Chapter 42 (~9000 words):
– Akeno –
Akeno had a very serious expression fixed on her face as she listened to Kiba and Koneko recount what had happened at the park. The two of them had been sent to quietly erase all traces of that perverted student's gruesome death, an act carried out by one a loathsome fallen angel that snuck in pretending to be a student.
But then—they had stumbled upon another fallen angel at the crime scene. This one had eight wings. Eight!
That potential power alone was enough to send a chill down Akeno's spine. Even if their entire peerage had fought together, they would stand no chance. Her slender hands clenched into fists, knuckles whitening as fury rippled through her. The thought of her precious kouhai facing such overwhelming power made her blood boil!
Her voice trembled only slightly as she demanded answers. "How did you two get away? What happened? Did he attack either of you?" Akeno's stern mask cracked then, replaced by raw relief as she swept them both into her arms.
She crushed their heads against her large chest. Their faces squished against her soft bosom, muffled gasps spilling out as they struggled to breathe, but she didn't care. At that moment, she was just so grateful that they had survived!
Kiba's pale cheeks turned crimson as he squirmed helplessly in her hold, while Koneko's cat ears popped out and twitched, her entire face flushed with embarrassment.
Both of them kicked lightly, trying in vain to wriggle free. Akeno only smiled, the tension easing from her shoulders as a girlish giggle slipped past her lips. "Ufufufu," she laughed softly, finally loosening her grip enough for them to draw in a gulp of air.
"He didn't really hurt us," Kiba admitted after catching his breath. His voice, normally calm and even, carried a note of shame. "I tried to attack him. But… he knocked me flat with a single punch." His hand brushed across his stomach. "He just knocked the wind out of me. He didn't break anything."
Koneko's eyes narrowed slightly as she added her own account. "I went after him right after that." Her voice was steady at first, but then it faltered, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks. "But he didn't hurt me. He just… caught my punch. And then…" Her lips pressed together before she forced herself to finish. "He called me… cute."
A stunned silence followed her words. Akeno blinked, unsure if she should burst into laughter or seethe in outrage! The audacity of that eight winged monster daring to call Koneko cute. Yet, in a way, she couldn't disagree. Koneko was undeniably cute.
Akeno gently scooped up the petite devil cat girl, cradling her in her arms in an adorable princess carry that had Koneko pouting up at her.
Akeno walked across the room toward the plush leather couch. She sat down slowly, sinking into the softness of the cushions, and carefully placed Koneko in her lap. Once settled, she began to softly run her fingers through Koneko's silky white hair.
Almost immediately, Koneko responded with a quiet purr, the adorable sound vibrating softly against Akeno's stomach. The cute noise made Akeno smile.
"Koneko-chan, can you describe this fallen angel clearly? I need you to tell me every detail you remember."
The smaller girl shifted nervously in Akeno's lap, her slender shoulders tensing. The back of Koneko's pale neck turned rosy pink.
"Well, he was handsome," Koneko began softly. "He had jet-black hair, silky and smooth, kind of like yours, Senpai. Actually, it was very similar." She paused, ears twitching slightly. "He looked about our age. And he even said he'd just turned eighteen a few months ago. He smelled… young. I don't think he was lying."
From across the room, Kiba sighed deeply. The young man sank into the chair opposite them, his handsome face set in a frustrated frown. "Someone only slightly older than us was able to defeat me so easily… It is a bit humiliating. Especially with all my training."
Akeno continued to stroke Koneko's head slowly, but inside her heart sank a bit. Eighteen years old. Her throat tightened painfully. That age—it was exactly her own age, and the exact age her precious younger brother Akira would have been, had he survived the tragedy that tore apart their family years ago…
Koneko, oblivious to Akeno's internal turmoil, leaned more fully into her gentle touch, "He also had blue eyes too. His expression was a bit teasing and playful. It reminded me of you as well, especially when you tease us." She ended her statement with a soft, involuntary moan as Akeno's hand gently caressed behind her sensitive cat ears.
"That was adorable koneko-chan," Akeno teased.
Koneko was blushing furiously before adding quickly, "And Senpai… He also smelled a lot like you, but without the faint sulfur scent we devils have. For a fallen angel, he actually didn't smell bad… he smelled… nice." Koneko admitted begrudgingly.
At Koneko's last comment, Akeno froze completely. Her fingers halted mid-stroke. Her heart started hammering wildly inside her chest, and her breath caught painfully. Koneko's words echoed hauntingly through her mind, blending with memories of her childhood, memories she'd long buried deep inside herself.
"Eighteen… Black hair, blue eyes… smelled like me?" she whispered softly, mostly to herself. Her thoughts spun frantically. Could it really be possible?
Koneko lifted her head curiously, turning slightly to look up at her senpai. Her eyes grew concerned as she took in Akeno's pale face. "Senpai… What's wrong?" she asked gently.
Across from them, Kiba also straightened in his seat, sensing Akeno's sudden distress. He leaned forward worriedly. "Akeno-san, are you okay?" he asked.
Akeno opened her mouth slowly, struggling to find the strength to form the words. Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, nerves vibrating through every syllable. "Koneko-chan… did he… Did he tell you his name? Did he tell you clearly?"
Koneko nodded slowly. "He said his name was Blake," she confirmed softly. "But, he looked Japanese—or at least half Japanese? He also had a slight American accent. I don't know if it was his real name, or if it might just be a name he used in America."
Kiba thoughtfully chimed in, "That's true. Many people of Asian descent adopt American names if they go abroad."
Akeno's breathing quickened. Could this fallen angel really be her younger brother Akira? Had he somehow survived that terrible night years ago? Had he been hidden in America all this time?
