"Yeah, so what do you want?" Natsuki asked, still glaring at Vali.

  Vali smirked, and while Natsuki could feel his magic coming closer to her, indicating that he was moving towards her, Natsuki could not move fast enough to avoid Vali's hand wrapping around her throat.

  Vali smirked, "Too-"

  Vali opened his smirking mouth to speak, but quieted himself when two swords were suddenly thrust at him, both sitting less than a millimeter from his neck.

  Kiba and Xenovia were standing behind the Vanishing Dragon, both using the speed their Knight pieces granted them to close the distance. The Holy Demonic Sword and Durandal were emitting an intense aura, the blades responding to the emotions of their wielders, feeding on their anger.

  "I don't know what you're planning, but you're taking it too far. Now let go of Natsuki." Kiba growled.

  "Your rivalry with Natsuki-san and Issei-san will not be starting here and not today. We won't let you." Xenovia added.

  Vali turned his head to look at the sword wielding duo, his arrogant smirk still on his face, "Those are some tough words, and I might have been able to take them seriously if your hands weren't shaking."

  Like Vali said, Kiba and Xenovia's hands were indeed shaking, causing their swords to tremble, their expressions tightening with rage. As Devils, they all had instincts not unlike the ones animals possessed, and their instincts were telling them to run, to get as far away from the apex predator before them.

  "It's fine to boast, not knowing the difference between your opponent's strength, but between me and you, there is a decisive difference in power. You, who couldn't win against the likes of Kokabiel, won't be able to win against me." Vali snickered as Kiba and Xenovia reluctantly dispelled their swords, knowing that if Vali genuinely wanted to, he could kill them with ease. He was not Kokabiel, the Fallen who not only outmatched them, but made it very clear that the only reason the Gremory Peerage lasted so long was because the Fallen was toying with them.

  A growl ripped through the air as Natsuki grabbed the hand that Vali still had on her neck, forcing it off. She squeezed Vali's wrist tightly, her eyes no longer burgundy, but a glowing gold as she glared at him venously, her voice becoming layered, something that had not happened since Riser appeared in the clubroom. "Shut your fucking mouth, you arrogant little punk. Keep on smirking and keep on talking; it'll just make it all the sweeter when I beat you into the dirt."

  Vali looked Natsuki up and down, unbothered by the hold she now had on him, and to Natsuki's displeasure, still smirking. "You'd definitely be the more interesting combatant out of the two of you, you're more in touch with your dragon. But tell me, Sukehiro Natsuki, how do you think you and Hyoudou Issei compare to those with power in this world?"

  "What do you mean?" Issei asked.

  "I'm talking about your Balance Breaker; it looks quite incomplete to me, but still a four-digit ranking." Vali said, raising four of his fingers with his other hand. "On a scale of strongest to weakest, that is. I'd say between one thousandth and fifteen hundredth or lower. Although, for such a perverted owner, I bet it's even lower."

  "Don't talk to him like that!" Natsuki all but roared.

  Vali grinned, "There are a lot of strong people in this world. Even the Crimson Satan, Sirzechs Lucifer wouldn't fit in the top ten."

  Are there really so many people stronger than Lucifer-sama? I honestly can't imagine it. Issei thought.

  The Vanishing Dragon then raised a finger, "However, first place has long been decided; it's a fixed existence."

  "Are you saying you're the first?"

  He shrugs his shoulders in response to Issei's question, causing Issei to glare at Vali, "That's great and all, but what's your point?"

  Vali looked between the two Pawns, "My point is that you're, you both are, valuable players. You should be taken care of and natured." Vali then looked behind Natsuki and Issei, "Don't you agree, Rias Gremory?"

  Around Rias, there was Asia, Akeno, and Koneko, in contrast, Asia looked troubled while Akeno and Koneko looked ready to fight Vali.

  Rias was angered, barely containing the rage that Vali's sudden appearance inspired within in her. "I don't need your advice, Hakuryuukou. Now, what is the meaning of all this? If you've come here on behalf of the Fallen Angels, then more-"

  "You are aware that the Welsh Dragon and the Vanishing Dragon are known as the Two Heavenly Dragons, yes? People related to the Red, White, and even the Golden dragons have never had the best luck, it makes me wonder, how the lives of you and your Peerage will turn out."

  Rias' expression remained the same, but her Demonic energy began flaring up, covering the outer area of Kuoh Academy.

  "Calm down, I'm not here to fight." Vali said causally, "I just wanted to see the school that I visited last time, under more dire circumstances. I came to Japan while escorting Azazel, but I was bored, I won't fight the Welsh and Evolving dragons here, not to mention, I have a lot of work to do."

  After saying that, Vali rips his arm out of Natsuki's hand and turns his heel and walking down the street, away from the school. But even after he leaves, the large cloud of nervousness and fear the Devils felt does not go away, still permeating the surrounding area.

  Natsuki growls again, but her voice and eyes have returned to normal, "Damnit!"

  She knew that Vali was stronger than her, him beating Kokabiel more than proved this, but being powerless in his grasp and having him laugh in response to her threats, unfazed by any of them, bruised her ego in more ways than she could count.

  Akeno stepped forward, placing a hand on Natsuki's shoulder, "Nat-"

  Natsuki growled again and ripped herself away from Akeno's touch, not looking back or saying anything as she stormed onto the school grounds.

  "Hey!" Issei yelled, but Natsuki ignored him, continuing into the school building, disappearing from sight.

  Issei was about to follow her, but Rias stopped him, "Leave her be, Issei."

  "But-"

  Rias reached forward and gently held Issei's hand, still facing the direction Vali had left in.

  Issei looked at Rias questioningly, "Buchou? Are you okay?"

  Rias did not respond to the question, still staring at the last place that she had seen Vali but continued to hold Issei's hand.

  Her hands are sweaty, she must be freaking out. Issei grits his teeth, his gaze falling to the floor, now understanding Natsuki's outburst after Vali left.

  He was supposed to be the Red Dragon Emperor, the White Dragon Emperor's rival, their equal, and yet he was so much weaker than Vali. And Issei's anger and helplessness only worsened as he realized that Vali had only come here for him, and this had put the rest of the Peerage in danger.

  The rest of the Gremory Peerage stood outside the gates of the academy until they were forced to go to class, each thinking about their second encounter with the Vanishing Dragon.

  The Next Day

  "Wow, on time two days in a row. Who would've thought?" Issei grinned as he saw Natsuki take her seat behind him.

  Natsuki put her bag down before sitting and placing her head against her desk, without looking, she raised both hands, showing both of her middle fingers to Issei proudly.

  Asia, who was sitting in her own seat behind Issei and to the left of Natsuki, frowned and leaned to the side, using her own hands to put Natsuki's down, Natsuki stopped her offensive gesture when she lifted her head and saw the disappointed look on Asia's face.

  Issei snickered to himself as Matsuda and Motohama approached the duo, taking their own seats.

  "Are your parents coming, Ise?" Motohama asked.

  Issei sighed, "Yeah, but more like Okāsan and Otōsan are coming to see Asia."

  Matsuda nodded strongly to Issei's reply. "Ah, I understand. If Asia-chan is one's daughter, then you would want to come see her by all means."

  Asia grinned, "This sort of thing is a first for me, so I am really excited."

  At least one of us is. Natsuki thought, turning her head to stare out of the window and tuned out the madness Xenovia created when she entered the room and as walked up to Issei.

  The last time Kushina had come to one of her open house's was two years ago when she was in middle school, last year, Natsuki had told her guardian that she did not want the woman making the trip to Kuoh just to watch her doing different activities and to talk to her teachers, not when the women had so many other responsibilities.

  So, Natsuki was not expecting the woman to come this year, as Kushina had not mentioned the open house when they spoke over the phone a few days ago. Instead, Kushina spent most of their conversation berating Natsuki for not coming back home to visit in the last few weeks, suspicious of the excuses the girl would give her every time she asked why.

