge.
"Uwah? !" Serafall yelped as Kenshin started driving her back.
"Nice power you have there, Levia-tan, but if you think you can beat me by phoning it in, you're sadly mistaken!" Kenshin said.
"Aahahahaha! My mistake!" Serafall said as she started pushing back.
"That's it, killin' ya both!" Issei shouts firing a large Dragon Shot at the both of them.
(boom!)
"Gaahh! I had her you idiot!" Kenshin shouts shooting out of the smoke and getting in Issei's face.
"You had her like a nail in a coffin!" Issei shouts.
"Oh boys~!"
"What? !" Issei and Kenshin shout looking up, only to freeze. "Oh..." Issei said.
"Oh..." Kenshin said.
"Oooohhh...crap." Kenshin and Issei said, paling as Serafall had numerous stars above her, ready to strike.
"Time to be defeated, Red and Black Dragon Emperors!" Serafall declared swinging her staff downward. Sending the stars right at them.
"Aaaaahhhhhhhh! !" Issei and Kenshin both yelled in terror as there was no escape.
(break)
"...So that was the movie?" Rias said.
"Ehhh...not her best work." Sona said rubbing her chin in thought.
"That's what happens when the script is rewritten numerous times." Kenshin sighed. "How's Gasper doing?"
"He's alright, Evangeline-San let him have a break from training to let him get over both being kidnapped and nearly eaten." Issei said.
Rias closed her eyes. "Thank you for taking him out of there. That director..." She growled under her breath.
"Well it's good he's doing well." Akeno said with a smile.
"Yeah." Alma said. "Poor guy though."
"I would have killed those guys for putting me in that position, but that's just me." Evangeline shrugged.
"Ditto." Granberia said.
"Kiba." Sona said. "Tsubaki sent this for you." She handed him a letter.
"Eh?" Kiba said opening the letter. "Oh! That's today? ! I gotta go!" He said running out the door.
"What's the rush?" Tamamo said, having been about to enter the door when Kiba ran by.
"Pretty boy's probably late for a date." Evangeline mused.
"By the way." Kenshin said turning to Alma, Erubetie and Granberia. "I've noticed you three have been getting a little stir crazy. Do you want Yukari to lay an illusion over you, so you can leave the house when you like?"
"You can do that? I do admit I would like to train outdoors in the fresh air." Granberia said.
"I admit I would enjoy being able to leave when I like." Erubetie said.
"Eh, it doesn't matter to me." Alma said with a wink.
"That said you three are going to have to start making deals soon." Evangeline noted.
"Yes, recouping from the war is one thing, but you will have to answer summons." Kenshin said.
"These entail what exactly?" Erubetie asked.
"They summon you with a request, you fulfill it and leave." Rias said.
"You must also hand these out." Kenshin said holding up his clan's summoning flier.
"I did that already." Alma said. "But, do we have to fulfill anything they ask?"
"You're within your rights to refuse." Kenshin said. "Just word it lightly, like say...'that sort of wish will drain your life force' or whatever."
"OK." Alma shrugged.
"Very well." Granberia sighed.
"I'll do it, but odds are I won't like it." Erubetie said.
"I'll take them with me on my next summon and show them the ropes." Tamamo said.
"Thanks." Kenshin said.
Everyone left the room except Rias, Kenshin and Sona. Sona glanced over at Kenshin who cleared his throat. "Rias, can I have a word?"
"What is it?" Rias asked.
"It's about the alliance the Tsuki clan has with my clan." Sona said.
"I'm listening." Rias said leaning back in her chair.
"I finally got around to actually getting a look at it, and it turns out it does contain a marriage clause like the one your family got with Ragnarok." Kenshin said.
"..." Rias stared at the two.
"Onee-Sama's no longer a Sitri so..." Sona trailed off.
"And...well as you've seen, neither Yukari or Miyuki will marry someone they don't know." Kenshin said.
"I don't think Hikari-San's interested in the idea either." Sona said.
"So basically...you came to ask me if you can horn in on my engagement." Rias said glancing at Sona.
"W-Well Kenshin already settled things with my father so if it turned out you're not O-OK with the idea you're free to say no." Sona said, her face darkening slightly.
"Yes, but at the same time. Lord Sitri might lose face with some of his own exclusive allies for bowing so easily on an originally agreed upon pact to a newly formed devil clan." Everyone turned to find Rasai entering the room. "Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing, it's almost time for Rias' training with me."
