A Week Later

  Natsuki was not sure how to feel as she watched the movers carry furniture into what was now the new Kuoh Town Orphanage.

  Her reluctance had nothing to do with the move itself, but the location that was chosen; the abandoned church in the center of town, the one that Raynare had used as her base of operation and had killed Asia inside of.

  Even though this place has lost a lot of its Holiness, it still makes me feel uncomfortable. Now I know why Sirzechs told me it would be better for me to keep living in my apartment rather than moving in with everyone. Natsuki thought.

  "Hey, Natsuki." Natsuki turned around when she heard Issei calling her name, seeing him and the rest of the ORC with him.

  "What are you guys doing here?" Natsuki asked.

  "We wanted to see if Aozora-san and the children needed any help with the move." Rias answered, "And I wanted you to come with us afterwards to the clubroom, I have something very serious to show you and the other new members of the Peerage."

  "That doesn't sound ominous at all." Natsuki drawled.

  Rias smirked, which did nothing to change Natsuki's opinion that Rias was being purposefully vague to mess with them.

  You really did end up with a cruel mistress. Lux said inside her mind, causing Natsuki to snort.

  "Natsuki, there you are, you didn't tell me your friends were coming today, I would have made something for them if I had known." Kushina said as she exited the church and saw Natsuki standing in front of the rest of the ORC.

  "I didn't know they were coming." Natsuki replied.

  "There is no need to make anything for us, Aozora-san. We only came to see if you and the children needed help." Rias voiced.

  "Oh, well Sirzechs-san has hired very good thorough movers, so I don't think that is necessary." Kushina stated, "And you all can call me Kushina. Come, come inside."

  Kushina led the group inside the newly renovated orphanage, telling them to sit as she disappeared up the stairs. The ground floor now looked bigger than it had before and had been cleared of the pews, now having a sprawling living room and three walls that separated it from the dining room and kitchen.

  Kushina had told the group to sit down in the living room as she went to the kitchen to get them all something to drink.

  "Wow, this place looks way different than it did before." Issei said as he looked around the new orphanage in awe.

  Kiba chuckled, "That's because it was abandoned and falling apart before."

  It also doesn't hurt that there are no Fallen Angels and rouge exorcists around trying to kill us. Kiba thought.

  "But is it still supposed to feel so uncomfortable?" Issei asked, shuddering as it felt like a stone was sitting on his shoulders and like some of his energy had been taken from him the further, they walked into the building.

  "The orphanage is being sponsored by the Church; it also doesn't help that this building used to be a baptized church." Akeno explained as they all began to sit down on the couches and chairs.

  Holy energy, much like Demonic energy, tended to linger in places, objects, and in people for prolonged periods of time, only slowly losing its strength and permeance.

  Xenovia sighed as she heard this, "I keep forgetting that as a Devil now, that building like this feels so oppressive and cold."

  She had once found warmth and comfort in holy places, even ones that were abandoned and desolate, but now her new body rejected such things. And this feeling grew worse as Xenovia was reminded of how she became a Devil in the first place.

  "I went through the same thing when I became a Devil. It's almost impossible pray to God or read the Bible now without hurting myself." Asia said, smiled at her reassuringly, ignoring the sting the flashed through her skull at the mention of 'God.'

  "I too miss praying." Xenovia said, her shoulders falling as she remembered that even if she could pray, her prayers would not be going to God but instead Michael.

  "You pray?" Kushina asked, hearing Xenovia's words as she reentered the living room, a tray with glasses of water in her hands.

  "Uh, yes, Az-Kushina-san." Xenovia answered, not expecting the woman to have heard her, "I- is something wrong with that?"

  Kushina glanced at Natsuki, who had to fight the urge to roll her eyes and scoff, before putting the tray down on the coffee table. "No, there is nothing wrong with prayer, I, myself am a Christian and some of the children are religious too. I just, I just didn't expect Natsuki to befriend someone with those kinds of beliefs."

  Natsuki crossed her arms, "I'm not some discriminating asshole, Kushina-sama."

  "Natsuki, you're an asshole ninety-five percent of the time." Issei muttered, causing the others to laugh while Natsuki glared at him.

  Xenovia turned to Natsuki, "You were quite discriminating when we first met, Natsuki-san."

  Natsuki glared at Xenovia from the corner of her eye, "Because you were being a bitch to everyone in the group, or did you forget how much you looked down on us that day? Must be nice to have such a short memory."

  Xenovia looked down at the floor, she could not say that Natsuki was wrong, she did not like any of them when they first met simply because they were Devils, as everything she thought she knew Devils, painted them as cruel and evil.

  Kushina smacked the back of Natsuki's head, "Stop acting so rude, Natsu. If you're friends with her now, then she must have apologized to you and the others. I know you; you wouldn't be sitting here right now if you didn't accept it, so leave the girl alone."

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, but did not argue with Kushina, leaning back into the couch, "Yes, Kushina-sama."

  Wow, there's someone who can tell Natsuki what to do. Issei thought he wanted to make a joke about this, but he knew that Natsuki would get him back for it later.

  Before long, one of the children ran into the room, their skin flushed and sweaty from exertion, smiling brightly as he spotted Natsuki. "Natsuki Onee-chan! There you are! I need to you to help us get our ball down from a tree."

  Kushina put her hands on her hips as she stared Izo down, "Izo, what do you say when you see that we have guests?"

  Izo quickly bowed to Natsuki's friends, "Sorry! It is nice to see you again, welcome to our home."

  Rias chuckled, "Thank you for having us, Izo-kun."

  Natsuki rolled her eyes when she saw Izo blush at Rias' smile, "This is the third time today."

  Izo shrugged, feeling no sympathy for the older girl. "You're the only one tall enough to reach the ball when it flies so high. You should have been shorter if you didn't want this to be your job."

  Natsuki smacked the back of Izo's head, ignoring his shout of indignation as they left the others and went to the backyard. When she came back less than three minutes later, Natsuki saw that Kushina had gotten old photo albums and was now showing them to the Peerage.

  Issei grinned widely at Natsuki when she returned, "We're looking at some very cute pictures of you, Natsu-chan."

  He showed her the photo album in his hands, showing her a picture of herself from when she was six riding an old bicycle, her eyes were visibly wide as she leaning to the side instead of balancing properly.

  Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "Okay? I'm I supposed to care?"

  "Damn it! Yes! You were making fun of me when my okasan showed my baby pictures!" Issei growled.

  "Because you were naked in almost all of them, unlike you, I knew how to keep my clothes on." Natsuki said as she sat back down.

  Koneko looked up from a picture of Natsuki as a toddler walking around with a toy shovel, "You used to be cute, senpai. What happened?"

  Natsuki stared at Koneko blankly, "I went through puberty. Don't worry, little one, I'm sure it will happen to you any day now."

  Akeno giggled when Koneko glared at Natsuki and pinched her thigh, causing Natsuki to yelp. "Don't worry, Natsuki-chan, I still think you're cute."

  "Why are you saying that while looking a picture of me taking a bath?" Natsuki asked, looking at Akeno suspiciously as she pointed to the picture of her as a baby that was in her hands.

  "Well, I was wondering if you still have that adorable birth mark on your butt?" Akeno asked, her smile widening.

  Natsuki did not respond to Akeno's question, ignoring the sound of her giggling as she looked away.

  Rias drew Natsuki's attention away from the other girl when she spoke, "Natsuki, when did you meet missionaries?"

  Rias was looking at a picture of Kushina and Natsuki with a bunch of other children that she did not recognize, but what drew her eye was the two adults standing behind the children and next to Kushina.

  The two were dressed in formal clothes, but what clued Rias into their profession was the gold cross necklaces around their necks, and the beaded bracelets around their hands. As part of her education as the heir of a noble house, she was taught to recognize the signs that could denote a person's race or affiliation.

  The beaded bracelets were protection charms that are given to lower ranking members of the church, who had no magical abilities or aptitude for combat when they would travel to various parts of the world.

  Natsuki clenched her fists when she saw the picture in Rias' hand, "I did."

  Rias raised an eyebrow, waiting for Natsuki to continue, but when she realized that she would not further elaborate, Rias turned to Kushina.