She vividly recalled the frantic pleas she'd made to Rias after joining her best friend's peerage years ago. She begged desperately for any leads or hints about Akira's whereabouts. But despite their enormous resources, the powerful Gremory family had found nothing. No trace of Akira, nor their mother's body, had ever been recovered. Even the ruins of their childhood home had held no clues.
Yet now… here was a fallen angel, exactly the right age. He matched Akira's description. He smelled familiar. Could this really be a mere coincidence?
The room became deathly quiet as Akeno's thoughts raced wildly.
"Akeno-san…" Kiba cautiously asked, worry etched deep on his features. "What's going on? Why are you reacting like this?"
She slowly raised her gaze toward them, her voice shaking as she admitted the words she had dreamed of saying for so many painful years.
"I think… that fallen angel…" She hesitated, tears sliding freely down her flushed cheeks. "I think he might be my brother. I think… he could be Akira!" she could hardly believe her own words.
Kiba and Koneko both stared at Akeno, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief upon hearing her words. Kiba leaned forward urgently. "Akeno-san, are you absolutely sure about this? Could it really be him?"
Koneko twisted slightly in Akeno's lap, looking upward to meet her gaze with concern and curiosity. "Senpai, could your instincts be mistaken? Maybe it's just a coincidence," she suggested gently.
Akeno hesitated, her violet eyes clouded with doubt and hope tangled together. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling unevenly as she tried to steady herself. Truthfully, she wasn't sure at all, logic said this had to be some cruel coincidence, yet every fiber of her being screamed otherwise.
"I'm not sure," she finally admitted softly, her voice trembling but firm, "but I can't ignore what my instincts are telling me. Something inside me insists he's Akira. I have to find out for sure!"
'What a time for Rias to be out of freaking commission,' Akeno thought to herself.
– Blake –
I had left the park and was walking around Kuoh town a bit longer, searching for any signs of my long-lost sister, Akeno. I obviously knew I'd find her at her school the next day, but maybe I was just too fucking keyed up.
I suddenly perked up when I sensed nearby fallen angels. I was pretty sure they sensed me too, but they weren't moving. I found myself heading toward the area of town with the abandoned church on the hill. At the bottom of the hill, I saw three gorgeous women sitting at an evening outdoor café.
The one with purple eyes and long black hair, almost similar to my sister but not quite—was the first one I locked eyes on. Jet-black hair down her back, lips painted like sin, and tits barely contained by her low-cut top. Every move she made screamed slutty confidence.
Next to her sat a total bombshell with long purple hair and legs that went on forever. Her blouse was unbuttoned low enough to make it impossible not to look, her curves practically spilling out. She had this cool, mature vibe about her, the kind of woman who looked like she'd wreck you in bed and then casually light a cigarette afterward without even asking your name.
Then there was the Blonde—smaller, with that fake innocent look that didn't fool anyone. Her skirt was too short, and the way she crossed her legs was anything but shy. Flashing her thighs and acting like the world owed her attention.
It was obvious as fuck that these three women were fallen angels. Even from where I stood, I could sense their auras clear as day. Not that it took much effort—everything about them screamed danger, temptation, and sin. They didn't look old at all, in fact, each one was drop-dead gorgeous. But something about the way they carried themselves told me they had to be way older than they looked, maybe by centuries.
Yet despite their age, I could tell none of them were particularly powerful. Hell, maybe the raven-haired beauty had four wings at best, while the other two barely reached two wings each. It made me wonder how beings who could live so long managed to stay so weak. Did they seriously never train or try to improve? Were they really just that damn lazy?
Then again, I guess I already knew the answer. Fallen angels were beings born of sin, and one of the biggest sins was sloth. They probably spent their long years lounging around, enjoying every pleasure life had to offer, never bothering to grow stronger.
These three clearly knew the lay of the land, and maybe they'd have useful information.
I strolled up casually, grabbed an empty chair, and sat down without waiting for an invitation. Their conversation halted immediately, all eyes turning my way. The raven-haired woman fixed her intense purple eyes directly onto mine, her lips slowly curling into an amused smirk.
"Hello, ladies," I said, leaning back comfortably. "Mind if I join you? Seems like you could use some fresh company."
Her head slightly as she studied me openly. She slowly uncrossed her shapely legs, deliberately shifting to give me a better view of her body. Her lips parted in a playful smile as she spoke, her voice dripping with flirtation. "Oh? And what makes you think we'd be interested in talking to you, handsome?"
I smiled softly at her. "You're not even a bit curious about who I am, or what I'm doing in this town?"
Next to her, the purple-haired woman chuckled softly. Her long, silky hair fell gracefully around her shoulders, framing a face that could easily be on magazine covers. Her blouse, already barely buttoned, shifted slightly as she leaned forward. Damn, she knew exactly what she was doing. "You do look interesting, I'll give you that," she purred smoothly, her voice rich and seductive. "You have a certain...confidence about you."
The small blonde giggled next to her, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. She pretended innocence with wide, curious eyes, but the way she slowly recrossed her legs told a completely different story. Her skirt shifted teasingly, flashing the smooth expanse of her thighs without shame. "Confidence, huh?" she chirped playfully. "Or maybe he's just reckless. Either way, I'm bored, so let's hear what the handsome half breed has to say to us." She gave me a faint smile.
I wasn't trying to flirt with these women or anything—not seriously at least. Especially not when I had my newest girlfriend, Pepper Pots, waiting back at the Japanese hotel for me tonight. But damn, it was pretty fucking hard not to respond when faced with three obvious seductresses who clearly knew exactly how to push a man's buttons.