"Really?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes. Despite your historic rise personally, your clan is still new and still among the lesser clans of the Pillars." Rasai said. "Some might take it as a sign of weakness if Lord Sitri accepts amendments from you for what some might consider weak reasoning."
"I don't think it's weak reasoning." Sona huffed.
"Let me continue. Your clan doesn't have an heir lined up. If you were to marry, you would become a member of Kenshin's clan, meaning your clan would require you two to conceive almost immediately afterward. Rias there doesn't have to worry about this because Sirzechs-Sama and Grayfia-Sama birthed a son to carry on the Gremory name already, so she may take her time bearing another heir to the Gremory." Rasai said. "For reference, if the situation were reversed and Kenshin were marrying into yours or Rias' family, he wouldn't have to worry about his vacant seat, because he has someone who could step in immediately who is young, devil wise, hell Yukari-San having the relationship she does with Kenshin would help matters as she could bear him a child herself, and she would probably do it happily."
Just outside the Occult Reasearch Club building, Yukari felt her body heat up and her face darken a couple of shades. "Wh-What the? W-Why am I blushing and why am I so hot?" She wondered.
"Just some things to think about." Rasai said crossing his arms. "In the end Lord Sitri could run damage control and its not as if he's THAT old. He could patiently wait for you, or even Serafall-Sama to birth an heir." He said looking at Sona
"Uhh...right." Rias said staring at her cousin with a bewildered look.
"Uhh...th-thanks Magdaran." Kenshin said.
"I am your adviser, it's to be expected." Rasai said.
"Right." Kenshin nodded. "Uh...quick question though. You talk as if the children they have with me won't be in line for my clan's seat."
"Yukari's child would take precedence over them or if for whatever reason she doesn't have one before Miyuki, then Miyuki's child would take precedence." Rasai said. "This is because they are both already in your clan
"So...um...what's the verdict Rias?" Sona asked.
"Hmn.." Rias stroked her chin in thought. "Honestly...it's kind of sudden for you to ask. I mean I know you two have already done...that, but still."
"Wh-Wha? ! How?" Sona said her voice a couple of octaves higher.
"You were limping slightly after we left the Pyramid and Yukari had commented that you had Kenshin's scent on you." Rias said.
Sona went silent, her cheeks damn near cherry red at this point. Kenshin cleared his throat. "Well the reason I ask is that I didn't want to put you in a position you didn't want to be in, and I had a feeling you wanted to be my only wife."
"Well...you're not wrong." Rias said. "Just give me some time to think about it OK?"
"Of course." Kenshin and Sona said.
"OK, Rasai I'm ready when you are." Rias said getting up and dusting off her skirt.
"Whew." Sona sighed.
"Well that's done, she at least knows about it." Kenshin said.
"Y-Yeah, but it was awkward as all hell..." Sona said.
"Well until a decision is made, let's just continue as we have been." Kenshin said. "Whether it's as we had been before, or what we've been doing recently is up to you." He added with a grin
"I prefer the latter." Sona said with a smile.
"I thought so, anyway I need to be going, summons and whatnot." Kenshin said as he disappeared.
(Break)
The next day.
Rias was going over summons contracts while Akeno and Koneko were cleaning up around the ORC. Kenshin and Xenovia meanwhile were outside sparring with Issei and Chachamaru looking on.
"Wow, those two are evenly matched." Issei said.
"No, Both Kenshin and Xenovia-San are restraining themselves, its for this reason they're both using bokkens." Chachamaru said.
"Uhh...I meant in a normal sword fight with no powers." Issei said.
"O-Oh, m-my mistake." Chachamaru said glancing away with an embarrassed look.
"Hahaha, it's cool Chachamaru-San." Issei chuckled. "We all make mistakes, it's apart of being alive."
"Hm..." Chachamaru nodded with a smile. "Issei-San."
"Yeah?" Issei said.
"I want to work on getting stronger, but for a gynoid this is kind of impossible for me because of my limiters, but I thought of a way, and it includes your Boosted Gear, could you, possible find the time to assist me with this?" Chachamaru asked.
"Wouldn't my Boosted Gear just overload your limiters?" Issei asked.
"As long as I unload the power quickly I will be fine." Chachamaru said.