  Kushina cleared her throat, glancing at Natsuki again. "As you know, our orphanage is sponsored by the Catholic Church, and every so often members of the Church come to talk to the kids. They pray with them, play games, read them Bible stories, teach them about God."

  "If the Church comes to visit, why did they not feel the need to fix the orphanage before, if they knew it was worn down?" Issei asked.

  Before Kushina could answer, Izo ran back into the room, "Natsuki Onee-chan! The ball's on the roof now."

  Natsuki took a moment to speak, "How the hell did you guys throw the ball onto the roof?"

  Natsuki did not look at anyone as she left the room, and Kushina looked at Natsuki's back worryingly as she did.

  "Uh, Kushina-san? Why does Natsuki not like the Church?" Issei awkwardly asked.

  Kushina looked away from the group as she started to pick up their empty glasses, "When that picture was taken, it was the first time that Natsuki was there for those meetings. Natsuki used to be religious, you know?"

  "She was?" Issei asked, trying to imagine the Natsuki he knew ever being a believer in God.

  Kushina laughed but it was hollow, "She was. I mean, I raised almost all of the children who come through my doors to believe, but for Natsuki, God was a comfort for her."

  Kushina remembered how Natsuki would pray with her in the morning when she was younger, of the rosary she used to own, and how Natsuki had thrown it away, destroying it in a fit of rage.

  "What led to her no longer believing?" Asia asked.

  Kushina sighed, "The missionaries said some truly cruel things to Natsuki, and it just... it just broke her. That's why she can be so hostile towards religion."

  Each of the Devils was wondering just what the missionaries could have said to Natsuki that could have permanently destroyed her faith.

  But no one could gather the strength to voice this question by the time Natsuki returned to the living room and the topic was soon forgotten by everyone, except for of a certain Queen, blond Bishop, and blue haired swordswoman.

  A Few Hours Later

  The Peerage were now on the ground floor of the old school building, standing in front of a door that had a sign which was labeled, 'Sealed classroom.' This room was so securely closed that no one could see inside and was also covered in with tape that was plastered onto it with magic seals that had been carved into the wood.

  "So, they're here?" Issei asked.

  "Your other Bishop is in here?" Asia asked.

  Rias sighed, "Yes. Last night, my older brother insisted that I release the seal and let my Bishop out. I'm not sure why, but my Bishop refused the offer."

  "You still haven't explained why your other Bishop is being kept in here, Buchou?" Natsuki asked.

  Rias had explained to the newer members of the Peerage that due to various circumstances; the Bishop could not participate in the Rating Game between the Phoenix household and the battle against Kokabiel. That they had a dangerous ability, that not even Rias could control, so she was ordered by the Maous and other nobles to seal her Bishop.

  Rias sighed again, "The reason they refused my brother's offer and why you four have not met them yet is twofold; first, is that their powers are difficult to control as I said before, and secondly, because of their powers and life experiences, they choice spend all of their time indoors, refusing to come outside due to fear."

  "So, they're a shut-in?" Issei asked surprised.

  Akeno smiled, "Such a shame really. Especially as this child is the largest earner we have."

  "No way! You can't be serious!"

  "Through a computer, the kid would take special contracts from humans," Kiba added, "Theses contracts are usually from people who don't want to meet us."

  "That makes sense; not everyone would want to be in the presence of a Devil, even one they're making a deal with. And the internet makes it possible communicate with anyone you want." Natsuki said aloud.

  Honestly, making deals through my phone would be better than having to talk to some people who want to make a contract with me. Natsuki thought.

  Rias took a breath, lifting her hand and breaking the seal on the door, "Alright, let's see how this goes."

  Rias used her hand to push the door open and the second she did, a high-pitched scream emitted from inside.

  "Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

  Rias was not surprised, but sighed as she opened the door wider, allowing herself and the rest of the group to enter. "Hello. I am glad to see you are looking well.

  The room was decorated in a cute manner; with stuffed dolls lining the shelves, ruffled blinds that were covering the windows completely, a pink and purple circular rug in the middle of the room. There was no bed, but instead a singular coffin that sat in the corner of the room.

  And sitting down on the floor was the room's occupant; a bishoujo wearing the Kuoh Academy girls uniform with noble looks, platinum blond hair that was styled in a short bob cut with several small strands of fringe covering their forehead, pointed ears, and pinkish-violet eyes who looked like a doll.

  Their back was facing the rest of the Peerage, tears falling from their eyes as their body shook from fear.

  "I don't understand what's going on." The Bishop cried out.

  "Ara, ara, the seal was removed, you know? So, you're able to go outside now." Akeno said.

  More tears fell from their face, "I don't want to leave, it's too scary outside!"

  "What? She's just a little girl!" Issei exclaimed, "And look! She looks a lot like Asia! Does that mean that all Bishops have to be pretty blondes or something?"

  Kiba chuckled at Issei's words and the way he was now looking the newly revealed Bishop.

  Issei frowned as he turned to Kiba, "What's so funny?"

  Rias turned her head sideways as she spoke, "This child is a boy."

  Issei froze, slowly turning around to face Rias, "Eh? Uh, wait. What did you just say?"

  "Appearance-wise, this kid looks like a girl, but I can assure you that they're a little boy."

  Issei's mouth dropped open, "No, no, no matter how you look at it. It's a girl, Buchou! Eh? Seriously?"

  Issei then looked at Natsuki, pointing at her, "Is it a Natsuki situation? Does he have, like, more parts down there?"

  Natsuki glared at the other Pawn, snarling as she looked like she was going to beat Issei to death.

  Akeno chuckled, inadvertently saving Issei's life, "No, it's nothing like that, he just likes to dress up like a girl. It's a hobby of his."

  Akeno-san said that calmly. Hobby of dressing in female clothes? T-Then this kid was not wearing that uniform because he's a girl but-because of a hobby? Issei thought.

  "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?" Issei shrieked due to his shock.

  The young boy in front of the group jumped back at Issei's shouting, "Eeek! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

  Seriously! Is he a boy even like this!? No, no matter how you look at it, that part of him was more like a bishoujo than even some girls! I seriously didn't get it! Even the voice was like a girl! He's even so small too!

  Issei fell to his knees, holding his head in his hands, "Is it all right to have such a cruel story? He perfectly looks like a bishojo, for him to be a man... for him to have a penis on him. What a waste."

  Koneko slapped the back of Issei's head, knocking him to the floor, "...No vulgar words around Gasper."

  But Issei was undeterred, "It's an even more painful story that he has a hobby of wearing girl's clothes! The shock is too huge! Even though he's a shut-in, he has a hobby of wearing girl's clothes!"

  "B-B-B-But girl's clothes are super cute." The younger boy argued, stammering as he struggled to make eye contact with Issei.

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, trying to move the conversation past Issei's horror, "Koneko called you Gasper, is that your name?"

  Gasper to one look at Natsuki, shrieking as he threw himself into Rias' arms, burying his face in neck.

  "Wow, your face scared him, Natsuki-senpai." Koneko said.

  "Natsuki-san does make very menacing expressions I have noticed." Xenovia added, "But you were not glaring at him or anything just now, so his reaction seems surprising."

  "Why does this keep happening? I look like a normal person." Natsuki mumbled to herself.

  This was not the first time that Natsuki's appearance had scared or unnerved other people. Her sharp facial features, tall stature, dark red eyes, her obviously mixed race and foreign appearance, and her aloof and closed off demeanor, intimidated most.

  And while she was used to people calling her a delinquent, being accusing of being a Yakzua, or even her classmates calling her a Dark Princess and black hearted, Natsuki still hated the comparisons.

  Asia placed a hand on Natsuki's arm reassuringly, "It's okay, Natsuki-san. Even if everyone else thinks you're scary, we don't. They just don't know how nice you are and are too focused on your face."

  That doesn't make me feel better, Asia. Natsuki thought, her shoulder slumping as she felt the smaller girl's words hit her like a physical blow.

  Rias shook her head as she turned back to Gasper, "Now Gasper-kun, I wanted to introduce you to my new servants who joined us while you were in here. My Pawns, Hyoudou Issei and Sukehiro Natsuki; my second Knight, Xenovia Quarta; and like you, my second Bishop, Asia Argento."