  I can't really blame Kushina-sama for not believing me. I've never mentioned having friends or being in any clubs and now I suddenly can't go home because I have responsibilities in my club and club meetings with my friends keep running late? Yeah, I would call bullshit too. I really should make time to go back to Nitoshō.

  Natsuki was pulled out of her thoughts when their English teacher entered the room, pulling a cart filled with supplies with him, he then walked by each desk, putting a lump of PVC clay on each one. Once he was done, he walked to the back of the classroom and opened the door in the back, letting the student's parents and other family members inside.

  The teacher cleared his throat as he walked back to the front of the room, "On your desks, you'll see a lump of clay. Your assignment is to create something original, it can be whatever you want, as long as it's meaningful to you. We all see life differently, it's the same with everyday conversations you may have."

  The students got to work on their assignment, each putting in their best effort with the weight of their parents' eyes on their backs.

  Natsuki stared at her clay trying to think of what to do but drawing a blank, but she felt a bit better when she looked up and saw that Issei and Xenovia had not yet gotten started either.

  "Psh! Natsuki Onee-chan!" A voice loudly whispered.

  As she was sitting in the last row, Natsuki only had to run her head slightly to see the group behind her, and what she saw filled her with shock and dread.

  "Izo?" Natsuki asked aloud, seeing the familiar brown haired, ten-year-old boy covered in scars standing there along with the other children of the Nitoshō Orphanage and Kushina.

  Izo grinned, "Make something cool, Onee-chan!"

  This led to the other children talking excitedly over each other, drawing the attention of most of the room.

  Issei leaned his head back, "Natsuki, who are they?"

  "They're the kids from the orphanage and the matron, Kushina-sama." Natsuki said as she turned around, staring to mold her clay.

  "Seriously?" Issei asked, Natsuki had never hidden the fact that she was an orphan and had lived in an orphanage in Nitoshō before coming to Kuoh, but she had never gone into much detail about her life. So, he was taking a longer look at the group of eight, but all his attention was soon on the matron.

  Kushina was a woman in her early sixties, but her age did nothing to take away from her beauty. She was average height; her hair had become grey, and a few strands of white could be seen mixed through, she had brown eyes and smile lines around her mouth. But what drew Issei's eye the most was her figure; the woman maintained a curvy shape that Issei could still see through her jeans and t-shirt, despite both being loose fitting.

  "Woah! I didn't know I had a thing for obaasans before, but I definitely do n-"

  Issei did not get to finish his sentence before Natsuki lifted her foot and kicked the back of his chair so hard that she slammed him against the wall, knocking the breath out of him.

  When he looked up, Natsuki was glaring at him with a fire that threatened to burn him alive, and Issei could have sworn that her eyes had briefly flashed gold. "I will fucking kill you if you ever some much as look at Kushina-sama again, you pathetic piece of trash."

  Issei shuddered, happy that they were in a public place to ensure that Natsuki could not carry out her threat, but was still afraid of what she might do to him later. "Ah- I won't!"

  Before Natsuki could speak, a hand slapped the back of her head, diffusing the moment. When she turned, Natsuki saw Kushina staring at her.

  "Have I not told you before to not put your hands on other people, Natsuki?" Kushina asked, an eyebrow raised.

  "You did." Natsuki muttered.

  "And yet here you are doing it. Focus on your work instead of hitting little boys, hmm."

  Natsuki turned around and went back to molding her clay, but not before shooting Issei a dirty look as he straightened himself, silently blaming him for her being chastised.

  "Asia-chan, keep going!"

  "Asia-chan, you're looking cute!"

  Miki and Gorou said respectively, cheering Asia on as she molded her clay. They ignored Issei outright as Gorou held up a video camera, pointing it at Asia. Hearing their voices, Asia smiled and turned back to her clay, doing so happily unlike the rest of her classmates.

  Issei started to think about what was important to him as he closed, getting lost in his very descriptive thoughts, unaware of the movements of his hands.

  "Hyo-Hyoudou-kun…." Noticing the hand on his shoulder, Issei opened his eyes and turned his face, saw that it was his Sensei, he had an astonished expression and his whole body was shaking.

  And that was when Issei became aware that everyone was staring at him and what he had created, in front of him was a miniature figure of Rias, one that was incredibly realistic and completely naked, showing off the Devil's jaw dropping form.

  "Holy crap; it's a gray Rias-senpai." Katase exclaimed.

  "Amazing; it looks just like her." Murayama added, equally astounded.

  "T-That is Rias-senpai? Shit! As I thought, Issei, you bastardl! With senpai!"

  "No way! Rias Onee-sama with that beast…!" Other students started to say, talking over each other as they could not believe that Issei of all people could have been able to see Rias naked.

  The teacher leaned forward to get a better look at the piece, "You've been holding out on us, I didn't know we had such a sculptor in the class."

  Issei froze, trying to use his hands to cover the sculptor. "Oh, we don't-really-I just, um... It was an accident."

  Kiryuu pushed her glasses upwards, smirking at Issei devilishly, "You must be feeling her up so much that you've memorized her body."

  Issei glared at the girl, "I don't believe anyone was talking to you."

  Matsuda scowled, "I knew he was messing with her!"

  Motohama scowled too, "You asshole! What do they feel like?"

  "You're such a pervert!" Katsase screeched.

  Murayama agreed, "I don't know why Rias-senpai would want to mess around with a freak like you."

  Matsuda then got in Issei's face, "I'll give you eight thousand yen for it."

  Motohama pushed Matsuda out of the way, "Don't listen to him; I'll give nine thousand for it."

  This led to most of the students trying to outbid the others for Issei's sculpture, turning it all into an auction. While the other parents in the room looked confused and disgusted, both by Issei's art and their children trying to buy it, Issei's were pleasantly surprised.

  "Look at how talent our son is." Miki said, grabbing her husband's arm.

  Gorou grinned, agreeing with his wife, "And to think, I always thought of him as a total loser whose only skill was coming up with unique and creative ways to describe women's breast!"

  Kushina tilted her head to the side as she looked at the Hyoudous before leaning close to Natsuki, "They're proud?"

  Natsuki sighed, shaking her head, "They are, to be fair, they have never had much faith in Issei so they usually take what they can get from him."

  Kushina's eyes widened a bit at Natsuki knowing Issei's parents, "Is this Issei your friend?"

  "He is. I guess he has been since first year." Natsuki said plainly.

  "And you have never mentioned him before and thought to introduce him to me?" Kushina asked, looking at the girl dryly.

  Natsuki shrugged, "Issei's a lot."

  Kushina huffed, a smile appearing on her lips, "He seems like it."

  "Why did you and the kids come?" Natsuki eventually asked.

  Kushina's smile grew, "You remember your benefactor?"

  "How could I forget."

  "Well, I received a letter from them in mail a few days ago along with train tickets."

  Natsuki blinked. Train tickets, why?

  "They wrote that they wished to meet us both in person, to further discuss your scholarship after the open house."

  Discuss my scholarship? Are they thinking of rescinding it? They have never asked to meet before; all our communication has been through letters. I mean, they wouldn't have had Kushina-sama come all the way to Kuoh just to do that, and even if they did, Rias would help me stay school, so it won't bother me much.

  "Oh, and who are you two, darlings?" Kushin asked, seeing the two girls sitting on either side of Natsuki looking at her questioningly.

  Asia jumped slightly, her cheeks turning pink, "S-sorry for staring, I am Asia Argento."

  "And I am Xenovia Quarta, ma'am." Xenovia said, "Are you Natsuki-san's mother?"

  Kushina stared at Xenovia for a few seconds, before her eyes flickered towards Natsuki, seeing the girl's body tense in response to Xenovia's question. Before Kushina could respond, Issei jumped from his seat, holding the statue he made. "Guys, seriously just give me some space!"