"OK, but I really think you should let Azazel-Sensei assist you with the limiters as well." Issei said.
"I've already asked him if I could transfer my schematics to a computer for him, he's just waiting for one to arrive from the Grigori." Chachamaru said. "He said if he could get a look at them without taking me apart right away he could get a better understanding about my body."
"Ah, well when you want my help, just ask for it." Issei said.
"Haaa!" Xenovia slashed downward, knocking Kenshin on his back.
(poof!)
"Eh? !" Xenovia exclaimed in surprise as a hand slapped down on her shoulder.
"You need to be prepared for any trick the enemy could use." Kenshin said from behind her.
"Oi oi, Kenshin that wasn't very fair." Issei said.
"Relax, the clones physical traits are identical to my own. It just can't buff them with mana like I can." Kenshin said. "That said I could reinforce it with my Balance Breaker like I did against Vali. In any case as far as sword play goes you did great."
"Thank you." Xenovia nodded. "So when do we get to working on controlling Durandal?" She asked.
"I'm still looking for a barrier that won't fold like a bad hand in Hold 'em when we do train for that." Kenshin said. "Remember it's not just your power that will be trained, I have to protect myself too."
"Yes." Xenovia bowed respectfully. "Thank you for taking time out to help me."
"Oi oi." Kenshin waved his hand. "No need to bow, seriously it makes me feel weird." He checked his watch. "Hey, maybe you and Issei should head inside and check what you got for summons tonight, it's getting to be around that time."
"Right." Issei and Xenovia nodded and went inside.
"Is there anything for me?" Chachamaru said.
"Hm..." Kenshin took some papers out of a seal. "...No...I don't think so."
"Then is there anything you require me to do?" Chachamaru asked.
"Hm, go home and tell Evangeline I need to see her about something when she gets a chance." Kenshin said.
"Yes." Chachamaru said, teleporting back home.
Kenshin was about to enter the Occult Research Club room when he heard the brush rustling. He turned to find a blonde woman with hair styled into multiple drill curls. "Excuse me, is Rias-San in?"
"Who's asking?" Kenshin asked.
"Who's...it's me the Beast Tamer Kiyome Abe, the girl who helped you all with the nekomata's mating season." She said.
"Who?" Kenshin said with a confused look.
"Ugh." Kiyome sighed gruffly.
"Sorry, I just didn't remember I know the time isn't that far off, but everyone here excluding you has been through a lot. I can't be expected to remember someone who I saw one time for a grand total of about thirty minutes." Kenshin said.
"It's fine." Kiyome sighed. "Alright, are they in?"
"Yeah. Head on in." Kenshin said. "Hm?"
"What is it?" Kiyome said seeing Kenshin look off to the left.
"Do me a favor and tell Rias I had to look into something really quick." Kenshin said.
"Uhm, OK." Kiyome said as she walked by him. Kenshin left the area.
Kiyome meanwhile walked into Rias' office where the Gremory and her peerage were gathered with Kenshin's siblings, Tamamo and Alma. "Hm? What is it Abe-San?" Rias asked.
"I came to ask a favor." Kiyome said.
"Hold up, where's Kenshin, he was out there until just a bit ago." Yukari asked curiously.
"He said he had to look into something really quick." Kiyome answered.
"Tamamo, do I have any summons?" Kiyome turned and saw Granberia walk into the room.
"Oooh! A dragonkin!" Kiyome said.
"Uhh...yes?" Granberia said.
"Your kind is really rare these days! I must tame you!" Kiyome gushed.
"..." Granberia glowered at the beast tamer.
"She's already tamed by Kenshin." Tamamo said fanning herself with a smile.
"Uwaah! Then I must talk with him about where I could find another!" Kiyome said.
"Not possible." Granberia said.
"Eh?" Kiyome said.
"I'm the only one left." Granberia said. "Why are you so fixated on taming me anyway, that means defeating me in battle and no offense...but I'd destroy you."
"I'm a Beast Tamer, you wouldn't be fighting me directly." Kiyome said.
"Hmph, whatever." Granberia said. "I won't allow myself to be tamed anyway."
"Um, Kiyome-San, what are you here for? We're kind of getting sidetracked." Rias said.
"Oh! R-right." Kiyome said turning back to Rias. "I came to ask if I can borrow Issei-kun for a day."