  Before they could greet him properly, Gasper shrieked, "Eeeeek, the members increased by a lot!"

  "It did." Rias chuckled, "Now you four, I want to introduce you to Gasper Vladi. He is my Bishop and for the time being, he is a Kuoh Academy first year student. And before I had the honor of turning him into a Devil, this little guy was half human, half vampire."

  "He's a real vampire?" Asia asked in shock.

  "Like a bloodsucker? Serious?" Issei exclaimed.

  I guess it shouldn't be surprising that in a world where Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, demon dogs, and dragons exist, vampires would too. Natsuki thought, looking at her new kouhai differently than before.

  "Gasper-kun, will you please come outside with us?" Rias asked sweetly.

  Gasper shook his head vigorously, "No! I don't want to go; please don't make me!"

  Issei frowned at this, bending down next to Rias as he slowly reached out to hold Gasper's arm, wanting to pull the younger boy out of the room. "C'mon, you heard the lady; let's go."

  Gasper flinched at Issei's touch, yelping as a flash of purple light emanated from his body and covered the room. Once this happened, Gasper shook off Issei hand and ran to the corner of the room, shacking as tears fell from his eyes.

  "What the hell?" Natsuki exclaimed, looking around and seeing that everyone but was frozen in place, and that her [Ethereal Domination] activated subconsciously.

  "This must be because of his Sacred Gear." Lux spoke aloud.

  "He has a Scared-" Natsuki cut herself off when she saw that Gasper's eyes had changed in appearance, his pinkish-violet eyes now covered with black lines that intersected at Gasper's pupils.

  "Eekk! Y-you c—ca-can mo-move?!" Gasper shouted, shaking even more than before.

  Natsuki walked towards Gasper wanting to calm him down, but stopped when she saw that his shaking had grown worse, starting to hyperventilate with each step she took.

  "Sorry, Gasper. I'll stay here, see everything is good." Natsuki said, putting her hands up in a gesture of compliance.

  Gasper's eyes returned to normal, and he was no longer breathing heavily, but he still looked at Natsuki wearily.

  "I think your King may have been understating this boy's antisocial behavior." Lux said and Natsuki could not help but agree with her.

  "What the? Natsuki, how did you get over there? And how did he get over there too?" Issei asked, for him and everyone else, no time had passed, and it was as if Natsuki and Gasper had just instantly moved.

  Kiba sighed, "It looks like he did it again."

  "Did what?" Xenovia asked.

  "Used his Scared Gear." Natsuki answered.

  Issei looked at Natsuki confused, "Sacred Gear?"

  "[Forbidden Balor View]." Akeno voiced, "Also known as the Evil Eye that Stops the World. It's Gasper-kun's Scared Gear, and when he gets too excited, he can stop of the time of everything in his field of vision for fixed intervals of time."

  "What kind of broken ass power is that?" Natsuki asked aloud, surprised that such a shy and timid boy could have such a power Sacred Gear.

  Akeno raised an eyebrow as she smirked at Natsuki, "This coming from the girl who can absorb magic, which is probably why you were the only one of us who was able to move?"

  "She makes a good point." Lux said in Natsuki's mind as the girl pursed her lips, acquiescing to Akeno.

  "Because Gasper-kun can't control his Sacred Gear, by the order of Maou Sirzechs-sama, he was sealed away here as a precautionary measure."

  Rias sighed, "On top of that, his ability seems to grow stronger unconsciously, so there's a distinct possibility it could become a Balance Breaker."

  "Isn't that a good thing?" Issei asked before realizing Gasper disappeared again.

  "He's inside that box by the windows." Natsuki voiced when she saw Issei looking around, once again being the only person unaffected by Gasper's Sacred Gear.

  "I don't like it when talk about me like I'm not here. Why can't you just ignore that I'm alive like normal?!" Gasper yelled from inside a cardboard box.

  "How did he even get in there?" Asia asked.

  Rias looked at the box with a deadpanned stare, "Gasper-kun's potential would be a good thing if he could control his powers. Like Akeno said, he only uses his powers unconsciously, when his emotions flare up, so it seen as nothing but a huge problem by everyone else. But I was recently evaluated by the higher ups and judged that I should be able to control Gasper now, because you, Natsuki, and Yuuto have achieved Balance Breaker."

  Although, I feel they are giving me too much credit for that. Rias thought sourly.

  As if she could hear Rias' thoughts, Natsuki spoke, "But only Kiba unlocked his Balance Break and can use it willingly. Issei and I only did so during the Ratings Game because of different requirements; they're incomplete."

  "That doesn't matter to the higher ups, all they care about is that you and Issei were both able to achieve Balance Breaker while under my authority. The semantics of it all is irrelevant, they expect Gasper to achieve it too."

  "It also doesn't help that in Gasper's case he was revived with a Mutation Piece." Kiba added.

  "A Mutation Piece? I thought they were rare and that you used the one given to you by Sirzechs-sama on Natsuki?" Issei asked, remembering the conversation they had about Evil Pieces when he and Natsuki first became Devils.

  "For High Class Devils, one in ten Devils possesses a single Mutation Piece. It's an irregularity born when the Evil Piece system was created, it's kind of like a bug, but was kept for fun and because of the strength it gives. Gasper-kun is the one who I used that piece on. The Mutation Piece that I used on Natsuki was a gift from Sirzechs that he had gotten from Ajuka Beelzebub-sama, one of the four Maous and the creator of the Evil Piece system. Although, I now know why my brother gave me the piece so flippantly." Rias said, both her and Natsuki frowning when she mentioned Sirzechs and his involvement in the latter's life.

  Rias then sighed, "As his Mutation Piece dictates, Gasper-kun is strong, judging by ability, he could be ranked as coming second only to Akeno in the Peerage in terms of magical output. And even though Gasper-kun is a half vampire, he is from a pureblooded vampire family with a good lineage and has a powerful Sacred Gear because of his human half. He is well-endowed with the abilities of vampires, and he excels in human magic wielded as well. So, you can see why he would not have been made a Bishop with just one or two Evil Pieces."

  Okay, this kid really is fucking broken. Natsuki thought, "Since he is half vampire, can he walk in the sunlight?"

  Rias nodded her head, "He is a Daywalker, so he has no problem with the sun. However, he does dislike it."

  "No! I hate the daylight! It would be better if the sun disappeared!" Gasper shouted strongly, proving Rias' point.

  "You don't attend class either, right? If you don't control your power and open yourself up, then can you really say you're living?" Issei asked, stepping closer to Gasper's box.

  The box Gasper was in shook, "No! I'm fine in this cardboard box! Everything outside of it, is my personal enemy! Why can't you just let me live in this box forever?!"

  "Does he need blood?" Natsuki asked, feeling her exasperation rising.

  "He doesn't crave it as often as full-blooded vampires, but he does need it. I supply him blood every ten days, but like with sunlight, Gasper-kun doesn't like blood." Rias answered.

  "I hate blood!" Gasper shouted.

  "... He's a good for nothing vampire." Koneko said plainly.

  "Uwaaaaaaah! Koneko-chan is a meanieeee!"

  "Damm, Koneko-chan, no first-year camaraderie? You're so merciless." Issei asked jokingly.

  Koneko crossed her arms, "He doesn't deserve my kindness with how much trouble he causes."

  Akeno looked at her phone and when she saw the time, she turned to Rias, "Buchou, I think it's time for us to go."

  "Yes, you're right." Rias said before speaking to the rest of the Peerage, "For the time being, till I come back, Ise, Natsuki, Asia, Koneko, Xenovia, I'll leave Gasper's training to you. Akeno and I will be going to the meeting place for the leaders' summit. And Yuuto, it seems Onii-sama wants to hear in detail about your Balance Breaker so you should accompany us."

  "Yes, Buchou." The Devils said in unison.

  "Good." Rias said as Akeno formed a transportation circle behind them and Kiba moved next to her.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Akeno turned her head and looked at the cardboard box in the corner with a small smile, "Gasper-kun, you should start getting used to the outside, you know?"

  "Akeno Onee-samaaaaaaa! Please don't say stuff like thaaaaaaaat!" Gasper shrieked.