  Natsuki took this opportunity to go back to her clay now that the two girls and her caretaker were distracted, molding it harder than she was before.

  She had thought of it in her head, but Natsuki had never referred to Kushina as her mother aloud. In a lot of ways, Kushina was a mother to her; the woman had raised her since infancy, but Kushina was the matron of an orphanage, she has raised countless children.

  I'm not special; Kushina has dealt with who knows how many children in her career, so it would be stupid to think I'm different from any of them. Natsuki thought as she sculpted her clay to look like the Nitoshō Orphanage.

  A Few Hours Later

  "It's very well made." Rias said, smiling brightly as she held the statue that Issei had made of her. Issei could not find it within himself to sell it to any of his classmates, unable to give any something he made in his King's image.

  It was currently lunchtime, and Natsuki, Issei, and Asia had gone out to the vending machines overlooking the school field, coincidentally running into Rias and Akeno.

  "Ara ara, as expected of Ise-kun who looks and touches Buchou's body every day." Akeno said, but equally surprised by the quality of the statue.

  Issei scratched the back of his head, "It's not every day. So, I have been forced to crave that image deep into my head."

  "In that case I would love it if you'd make one of me too." Akeno said, fighting back the smirk she wanted to make when the heads of the other three girls snapped in her direction.

  Issei's eyes grew wide, "What? Like, naked too? Without clothes and with my hands?"

  He practically drooled when Akeno's smile grew, "Well when do we-"

  The sound of a soda can being crushed ripped through the air, and everyone looked at Natsuki. The girl's hand was holding the crushed can and had soda dripping from it as she glared at Issei. "You won't be sculpting her or anyone else. Understood?"

  Issei laughed nervously, "Yeah, of course."

  Akeno grinned as she leaned closer to Natsuki, "Does that mean you will, Natsuki-chan?"

  "Not in your wildest dreams, you sadist." Natsuki replied, standing up to throw away the soda can.

  Issei turned to Rias, "By the way, Buchou. Did Sirzechs-sama come?"

  At his question, Rias puts a hand on her forehead and let out her breath. "Yeah, he came along with my father."

  It was then that Kiba appeared, "Ah, Buchou. Moreover, everyone came as well."

  "What do you mean by everyone, Yuuto?" Rias asked.

  Kiba pointed to the corridor leading into the school, "I heard a witch was doing a photography shoot, so I thought I'd come see it."

  As Kiba said this a group of boys ran past them, heading in the direction that Kiba was pointing.

  "A magical girl photo shoot?"

  "C'mon we have to get pictures!"

  Natsuki then looked at Rias, "Do you know a witch who also headlines as a magical girl?"

  Rias started to laugh as she realized the only person it could be, "You could say that."

  The group went inside, walking to the gymnasium where they saw a large crowd present, all taking pictures, cheering, and trying to talk to the person at the front.

  At the front was a beautiful girl; looking in her late teens with black hair, tied into twin tails and blue eyes. She also has a child-like body, albeit with large breasts and was wearing a costume of an anime character from Magical Girl Milky Spiral Seven.

  "Rias-Buchou, why do you know a Magical Girl Milky Spiral Seven cosplayer?" Natsuki asked.

  Asia looked at the taller girl, "Natsuki-san, why do you know that costume?"

  "Issei kept hounding me for months to watch the anime until I finally gave in." Natsuki replied, "I can admit it was a good show, even if I could have done with a little less fan service."

  Issei grinned, "I said you'd like it. We've got to have a marathon one of these days."

  Before Natsuki could say anything, she noticed two redheads from the corner of her eye. Sirzechs-sama and Gremory-sama?

  Zeoticus was watching the magically girl, but Sirzechs met her gaze after a few seconds, smiling at her as he raised a finger to his lips, making the quieting motion. While Natsuki knew that Sirzechs was being playfully, she was taken back to that night in Issei's bedroom, and quickly turned away from the man, trying and failing to ignore his presence.

  Luckily for Natsuki, the voice of Saji Genshirou cut through the air a moment later, "Knock it off! We are still on school property; today's the day for displaying classes to the public! You've seen enough."

  Saji was standing in front of woman, blocking her partially from view as ordered the people in the gym to leave. The crowd of male students complained and cursed Saji, but did as they were told, reluctantly leaving the gym and the magically girl behind.

  Saji then turned to the cosplayer, "Okay, are you related to a student here?"

  The girl nodded her head, smiling at Saji.

  "Well, they should have told you that this sort of outfit is unacceptable here."

  The Mil Kiss cosplayer started make cute poses, defending herself by quoting lines from the anime. "Sparkle, shine, your command is mine! "

  Saji ignored this and pressed his warning, "You have to stop doing that."

  "Eh, but this is my uniform~"

  Saji ground his teeth but as soon as he noticed Rias from the corner of his eye, he lowered his head. "Oh, it's Rias-senpai. You came at the right time. I was just guiding Maou-sama and senpai's Otou-san."

  As Saji looked behind him, the crimson haired males approached, revealing themselves to the rest of the group.

  The doors of the gym soon swung open, revealing the strict Student Council President. "What's this? Saji, I always tell you to settle things concisely-" Sona immediately stopped talking as she looked at the cosplayer, her face turning pale and her eyes widened.

  "I finally found you Sona-chan! I'm so happy to see you!" Mil Kiss exclaimed, running past Saji and happily hugging Sona.

  Wait, that Mil Kiss girl has magic, and it feels similar to Sona's. They also look like, are they related somehow? Natsuki thought.

  Issei, Asia, and even Saji were just as confused as Natsuki, and they too noticed the physical resemblance between the two.

  "Have you finished having your fun, Serafall?" Sirzechs asked aloud.

  "Serafall?" Issei asked aloud.

  Rias smiled, "She is one of our four Maous; Serafall Leviathan-sama. And she is also Sona's Onee-sama."

  "Eeeeeehhhhh!"

  Rias then walked towards the two sisters, "It has been some time, Serafall-sama."

  Serafall grinned as she faced Rias, "Ara, Rias-chan. A long time no see~ How have you've been doing? How exited are you to see me?"

  Even Rias seemed to be taken aback slightly by the Maou's cut tone, "V-very, thank you for asking. Did you come here to visit Sona for the Open House?"

  "Yeah!" Serafall exclaimed, her lips forming a pout, "But I had to find it on my own! Sona-chan is a meanie and didn't tell me. I was so mad when I found out the truth. I almost attack Heaven out of frustration."

  "Is she serious?" Issei asked aloud.

  "I think she is." Natsuki said, once again surprised by the strangeness of a Maou.

  Rias then turned to them, "Ise, Natsuki, there's someone I want you two to meet."

  Issei lowered his head when he and Natsuki stepped forward, "N-Nice to meet you, I am Hyoudou Issei. I am Rias Gremory-sama's servant and Pawn! I'll be under your care!"

  Natsuki then lowered her own head, "I am honored to me you, Leviathan-sama. I am Sukehiro Natsuki, also Rias Gremory-sama's Pawn."

  Serafall smiled while turning sideways and making a peace sign. "Nice to meet you. I am the Maou Serafall Leviathan. Call me Levi-tan "

  "Uh, cool?"

  "I would rather not." Issei and Natsuki said, respectively.

  Serafall then looked at the red-haired male Devils, "Hey, Sirzechs-kun. Are these two the rumored Dragon-kun and Dragon-chan?"

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "Yes, they are the people that the Welsh and Evolving Dragons reside in, Hyoudou Issei-kun and Sukehiro Natsuki-chan." Sirzechs answered.

  "Ara ara, hi, Uncle Gremory." Serafall said to the man next to Sirzechs.

  Zeoticus smiled, "Hello, Serafall-dono. Is what you're wearing another manga uniform? I like it, but I think that as a Maou, its quite strange."