I turned my gaze toward the petite blonde first, shooting her a lazy smirk. "Thanks for that beautiful smile, sweetheart," I said casually. "You're making my night just by sitting there and flashing those sexy thighs of yours."
Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as she giggled softly, clearly pleased by the blunt compliment. I couldn't tell whether she was genuinely flattered or simply acting shy. Fallen angels her age—hell, probably centuries old—would have mastered the art of faking it ages ago. Then again, given how little they seemed to train or improve themselves, maybe they'd neglected to refine that skill too.
"Hey now, don't play favorites," the raven-haired one pouted playfully, leaning forward even further so her ample cleavage practically spilled out of her top. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Aren't you going to say something sweet to me too?"
The purple-haired woman nodded in agreement, folding her arms under her voluptuous chest to accentuate her generous curves even more. "Yeah, handsome," she purred seductively, batting her long lashes slowly. "What about us? We're feeling a little left out."
I chuckled softly, amused and more than a little pleased by their brazen attitudes. These three certainly weren't shy about knowing exactly what they wanted, and I wasn't going to disappoint them.
Turning to the raven-haired temptress, I looked directly into those intense purple eyes and grinned wickedly. "My bad, gorgeous. Believe me, your tits are fucking spectacular enough to deserve their own introduction. I'd be an idiot not to appreciate the view you've been giving me all night."
She let out a delighted laugh, not offended at all. In fact, she seemed genuinely thrilled by my crude honesty, arching her back a bit more, clearly enjoying my reaction.
Next, I turned toward the mature beauty with the stunning purple hair and ran my gaze openly down her long, flawless legs, before slowly bringing my eyes back up to meet hers. "And you—damn. I'm already picturing how incredible it would feel with those thighs wrapped tight around my face."
She smirked, lips curling seductively as she gave a sultry little shrug. "Hmm, quite a vivid imagination you've got there," she teased approvingly, eyes gleaming with excitement. "I like it."
The raven-haired beauty leaned forward even more, resting her chin playfully on one palm, her dark eyes fixed sharply on mine. Her lips parted slowly, forming a teasing grin. "Well, handsome, now that we're all properly flattered, maybe we should introduce ourselves." Her voice was dripping with sultry confidence. "I'm Raynare, and these are my lovely friends—Kalawarna," she gestured casually towards the stunning woman with the long purple hair, who responded with a seductive wink, "and Mittelt," she finished, indicating the petite blonde who smiled sweetly and wiggled her fingers at me in greeting.
"Charmed, I'm sure," Mittelt said in a bubbly, teasing voice.
Kalawarna slowly traced one slender finger along the rim of her glass, "Oh yes, we're very charmed indeed."
Raynare leaned even closer, her voice dropping into an enticing purr. "So, Blake, you clearly have fallen angel blood yourself. Who exactly is your fallen parent? We've never seen your 'handsome face' around the Grigori headquarters before." Her tongue darted out slowly, tracing the edge of her full lips in a way that had my throat going dry. "And believe me—I would know, because I would have been riding 'it'..."
I couldn't stop the embarrassed blush that spread over my face. I cleared my throat awkwardly, a bit shocked at her brazen statement. My confident facade slipped for just a second, revealing the embarrassment underneath. "Damn, that's pretty bold, even for a fallen angel," I managed to say with a nervous chuckle.
My reaction made all three women erupt into soft, melodic laughter. They exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying my embarrassment far too much.
Mittelt giggled sweetly, giving me a sly look beneath her lashes. "Oh, he's adorable! I bet he's a fresh one."
Kalawarna's sultry laughter joined in. "Awww, he's blushing—look at him!"
Raynare leaned back in her chair, crossing her long legs slowly, clearly reveling in my discomfort. "Oh, he's definitely young. The cute ones always blush like schoolboys."
I took a slow breath, regaining my composure, deciding to own the moment rather than let them see how much they'd rattled me. "Yeah, you got me there," I admitted calmly. "I'm only eighteen."
"Only eighteen?" Raynare raised an eyebrow in surprise. "No wonder we've never crossed paths. You're just a baby by fallen angel standards."
Mittelt's eyes gleamed with playful excitement as she rested her chin on her palm. "Oh, this is getting interesting. Tell us more, handsome. Who exactly are you related to?"
I paused for a second, suddenly cautious about revealing too much.
The playful mood at the table was fun so far, but my gut warned me to tread carefully.
"That might not be the best idea," I said slowly, giving each of them a serious look. "The last fallen angels who knew who I was tried to kill me, and let's just say it didn't work out very well for them."
My warning instantly shattered their teasing smiles.
All three women stiffened in their seats, losing the flirtatious warmth they'd shown earlier. Raynare straightened up. "What exactly are you talking about?" she asked.
"My name is Blake Himejima," I stated, meeting their startled gazes. "My father is the piece of shit known as Baraqiel." The instant those words left my lips, a shocked silence fell over the table.
All three women stared at me, visibly stunned. Kalawarna's full lips parted slightly, surprise coloring her features, while Mittelt's eyes widened dramatically.
Mittelt broke the silence first. "I—I had no idea Baraqiel even had a son," she murmured softly, clearly shaken. Her eyes flicked quickly toward Raynare and Kalawarna before returning to me. "We only knew about his devil daughter—the traitor who became a devil."
Wait? WHAT!?
My heart was racing at the unexpected revelation. "Wait—what the hell are you talking about? Devil?"
Before Mittelt could answer, Kalawarna swiftly leaned in, cutting her off. Her yellow eyes were narrowed seriously, her earlier flirtatious demeanor entirely gone. "Never mind that for now," she urged sharply. "Who exactly were the traitors who tried to kill you? Fallen angels attacking another fallen is unheard of! We have the smallest population among the three factions! Our children, even nephilim, are considered precious!"