  "Ara ara, that's troubling. Natsuki-chan, I'll leave it to you."

  Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "What the fuck am I supposed to do?"

  "Don't pretend that you're not good with kids, we've all seen you with your client's children and with the children in the orphanage." Akeno grinned.

  Natsuki looked at Gasper's box from the corner of her eye, wearily, knowing that dealing with the young boy would not be as easy as the other children she had taken care of.

  Not to mention, those kids are all younger than Gasper. Natsuki thought.

  Soon the trio of Devils disappeared from the room, leaving a nervous Gasper to his fate.

  Xenovia stepped forward, opening the top of Gasper's box, "I've always wanted to fight a vampire, you guys should leave his training to me."

  "Eeeeeeeeek! N-N-N-N-No way, I don't want to fight against the user of the Holy Sword Durrandaaaaal! I-I'll be destroyed!" Gasper cried out.

  "Don't scream, Gaspar. If you like, shall I prepare a cross and holy water, and attack you with garlic instead, if you don't want me to use my Holy Sword?" Xenovia said, trying to give him a reassuring smile, but this along with her words only served to terrify the vampire even more.

  "Eeeeeeeeeek! Garlic, noooooooooo!"

  It may have been bad luck for him to have met Xenovia. Issei thought, remembering how Xenovia used to be an agent of the Church with experience in exorcising Devils.

  A Few Hours Later

  "Hey, start running. If you are a Daywalker then you should be able to run in the day." Xenovia said as she chased Gasper.

  "Eeeeeeek! Don't chase me while swinging the Durandaaaaaaal!" Gasper yelled, trying desperately to stay as far away from the swordswoman.

  The sun had started to set as Xenovia chased Gasper with Durandal, the Holy Sword emanating a holy aura that sent chills down the spines of all the Devils within its vicinity.

  "It just looks like she's gone vampire hunting." Natsuki said dryly.

  Gasper soon tripped over his on foot, falling face first into the ground. When he turned his head to look up at Xenovia, tears could be seen in the corners of his eyes, "Why do you have to be so mean to me?!"

  Xenovia sighed as she implanted Durandal into the ground, "A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. Trust me, you won't think I'm so mean when you're stronger."

  "At least she looks like she's enjoying herself." Issei said, smiling awkwardly.

  "That's true, it seems like she really enjoys yelling at people." Asia added.

  "I can't do this anymore!" Gasper yelled, starting to openly cry, "What you say doesn't matter if my legs don't work!"

  "...Gya-kun, if you eat this, you'll feel better." Koneko said as she walked up to Gasper, holding three knobs of garlic out to him.

  "No way! Are you trying to kill me!" Gasper jumped.

  Now it became Koneko chasing Gasper, telling him not to be so fussy as she tried to feed the garlic to him.

  "C'mon, Gya-kun, you can wash it down with holy water."

  "Koneko-san seems to be having fun too." Asia said.

  "Not in a good way." Natsuki said as they watched Koneko bully the younger boy.

  "Who knew Koneko-chan would ever care enough to tease someone?" Issei said, surprised by the scene in front of them. "And why is she calling him Gya-kun?"

  "Okay that's enough." Natsuki sighed, standing between Gasper and Koneko, allowing Gasper to hide behind her. "You and Xenovia have had your fun, but none of this is helping Gasper."

  Xenovia frowned, "What do you mean? Rias said we have to train Gasper, that is what we're doing."

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, "What's the point of Gasper getting physically stronger if he's too afraid to go outside, and uses his powers with no control?"

  "I suppose that's a good point." Xenovia relented.

  "It looks like you guys are having fun." The group turned and saw Saji walking towards them.

  Issei smiled, "What's up, Saji."

  "I heard that Rias had finally released her dangerous Bishop, so I wanted to see them for myself." Saji said before catching sight of Gasper behind Natsuki, "Another pretty blonde?"

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, "Don't get your hopes up, Saji, the Bishop behind me is a crossdressing boy."

  Saji fell to his knees, completely heartbroken, "A boy? Why have I been forsaken?"

  Issei nodded his head, "Trust me, I know exactly how you feel."

  Natsuki ignored the conversation between Saji and Issei as she turned her head to look at the boy behind her. "Hey, Gasper."

  Gasper flinched at the sound of Natsuki's voice, trembling as he met her steely gaze. "Y-y-yes?"

  "You like video games, right?" Natsuki asked.

  "I-I do."

  "How about I make you a deal."

  "A deal?"

  Natsuki nodded her head, "I will buy you whatever video game you want, if I can come to your room and meditate with you."

  "Really?" Gasper asked, looking at the Pawn with surprise and suspicion.

  "Yeah, throwing you into the deep end is not working for you, I'm sure Rias and the other have already tried that."

  Gasper looked down, "They have."

  For years, the Devils of the Gremory Peerage have been trying to help Gasper overcome his fear of people and the outside world, only for none of their efforts to be successful.

  "Then we will take baby steps and move at your pace. You're already doing a surprisingly decent job, so don't feel bad about that."

  "I-I am?"

  "You are." Natsuki said, "I mean, you've been outside for hours, allowing Xenovia to run you ragged when you could have used your Sacred Gear to escape. That's proof that you're trying, even if it doesn't feel like it to you."

  Gasper blushed at Natsuki's subtle praise, realizing both that he had been outside and around people longer than he has in a long time and that he judged Natsuki prematurely.

  Was she human before she died? The magic coming from her doesn't feel like that of a reincarnated Devil, maybe it's her Sacred Gear? Gasper thought quizzically.

  Natsuki's head immediately shot up as she looked to the right, towards the trees at the edge of the ORC clubhouse as she felt a magic presence suddenly appear. "Who's there?"

  A chuckle was heard as a person stepped out of the shadows, revealing the form of a familiar Fallen Angel. "It seems the servants of the Maou's family are out here playing. That's just so sweet."

  "Azazel!" Issei exclaimed, glaring at the Fallen Angel.

  "Hey, Sekiryuutei, you're looking good." Azazel said with a smirk.

  Everyone was dubiously staring at the Fallen, and with a single word from Issei, the atmosphere completely changed.

  Xenovia pulled her sword out of the ground and pointed it in Azazel's direction. Asia hid behind Issei while he summoned his [Boosted Gear] to protect her.

  Why is the Governor of the Fallen Angels in a place like this!? Issei thought.

  Despite his shock, Saji was also able to summon his Sacred Gear, "Hy-Hyoudou, by Azazel you mean-!"

  Issei nodded his head, "I am serious, Saji. I have met this guy plenty of times."

  "Calm down, guys. He's not here to fight." Natsuki called out.

  Unlike everyone else, Natsuki was the only one not posed to fight or hide behind anyone, she simply stared at Azazel with a blank expression.

  "Natsuki! He's a Fallen Angel!" Issei exclaimed.

  "And he's the leader of the Fallen." Natsuki added, "He's here for the leaders' summit, remember? And even then, fighting back won't matter; he's Vali's boss."

  The memory of the White Dragon Emperor flashed through their minds. No one could deny that Vali was powerful, so it only made sense to think that whoever Vali took orders from would be stronger than him.

  Azazel chuckled, "Natsuki's right; I'm not here to fight. And no matter what you did you wouldn't win against me, but you don't have anything to fear, I'm not the type of person who likes to bully the lower classes. Anyway, where is that Holy Demonic Sword user? I came by to pay him a visit."

  Issei growled, "You're not getting Kiba! I won't let you, bastard!"

  Azazel ignored Issei as he looked around, "Aw, the Holy Demonic Sword user isn't here? How boring."

  He then looked at the vampire who was hiding behind Natsuki, "You are the possessor of the [Forbidden Balor View, right? You know, this type of Sacred Gear can wind up becoming extremely dangerous if the user's capacity is too low. As a support type Sacred Gear, if you can supplement the deficient aspects, it should be fine but now that I mention it, the research of Sacred Gears by Devils hasn't progressed much."

  Azazel then took a few steps closer, peering into both of Gasper's eyes and causing Gasper to tremble in fear despite the lack of killing intent coming from the Fallen.

  "Back off, Azazel." Natsuki growled, blocking Gasper fully with her body.

  Azazel grinned, "I didn't take you for a mother hen, Natsuki."