"Eh?" Issei said. "What for?"
"My father's coming home soon and I need his help with something." Kiyome said.
"Hmn...I feel like rejecting your request, but I'll humor you and hear it out." Rias said.
"Bullying our Issei-kun won't be allowed you know?" Akeno said with a casual smile.
"Aren't you interested in his brother anyway?" Kiyome drawled, referring to Kenshin.
"Ufufufu." Akeno just giggled in response.
"This could turn into a flag for his death." Koneko said.
"E-Eh?" Issei paled.
"Oh relax, you just got out of a war, you've seen enough of those 'flags'." Tamamo said fanning herself.
"Haa, anyway. My father is returning home soon, and he's already sticking me in an arranged marriage." Kiyome said.
"Ah, I see, your family is a respected clan of beast tamers, with a long respected tradition. So he's already picked out your groom?" Kiba asked.
"Yes." Kiyome said. "For this reason, I need Issei-kun to pose as my boyfriend. I've already told my father that I have one and while we have already been on one date. He agreed to break the negotiations off if he meets him and...I suddenly feel like I'm receiving hostility."
"Her boyfriend..." Asia said with a vexed look.
"Yeah, I know..." Irina said with a slight glare.
"..." Erubetie remained silent, but had a light, menacing aura around her.
"Grrrhhhh..." Sextum growled softly under her breath, the air around her getting colder.
In the Underworld, a glare suddenly appeared on Seekvaira Agares' face and she accidentally pulled off an arm on the mech figurine she was polishing. "Crap!" She cursed and popped it back on. "Haa..thank goodness it's on of those jointed ones that just snap back on." She sighed in relief. "I wonder why I suddenly felt like that...is someone trying to move on Issei?" She wondered.
How right you were Seekvaira, how right you were. Rias cleared her throat. "Well, honestly he is my servant, but those services aren't really mine to give. That belongs mostly to the angel, the human and my Bishop over there."
"Hrmn...I guess she has a point." Erubetie thought. "I'll be able to see how we do together once I can go out. Being in the human world is annoying." She thought.
"P-Please, I really need this, I don't want to marry someone I don't know!" Kiyome said with a desperate look.
"Haa..." Irina sighed then smiled. "Fine.
"Yes, after all Onee-Sama had Onii-Sama to break her out of her prior engagement." Asia said.
"Hrmn...I suppose that would be annoying." Sextum said. "If he wants to do it, we can't really say otherwise."
"I'll do it." Issei said.
"Haa thank you..." Kiyome sighed in relief.
"Alright, now even if his services in this regard aren't mine to give, he's still my servant and his time acting as such will be taken up helping you, so I require a price of my own." Rias said.
"Hey, as long as this works, I'll pay your price." Kiyome said.
"Very well. We will come with you. Tamamo, please tell Kenshin that I had a group task come up." Rias said.
"Actually Erubetie, Kazumi and Chachamaru don't have summons today, they could accompany you all as well." Tamamo said. "The latter two are at the house, shall I call them."
"If they want to come, I won't argue." Kiyome said.
"Yes, yeah..mhm...OK." Tamamo said. "Chachamaru's taking care of something for Kenshin, but she'll come, and Kazumi said she's been looking for a change of scenery for her pictures."
"Alright everyone, let's go." Rias said.
(Break)
Meanwhile.
"..." Kenshin was in the middle of town. He had felt a signature while talking with Kiyome. He was sure his mind was playing tricks on him, but he clear as day felt it and it was a signature he had not felt since he had first come to Kuoh, and that unnerved him.
"If you want to choose to hate anyone, hate the God that put the Sacred Gear within you."
"You were about to attack the person on the ground, I will not allow that! I may be on my last legs but I'm far from dead. Leave now or face my wrath!" He recalled himself saying.
He was currently trailing a woman with long black hair, she wore a dark red jacket with the letter P on it embroidered in gold. A white undershirt a red bow and a green skirt with a white stripe going around the bottom. "..." He walked up to her and clamped his hand down on her shoulder preventing her from running. She turned to him in shock.
"Keep walking." Kenshin said in a harsh tone.
The two turned into an alleyway where Kenshin grabbed her by the back of her shirt and leaped onto a rooftop. He threw her forward. She turned to him. "Wh-Who are you? !"
