As the morning sun filtered through the windows of the training room, Alastor moved with practised precision, sparring with Rias and Akeno.
Their training sessions had become a regular routine, a way for them to improve their skills and maintain their readiness for any threats that might come their way.
Rias, with her graceful yet powerful strikes, and Akeno, with her agility and unpredictable movements, made formidable training partners.
However, amidst the clash of magic and combat techniques, Alastor suddenly paused. His senses tingled with the familiar presence of someone nearby. It wasn't just any presence—it was one he knew all too well. A slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Kuroka.
The energy signature was unmistakable. She was his first peerage member, a skilled and dangerous fighter in her own right, and a presence that could never go unnoticed by him.
She had always had a way of making an entrance, and it seemed today was no exception.
"Rias, Akeno," Alastor said calmly, his voice cutting through the sound of their sparring, "I'll be stepping out for a bit."
Both women stopped mid-motion, their eyes shifting toward Alastor with mild surprise.
"Is something wrong?" Rias asked, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead as she caught her breath.
Akeno tilted her head, curiosity lighting up her expression. "You felt something, didn't you?"
Alastor nodded, his expression composed but focused. "It's nothing dangerous, just someone I need to meet."
Without waiting for further questions, Alastor turned and began walking toward the edge of the training grounds.
Rias and Akeno exchanged glances, knowing Alastor well enough to understand that when he decided to handle something personally, there was little point in questioning it.
As Alastor stepped outside, the fresh air greeted him, but his attention was solely on the familiar energy that now felt much closer. Moving with purpose, he navigated through the trees and shrubs that bordered the estate, heading toward a secluded spot where the energy signature was strongest.
There, standing casually as if she owned the place, was Kuroka.
Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, and her mischievous golden eyes gleamed with amusement as she leaned against a tree, her signature black and white kimono draped elegantly around her curvaceous frame. She looked as relaxed and carefree as ever, but Alastor knew better than to underestimate her.
"Nyahaha~ Did ya miss me, Alastor-sama?" Kuroka teased, her voice lilting with that familiar playful tone.
Alastor crossed his arms, his lips curling into a smile. "It's been a while, Kuroka. What brings you here?"
Kuroka pushed off the tree and approached him, her movements graceful and feline, just as he remembered. "Oh, you know, I just thought I'd drop by and say hello. Can't a girl visit her master without a reason?" She flashed him a playful grin.
"You never show up without a reason," Alastor countered, his eyes narrowing slightly, though there was no hostility in his tone. "What's going on?"
Kuroka's grin widened as she closed the distance between them, her eyes shimmering with curiosity. "I learned from Serafall that you took a new member into your peerage recently," she said, her voice lilting with feigned innocence. "A sweet little nun, isn't she?"
The news really spread fast.
Alastor's expression remained calm, but Kuroka could see the flicker of recognition in his eyes. "You've been keeping tabs on me," he stated more than asked, his arms still crossed as he regarded her carefully.
Kuroka shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Of course, nya~. It's only natural for me to keep an eye on my beloved master." She batted her eyelashes, her tone dripping with playful mischief. "Besides, a nun? That's quite the choice. What got into your head to turn someone like her into a devil?"
Alastor didn't rise to her teasing, his face impassive. "Asia was betrayed by those she trusted. I gave her a second chance at life."
Kuroka tilted her head, her golden eyes sparkling with a mix of intrigue and amusement. "So noble~. And here I thought you were starting to soften, Alastor-sama."
Kuroka took a few steps closer, her movements graceful and deliberate, her eyes never leaving his. "But that's not the only reason I came." She paused, her expression softening, though her teasing tone remained. "I wanted to see my sister."
"Yeah, I thought so," Alastor said as he already Kuroka's character.
"How is she really?" Kuroka asked suddenly, her voice lower now, more serious. "Is she...happy?"
Alastor didn't answer immediately. He thought about Koneko's journey, her quiet strength, and the way she'd grown since joining his peerage. "She's finding her place," he said finally. "It's not easy for her, but she's surrounded by people who care about her. She's learning to open up."
Kuroka's smile was sad, though she tried to mask it with her usual playful expression. "That sounds like her. Stubborn as always."
"She's doing better than you think," Alastor added, his tone reassuring. "But if you want to see her, you should. You don't have to stay in the shadows."
Kuroka hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty before she shook her head. "I don't know if she's ready for that yet. She's got enough to deal with without me complicating things."
"She's stronger than you give her credit for," Alastor said. "She can handle it."
Kuroka bit her lip, clearly torn. But before Alastor could say anything more, she sighed and waved her hand dismissively, her playful persona slipping back into place. "Maybe one day. For now, I'll just keep watching from a distance."
Alastor didn't push her. He knew better than to force Kuroka into something she wasn't ready for. "If you change your mind, you know where to find her."
Kuroka flashed him a mischievous grin. "Oh, don't worry, Alastor-sama. I always know where to find you and her." She winked, her playful nature fully returning. "But enough about that. Let's talk about something more fun~. Like how you've been getting along with that nun. What's she like?"
"She hasn't woken up yet,"
ΔΔΔ