  Natsuki's eyes narrowed, "You're scaring the kid, so like I said; back off."

  Azazel continued to smile, doing as Natsuki said and not moving another inch in her and Gasper's direction, instead moving his attention to Saji. "And you've got the Black Dragon Pulse, [Absorption Line], right? During this little training session, you should connect with the vampire so you can drain the excess of his Sacred Gear. It will run less wild that way."

  Saji had a complicated look on his face as he looked from Azazel to his [Absorption Line, "M-My Sacred Gear, it can suck the power of other's Sacred Gears as well? I thought it simply absorbs the opponent's power and weakens them."

  "Don't tell me you didn't know that! Have we gotten to a point where recent Sacred Gear holders don't know the power of their own Sacred Gears well enough?" Azazel said with a laugh, an amused expression appearing on his face. "Your Scared Gear holds the power of one of the legendary Five Dragon Kings, the Prison Dragon, Vritra. It scatters the power of whatever comes into contact with it, of course, attaching itself to something else for a brief period of time is another benefit.

  "This thing is more badass than I thought." Saji whispered before looking at Azazel, "Does this mean the line on my side, for example, I can connect it to Hyoudou or some other person? And then the power will flow into Hyoudou?"

  "Yeah, if you grow, the number of lines you can make will also increase. And if you do that, the output of your absorption will increase many times as well."

  Saji became quiet after this, more than astonished by what Azazel had just revealed to him about his Sacred Gear.

  Azazel then smirked, "Although, a faster and more simply way to go about training would be to have the vampire drink Sekiryuutei or Kogane Ryū Kōgō's blood."

  Issei sneered, "Hope you don't mean me, because I don't do vampire bites."

  "Don't get mad at me; he's the vampire."

  Gasper's eyes widened at Azazel's words, his breathing became heavier and Natsuki could feel him shaking against her back.

  Natsuki scoffed, drawing attention away from Gasper, "Did you just come here to discuss Sacred Gears? I guess Kokabiel was right about your obsession with them."

  "No, I didn't but I had to take the opportunity, you know?" Azazel answered, "I came to apologize for what Vali did the other day. I'm sure you all must have been surprised by him suddenly seeking you out on his own, but Vali has always been an unusual guy. But don't worry, I'm sure you know that Vali isn't thinking of settling the rivalry just yet."

  "Because he thinks Issei and I are too weak." Natsuki spat.

  "You are too weak." Azazel said plainly, smiling when Natsuki's glare intensified, "Oh, come now, you know that, isn't that why you called me 'Vali's Boss,' earlier?"

  Natsuki said nothing, it was the truth, but once again it was a truth that infuriated her to no end.

  "But you should take it as a good thing. You have time to grow stronger without the worry of a powerful foe coming to kill you." With that, Azazel turned to leave, walking towards the tree line that he had first appeared through, no longer seeing the point of sticking around.

  "Hold on a second!" Issei called out, stopping Azazel in his tracks, "I want to know why you hid your real identity from me and Natsuki when you first contacted us. You may have apologized for Vali, but you haven't done so for your actions!"

  Azazel turned his head slightly, looking at Issei from the corner of his eye, "Oh, well. That's just my thing; I won't apologize for that."

  After saying this, Azazel disappeared through the trees before teleporting away, leaving the Devils thoroughly confused.

  After Azazel left, the Devils exchanged glances, troubled on how to continue before Saji stepped forward and made a suggestion. "For the time being, I'll use my Sacred Gear on the new face-kun over there. In that state, let's try using his Sacred Gear and practice. In exchange for that, next time, I will have you help me out with a flower bed Kaichou wants me to take care of."

  Saji connected the tongue of the [Absorption Line] to Gasper, following Azazel's suggestion as the group went to the school's gymnasium.

  Issei came up with the idea to throw volleyballs at Gasper and have him stop them in midair using his [Forbidden Balor View].

  "Alright, have at it." Issei said as he threw the volleyball in his hands directly at Gasper's face.

  "EEk!" Gasper exclaimed as his eyes flashed purple, and when the light disappeared Gasper was no longer standing on the court.

  "Whoa, he just disappeared." Saji said, looking at the stop where Gasper once stood.

  Koneko sighed as she followed the direction that Saji's line was heading, knowing that Gasper was still on the other end of it.

  Issei scratched the back of his head, "That is not how this was supposed to work. His goal was to stop the ball, but he stopped us too."

  "I found him." Koneko said as she dragged Gasper back onto the court by the scruff of his collar, causing his shirt to drag up over his stomach.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Gasper cried.

  "This training would be fairly hard for anyone." Xenovia said as they watched Gasper once again fail to use his Sacred Gear properly.

  Asia frowned, "And it doesn't help that he has so much power."

  "It's too strong for his own good. Poor guy." Issei sighed before looking at Saji, "Saji, do you think you could take away a bit more from him?"

  "Totally." Saji said, using his [Absorption Line] to take away more of Gasper's magical power from him.

  Gasper shivered as he felt the magic being drained from his body, finding the experience to be uncomfortable and strange.

  "Awesome, thanks for helping us out."

  Saji smiled, "It's no problem. I mean, I'm the one who's got to learn how to use a new power, right?"

  Natsuki crossed her arms, "I still think we should be working on his Anthropophobia before doing any physical training."

  "Anthropophobia?" Xenovia asked, having never heard of the word.

  "It's an intense and irrational fear of people." Natsuki answered, "I think Gasper has an extreme version of it. And I think we should deal with that first before working on his powers."

  Issei scowled, "Well, we don't have time. You saw the way Azazel was looking at Gasper, we have to get Gasper strong enough to defend himself, or Azazel might take him."

  Natsuki rolled her eyes, ignoring how Gasper yelped at Issei's claim, "Unless Azazel is an idiot, he's not going to take Gasper, at least not forcefully. And even so, I don't think Azazel has much interest in Gasper beside clinically."

  "I guess you're right, but even if he is obsessed with Sacred Gears, why would he help us by giving those suggestions?" Issei asked, "And what was with that whole blood thing? Ugh, everything about this just freaks me out."

  "Me too! I hate blood." Gasper said.

  "You know, you and Buchou didn't explain how that works. I mean, how can you hate the taste of blood; you're a vampire?"

  Gasper started to shake, "I just can't help it! The smell of blood makes me want to vomit; I hate that stuff!"

  Koneko sighed, "You really are the worst vampire ever."

  Gasper crouched down and started to bawl, "Why are you so mean to me, Koneko-chan?!"

  Xenovia rubbed one of her ears, "Wow, that whine is starting to hurt my brain."

  By the time night had fallen, Gasper had escaped Koneko's attempts to stop him and retreated into his room, refusing to let anyone inside. Eventually the others soon left, leaving only Natsuki, Issei, and now Rias, standing in front of the once sealed door.

  "Gasper-kun, please come out." Rias pleaded.

  Issei looked at the floor as he scratched the back of his head, "Sorry about this, Buchou. The last thing I wanted to do was bug you in the middle of your big meeting."

  Rias glanced at Issei, "No, don't worry. It means a lot that you're all working so hard and want the best for him."

  "I can't leave! It's too scary outside!" Gasper shouted from inside the room.

  Issei frowned, "I feel like we're just making things worse though."

  "Well to be honest, knowing Gasper's background there's only so much we can do."

  Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "His background?"

  Rias continued to stare at the door as she spoke, "Gasper's father was a vampire from the pureblood vampire family that I had mentioned before and his mother, a mere human, vampires are even more concerned with pedigree than Devils. As a result, Gasper was discriminated against by everyone, including his own family. And sadly, when it came to the human world, he was treated like a monster."

  "And with his power to literally stop time, a power he couldn't control, he wasn't just feared, he was loathed, wasn't he?" Natsuki asked knowingly, seeing where Rias was going with her story.

  "You hit the nail right on the head, Natsuki." Rias said dejectedly, "A person can't know what happens to them when they have been frozen. Naturally, no one wants to be near with that kind of power."

  Issei clenched his fists, "I get it now. Sounds like Gasper and Asia have a lot in common, don't they?"

  "Yes, they do. And like her, we know that he would never use his powers to do anything that bad." Rias said before looking down at the floor, "What kind of King am I to him?"