  Serafall stuck her tongue out of the side of her mouth as she posed again. "Ara, uncle, don't you know? This is the fashion in this country, you know?"

  Zeoticus chuckled, "Heh, is that so? It seems this was my ignorance showing then."

  "Hahaha, tou-ue, you don't believe it."

  Issei turned to Rias with a sorry look on his face, "Bu-Buchou, this light of a mood is far surpassing my imagination but, Serafall-sama is..."

  Rias sighed, "I forgot to say it, well, it's more like I didn't want to say it, but for the four current Maou-samas, every one of them is like this. During private times, they are amenable, to a severe extent."

  Serafall pouted as she looked back at her sister, seeing Sona's expression and her skewed glasses. "What's the matter? You look sad and your face is all red. Aren't you excited to finally see your Onee-chan again? I'm going to require a lot more happiness from you! C'mon! You should be running into my arms and telling me how much you missed me! And then I'll say; 'Oh, Sona-chan, I've missed you too!' And then I'll give you a big kiss and then you'll kiss me back and we will be all Yuri together. Wouldn't that be hot?"

  "So, all Maous are obsessed with and want to fuck their siblings?" Natsuki asked aloud, causing most to look at her in shock.

  Rias glared at Natsuki, "You know, Natsuki, sometimes it's best to keep your smartass comments to yourself."

  Natsuki shrugged uncaringly "You shouldn't have revived me and made me into your Devil servant then. Didn't you know about my delinquent reputation?"

  "I thought you hated when people said those things about you?" Issei asked.

  "I hate them cause they're all wrong, but the rumors of me being an asshole are correct."

  "You almost sound proud of that." Kiba added, staring at Natsuki sardonically.

  Sona finally broke out of her silent stupor, staring at sister intently, "Listen to me, Onee-sama. This is my school, and I am entrusted with the job of the student council president here. No matter our relation, both your behavior and attire are entirely inappropriate, so I must ask you to calm yourself down and change your outfit."

  Serafall shook her head, "No way, Sona-chan! If I am told that by Sona-chan, your Onee-chan will be sad! Sona-chan doesn't know that her Onee-chan is admired as the Magical girl! If you keep saying that I'll have no choice but to use my sparkling staff and erase all the Angels and Fallen Angels."

  Sona glared, "Do you have any respect at all? If you start sparkling, you could annihilate a small country in minutes."

  "I just had a thought." Issei said as he spoke to Saji, "When Kokabiel was attacking, why didn't Kaichou call her Onee-san? Is it because they don't get along?"

  "It's the actually the opposite; Serafall Leviathan-sama dotes on her little sister so much, is obsessed with even. If she had been called, and if she found out that her little sister was possibly injured by the Fallen Angel, we didn't know how she would have reacted, but it would have probably started a war. So, it was the correct decision to not call Serafall-sama, and rather call Lucifer-sama. However, I am meeting her for the first time as well, but this is..." Saji trailed off, showing that he too was bewildered by the scene before them.

  The usually calm and composed Sona eventually lost it as her eyes became wet with tears and she ran away. "Ugh! I can't take it anymore!"

  "Wait! Sona-chan! Don't leave your Onee-chan behind!" Serafall yelled, immediately following her sister.

  "Stay away from me!"

  "Noooooo! Don't abandon your Onee-chaaaaaaan! So-taaaaaan!"

  "I have asked you so many times not to add 'tan'!"

  Saji sighed, "It looks like Sona-Kaichou is going to need my help. I'll talk to you later."

  "I hear you, see you later." Issei said as Saji took off running after his King and her sister.

  Sirzechs moved to stand next to his sister, "The Sitri household is peaceful. Don't you think so, Ria-tan?"

  Rias looked at her brother with a deadpanned stare, "Onii-sama, don't add a 'tan' to my pet name and call me that please."

  Sirzechs looked at Rias with dramatic shock, "No way, Ria-tan. How can you say that, even though you used to follow me all the time while saying 'Onii-sama Onii-sama'? This must be a rebellious phase, huh?"

  "Geez! Onii-sama! Why do you remind me of my childhood-"

  Flash!

  Everyone looked and saw that Zeoticus had taken a picture of Rias' angry face. "That's a nice face, Rias. It's good that I raise you so splendidly. Your mother couldn't be here today, so I promised to take lots of pictures of your big day for her."

  Rias' face turned red, "Otou-sama! Geez!"

  It's good to know that there isn't much difference between human and Devil families. Well, besides the fact that fights could lead to countries being destroyed. Issei thought.

  "So, does this means I was right about the Maous and their obsessions, Ria-tan?" Natsuki asked, smirking at Rias.

  "Akeno." Rias said coldly and without turning around.

  "Got it, Buchou." Akeno said as she moved behind Natsuki before the girl could react, coating her hand in her Demonic energy and slapping Natsuki' rear end as hard as she could.

  "Aggh!" Natsuki cried, falling to her knees, her face resting against the cold floor of the gym as she clutched her bottom, feeling nothing but excruciating pain.

  Both Kiba and Issei winced in sympathy, knowing just how painful those hits could be, especially from one so sadistic as Akeno.

  "Mao, was that truly necessary, Ria-tan? Natsuki-chan was just making a joke." Sirzechs said.

  "It was extremely necessary; she should have known better than to say her terrible joke out loud." Rias replied, her cold expression remaining present.

  The group soon left the gymnasium, Rias' face was still red as her brother and father continued to speak about her to the others, mainly Issei.

  "Ugh... Th-this is abuse, Rias." Natsuki groaned, walking in step with the older girl and still holding her backside.

  Rias smirked, "It's not abuse, its correcting ill behavior."

  "You're evil." Natsuki said with a shudder.

  "Thank you, Natsuki. You're so sweet."

  "And why is this correcting directed only at me?"

  Rias looked at from the corner of her eye, her eyebrow raised, "Do you really need me to answer that?"

  "Yes." Natsuki frowned, "What about Koneko? She's always making mean comments. Or Issei? He's practically a walking Chikan PSA."

  "Hey!" Issei exclaimed, both because of the comment itself and because Natsuki said it in front of Sirzechs and Zeoticus, but the two men only looked at him amused.

  "What's a chikan?" Asia asked, much to Issei's horror.

  Asia's question was ignored as Rias answered Natsuki, "Because Koneko and Issei are cute enough to get away with it. You're not."

  "Whatever." Natsuki rolled her eyes, not bothering to refute the statement.

  The group soon entered the lobby of the school, walking past the many students and families that were milling around and talking.

  Near the stairs, Kushina was speaking to Issei's parents while the children played behind them, using the stairs as a playground.

  Gorou was the first to notice them, raising his hand up in a small wave. "Oh, Ise."

  "Hi, Otou-san." Issei said.

  Zeoticus leaned forward as he looked between Issei, Gorou, and Miki. "Hyoudou Issei-kun, are these people your parents?"

  "Y-Yes. They're my parents." Issei said.

  "I see." Zeoticus said before standing in front of Miki and Gorou, smiling at the pair. "Nice to meet you, I am Rias' father, Zeoticus Gremory."

  Miki and Gorou's faces changed, from joyful to a dark color of nervousness.

  "T-T-TTTTTTTTTTTThis is, thank you! Ah, um, I am Hyoudou Issei's father! We're being taken care of by Rias-san, um, that is..." Gorou trailed off as he shook Zeoticus' hand.

  Zeoticus shook his head, "No, same here. Thank you for taking care of Rias. I thought of coming to greet you before now, but Sirzechs and I were busy with work, so it wasn't easy to able to get the opportunity. It seems this occasion was blessed by good luck, it's an honor to meet you today."

  "No-No way! I too also said to greet you once to Issei's father-No no, I talked to my husband about it." Miki stammered, taken aback by the handsome man before her.