Raynare nodded emphatically, crossing her arms defensively under her chest. "She's right. Baraqiel is Lord Azazel's most trusted lieutenant," she said sharply. "Attacking you, Blake-sama, would be a severe crime!"
I raised an eyebrow at the sudden honorific. "Blake-sama?" I repeated, tilting my head slightly at Raynare.
A faint blush appeared on her pale cheeks, her eyes darting away briefly in embarrassment. She cleared her throat, quickly regaining composure. "It's just... respect," she muttered, not meeting my gaze directly. "Considering who you are…"
I shook my head slightly. "Anyway, it was Kokabiel who tried to kill me a few months ago, and they almost succeeded." I explained to the three of them. "Him and a two-winged fallen named Dohnaseek tried to kill me a few months back. Thankfully I got revenge on one of them yesterday. Dohnaseek is dead…" I paused for a second. "The thing was, he was on a mission to kidnap a certain human girl and then meet up with some more fallen angels in Japan. You three wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you all?"
After I finished speaking, I let some of my aura leek out without revealing my wings. Either way, the air vibrated around the table and the three women gasped as the metaphorical weight of my power pressed down on all three of them. I could see they were a bit terrified, but also all three of them were suddenly looking at me with even more lust than earlier.
Raynare, who I presumed was the group's leader, finally broke the tense silence first. She bowed her head slightly, genuine nervousness apparent in her dark purple eyes as she carefully chose her words. "I'm so sorry, Blake-sama," she began softly, clearly trying to sound respectful. "We honestly had no idea Dohnaseek was a kinslaying traitor! That's the most severe crime any fallen angel can commit against another of our own kind." Her voice grew steadier as she spoke, and I could see true disgust flickering in her eyes at the thought. She paused for a moment, glancing uneasily at Mittelt and Kalawarna before continuing. "We also had no idea he was working for Kokabiel. Dohnaseek was technically our squad leader—he always told us he was reporting directly to Lord Azazel himself. We believed him completely." Her voice turned bitter, frustration evident in her clenched fists and narrowed eyes. "This was supposed to be our big chance to finally get noticed by Lord Azazel! To prove ourselves worthy of moving up in the ranks. And now, you're telling us we've been working under that bastard Kokabiel this entire time…" Her words trailed off, clearly disturbed by the revelation.
I watched her carefully. Judging by her tone, it was obvious she genuinely respected Azazel. There was admiration there, even a hint of reverence.
Curiosity bubbled up inside me, mingled with suspicion. Leaning forward slightly, I fixed each woman with a steady look. "Tell me honestly, then. What exactly have the three of you been doing in this town?"
All three visibly gulped, clearly hesitant to speak. Mittelt finally broke the silence, her teasing expression completely gone, replaced by genuine worry as she nervously toyed with the edges of her skirt. "Dohnaseek had been recruiting stray exorcists," Mittelt admitted softly. "He told us Azazel ordered the recruitment to sabotage and weaken the devils in this town. But...if he was working for Kokabiel all along, then obviously that wasn't true. We were tricked into helping him…"
Raynare's shoulders slumped slightly, and she chewed anxiously on her lower lip before speaking again. "And my mission... My role specifically was to eliminate any Sacred Gear wielders before the devils could recruit them. In fact..." she hesitated, avoiding my gaze briefly before continuing quietly, "I just killed one a couple of hours ago."
Despite the shame in her eyes—clearly stemming from the realization that her orders hadn't come from Azazel—she didn't seem particularly remorseful about having murdered innocent humans.
My jaw tightened slightly, anger flickering in my chest, but I quickly reined it in.
Could I really judge her too harshly, though? Two of my girlfriends, Tsunade and Shizune, along with my own mother Shuri, had been ninjas, assassins who no doubt had plenty of innocent blood staining their hands too. I knew the world—worlds?—wasn't simply black and white but still, the cold way Raynare admitted her actions made my stomach twist uncomfortably.
Letting out a deep sigh, I refocused my thoughts. I couldn't stop my heart from fixating on the most pressing issue in my mind—my sister, Akeno. "I want to know about my sister, Akeno. You three said she's a devil?"
Kalawarna cleared her throat delicately, clearly uneasy with my sudden intensity. She shifted in her chair, briefly glancing down at the table before her yellow eyes met mine. "Yes, Blake-sama," she said carefully. "Akeno Himejima is quite famous among the Grigori. She's known because she was the very first fallen angel to be reincarnated by a devil, becoming a member of their peerage. Not everyone among us looks at her kindly because of that."
My eyes narrowed instinctively. "What the hell does that mean—not looked upon kindly?"
Kalawarna swallowed visibly, leaning back in her chair as she fidgeted anxiously under my intense stare. Despite my anger, I couldn't help but momentarily notice how captivating she looked when nervous. Her confidence seemed to waver momentarily as she lowered her voice apologetically. "I'm sorry if it upsets you, Blake-sama, but that's just the truth of how things are viewed…" she said.
My mind was suddenly spinning, flooded with confusion and anger. Akeno was a devil? I could hardly grasp it. How could something like this have happened? Had she been forced into it? Was she enslaved, controlled, mistreated? Those two devils I encountered at the park earlier—could they have been part of her peerage? Fuck! I cursed silently, feeling a wave of frustration at myself for not questioning them more thoroughly when I had the chance.
I didn't even notice at first how fiercely my hands gripped the metal table. It wasn't until the groan of warping metal reached my ears that I realized just how hard I'd clenched my fingers. My aura began to leak out uncontrollably again, vibrating the air around me.
The three fallen angels stiffened, eyes wide with alarm.