  Issei quickly turned to Rias, "Don't say that! Listen Buchou, I-we can take care of this. You can count on us."

  Rias smiled softly, "Thank you, Ise."

  "This is huge, finally, there's someone around who's a boy and younger than me in the Peerage and I'm going to keep it that way!" Issei said resolutely.

  Issei thought about how he now had someone in the Peerage who would have to look up to him, and because Issei was older, he viewed it as his responsibility to help his kouhai.

  "That sounds pretty selfish of you. It just sounds like you want a cute kouhai who hangs on your every word." Natsuki said dryly.

  Issei immediately grabbed Natsuki by the collar and started to shake her angerly, "Shut up, you bastard! You don't know what you're talking about! And you haven't even been helping, so you don't have any room to talk!"

  "I made a suggestion; you guys just didn't want to hear it out." Natsuki said, unbothered by Issei shaking her.

  "Bribing him with video games is not a suggestion!"

  Rias covered her mouth with her hand, laughing at the sight of her two Pawns, feeling better for the first time since she arrived.

  Once Issei was done, Rias summoned a teleportation circle under her feet, "I'll leave Gasper-kun in your hands, Ise, Natsuki."

  Issei gave her a thumbs up, "When you see Gasper again, he'll be a brand-new Devil."

  Rias smiled again, but it soon fell as she looked back at Gasper's door before she teleported away, leaving Natsuki and Issei alone again.

  Issei leaned against the wall, "Okay Gasper, we're not leaving until you come out."

  Natsuki sighed as she stood next to Issei before slowly sliding down the wall, sitting on the floor, and pulling out her phone. "This is going to take a while."

  "Oh, yes, I understand. Of course, of course. I'll be fine, I promise, Koneko-san and Xenovia-san are with me. Alright then, I wish you and Natsuki-san luck, bye." Asia said as she ended the call and put her cell phone in her pocket. "That was Ise, he said he won't be able to come home tonight."

  "So, it's an endurance test between them and Gasper until he comes out, huh? I'm surprised that Natsuki-san would stick around for that, she seemed the least involved out of all of us during training." Xenovia said.

  "That's because Natsuki-senpai knows that Akeno-senpai would never let her hear the end of it if she didn't try. To her, it's less annoying to deal with Gya-kun." Koneko stated.

  Asia looked down, "I still feel bad leaving them to deal with Gasper-san by themselves."

  "Really? Because I don't." Koneko said dryly.

  Xenovia tried to assuage Asia's guilt, "Well, our options are limited, what could we possibly do to help him? Natsuki-san wasn't wrong when she said that Gasper's problem isn't his power, but his fear of, well, everything."

  Eventually, the trio of girls reached the Hyoudou residence, Asia letting them inside and she and Koneko agreeing to Xenovia's suggestion to bathe together.

  "I didn't realize how much I sweated chasing after Gasper today." Xenovia said as she scrubbed her skin, "I'm glad we have a chance to take a bath."

  "I have to say, Xenovia-san, I was impressed with how hard you worked today." Asia smiled.

  Xenovia shook her head, "It was nothing compared to Issei's enthusiasm. What is really impressive to me is that he is still working hard to take care of Gasper."

  Koneko pursed her lips, "I guess you can't say that Issei-senpai never cares about his friends. When you look past how much of a pervert he is, it's his best trait."

  "I'm beginning to understand that, especially because the only reason I'm able to be with you guys in the first place is because of Issei-san wanting to save Kiba-san."

  "Um..." Asia muttered.

  "Is something wrong, Asia-senpai?" Koneko asked, seeing the hesitation on her face.

  Asia blushed and she knew that she could not blame it on the hot water in the tub. "Xen-Xenovia-san, do you like Ise?"

  Xenovia looked at Asia as she climbed into the bathtub, "I find him a suitable mate, as the Red Dragon Emperor, he will be able to give me powerful children. And that will help me make up for all the time I lost as woman while in the Church."

  You're seventeen. Koneko thought when Xenovia called herself a woman.

  Asia blushed when Xenovia mentioned Issei giving her children, but pushed past her embarrassment, "W-what about Natsuki-san? S-she strong, she could, could give you..."

  Xenovia placed a finger under her chin as she thought about the dark-haired Pawn, "Natsuki-san is powerful, and at the moment she is stronger than Issei, but her personality is all wrong."

  "Wrong?"

  Xenovia leaned her head against the tiled wall, "If I asked Natsuki-san to have my children, she would most likely punch me in the face."

  Koneko snorted at that, agreeing with Xenovia's statement, and imagining how Natsuki would react to anyone propositioning her for sex as bluntly as Xenovia has done to Issei.

  "And Issei-san, from what I have seen is less complicated and far kinder than Natsuki-san. I wouldn't want to deal with someone who is so purposely distant."

  Asia had mixed feelings about what Xenovia said; on the one hand, she was glad to know that Xenovia's feelings for Issei were not serious and were purely physical. It was hard enough competing with someone like Rias for Issei's heart, Asia does not know how difficult things would become if Xenovia ever fell in love with Issei.

  But she was also upset because Xenovia wanted to sleep with Issei, a boy whose dream was to become the Harem King. What if Xenovia managed to convince Issei to sleep with her? And if that happened, what if that led to them falling for each other?

  But this in turn, made Asia feel like a terrible person for wanting to dictate both Xenovia and Issei's feelings for her own desires.

  Asia sighed as she slid down the wall and partially submerged her head under the water, no longer feeling relaxed by the warm bath.

  An Hour Later

  "C'mon Gasper, don't you want to be outside instead of in that cramped room?" Issei pleaded, realizing that he underestimated Gasper's fortitude.

  Natsuki leaned her head to the side, "I don't think asking for the hundredth time is going to change his mind."

  "Well, I don't see you doing anything to help!" Issei shouted glaring at his fellow Pawn.

  "Stop screaming, you're just scaring Gasper even more." Natsuki said plainly, her supernova hearing pocking up on Gasper's surprised yelp when Issei raised his voice.

  Issei's glare turned venomous, and he wanted to scream at Natsuki again, but did not want to scare their kouhai.

  Natsuki crossed her arms as she looked away from Issei, "Just speak plainly to him, don't beg or try to force him."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Earlier, after Xenovia and Koneko finished chasing him around, Gasper seemed receptive when I told him he was doing good just by being outside, talking with us."

  "Yeah, I remember Gasper being calm with you before Azazel showed up."

  "And now he's probably thinking about all the things Azazel told him about his Sacred Gear. And with what Rias told us…"

  Issei's gaze became contemplative as he pressed his head against the door. Issei sighed as he decided to follow Natsuki's advice. "Hey, Gasper, I know you're scared of your Sacred Gear, and of us for that matter. I also possess a Sacred Gear, but with one of the strongest dragons around inside of it. I've got a dragon in me, I… to be honest, am scared. I feel scared to use that power because it often feels like a part of my body is changing into something else. I don't know much about Devils right now either, or about what a dragon is. It's terrifying, but I refuse to let that fear stop me."

  To his and Natsuki's surprise, Gasper responded through the door. "But aren't you afraid? A-afraid that you may lose the things you care about most because of your power? Why do you, senpai... how can you live life without any doubts like that?"

  Issei found the questions troubling, but pushed forward, "Well, I'm an idiot, so I might not get the whole picture, it's just…"

  "Just what?" Gasper asked.

  "I've seen Rias cry, and I never want to see that again." Issei said, clenching his fist as he looked at the floor. "During the Rating Game, my friends had been defeated one by one, and in the end, when I tried to face off against Riser, I couldn't beat him, I was too weak to win. I don't remember all of it, but I was in such bad shape that Rias almost forfeited the match. Rias' tears, they have been burned into my heart forever, it was the hardest thing I ever had to watch and all I could do was lay there pathetically before I was retired."

  "I heard about that fight, I'm sorry." Gasper said as he opened the door slightly, looking through the crack and holding back tears. "I was sealed in here when it happened."

  "You don't have to apologize; besides we won." Issei said, trying to reassure Gasper.

  Gasper looked at Natsuki, remembering that she was the one who had defeated Riser with her Balance Breaker.