  Seriously, why are you guys being so weird?! Issei thought, blushing with embarrassment.

  Zeoticus then looked at Kushina, "And you must be Sukehiro-san's mother?"

  Once again, Natsuki flinched at the notion of someone calling Kushina her mother. "She is the matron of the orphanage I come from, Aozora Kushina."

  If Kushina was bothered by this correction, she did not show it as she shook Zeoticus' hand. "I am her guardian, however. But I am sorry who is Rias?"

  "I am Rias, Aozora-san." Rias said, smiling at the older woman, "I am the president of the Occult Research Club."

  Kushina smiled, "And you are all friend's with Natsu-chan?"

  Issei snickered, "Natsu-chan?"

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, she disliked nicknames, and only tolerated Kushina doing so, and she was now sure that she would have to go through the others doing the same.

  "We are, Natsuki is a trusted and friend and dear member of our club." Rias replied.

  "I'm glad, Natsu-chan has always struggled making friends, I worry about her being alone, it's not good for her."

  "You act like I'm some shut-in who can't take care of herself." Natsuki said dryly.

  "Aren't you?" Kushina shot back, "I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life worried about you dying alone."

  "If anything, I learned it from you. I don't see you drowning in friends either."

  Akeno giggled when Kushina pinched Natsuki's ear in response, Natsuki did not give much of reaction besides glaring at the woman.

  I see where Natsuki gets her sarcasm and wit from. Akeno thought.

  "Wow." Everyone looked down at a brown-haired girl with green eyes, pigtails, and a gap between her teeth. "Onee-chan has friends?"

  "Last I checked, you don't have many friends either, Enri." Natsuki said.

  Enri crossed her arms, raising her head back as she glowered, "I'm six and way you're older than me, so it was sad that you didn't have friends, not even one."

  Izo who was standing next to Enri, pointed at Natsuki, and laughed. "Ha! Burn!"

  The other children stopped what they were doing to laugh at Natsuki as well. The teenager did not take any of it to heart, only huffing when she saw that the others were now looking at her in amusement.

  Asia smiled as she crouched down, "And who are all of these sweethearts?"

  Natsuki pointed to the seven children, naming each of them, "The girl with pigtails and a big mouth is Enri, the boy with all the scars is Izo, the blonde pair of identical twins are Kenji and Renji, the tall girl with bandages on her arm is Rina, the short girl with glasses is Nariko, and the youngest boy with a shaved head is Daisuke."

  Nariko pouted, "Is that all you see us as?"

  Natsuki shrugged, "It's the quickest way to introduce all pf you. What, you want me to give everyone detailed descriptions on you guys?"

  "It would be better than being called, 'short girl with glasses,' Onee-chan."

  "I'll remember that for next time."

  Sirzechs stepped forward, taking the time to shake Kushina's hand, "It is an honor to finally meet you Aozora-san."

  "Finally?" Kushina asked.

  Sirzechs smiled, "I have been wanting to speak to both you and Natsuki-chan for a while now, but I couldn't find the time until today's open house, it's why I sent you those train tickets for you and the children."

  Natsuki and Kushina both froze at this piece of information, staring at Sirzechs in shock.

  Kushina broke out of her stupor first, "You are Natsuki's benefactor?"

  Sirzechs chuckled, "Guilty."

  Everyone besides Zeoticus, looked at the trio in confusion, Rias then spoke, "Benefactor?"

  "You see, I-"

  "It was you? You were the one who fucking paid for me to come to Kuoh?" Natsuki spat, glaring at Sirzechs.

  "Natsuki!" Kushina shouted.

  Sirzechs turned towards Natsuki, "Natsuki-chan, now I know that this may sound... predatory. But this was done for your benefit."

  Natsuki scoffed, still glaring at the man, stepping closer to him. "My benefit?! What a fucking joke! Do you really expect me to believe that shit?!"

  Rias moved between her brother and Natsuki, using her arm to push Natsuki back. "That is enough, Natsuki! Now what is going on?"

  Natsuki slapped Rias' hand away, "Like you don't know!"

  Rias's eyes widened, surprised as she had never been on the other side of Natsuki's anger, unconsciously taking a step back when Natsuki's eyes flashed gold for the briefest of moments.

  Issei glared at Natsuki, "Back off, Natsuki, before I make you."

  Calm down, Natsuki. You are still in the presence of mortals, and I doubt that Sirzechs will allow you to speak to his sister in such a manner in front of him. Lux said in the girl's mind.

  Natsuki let out a scornful huff, "I can't believe I didn't see it before; someone like you just so happened to get Issei and I into your Peerage and becoming Devils, seemingly out of the blue. I can't believe I was stupid enough to not see through it."

  "Natsuki, what are you talking about?" Rias asked.

  "Me being brought to this school by a mysterious benefactor, Issei never being expelled despite harassing every female student he comes across? What better way to get rid of an annoying egoistical fire bird than to ensure their little sister has the odds staked in her fucking favor when she has to fight him?"

  A stillness overtook the group, Kushina, Issei's parents, and the children looked at Natsuki confused, not understanding what she was talking about. But the Peerage were equal parts shocked and horrified as they looked at Natsuki and Sirzechs.

  "Onii-chan," Rias whispered, "Tell me she's wrong, tell me that this is just a misunderstanding."

  For the first time that day, Sirzechs no longer had his usual easy-going smile on his face, staring at his sister seriously and without remorse. "I can't do that, if I did, I would be lying."

  Rias looked devastated, her voice becoming rough with anger and betrayal, "How could you?"

  Sirzechs' expression fell slightly at his sister's pain, "I did it to save you, Rias. I couldn't act openly and stop your marriage to Riser due to my position, so underhanded methods were necessary."

  Natsuki scoffed, "So my life was just a piece on the board for you?"

  Sirzechs sighed, "It was for your-"

  "Don't lie and say any of this was for my benefit!" Natsuki yelled, "I was... I was just a damn puppet for you."

  Natsuki then turned on her heel and left, ignoring the calls of the others as she moved as quickly as she could out of the school.

  The moment Natsuki left, all hell broke loose among the group as everyone turned their attention to Sirzechs Lucifer.

  Kushina was the most incensed, not knowing what was going on, but knowing that Sirzechs had done something to cause such a reaction in Natsuki, and began to yell at him, demanding answers.

  It had gotten to the point where Sirzechs had to use his magic to alter the memories of the humans with them, something that angered Issei as he watched his parents slump over, staring ahead blankly as if a fog had overtaken their minds. This reaction could also be seen in Kushina, the children, and the students and families who were in the lobby and had seen the incident.

  It was only Asia grabbing him by the arm, that prevented Issei from moving closer to the Maou and demanding that he stop using his magic on Miki and Gorou.

  "Perhaps we should go to Hyoudou-kun's house so that Sirzechs can explain himself?" Zeoticus said, his face was calm, but his voice left no room for argument as he spoke.

  Rias glared at her brother, barely keeping her Power of Destruction from leaking out and using it to strike Sirzechs down. "Akeno, call Koneko and Xenovia and tell them to meet us at Issei's house."

  "Of course, Buchou." Akeno said, doing as she was told despite the desire to chase after Natsuki.

  It did not take them long to reach Hyoudou house, the ORC had gone into Issei's bedroom for privacy while Zeoticus kept the Hyoudou's, Kushina, and the children distracted in the living room. He did not mind watching the video tapes of Issei and Asia during the open house as he already had his suspicions about his son's actions and secrecy.

  "How long? How long have you been manipulating my life? My Peerage?" Rias asked, glaring at her brother from her place on Issei's bed.

  "Not every person in your Peerage is here because of my direct involvement." Sirzechs answered, "As you already know it's because of me that you were able to take Akeno and Koneko-chan with no repercussions when you decided to have them in your family, but when it comes to Ise-kun and Natsuki-chan, I ensured that they would be here, at Kuoh Academy for you to notice them."