Mittelt, seated closest, immediately placed her petite hand atop mine. Her voice was a soft plea, though her gaze burned hotter than ever. "Please, calm your anger, Lord Blake," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly as she looked at me. The mixture of fear and lust dancing in her eyes was unmistakable.
Damn supernatural women—they really got off on displays of power, didn't they? At least that thought drew a dry chuckle from my lips, letting some tension slip from my body.
"Alright," I finally said, relaxing my grip just enough to let the damaged table creak back into position. My voice was calmer but still firm, filled with urgency and purpose. "Tell me everything you know about Akeno. Don't leave a single detail out…"
Despite not being part of the Grigori, the three fallen angels seemed surprisingly eager to obey me after they finished sharing everything they knew about my sister. It was definitely a power thing.
Still, I could tell they were disappointed when I told them to return to the Underworld. "If you stay here," I told them flatly, "the only thing you'll accomplish is getting yourselves killed for the shit you've already pulled against the devils that apparently own this town."
The very idea made me scoff bitterly. How the fuck did devils even manage to "own" an entire Japanese town? Seriously, what the hell were the Shinto pantheon and the local yokai factions doing? Were they stupid, or just cowards? Then again… Japan didn't feel like my home anymore, not really. Not after America. Not after Konoha.
But honestly, why did I even care? My sense of allegiance to this place had long faded.
The three beautiful fallen didn't protest a second time, but before they left, they each decided to make things difficult for me in their own way. Raynare leaned in first, her lips brushing my cheek slowly as she whispered, "Shame you're sending us away, Blake-sama. I'd have loved to see if that mouth of yours was as bold when pressed between my thighs." She smirked at my raised brow, clearly enjoying making me blush again.
Kalawarna followed, her kiss lingering just a second longer than necessary as she pulled back with a knowing smile. "Mm… what a waste. I could've shown you how a real woman thanks her commander. A night with me, and you'd forget all about sending us anywhere." Her sultry tone made it clear she wasn't joking.
Mittelt was last, and of course she couldn't resist being bratty about it. She pecked my cheek quickly, then giggled, brushing her lips teasingly close to my ear. "Too bad, handsome. I was curious how loud you could make me scream. Maybe next time…?"
With one last amused chuckle, I waved the trio away. I watched as they soared into the evening sky, their laughter and flirtatious giggles echoing behind them before they vanished from sight.
Alone again, I sat back at the empty café table, the warped metal still dented from my grip earlier. Pulling out my Stark phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I found the number I wanted. My thumb hovered for just a second before I hit call.
"Mom," I said quietly as the line connected, my voice lower now, more serious. "Meet me here. We need to talk." Then I leaned back in my chair and waited for her to show up.
– Shuri –
Shuri had been absolutely insatiable ever since regaining her adult form. The long flight from America to Japan had practically become one passionate blur, marked by multiple heated rounds with Tony. Her body felt electrified, charged with relentless desire that refused to stop anytime soon.
In their luxurious hotel suite—separated safely from Blake and Pepper's room along with the secret agent and Asia—Shuri found herself pressed urgently against the wall by Tony. His lips hungrily attacked her neck, his teeth scraping lightly across the sensitive skin, causing her to gasp softly. His hands roamed impatiently, boldly sliding under her blouse, kneading the soft flesh of her breasts through her bra as she moaned into his mouth.
She could feel his arousal pressing insistently against her thigh, the hardness evident even through layers of clothing. She reached down eagerly, squeezing and stroking his impressive length through his pants, prompting a deep growl from him.
"Careful, Tony," she teased breathlessly, tugging playfully at his belt. "We wouldn't want to wear each other out before dinner, would we?"
"Speak for yourself," he shot back huskily, his voice dripping with lust as he kissed her deeply, tongues dancing and dueling hungrily. "I could do this all damn day."
Just as Tony began pushing her shirt off her shoulders, Shuri's phone rang, vibrating insistently from the bedside table.
"Dammit, not now," she groaned, reluctantly pulling away from Tony's heated embrace. Her fingers snatched up the phone, her expression shifting instantly when she saw Blake's name flashing on the screen. Without hesitation, she answered. "Blake? What's wrong?" she listened as he spoke. "I'll be right there," she assured him firmly before ending the call. The passionate atmosphere evaporated instantly, replaced by a mother's fierce protective instinct.
Swiftly, Shuri donned her ninja attire, every movement precise and fluid. Tony watched her silently, understanding in his eyes.
Within moments, she was racing through the night, blurring gracefully from rooftop to rooftop across Kuoh Town, her chakra senses locked onto her son's energy signature. Finally, Shuri spotted Blake, sitting at a lonely outdoor café near an obviously abandoned church. She landed silently, moving toward him quickly.
"What happened, Blake?" she demanded urgently.
The news he shared next shocked her to her very core…
…Shuri's heart twisted painfully as she absorbed the truth. Her baby girl—no, not a baby anymore, as much as Shuri hated to admit it—was now a devil. Akeno, her sweet daughter, her precious child, bound as a servant to the Gremory clan.
The very thought of it made a sharp rage burn hotly in Shuri's chest. She had never wanted this fate for her daughter
According to Blake's findings, the Grigori tolerated this arrangement only because it was Rias Gremory, the little sister of Sirzechs Lucifer himself, who had reincarnated Akeno. Any other devil family, and the Grigori would never have allowed it. The thought made Shuri's blood boil. Politics. It was always politics.
Her jaw clenched tightly. Akeno is my daughter. She is Blake's older sister. No one else should have any claim on her. Not the Gremorys, not the Grigori. She is ours.
She took a deep breath, visibly forcing herself to calm down.