  Natsuki noticed the stare, causing Gasper to flinch, but instead of glaring at him like he expected, Natsuki sighed. "I won't say I understand completely how you feel Gasper, but I know what it's like to ostracized."

  Gasper looked surprised, "You do?"

  "All my life people have hated me for being a hermaphrodite and looking so much different from everyone in a country with so much racism, didn't help either. And after a while, I stopped trying to be accepted, and like you, I closed myself off to others, I… I made a shield around my heart, so to speak, so I could never be hurt again. Even when I first met Issei, I kept an emotional distance, because I figured he would grow bored and stop wanting to be my friend. But after becoming a Devil and joining this Peerage, even with all the crazy shit we've experienced, it's the happiest I've ever been in a long. And… for the first time in my life, I've had people that I can call my friends… f-family."

  Both Gasper and Issei looked at Natsuki in shock, not expecting the girl to be so open and forthcoming and seeing her struggle to express herself properly.

  Natsuki closed her eyes before continuing, "And, even though I beat Riser, I was only able to do so because I let the dragon inside me to take over, it wasn't my strength that own the battle. And when Kokabiel showed up, I was helpless, he didn't see me as an equal, but as a toy he could spend a few minutes playing with. Issei was the one who…"

  Issei furrowed his brow, "Me? I wasn't able to do anything, I was just as weak."

  "But you got stronger!" Natsuki exclaimed, causing the two boys with her to jump. "You got stronger, because you fucking thought of Rias' tits, as stupid as that was. You rallied everyone to keep fighting when I was… when I was standing there frozen, scared out of my mind, like a fucking coward. I couldn't keep anyone safe."

  Natsuki was scared? Issei thought to himself.

  In all the time he had known her, Natsuki has always been the strong, confident protector, the person you could rely on to get the job done, and to never falter, she was not supposed to get anxious, nervous, or scared, that was his job. And she was the one who was supposed to reassure him and make sure that he kept going.

  She's still a person, just like you, partner. Ddraig said inside Issei's head, through their link.

  I know that. I just… it's surprising, you know. I mean, Natsuki isn't supposed to be envious of me, doesn't she know how hard I've been trying to catch up to her, to stop looking at her back? Issei thought.

  I doubt it. Ddraig said. Sometimes it can be hard to see the insecurities of others when looking at your own.

  "Well, then we all have something to work towards!" Issei shouted, unintentionally saying this out loud.

  Natsuki frowned, "What?"

  Issei grinned as he jumped to his feet, "Even if the three of us aren't as strong as we'd like, that doesn't matter. We can bring our strengths together so we can protect Rias and the rest of the Peerage. I mean, with the power to stop time and two legendary dragons, there's nothing we can't do!"

  Gasper gripped the stuffed bunny in his hands tighter as he looked away, troubled by Issei's declaration. "I don't know…"

  Issei was undeterred, "What about drinking my blood? If what that bastard Azazel said is true, then if you drink my blood then you may be able to control your Sacred Gear."

  "No, it's too scary!" Gasper said as he shook his head, "I don't like drinking from living creatures, and it takes everything I got just to do so from transfusions occasionally. Blood makes me feel stronger and with my Sacred Gear… I'm scared I won't be able to handle it."

  "That's weird, but I can't deny that I'm jealous of your powers." Issei said.

  "Really?" Gasper said.

  "Yeah, being able to stop time would be awesome as hell!" Issei said, leaning closer to the younger boy as a lecherous expression appeared on his face. "Imagine all the girls' skirts I'd be able to peak under! I'd even be able to play with Rias'-"

  Natsuki ended Issei's tirade by making the back of his head, sending him falling to the ground.

  "Ouch!" Issei cried; his voice muffled by the floor.

  Natsuki ignored this as she looked at the Bishop. "Gasper, when it comes to girls, ignore everything Issei tells you, and don't let him trick you into doing anything perverted. It's a bad path to fall onto, and I don't want to see that happen to you."

  "Screw you, Natsuki!" Issei yelled as rubbed the back of his head.

  Gasper smiled softly, "I've never had anyone say they're jealous of me. Even if it's for perverted reasons, it makes me feel better."

  Well, at least he wasn't offended. Natsuki thought, not knowing if this was better.

  Issei looked embarrassed, "Yeah, well, uh…"

  "It's funny, hearing that you're jealous of something I've hated all my life."

  Natsuki slowly put her hand on Gasper's shoulder, giving him time to move away, and happy when he did not. "You have a Sacred Gear; that's something that is not going to change. And there's nothing wrong with being afraid or weak, only with staying so when you have the ability to shed those traits. So, you should-"

  Issei jumped on Natsuki's back, interrupting her. "So, you should make yourself a goal that you want to accomplish with your Sacred Gear and show it that you are serious! I've told the dragon within my arm that I want to use my transfer ability to increase the size of Rias' breasts! And Akeno-senpai's too-"

  Natsuki growled as she reached behind her and grabbed Issei by the back of his shirt, throwing him down the hall, sending him flying through the wall at the end.

  Gasper's eyes widened, staring at the angered Pawn with fear. "I- I t-think you killed him."

  "Good." Natsuki spat.

  Why did he say that he wanted to use his transfer on Akeno?! Why do I care that Issei wants to do that? Natsuki thought angrily.

  Issei pulled himself out of the now broken wall, unscathed and mostly just not expecting the violent action from Natsuki.

  Well, Natsuki does have a thing for Akeno-senpai, so it makes sense that she got upset. Although I wish she would just come out and say it instead of threatening me with violence all the time. Issei thought.

  Gasper's eyes widened when Issei walked back to them. "Wow Ise-senpai. While possessing a powerful Sacred Gear, and to be able to face forward with such indecency. Ise-senpai, your lusts are overflowing with courage, right? That's why your dreams are so strong."

  Ha, I feel like I am being made fun of, maybe it's my imagination! Issei thought while smiling sheepishly. "Good, you're a nice kid. Here, look at my right hand. I have rubbed Buchou's breasts with this hand, you know?"

  Gasper looked with astonished eyes onto Issei's right hand upon hearing his speech while Natsuki looked at Issei with a blank stare.

  "R-Really? N-No way… To be able to touch our master who is a High-Class Devil. Ise-senpai, you truly are capable of surprising things." Gasper said.

  "Also, about the story of transferring it to boobs, it's Maou-sama's idea. I have thought of following Maou Sirzechs-sama for my entire life. That person is amazing! He's drawing out my abilities!" Issei gave Natsuki a smug look before responding to Gasper as he led the young boy into his bedroom.

  Well, I've definitely lost Gasper, why is he so impressed with Issei being a perv? I just hope he doesn't fully take on Issei's ways. Natsuki thought as she followed the pair.

  The trio sat on the floor as the two Pawns took turns telling Gasper about their experiences as a Devil and their own goals and desires. Gasper warmed to the older Devils, feeling more comfortable with them as time passed.

  "Look at you three, nice work, Ise-kun, Natsuki-chan." Kiba said as he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

  "Hey! Welcome back." Issei greeted.

  Kiba smiled, "It's good to see you a bit more comfortable now, Gasper."

  "This is perfect timing, because I have something I want to talk to you about, Kiba."

  "What is it, Ise-kun?" Kiba asked, seeing the seriousness on Issei's face.

  "Me, you and Gasper are males."

  Kiba raised an eyebrow, "We are, why is that important?"

  "I have thought about how us male members of the Gremory Peerage have to come together and make an alliance."

  "I'm not a male, so don't make me a part of this foolishness." Natsuki voiced.

  Issei waved her off, "You're basically an honorary guy, Natsuki, you have a dick and everything. And this plan won't work without you."

  "Gee, thanks." Natsuki said dryly.

  "Okay, I'm intrigued. What is this plan?" Kiba asked, wondering what Issei could be planning that has Natsuki so against it.

  Issei grinned, "Get this; during school tomorrow, I'll transfer my stored power to Gasper and then Gasper will use it to stop time! And after all the girls are frozen, I'll be able to grope them as much as I want!"

  Kiba stared at Issei blankly for a couple of seconds as he digested what Issei had just told him, he then smiled uncomfortably. "Okay, if that's the case, technically you don't need me or Natsuki-chan then, right."