  "And you gave me that Mutation Piece because you knew that the Pawns I did have would not be enough to revive both Natsuki and Issei?" Rias asked, already knowing the answer.

  "I did not know that Issei would take up all eight of your Pawns, but it would have been impossible for you to revive two Longinus wielders with the Evil Pieces you had at the time."

  "So, Natsuki was right? You played us so that Rias-Buchou could use us to beat Riser?" Issei asked the Maou.

  Sirzechs turned to Issei, "You must understand, Ise-kun, I would do anything for my family, and what I did might seem callous of me, I won't deny you that, but I won't apologize for it. Riser Phenex was not a good man, especially not for my sister, and I would do it all again to keep Rias from having to marry him."

  Issei clenched his fists as he looked at the floor, "I get wanting to protect your family, but it was still my life. You took away my choices, for all you know I could have decided to become a Devil on my own instead of being purposely put so close to the supernatural."

  Sirzechs smile became somber, "You could have, but I could not take that chance. If you had refused my sister's offer, Rias is not the type of Devil that would have forced you into turning, even at great detriment to herself."

  "Were-were you the reason Issei and Natsuki were killed by Raynare?" Rias quickly asked.

  Sirzechs shook his head, "I will admit that I was going to create an accident that would kill the two of them; you were taking too long to approach them, and the date of the wedding was drawing closer. But Raynare appearing was not my doing, simply a coincidence that worked in my favor."

  How can you even say that? Rias thought, she knew that her brother had sides to himself that he did not show her, it was a given with his status of Maou, but hearing him speak so causally about killing her friends, left Rias blindsided.

  "I don't think that will be a good enough answer for Natsuki, Sirzechs-sama." Kiba spoke, relating to the feelings of deception and betrayal Natsuki was undoubtedly having.

  Issei sighed, "Kiba's right; Natsuki will probably still be pissed, but I think she'll come back."

  "Really, you think she will?" Asia asked, afraid that Natsuki might become a Stray Devil because of the betrayal she felt.

  Issei shook his head, "Natsuki's anger is aimed at Sirzechs-sama, not Buchou. And Natsuki isn't an idiot, no matter how she feels, she not going to risk becoming a Stray Devil, even if she never forgives Sirzechs-sama."

  "I was aware of this being a possibility, and I am more than happy bare any anger or distrust Natsuki-chan may have against me."

  "Were you always aware of Natsuki's existence, Sirzechs-sama?" Akeno quietly asked.

  "No, I was not." Sirzechs answered, "It was only until Natsuki-chan was around seven years old, that I sensed her magical energy and the Dragon within her soul."

  So, this all started around ten years ago? That would have been around the time that Cleria Belial had died suddenly. Rias thought.

  Cleria Belial had been a member of the branch family of the Belial Clan and was the overseer of Kuoh Town before Rias and Sona. Rias remembered how the Great King Faction, led by their mother's family, the Bael Clan, had sought to gain control over Kuoh and how much Sirzechs and the other Maous fought against this.

  For the next few years, until Rias and Sona enrolled in the junior high school of Kuoh Academy, Sirzechs and Serafall temporarily ruled over the region, and Rias could remember her brother making periodic trips to Kuoh.

  "After the Ratings Game, at the celebration party thrown for us, Natsuki asked you and Grayfia if you two knew her and you said no. Were you lying then?" Rias asked.

  "I was not entirely truthful to Natsuki-chan." Sirzechs said.

  Rias looked away from her brother, "You were the one who told me that a Peerage is supposed to be a family, a group of people that you can trust and rely on."

  "And it is; a Peerage is those things and more."

  "But you manipulated everything! You used Issei and Natsuki for selfish reasons!" Rias yelled, "How am I supposed to trust anything now, knowing how easily and heartlessly you could just ruin people's lives just for me?"

  "Rias, when you're a leader, you realize that you cannot look at every situation through the lens of good and evil." Sirzechs started, "That you must act morally gray or even cruel to do what is necessary. You would not have beaten Riser without Issei or Natsuki, and even with them on your side, you almost forfeited the match because seeing your servants hurt, left you too demoralized to even keep trying. If I had not acted, your softness would have kept you from being the leader that the rest of your servants needed you to be."

  Rias was devastated by her brother's words, she already knew that she had failed her servants during the Rating Game, but hearing Sirzechs lay out plainly how much she failed them, wounded her deeply.

  Issei stood up, "Buchou is a great leader! And even if you hadn't sought to push us around like chess pieces, I bet she would have been able to succeed on her own!"

  "Ise..." Rias said softly, looking at him surprised and longingly.

  "And I am not saying that she is not, only that I needed to be sure that she would not be stuck in a loveless marriage to a cruel man, and that she would not allow such a fate to befall her just for the comfort of others." Sirzechs said and everyone could tell that he was becoming agitated with how the conversation was going around in circles.

  Rias shook her head, "But that's just the thing Onii-chan, you didn't believe in me, your actions more than prove this."

  Sirzechs frowned, "I just wanted-"

  Rias interrupted her brother, "I know what you wanted, I know you were just trying to be a good brother and protect me, and I recognize that, but that doesn't justify using people in the name of doing that. I want any person that is a part of my Peerage to be here willingly, to choose to have their lives irrevocably altered by becoming a Devil. Natsuki and Issei did not get that choice, and I can acknowledge my own part in all of this; I could have allowed them to die, to a least be allowed to stay human in their final moments, but I... I also saw the opportunity. They were dying, and the thought of Riser filled my mind as I watched them bleed out, so I convinced myself that I was helping them, but I was just as selfish."

  "Buchou, that isn't true! You're the most selfless person there is." Kiba interjected.

  "Yuuto-senpai is right. The rest of us wouldn't be here without you." Koneko said softly, her voice filling with slight emotion.

  Rias let the tears she was holding back fall, "Even so, I... I've always been there during all your worst moments; I capitalized on all of it."

  "You did." Akeno said, drawing everyone's attention, "But that doesn't change the fact that you saved us, you benefiting from us being your servants afterwards, doesn't change that."

  Asia nodded her head, "Akeno-senpai is right, I have felt happier and freer since you made me your Bishop than I ever was as a human."

  "I feel the same as well." Xenovia said, "I have not been a part of the Peerage for very long, but I too feel less burdened. After the battle, when I was excommunicated and felt nothing but despair over the knowledge we learned, you took me into your household, even after how I acted towards you. Yes, me being the wielder of Durandal of course was a part of your decision-making process, but you didn't force me to become your servant, you allowed me the choice."

  "If you were only using us to beat Riser then, why did you make the offer to Xenovia? Why did you try so hard to save me from myself? If you just wanted all of us for what we could do for you, then getting new servants would have been easier, but you didn't, only someone who genuinely loves others would do so much for them." Kiba argued, staring at the redhead resolutely.

  "You guys," Rias said, still crying, "I don't know what to say."

  Issei pumped his fist, "Just stop saying that you're a bad leader, Buchou. You've helped all of us one way or another, so you shouldn't say anything about us helping you in return."

  Rias smiled as she wiped her cheeks, "Issei, everyone, thank you, for believing in me for becoming my family." Rias then looked back at Sirzechs, "I don't know if I can forgive you right now, Onii-chan, or if I will be able to trust you again."

  Sirzechs expected this, Rias was a young girl of certain morals and principles, ones that sometimes clashed with the upheld ideals of demons. It was something he admired about his sister and wanted her to maintain for as long as possible, but also something that made him worry about her as she grew older.

  "I know, Rias, and I will step back for as long as you need me to, until you are comfortable again." Sirzechs said.

  Rias nodded her head, staring at her brother fully, "And you owe Natsuki an apology."