And yet, as furious as she was, there was one small mercy. At least Akeno had been living in comfort, in safety, in relative luxury during all these years that Shuri herself had been trapped in another world. That knowledge dulled the sharpest edge of her anger, though it did nothing to soothe the ache of separation in her chest.
Blake's voice broke through her storm of thoughts. "Mom… what do you want to do?" he asked quietly. His eyes searched hers with the steady patience only he could manage, waiting for her decision.
Shuri's gaze softened as she looked at her son. He was so handsome now, so strong, so capable. A fierce pride swelled within her heart. She allowed herself a small smile. "First, let me say how proud I am of you, Blake. You figured all of this out on your own. You've grown so much as a ninja!"
Blake laughed at that. "It was pretty much all random luck I stumbled into those devils in the park, and then I sensed the fallen angels right afterwards…"
"Don't underestimate luck! I know dozens of ninjas that would kill to have your kind of luck, son." She paused for a second. A dangerous glint lit Shuri's eyes as she continued, "Right now, though, what I really want is to punch and stab something until I feel better!" She tilted her head slightly toward the hill, where an old, decrepit church loomed. "And according to what you told me, that building is crawling with stray exorcists who have been harassing devils in this town." Shuri's tone darkened further as her gaze turned toward the abandoned church, now full of malicious intent. "Well, now my daughter is a devil, and anyone who threatens her—even indirectly—has forfeited their right to breathe."
Blake chuckled softly, seemingly unsurprised by her fierce protectiveness. He nodded in understanding, fully aware of what his mother was capable of. "Want some backup, Mom?"
She smiled warmly at her son, appreciating the gesture even though it wasn't necessary. "No, sweetie. I'll only be a moment. Let your mother have a little fun, okay?" She leaned in and kissed Blake lightly on the cheek. "Just wait right here."
With that, she spun gracefully on her heel and began walking steadily toward the looming church atop the hill. Each step brought with it a controlled, deadly purpose as her chakra swirled furiously within her.
Those stray exorcists would soon deeply regret ever setting foot in this town.
…Shuri's boot crashed against the warped wooden doors of the abandoned church, splintering them open with a thunderous crack. The stench of stale incense, sweat, and gun oil hit her nose immediately. Inside, just as she had sensed on her approach, the entire place was crawling with stray exorcists—madmen cast out of the church, now little more than mercenaries in tattered holy garb.
She had never been a Christian herself, but back when she served the Shinto Pantheon, she'd heard enough about the extremes these men could fall to. Seeing them here, sneering and armed to the teeth with guns, blades, and corrupted crosses, confirmed every rumor.
"Well, well," a mocking voice rang out, shrill and manic.
A man with wild silver hair and blood-red eyes stepped forward, his grin stretched too wide, his movements jerky and erratic like a rabid animal. His aura reeked of madness. Immediately, Shuri noted how every exorcist in the church deferred to him without question. He was their leader.
"Well, well, hello there, sexy Asian bitch. Who the fuck are you supposed to be?" he sneered crudely, stepping forward with exaggerated bravado. "And where the fuck are Raynare and her little band of winged sluts, huh? And that cocksucker Dhona-whatever his name is and that disgraced nun Asia Argento? Those dumbasses were supposed to be here ages ago."
Shuri's lips pressed into a thin line. The crude words didn't faze her, but the mention of Asia made her stomach twist. A sweet girl like that didn't belong anywhere near filth like these men. Her fingers itched for her blades. Blake had already told her these exorcists were aligned with Kokabiel—the same fallen angel who had tried to kill her son. That was all the reason she needed.
These men want to kill both of my children. Their lives are forfeit twice over.
A kunai slipped silently into her right hand, the polished steel gleaming faintly in the dim light. In her left, she flicked her wrist, and a talisman crackled to life, lightning chakra sparking across its surface.
"Oh-ho?" Freed mocked, noticing her movement. "Are you one of those Shinto priestess sluts? Well, you can call me Freed Sellzen-sama, beautiful. Hey, I've heard all you priestess bitches are supposed to be pure maidens, right? That's practically a sin itself, wasting that sexy body. Tell you what—after I beat you down, how about I personally take you all the way to heaven?" He grinned grotesquely, sticking out his tongue and crudely grabbing his crotch as his subordinates erupted into laughter and shouted equally obscene remarks.
The other exorcists roared with laughter, their crude comments echoing through the ruined church.
Shuri's eyes narrowed to slits, her chakra flaring dangerously. Her grip tightened on the talisman. She didn't waste words. With a single flick of her wrist, she hurled the talisman into their midst.
The paper charm exploded into a blinding surge of lightning. Bolts arced violently through the pews and rafters, the air itself splitting with a deafening crack. The exorcists' laughter died instantly, replaced by screams as raw electricity tore through the room, burning wood and flesh alike.
Freed himself barely dodged the initial blast, stumbling awkwardly backward with wide, terrified eyes.
"Fucking bitch!" Freed spat furiously, gripping his blade tightly with trembling hands, panic clearly etched on his previously arrogant face. "What the fuck do you think you're doing!? Kill her already, you useless fucks!"
They charged toward her with weapons drawn, lightsaber-like swords shimmering with holy energy and bullets blazing fiercely with sacred light.
As a seasoned and elite jonin, Shuri effortlessly sidestepped the incoming projectiles, almost like a graceful dance. The bullets she couldn't evade, she deflected skillfully with swift strikes of her kunai.
Her free hand flicked forward, releasing more chakra-infused talismans. Electricity surged violently from some, crackling menacingly and enveloping the charging exorcists in currents of lightning. Fire erupted explosively from others, engulfing her foes in roaring flames. The run down pews were filled with ear-splitting detonations, the force of the explosions shaking the very foundations of the building. Smoke and burning embers clouded the air, and the agonized screams of those caught in the devastating attacks filled Shuri's ears.