  "Are you serious?!" Issei exclaimed, "Of course I'll need you two. While I'm doing my pervy stuff, I might get attacked, so I'm going to need Natsuki's strength and your Balance Breaker to protect me. You see, this is the perfect team up!"

  Natsuki then looked at Kiba deadpanned, "You see what I've been forced to listen to while you were gone?"

  Kiba sighed, still smiling awkwardly, "Look Ise-kun, normally I would do practically anything for you, but you might want to think about how this is going to affect us in the long run. You might even make Ddraig cry with your actions."

  Kiba is a good guy. Ddraig said in a teary voice, glad that there was one person in his host's orbit who cared about how Issei's actions affected him.

  Shut up! And don't say that like you're upset, I'm your host not Kiba. You're supposed to help me out with my erotic ideas! Issei shouted back at Ddraig mentally.

  "You shut up! And don't look at me like I'm a freak!" Issei shouted, grabbing onto Kiba's shoulders as he began to cry excessively and dramatically. "It's so easy for you, you handsome bastard! No one's ever told you that just making eye contact with them was creepy!"

  "I think that has less to do with your looks and more to do with your wondering eyes and hands." Natsuki muttered under her breath.

  "And you!" Issei shouted as he turned to Gasper, giving him a fake smile, "You're back inside the box I see. How come? What's that about?!"

  Gasper was sitting in his cardboard box, but instead of enclosing himself completely, Gasper was sitting upright with the top open.

  "Oh, I'm sorry, I just feel better talking to people if I'm inside of here." Gasper apologetically, "But I didn't close the top, that's good, right?"

  Issei sighed, "No, and that doesn't make it less weird."

  "It is better than him trying to run away every time someone gets too close." Natsuki said as she stood up.

  Gasper pouted, "Ah, but this is calming. This cardboard box is like my heart's oasis, it keeps me safe, and I don't have to look at people and they can't look at me when I'm in it."

  This box kind of suits him in a weird way, I think it's because I've gotten used to seeing him in it. And Gasper's problem seems to be him hating to make eye contact with anyone. Wait, I've got an idea.

  The Pawn then looked around Gasper's room, trying to find something that could help him go outside while feeling the same comfort as his cardboard box.

  "Natsuki-chan, what are you looking for?" Kiba asked as he, Issei and Gasper watched Natsuki go through Gasper's things.

  "I found it." Natsuki declared as she pulled out a large brown paper bag from inside Gasper's closet.

  "A paper bag?" Issei asked, becoming more confused as he watched Natsuki cut two holes in said bag.

  Natsuki smiled as she finished before placing the bag on top of Gasper's head, covering his head completely. Through the small eye whole you could just barely see the glow of Gasper's pinkish-violet eyes as he looked around.

  "Do you like it?" Natsuki asked.

  "Maybe... I, I feel calmer." While no one could see it Gasper smiled as he touched the front of the bag, "I think I do like it ~"

  "How did you get the idea to cover his face?" Kiba asked as he watched Gasper move around sluggishly.

  Natsuki shrugged, "Gasper said he hated being face to face with people and that's why he loves his box so much. It reminded me of when Asia first joined the Peerage, and she use to cover her face with her veil before she warmed up to the rest of us."

  Gasper continued to move around, sluggishly walking towards Issei as if he were a zombie. "How does it look? Does it make me look cool?"

  Issei shuddered as Gasper crept closer, no matter how he looked at it, Gasper looked and was moving like he was degenerate that you would come across while walking in a dark alley by yourself.

  Kiba chuckled awkwardly, "It certainly has an indescribable impact, Gasper."

  "Really?" Gasper asked breathily, clasping his hands together in excitement, "I wonder if I wear this, if my reputation as a vampire will increase?"

  Natsuki snorted, smiling at Gasper, "I will say that no one will see this look coming, that's for sure."

  Gasper bowed his head, crying tears of joy under his new mask, "Thank you guys so much!"

  After calming Gasper down, the four Devils spent the rest of the night talking. Although Natsuki rolled her eyes when Issei moved the conversation to more perverted topics.

  But both Pawns were surprised by how lecherous Kiba secretly was as he answered Issei's questions without hesitation and with total honesty.

  The Next Day

  Before school had started that day, Natsuki and Issei were asked by Akeno to meet her at the shrine at the edge of town when school ended. The older Devil did not tell the Pawns why, only smiling when she said that she had someone she needed to introduce them to.

  This is where Akeno lives, right? Natsuki thought as she and Issei walked up the numerous stairs trying to reach the top of the mountain.

  Normally, Natsuki would have just teleported her and Issei to the top and save them the trouble of walking, but Akeno had explained that the wards on the shrine would not have allowed Natsuki to enter the building without her and that if Natsuki tried to, the wards would have randomly sent her to another location, anywhere in the world. And the Pawns could not use their Devil wings to fly given that they were in a public place and would risk being seen by normal people.

  Honestly, if I hadn't seen Sirzechs dispel the holy energy of the shrine we visited with him in Tokyo, I wouldn't be able to believe Akeno could live here. But I guess it matches the whole shrine maiden thing she has going on.

  "Bah! Don't walk so fast, Natsuki. Man, having to walk up all these steps sucks." Issei complained, walking a few steps behind Natsuki. "And why did Akeno-senpai ask us to meet her here? Aren't shrines bad places for us Devils, like churches? I remember Buchou telling me not to go to shrines once."

  "The holy energy is gone from this place. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have been able to walk up the first step without bursting into flames or something. Or we'd feel like how we did when we went to the orphanage." Natsuki answered.

  Issei blew air out of his lips, "Still. It just seems so weird that Akeno-senpai wanted us to come here and with how secretive she was about it."

  Natsuki was going to respond, but stop herself and her stride when she felt a familiar magic signature and saw a person sized shadow appear on the steps in front of her.

  "Welcome, Natsuki-chan, Ise-kun." Akeno greeted the pair with her usual smile.

  "Hey, Akeno-senpai." Issei said as he walked faster up the stairs while Natsuki maintained her normal pace.

  Akeno was wearing her red and white shrine maiden attire as she turned around and started to walk up the steps, not waiting for the other two to catch up. "I must apologize for the sudden invitation."

  "Ah, it's no problem, but what kind of work is this? And where is Buchou?" Issei asked.

  "Rias has to do a final meeting with Sirzechs-sama regarding the leaders' summit." Akeno answered.

  "Is it alright not going to the meeting along with Buchou? I was thinking that the Queen's power may be required."

  "Grayfia-sama will be following up over there, not to mention if it advances by a certain degree, then even without me, it will be all right. More than that, I have to meet the person who's waiting upstairs."

  "So, are you going to finally tell us why we're here and who we're meeting?" Natsuki asked, now walking beside the older girl.

  Much to her annoyance, Akeno only gave her a teasing smile as they finally reached the large arch over the top of the stairs.

  "Do you really live here, Akeno-senpai?" Issei asked as he looked at the main building of the shrine.

  Akeno smiled, "I do, the priest who previously owned this place died and the God who gave its blessing to it left, so Rias was able to secure it for me afterwards."

  Natsuki froze as she felt an immense amount of holy energy above them, when she looked up all se saw was the sky, but she knew someone was there.

  If I had to compare this power to someone it would be Sirzechs-wait... Sirzechs told me that Michael wanted to speak to last time I saw him.

  Natsuki's eyes were wide as she looked back at Akeno, "Akeno-senpai please tell me you have brought us here to meet an Angel."

  A smooth laugh was heard by the Devils in response to Natsuki's question. "So, this is Sekiryuutei and Kogane Ryū Kōgō? Hyoudou Issei and Sukehiro Natsuki, it is nice to meet you two."

  In the place that Natsuki was once looking at, a bright flash of golden light suddenly materialized and once this disappeared, a floating man was now visible to them.

  This man was handsome, with long blond hair and green eyes, from his back, sprouted twelve golden wings. He was wearing a red robe with a gold cross on the front of his white Alb, golden shoulder plates with a white sash, and with a golden halo set above his head.

  To Natsuki's growing chagrin, the man introduced himself as the one man that she did not want to meet. "I am Michael, leader of the Angels."