"Don't play dumb with me Amano Yuuma." Kenshin said. "Or should I say...Fallen Angel Raynare." He snapped his fingers and cast away her illusion revealing her Fallen Angel form.
"...So you know it's me. What tipped you off?" Raynare asked with a slight glare.
"I'd never forget the aura of someone I've crossed blades with." Kenshin said. "I don't know how you're back among the living, but if you don't tell me quickly I'll send you right back."
"Can you really do that? Isn't Issei still in there?" Raynare asked.
"No, he isn't." Kenshin said. "We broke our fusion a while ago."
"Well then, that makes killing you easy for me." Raynare said with a calm smirk.
"Heh, kill me you say? You must be delusional from spending so much time in the afterlife." Kenshin said smirking back at her. "Or maybe you've gotten stronger than Kokabiel...who knows." He held Kuroi Jigoku sheathed in front of him, grabbing it's hilt.
"Stronger than Kokabi-, please! You really think you're stronger than a member of the Grigori? !" Raynare laughed as she created a red spear of light and pointed it at him.
"Well, he may have been powering an explosion seal at the time, but I did beat him like a drum after he killed my sister." Kenshin said cracking his neck from side to side as he unsheathed his sword.
"!" Raynare's eyes widened at it. "Th...That's Ragnarok Kuroshi's sword! The Holy Canceler! Why do you have it? !"
"Why you ask? It is mine after all, why wouldn't I have my sword?" Kenshin asked.
"You aren't Ragnarok!" Raynare spat.
"Hmn...well maybe I should just go ahead and show you." Kenshin said. "...Balance Break."
"Balance Breaker! Elemental Overdrive!"
"!" Raynare stepped back, fear written on her face. "N-No...No way, y-you're the near spitting image of h-him." She stammered out.
"I am his reincarnation." Kenshin said. "Still think you can defeat me?"
"..." Raynare lowered her spear, before casting it away.
"Good." Kenshin said as he cast off his Balance Breaker and sheathed the sword. He appeared in front of her. "Now start talking."
"I-I don't know how I'm alive again, OK? !" Raynare said. "I just woke up in a hospital bed a few days ago with this outfit folded next to me. I've been trying to make sense of it all!"
"..." Kenshin stared at her, trying to find deceit in her words. He found none. "OK..assuming this is true. Do you remember everything?"
"Yes, I remember crossing paths with you after killing Issei." Kenshin wasn't sure why, but he saw a remorseful look appear on Raynare's face for a second. "Taking Asia's Sacred Gear." Again, a remorseful look for the same length of time. "Then I remember getting dusted by that red haired cunt!" Raynare said.
"..." Kenshin scowled.
"Wh-What?" Raynare said nervously, not wanting to incur his ire.
"That 'red haired cunt' as you just called her just so happens to be my fiancee now." Kenshin said.
"!" Raynare's eyes widened fearfully. "I'm sorry!"
"Don't let it happen again." Kenshin said. "This woman...did she even want to do what she did?" Kenshin wondered.
"Y-Yes." Raynare said.
"So you're as confused about this as I am." Kenshin said stroking his chin in thought.
"I am." Raynare said. "I mean, I am thankful to be alive again, but...I was dead...I don't get it."
"As someone who dances with death quite often I can sort of sympathize with you on that point." Kenshin said. "Ignore this."
Raynare watched as Kenshin set his hand on her chest and closed his eyes. "What are you...?"
"...I knew it." Kenshin sighed.
"What?" Raynare said.
"You're a Fallen Angel Homunculus." Kenshin said. "That body was crafted from the materials that make up a body, then given your DNA that the Grigori no doubt has on file and it took a few days to stabilize so you were left to rest in a hospital. Your soul returned to the body that housed your DNA and poof, here you are."
"It's that easy?" Raynare said.
"I guess." Kenshin said. "This HAS to be Azazel's doing."
"A-Azazel-Sama brought me back?" Raynare asked with wide, hopeful eyes.
"Yes, but I can't imagine why." Kenshin gruffly sighed. "By the way, you know he never wanted you to kill Sacred Gear wielders, right?"
"What? B-But I was told that he wanted Sacred Gears to research." Raynare said.
"OK, first. He prefers to see them used in action by their wielders. Hell he's gotten copious amounts of data from my sisters and I alone." Kenshin said. "Second, who told you this?"