  "If she is willing to hear me out, then I will give her one." Sirzechs then turned to Issei, "I know that cannot give you a fully genuine apology, but I am sorry Ise-kun, for the pain that what I have done has caused you."

  "Uh, thanks, Sirzechs-sama." Issei said awkwardly before turning to the man's sister. "Buchou, are we sure that's a good idea? Natsuki would probably prefer that Sirzechs-sama doesn't apologize at all if he's not going to truly mean it."

  Issei knew Natsuki better than most, and he knew that Natsuki was the type of person who preferred blunt honesty to pretty lies.

  Rias sighed, "I know, but she deserves an apology."

  Natsuki has to know that what she feels is valid and deserves some type of effort is being made by Sirzechs to right his wrongs. Rias thought.

  A Few Hours Later

  "Natsuki, how long are we going to stay here?" Lux asked, breaking the silence.

  Natsuki sighed, "Until I'm no longer angry."

  Lux hummed, "That could take several lifetimes. I have not known you long, but I know that you can certainly hold a grudge."

  Natsuki laughed, but the sound was hollow, "Yeah, I can."

  The Pawn was sitting on top of the abandoned mansion on the edge of Kuoh, staring at the skyline of the town and watching the sun set. She had been ignoring her cell phone, watching as it would light up with calls and text messages from her friends and Kushina with a blank expression. And to make sure that she could not be found, masked her Demonic energy, preventing anyone from teleporting to her location.

  "I don't think I'll be able to be in the same room as that man without punching him in the face."

  "I have felt similarly for some time, that Maou is a blight."

  Natsuki clenched her fist, "Who knows how long Sirzechs has been manipulating my life from behind the scenes? All of this; coming to Kuoh, becoming a Devil, the Rating Game, it was all just Sirzechs trying to get Rias out of her engagement to Riser."

  "It was, and despite my own anger, I must admit it was clever of him."

  Natsuki scoffed, indignation rising within her, "Clever?"

  "Yes, clever." Lux replied, "As he told his sister, as a Maou, Sirzechs is not allowed to show favoritism towards his family once he took the name Lucifer, he is supposed to remain neutral. By acting as he did, he ensured that Rias had enough time to build a strong Peerage, pushed back the wedding for as long as possible, and he did all of this while making Rias think that that this was due to her own merit and luck and without revealing his plotting to the other High-Class Devils. That Maou is far more devious and intelligent than I gave him credit for."

  "Good for him." Natsuki muttered.

  Lux sighed, "You know that you must go back at some point, lest they think you have gone rouge."

  "I know." Natsuki threw her head back and groaned, kicking her legs out as they dangled over the roof. "I know that I do, and I will, I just don't know how."

  "I do not believe that Rias nor the other members of her Peerage knew about Sirzechs' scheming. I could feel the shock and betrayal coming from the Gremory heir in waves when her brother admitted the truth."

  "I know too, but I was just so angry that I accused Rias of having something to do with it. I have to apologize when I see her."

  "You do, but Rias-senpai won't hold it against you." Natsuki turned her head and saw Koneko standing behind her.

  Was I so distracted that I didn't pick up on her magical energy? Natsuki thought, "How'd you find me, Koneko."

  Koneko walked across the roof, sitting down next to her senpai. "A person can block their magical signature, but you can't block your scent so easily."

  Natsuki huffed, a small smile appearing on her face, "I'll take note of that for next time."

  Koneko looked at the setting sun, "Sirzechs-sama told us what he did."

  Natsuki glowered, "And I'm guessing he was pretty unapologetic about it all?"

  "He was." Koneko said plainly.

  Natsuki snorted, unsurprised that Sirzechs was so shameless about everything, and she hated how she could understand Sirzechs' reasoning. If she was in Sirzechs' position, Natsuki knows that she would have made the same if not similar choices, if it meant protecting someone she cared about.

  "Did Rias send you?"

  "No, Sirzechs wanted to speak to you and Aozora-san about something. Rias wanted to come, but I told her that would go instead."

  Koneko did not mention how Akeno stared at her when Rias agreed and said that only Koneko should go out and search for Natsuki, not wanting to overwhelm the Pawn. The Queen was smiling, but Koneko could feel the hairs on her neck stand up as she felt the anger that was rolling off Akeno, and at the dangerous gleam in her eyes.

  Natsuki looked at Koneko bewildered, "Why did you want to come instead?"

  Koneko looked down at the ground below as she started to scratch her nails against the old roof tiles they were sitting on. "Hav-have I told you about how I became a Devil, Natsuki-senpai?"

  "No, I don't believe so." Natsuki said, knowing that she knew nothing about Koneko's past.

  Koneko hesitated for a moment before finding her courage, "I wasn't a human when I was turned."

  Koneko wasn't human? Natsuki thought, her eyes widening slightly.

  "I came from another race of supernaturals, and I was related to someone who committed a terrible crime against a Devil." Koneko said, gritting her teeth as a dark looked passed through her eyes, "That Devil was an important person and my relative had runaway and escaped, but the Higher ups wanted to punish someone, so I was brought to trial, and was going to be executed."

  "What?! How is that fair?" Natsuki exclaimed.

  Koneko shrugged, "It wasn't, but people in power don't care about what is and isn't fair, they wanted an example to made. And when I was about to be executed, Rias stood up for me, she said that I shouldn't be killed for the crimes of another, and that if I was allowed to live that she would make sure that I would never fall down the same path."

  "So, Sirzechs convinced everyone that Rias should become your master and that she would be able to keep you in line." Natsuki said, seeing where the story was going.

  Koneko nodded her head, "Th-the race that I come from gain powerful abilities once they mature. And while I am indebted to Rias for everything, I was under no illusion that if I had no potential or if anyone besides Rias had stood up for me, that Sirzechs-sama would have advocated for my life."

  So even then, Sirzechs was moving things in Rias' favor. "I'm sorry that happened to you, Koneko. I know it was hard for you to tell me this."

  Koneko took a deep breath, "I... I wanted to tell you this, not because I wanted you to pity me, but because I know how it feels to have people only care because of what you can do for them."

  I've learned to move past those feelings towards Sirzechs-sama, it wasn't hard when I had more important things to think about back then. Koneko thought.

  "Did you ever tell Rias how you felt or about why Sirzechs help you?" Natsuki asked.

  Koneko shook her head, she could not tell Rias, not with how much the older girl looked up to and admired her older brother. She did not want to cause any strive between the siblings, she did not feel comfortable being so vulnerable with Rias, and because Koneko feared what Sirzechs' reaction would. And after some time, it stopped mattering to Koneko as becoming Rias' Rook was the best fate that could have befallen her.

  "You can talk to me about your feelings if you ever feel like doing so." Natsuki said softly.

  "This wasn't how this was supposed to go." Koneko said as she looked away.

  "Eh? What do you mean? You were trying to make me feel better, right? Well, you did, you were right; I do feel better knowing that someone else can relate and I want to be there for you if it ever becomes too much. So, thanks for being such a sweet kouhai, Koneko." Natsuki said before lifting her hand and patting Koneko's head.

  Koneko blushed, leaning into the touch, Natsuki was always warm and inviting to her despite her abrasive outside. It reminded Konkeo of sitting next to a roaring fire in winter. "You're the worst, senpai."

  Natsuki chuckled, continuing to pet Koneko, and she could have sworn she heard the younger girl purring like a cat, but knew better than to say that out loud. The two sat together in silence, watching as the sun continued to set and eventually disappearing and bringing the night sky and the moon into view.

  Natsuki sighed as she stood up and stretched her arms, "Well, that's enough sulking for me."

  "You're ready to go back?" Koneko asked.

  Natsuki held her hand out towards the Rook and pull the girl to her feet, "I can't avoid one of the four Maous forever, no matter how much I'd like to."

  Koneko nodded her head as she met Natsuki's gaze, "If you say so."