Freed's wild grin widened as he stepped through the smoke and chaos left behind by his men. Spittle flew from his lips as he screamed, his eyes bloodshot with hatred and madness.
"I'll kill you and fuck your corpse!"
With a guttural roar, he lunged at Shuri, his holy blade slicing through the air in a vicious arc aimed directly for her head. She narrowed her eyes, focusing sharply. She had to admit, the bastard was fast—faster than most of the fools she'd already cut down. His movements almost reminded her of an elite chunin back in Konoha. For a human without chakra, that was impressive.
Unfortunately for him, she did have chakra.
Her kunai rose in a blur of steel, parrying his swing with a sharp crack of metal against metal. Sparks scattered through the smoky air, her arm steady and strong as his frenzied strength crashed against her calm precision. Freed snarled, immediately pulling a pistol from his coat with his free hand. The barrel flared with holy light as he fired point-blank at her chest.
Shuri twisted gracefully, her body moving faster than his eyes could track. The bullet hissed past her shoulder, singing the fabric of her sleeve but leaving her untouched. Before he could fire again, she shifted her weight and drove her heel squarely into his stomach.
Her chakra-enhanced kick connected with devastating force. The air left Freed's lungs in a strangled cry as his body folded around her strike. His feet left the ground as the sheer power of the blow sent him flying across the chapel like a ragdoll.
He hit the far wall with a deafening crash, rotted wood splintering as his body tore through the surface. Dust rained from the rafters as he disappeared into the wreckage.
Shuri exhaled calmly, lowering her leg. She doubted that single kick had killed him—he was too stubborn and insane for that—but he'd be broken, bleeding, and down for a while. At the very least, he was no longer a threat.
She turned slowly back to the remaining exorcists. The survivors stared at her in horror, their faces pale beneath the flickering glow of burning pews and shattered stained glass. Their weapons trembled in their hands, their bravado utterly gone. A chorus of voices rose, begging for their lives.
"Please—mercy!"
"We'll leave town!"
"We didn't know—don't kill us!"
Shuri's lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. Her violet eyes gleamed dangerously as she rolled her shoulders.
"Ara ara," she purred mockingly. "I'm afraid I'm all out of mercy today." She stepped forward, chakra crackling around her in a storm of lightning. The terrified exorcists shrank back, knowing full well that their pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
For daring to threaten her children—both of them—their deaths were already decided.
…
Blake waited outside, seated at the battered café table under the dim streetlight. His gaze shifted toward the ruined church doors when he finally heard footsteps.
Shuri emerged from the shadowy interior, her posture relaxed and her lips curled into a satisfied smile. She carried a bloodstained rag in her hand, casually wiping crimson streaks from her fingers and cheeks.
"I feel a lot better," she announced, her voice light, almost cheerful. Then she paused, her brows knitting faintly. "Unfortunately, one of the assholes—Freed, or whatever his name was—managed to escape while I was finishing off his subordinates." She exhaled through her nose, the faintest edge of annoyance showing. "The bastard must be tougher—or more enhanced—than I thought." She supposed she had been neglecting her training a bit these past few days.
She gave Blake a quick description of Freed—the silver hair, the manic red eyes, the lunatic's grin that had followed him even as he fled. Blake listened intently and finally nodded. "I'll keep an eye out," he promised. "But I doubt he'll be coming back after the thrashing you gave him. And since I sent away the fallen angels, he'll be alone now."
That seemed to satisfy her, at least for the moment. But then Shuri tilted her head and fluttered her lashes at her son teasingly, a mischievous sparkle in her gaze. "Tell me, Blake, my darling son… was the reason you were so nice to those fallen angels because they were all so pretty?"
Blake's lips pressed into a thin line. "No…" he said carefully, but his eyes shifted away under her knowing stare.
Shuri sighed dramatically, though her smile lingered. "Whenever your 'other' power allows us to travel back to Konoha again, I'm going to have Tsunade and Shizune train you out of this bad habit. You can't keep letting yourself get distracted by a pretty face!"
Blake gave her a wry look and spoke honestly. "I don't think that's possible—at least, not completely. It's not like I can't hit women if I have to. But… I definitely struggle with the idea before I act. Almost like it physically hurts to think about it." He scratched the back of his neck, his voice softer now. "Of course, my friend Peter's uncle Ben used to tell us boys to never hit women, no matter what. Maybe it's just those lessons stuck in my head."
Shuri studied him for a moment, her heart tightening with both pride and worry. He was strong, stronger than most men his age could ever dream of being—but he was still young, still shaped by kindness that the world would inevitably test.
She reached out and brushed her hand lightly against his cheek, the rag now folded and tucked away. "You'll find your balance, Blake. You're mine, after all."
They were about to leave, turning toward the quiet street that would lead them back to the hotel, when a sound cut through the stillness.
Someone cleared their throat behind them.
…Of course, Shuri had sensed them before they revealed themselves. Their footsteps were nearly silent, but the subtle prickle of demonic energy—and that faintly oppressive dark aura—was impossible to miss. She straightened slightly, her violet eyes glinting at the two figures emerging from the shadows of the street.
Both were undeniably beautiful. They each wore glasses that caught the light, giving them a sharp, intellectual air. Despite their seemingly composed exteriors, their demonic aura was unmistakable.
They were devils.
"Ara, hello there, girls," Shuri said lightly, her tone deliberately casual as she wiped her bloody kunai clean with the rag she still carried. She slid the blade back into the pouch at her hip in one smooth motion with her smile widening.