"W-Well, I was...told this by Kokabiel. Raynare said a shiver running through her body as she mentioned the Fallen Angel Cadre
"That explains it. He wanted you to kill Sacred Gear users in Devil Territory to incite war. The Devils running the joint, Rias and Sona wouldn't take kindly to bodies dropping because of the supernatural and that would draw them out, Kokabiel would kill them because as we've seen before Rias and Sona would have easily handled you, and that would piss off their Satan siblings, and Kokabiel would have his war." Kenshin said.
"Oh my god..." Raynare said bowing her head. "...I...I literally killed them for no reason...just to save my own skin."
"..." Kenshin looked down at her. "You feel remorse for what you've done...and what do you mean save your own skin?"
"..." Raynare looked back up at him. "I...I lied about everything I said to Issei those cruel things, it was all an act to make him want to fight me over you who was stronger than he was. I had to...Kokabiel was threatening my life."
"..." Kenshin stared at her.
"I...I never wanted to kill him. It...It was actually nice...what he did for me." Raynare said glancing away. "When I told him it was boring, or that I didn't think much of it, it was a lie."
"What you did scarred him. He couldn't form a meaningful relationship again for quite sometime because of you." Kenshin said.
"..." Raynare looked over at the setting sun. "He'll never take me back then. I hurt him far too much."
"..." Kenshin stared at her again. "Wow...did she...actually reciprocate Issei's feelings the whole time, but...was unable to show it?" He thought.
"Send me back." Raynare said.
"...No." Kenshin said shaking his head. "Come, we're going to talk to Azazel."
"!" Raynare was taken in by Kenshin's teleportation circle and they vanished.
"Hm?" Azazel looked up from his desk at his apartment as the two appeared. "So you found her."
"Azazel...what the shit?" Kenshin said crossing his arms.
"Well I'm glad you did instead of Issei or someone else." Azazel said. "Despite your past experience with her, you'd be more suspicious as to why she's alive rather than angry that she is alive and offed her to protect Issei."
"Right whatever, now why?" Kenshin asked.
"I'm curious as well Azazel-Sama." Raynare said.
"Kenshin, outside of her situation with Kokabiel. She was a perfect servant to me." Azazel said. "When I found out Kokabiel threatened her, I was furious. I was always going to bring her back when we recovered the Homunculus Project from Forbesii."
"Even if it traumatized Issei and Asia?" Kenshin asked.
"..." Azazel closed his eyes. "Issei never knew this, but...Raynare practically adored him."
"...?" Kenshin glanced back at her.
"I..It's true." Raynare said. "I kind of found his antics charming, but within reason!" She defended with a flushed face.
"..." Kenshin looked back at Azazel. "You know if the two of them meet again...it won't be pretty."
"I realize this." Azazel said. "But...I'll take responsibility, but please Kenshin...as the Primordial of Life, at least let her have this second chance at life she's been given."
"Primordial of Life?" Raynare asked.
"..." Kenshin closed his eyes. "Fine, but anything she does to upset anyone is on her, I'll defend her if it's within reason, but if someone wants to off her because of something she does to hurt Issei, Asia, Rias or anyone else in the future, I won't interfere. She's going to have to start training if she doesn't want to get smacked around."
"I understand, thank you." Azazel said. "Raynare, please leave us."
"Y-Yes..." Raynare said walking out the door.
"...You see her as your daughter...don't you?" Kenshin asked.
"..." Azazel went silent for a moment. "...Yeah."
"I see, that explains it...no wonder you were pissed at Kokabiel when you found out." Kenshin said. "Fine, but remember. It's her problem to repair her relationship with Issei, I won't help her with it."
"I know." Azazel nodded before getting up. "Whelp, I gotta be going. I'm going to go ask Hikari if she wants to go somewhere tonight."
"..." Kenshin glared at him.
"Kenshin...you know my harems are mostly defunct right?" Azazel said.
"Look, Azazel...I know I'm kind of a dick about it, but Mom's been through enough grief romantically. She was interested in what turned out to be me when she was my age and I left her behind. She lost Dad in less than ideal circumstances...I just want her to make her choice at her own pace, and be happy with that...even if for whatever reason she chooses Issei or me."
"You? You wouldn't mind that kind of relationship with your own mother?" Azazel said.