  "Stay close, I'll teleport us to Issei's house."

  "Are you sure you're okay?" Koneko asked.

  Natsuki looked at the moon as she spoke, "I've been better, but yeah, I'm fine."

  Koneko nodded, placing her hand on Natsuki's arm as a magic circle appeared below them, teleporting them to the Hyoudou resistance.

  "So, what did you want to talk to us about?" Natsuki said tersely, opening glaring at Sirzechs.

  Kushina pinched Natsuki's arm, "Don't be rude, Natsuki. Sirzechs-san has been kind enough to give you this opportunity, don't act like a brat for no reason."

  Natsuki furiously bit her lip, fighting and struggling to keep down the anger that wanted to explode from her. She hated that Kushina was under the effects of Sirzechs memory altering spell, but she knew it was necessary to keep Kushina from asking questions.

  Natsuki and Kushina were sitting inside the kitchen of Natsuki's apartment. After Natsuki had returned with Koneko, Sirzechs asked that they go to her apartment so that he could speak to her and her guardian privately. The children were in the living room, thoroughly distracted by the tv, having never used one this new.

  Sirzechs continued to smile, ignoring Natsuki's snarls. "I wanted to make an offer for Aozora-san and the orphanage."

  "An offer?" Kushina asked.

  "Yes, an offer." Sirzechs affirmed, "I wanted to propose that the Nitoshō Orphanage become the Kuoh Town Orphanage."

  "What?" Natsuki and Kushina asked aloud, looking at the redhead across from them in shock and confusion.

  "You have had issues getting assistance from the Catholic Church for years now, have you not? The organization does not want to waste money on such a poor and unimpressive town like Nitoshō. Not to mention children running away and becoming homeless before the age of eighteen, and the police doing nothing to bring them back."

  How does he know all of that? Kushina thought but could not deny Sirzechs' words.

  Nitoshō was known as a town of broken dreams, where people fade from society, it was a place where everyone had been beaten down and disillusioned before long. Kushina remembered being an orphan in the Nitoshō Orphanage and how people had mocked and belittled her when she grew up and took over the orphanage when the old matron died, but Kushina wanted to help the abandoned children of Nitoshō the same way she had been helped all those years ago.

  But even with her optimism, Kushina realized that she just did not have the resources to truly make a difference. She had watched countless children leave her care only to fall into the darkness that seemed to permeate from the town, unable to make much of themselves due to being born without a silver spoon in their mouths.

  It was why she pushed Natsuki to accept the offer that came from Sirzechs to become a student at Kuoh Academy, and Natsuki was not helping herself with her desire to help Kushina and the orphanage. The teenager had kept her promise of wanting to provide for her guardian and for the last few months had been sending money back.

  The large amount startled Kushina, and when she asked, Natsuki had assured her that she was not doing anything illegal to obtain the money and taken an after-school job.

  Natsuki had the drive and the intelligence, but the stain of being raised in Nitoshō would have followed her, would have crushed her once she had gotten out into the real world, but being a graduate of a Kuoh Academy, one of the top ten most prestigious schools in Asia, would open doors for her.

  He really has been watching me for a long time. Natsuki thought angrily.

  Kushina cleared her throat, "You are right, but how would that even be possible?"

  "My family own some properties here in Kuoh, you could say." Sirzechs answered, his smile growing when he heard Natsuki snort. "And I know some people from the Vatican. They are willing to allow, due to Nitoshō and Kuoh's close proximity to each other, the orphanage authority over both. You would operate here, taking over for the matron who works here, your yearly budget would increase, and would be able to bring children from Nitoshō to live and go to school here."

  "The children would be acceptance to the academy?" Natsuki asked.

  "Not just acceptance but full scholarships, similar to what you have, Natsuki-chan."

  "I… I would have to be a fool not to accept your offer, but…" Kushina looked over at Natsuki.

  "Take the deal." Natsuki said.

  "You won't-"

  "You've always wanted to help as many children as you can, and now you have the opportunity to make your dream a reality. I've never liked having things decided for me, and the Catholic Church even less, but what is happening is a good thing." Natsuki explained, looking at Kushina softly.

  Kushina reached over and cupped the side of Natsuki's face, "Thank you, sweetheart."

  Natsuki blushed, looking away from Kushina, "I didn't do anything."

  Kushina made an amused noise, "Don't be stubborn, Natsu-chan." Kushina then stood up, "I'm going to tell the children to good news."

  "We can discuss the finer details later." Sirzechs said, watching as Kushina left the kitchen and kneeled in front of the children, facing them as she spoke.

  "Why are you doing this?" Natsuki whispered once she was sure that the others could not hear them.

  "Doing what?" Sirzechs asked knowingly.

  Natsuki did not hide her glare, openly baring her teeth at the Maou.

  Sirzechs held up his hand defensively, but was still smiling brightly at Natsuki. "Okay, okay. But to be serious, I was not the one who decided to do all of this, it was just easier to tell Aozora-san that it was me."

  "Then who did?"

  "It was Michael."

  Natsuki's eyebrows raised, "Michael? Like the Seraphim Angel, Michael?"

  And the true leader of the Angels and all of Heaven.

  Sirzechs chuckled at Natsuki's expression, "The very same."

  "Why would he do that? I don't even know him and I'm a damn Devil, why would he want to do anything for someone related to me?"

  "I can't say for certain what Michael's motivations are, but I assume it has to do with the recent revelation during your battle with Kokabiel along with Asia-chan and Xenovia-chan's situations."

  Natsuki clenched her jaw, "So, you think he's trying to buy my silence? Or that he feels bad that Asia and Xenovia had to be excommunicated?"

  Sirzechs shook his head, "Michael is not the malicious and devious type."

  "Valper told us how Michael was the one who authorized the Holy Sword Project. Even if he was not aware of what Valper was truly doing, that doesn't change the fact that he holds some culpability in it."

  It did not matter that Michael was supposed to be the leader of the side of good, that did not mean that he could not be capable of evil things in pursuit of goodness.

  Maybe I'm being biased, but still, I can't trust some guy I don't know. You don't get things in life for free or because someone just wants to be nice. Natsuki thought.

  "That is true, and you can bring up your grievances with Michael when he arrives."

  Natsuki looked at Sirzechs confused, "Speak to Michael?"

  "During the conference."

  "I suppose." Natsuki said quietly but doubted that such an opportunity would arise.

  Sirzechs' smile then dropped as he became serious, Natsuki-chan, I wanted to apl-"

  "Sirzechs-sama, I don't want your apology, especially because I know you don't mean it."

  It seems Issei-kun was entirely correct. Sirzechs thought, "But you were quite upset earlier."

  "I was." Natsuki agreed, "But I would rather not be lied to my face, I'm sure you realize already but it's not something I enjoy. I'm still angry, you used me like a puppet for your own ends, you played with my life, I'm still angry but I understand why you did it."

  "Thank you." Sirzechs said.

  "I still don't like you." Natsuki admitted without shame or fear, "You made me become a Devil and you're still hiding things from me for some reason."

  "I am, and I maintain that I am doing so for your own good. But I will try to stay out of your life from now on."

  "But will interfere if you believe that it's necessary?" Natsuki asked knowingly.

  "I will." Sirzechs said truthfully.

  Natsuki leaned her head against her chair, smirking at Sirzechs devilishly. "So, how mad was your precious Ria-tan with you?"

  Sirzechs' face immediately fell, and tears started pouring from his eyes, "She wants space from me! Can you believe that?!"

  Natsuki met Kushina's gaze from over Sirzechs' shoulder, seeing the woman staring at them both, confused and slightly disturbed by Sirzechs' extreme reaction.

  Natsuki shrugged her shoulder, pretending not to know why he was suddenly acting this way.

  It's a miracle that Devil kind has lasted this long with such weird leaders.