"Remember when I told you I was attacked by a snake demon who paralyzed me in such a way that I could still feel everything she did to me and she took advantage of me to ease her lust? I ended up getting a case of gynophobia for a couple of weeks to a month because of it. Mom helped me get over it...and if Yukari wasn't available she would help me with heat cycles as well." Kenshin said.
"Huh...I see." Azazel said.
"I won't pursue her if that's what you're worried about." Kenshin said. "All I want is for her to be happy. Make her happy, and I'll be happy."
"Huh, I see." Azazel said. "Well I finally get why you're so protective over her...if she doesn't want to be in a harem, maybe I could make myself available as more of a..."
"Friend with Benefits? Hm, that's something you'll have to talk to her about." Kenshin shrugged. "Maybe Mom doesn't want to be with anyone at all and I'm blowing this slightly out of proportion, but I think she'd be open to that. If only to ease her own heat cycle lust. She's skipped quite a few."
"OK." Azazel said walking up to Kenshin. "Thanks. For Raynare."
"Yeah, and about my mother...the only reason I'm letting you close to her...is because I trust you, OK?" Kenshin said.
Azazel grinned. "Yeah, thanks again."
"Now, I need a favor." Kenshin said.
"What's up?" Azazel asked.
"The Abyssal Elemental Overdrive. The holy cancel effect isn't going to be all that useful in the future, I'd rather keep it on my sword, do you think you could find a way for me to to convert it to something? Preferably something that isn't a ripoff of Issei's Triana formation."
"Hm, I'll have to study it...maybe we should spar with you using it sometime so I can get some hands on experience." Azazel said.
"Hmn, Alright. Hope you can keep up old man." Kenshin chuckled.
"Hahahahaha, don't you worry about me kid." Azazel laughed. "Oh, here." He took Shin Tatsu's journal off his desk and handed it to Kenshin. "It seems before he died he left a final entry, and it's directed to you."
"...?" Kenshin took the journal. "To me?"
"Yeah." Azazel said. "Go ahead, read it when you get a chance."
"..." Kenshin nodded and bid him adieu, warping to his room. "Huh?" He said, surprised to find Grayfia of all people there. "Grayfia? What brings you here?"
"Well, I came to ask a favor of you to be fulfilled in the future." Grayfia said.
"Yeah?" Kenshin asked.
"When Millicas comes of age, do you think you'd be open to becoming his instructor in combat?" Grayfia asked.
"...?" Kenshin stared at her. "Umm...sure? But why ask so early?"
"With Rizevim now known to be living, Sirzechs and I don't know what may happen. If something happens to us, we want to be sure to have someone to instruct him on how to defend himself and we thought...who better than his hero?" Grayfia smiled.
"W-Wow...I'm honored." Kenshin said. "I'll do it."
"Hmh." Grayfia nodded.
"Also...do you know that Sirzechs might have already found someone?" Kenshin asked.
"Yes, it's the sister of the head of the Belphagor clan." Grayfia said. "Sirzechs told me about her yesterday."
"Ah I see." Kenshin nodded. "Any luck finding one for yourself?"
"Mm..I have an idea, but I'm not at liberty to divulge at this time." Grayfia said with a musing look.
"OK...?" Kenshin said.
"Thank you for your acceptance, I must be going." Grayfia said.
"Have a nice day." Kenshin waved.
Grayfia left and Kenshin sat on his bed and opened up the journal. He flipped it to the last page. It read.
Kenshin, if you're reading this...then I am already dead.
When you didn't come back to the River of Time with your sister, our hearts dropped. Then Ryuujin left, when he did I was no longer technically obligated to remain at that post. I knew Yukari needed my help, but...my homeworld needed it more, so I left her as well.
No matter what Yama told you, the Youkai Revolution was my fault...I'm the one who let things deteriorate like they did. I should have...I should have tried to reach out to Forbesii while he was still young, get him to see that I was not responsible for his home's destruction. I tried to amend things by letting him kill me, but by then he was far too gone.
If you have defeated him, then congratulations...and thank you.
Honestly Kenshin, after Forbesii I never wanted to take on another student...I didn't want to chance the same thing happening again, but as I trained you and your sister...I saw another possibility, the possibility for peace to finally have it's day. Odd...that it came from someone who came from the past you did, but...I guess when I really think about it, it's not all that odd.
I had a wonderful time mentoring you and Yukari, and I entrust my ambition for peace to you.
Your Former Master.
Shin Tatsu.
"..." A tear drop hit the page, just under Shin Tatsu's name. "Shin..." Kenshin said wiping his eyes before closing the book. "I'll try my damnedest to make you proud."
"I think he already would be."
"?" Kenshin turned to find Evangeline. "Evangeline? I know I asked you to come find me, but.."
Evangeline sat down next to him. "I think Shin Tatsu...and hell even Ragnarok would be proud of you."
"You think so?" Kenshin asked.
"Know so." Evangeline corrected both him and herself. "As you know, I've never been much for peace, because I was usually on the wrong end of it, being a Shinso Vampire, hell just being a vampire."
"Yeah." Kenshin nodded. "Before I met the Rikudou guys, I was kinda the same..."
"Can't blame you." Evangeline said. "But...you know Kenshin. You feel like someone, I wouldn't mind following on that path."
"Evangeline..." Kenshin stared at her with a surprised look. "I never got the chance to say this before, but...I'm sorry you weren't able to have a more direct hand in Hottan's defeat." Kenshin said.
"..." Evangeline shook her head. "It's quite alright, as long as he was defeated, it was enough for me."
"I see. Evangeline, I know this might have come up before, but I thought you were still holding a grudge against me." Kenshin said.
"I've gotten over it." Evangeline said. "The truth is, we were both haunted by the events caused by your disappearance." She looked over at him. "I never said it out loud until I spat it at the Demon King, but...those girls had really grown on me when they died."
"..." Kenshin looked out the window.
"You're thinking about Negi aren't you?" Evangeline asked.
"I'm just thinking of what I'm going to do when I see her again...do I have it in me to fight her like that?" Kenshin said.
"When it's time, we'll figure that out." Evangeline said.
"Yeah." Kenshin smiled. "You know...it's actually kinda nice, having a normal conversation with you."
"Hmn." Evangeline smiled back. "It is."
"Hey, Evangeline...did you...know that Nagi was married when you found him?" Kenshin asked.
"I did, I thought I could tempt him, but...it was just hubris I suppose." Evangeline said.
"Yeah...I don't think anything would have broken those two apart." Kenshin said.
"Indeed." Evangeline said. "So! You called me up here, what is it?"
"Oh, I had just noticed your blood stores were running a little low, so I had some drawn a couple of days ago." Kenshin said pulling out a cooler.
"Thanks, but..I think I'd rather have it from the source right now." Evangeline said.
"? !" Kenshin watched as Evangeline mounted him and pulled his shirt off, licking his collarbone and left trap muscle before sinking her fangs into it. "Agh..." Kenshin gasped softly in pain. He felt Evangeline's left hand holding him by the back of his neck, her right hand on his side.
"Mmhh..." Evangeline moaned softly in content as Kenshin's blood hit her tongue.
"...I..Is she grinding herself against me?" Kenshin thought feeling Evangeline's chest shifting against him
"Oh..it's been too long since I last fed like this..." Evangeline thought in a daze.
Evangeline fed on him for about five minutes before her fangs retracted. "Evangeline?" Kenshin said.
"Zzzz...zzzz...zzzz..." Evangeline snored softly.
The door opened and Chachamaru walked in. "Oh?" She said. "She must have been really hungry."
"Y-Yeah..." Kenshin said.
"Well, I'll take her." Chachamaru said pulling Evangeline into her arms in a cradle.
Kenshin watched her leave his room with Evangeline. He healed his bite wound and laid down. "Well, that was weird. I guess I'll just lay down and get some rest. Feels like she took quite a bit anyway."
He laid down and was out like a light in minutes.
(chapter end)
Draconis: Sorry this took awhile. Been dealing with a lot of stuff, like getting sick after hurting myself
Kenshin: Jeez you're just running into crap left and right huh?
Draconis: Yup, anyway. Raynare's been reintroduced...I chose to make her remorseful of her actions and being threatened by Kokabiel because it made sense to me and next time we start Kiyome's request and wrap up more side stories. I'll probably be on volume 14 in a couple of chapters as I can't really do all the DX side stories.
Footnote
(1 ) I need to find someone to tsukkomi Issei when he's being a pervert other than Koneko. Looking like it might be Erubetie.
See you all then.
Draconis678 out.