The girls' eyes roamed over her openly. Their attention lingered on her outfit: the black fishnet top that clung snugly to her toned form, paired with the dark kunoichi gear hugging her frame. It wasn't modest by any means, and it drew the eye whether one wanted to look or not.
Shuri arched a brow, amusement flickering across her face. So that's how it is.
The shorter girl—with neat black hair that framed her face and sharp pink eyes glowing faintly behind her glasses—was especially obvious. She kept sneaking glances that had little to do with battle-readiness and everything to do with hungry curiosity.
The intensity of her stare practically screamed yuri vibes, and the way she licked her lips nervously only confirmed it.
Shuri chuckled under her breath. She tilted her head, letting her long dark hair fall over one shoulder, and gave the girl a deliberately slow once-over of her own. "My, my," she drawled, voice dripping with mischief. "You're staring awfully hard. Do you like what you see?"
The girl's pink eyes widened, her cheeks flushing crimson beneath the lamplight. She stammered, opening her mouth to respond but producing only a squeak before snapping it shut again.
Shuri giggled openly now, raising a hand to cover her smile. "Ara, ara… such a cute reaction. Careful, sweetheart, if you keep looking at me like that, fun things might happen. I'm sure my lover Tony wouldn't mind sharing such a beautiful devil like you with me…"
Blake dragged his hand down his face with a groan, already exasperated by his mother's teasing. "Mom…" he muttered, his voice low with frustration.
Both devil girls blushed at Shuri's crass words, their cheeks warming under the glow of the street lamps. The shorter-haired one, clearly the leader, adjusted her glasses and squared her shoulders. She was obviously the King of this peerage.
Yet Shuri immediately noticed she was not Rias Gremory. It was the hair of course.
"My name is Sona Sitri," the girl introduced herself, her tone cool and businesslike despite the faint pink still coloring her face. "What are you two doing in my territory? Why did you attack the church—" She stopped mid-sentence when her companion suddenly blurted out.
"ARE YOU A NINJA!?" the long-haired girl asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, the words escaping before she could stop herself.
Shuri giggled, pressing her fingers to her lips as her violet eyes sparkled. "Ara, I am indeed an elite jōnin kunoichi."
The long-haired devil's eyes went wide with awe, her lips parting as she whispered almost reverently, "Sugei… I thought all ninja clans were wiped out."
"Tsubaki," Sona snapped, clearly embarrassed by her Queen's outburst. She turned and gave her companion a firm look. "Not the time." Then she faced Shuri again, a faint pout tugging at her lips before she repeated her demand more sharply. "Who are you, really?"
Shuri's smile softened. She straightened her posture with the quiet dignity of a warrior and introduced herself formally. "Hello there. My name is Shuri Himejima. And this—" she gestured proudly toward the tall young man beside her, "—is my son, Blake Himejima."
Both devils froze where they stood. Their eyes widened in shock, their bodies stiffening as though their minds had suddenly crashed. Or, as Tony would've said, they had blue-screened.
"That's impossible!" Sona blurted out, her carefully composed mask shattering as her voice rose. "Shuri Himejima is dead!"
"News of my mom's death has been greatly exaggerated," Blake said smugly.
Shuri tilted her head at him. Judging from the little snicker he gave himself afterward, and the baffled expressions on the devil girls' faces, she was fairly certain her son had just quoted some kind of movie.
'Boys,' she thought fondly, shaking her head. Always trying to look cool at the strangest times.
Sona recovered first as she fixed Blake with a sharp stare. "And who are you supposed to be? Are you… A—Akira Himejima?"
"Yeah, that used to be my name. But I go by Blake now."
Once again, both devils froze, eyes widening as if their brains had stalled. Shuri almost giggled at how badly they were "blue-screening," as Tony would say.
"That's impossible," Sona whispered, her composure cracking.
Beside her, Tsubaki's jaw dropped slightly. "Rias and Akeno are going to freak the fuck out," she muttered under her breath before she could stop herself.
Shuri's breath caught. Her heart leapt into her throat as she stepped forward, hope bursting inside her chest. "You know my daughter!?" she asked, her voice almost trembling. "We came to this town looking for her. We know she goes to Kuoh Academy, but we arrived after school hours and my son was exploring the town. He ran into two other devils, then some fallen angels. He scared them off, and I…" She exhaled sharply, trying to organize her thoughts. "I just finished killing the stray exorcists working with them."
The two devils looked like they were scrambling to keep up, clearly overwhelmed by her rapid-fire explanation.
Sona grimaced, her lips pressing into a thin line. "My friend Rias is… busy tonight, saving her newest pawn's life after he was nearly killed. But if you two really are who you say you are…" She paused, studying them carefully with calculating eyes. "Then I suppose you may come to Kuoh Academy tomorrow morning. Early. But hear me clearly—if this is some kind of trick, you both will regret crossing House Sitri or House Gremory."
She turned on her heel to leave, Tsubaki moving with her.
Shuri couldn't resist. Her lips curled into a wicked smile as she called after the devil heiress, "Ara, my offer to join me and my lover Tony in our bed is always open, Sitri-chan."
Sona visibly stiffened at the words, though she tried desperately to maintain her cool façade as she walked away.
Shuri chuckled softly, 'How cute.'
– Diodora –
He had been watching the entire exchange at the church through the eyes of one of his familiars. How all those foolish humans got slaughtered by that admittedly beautiful kunoichi. Damn, he could admit he'd love a slave like that in his peerage, too bad she wasn't a nun.
"Tch, fucking useless fallen angels…" he grumbled to himself. Of course making a deal with that overhyped food Kokabiel wasn't going to work out.
All of Kokabiel's subordinates were now dead and the fools that didn't even know they were working for the 10 winged fallen angel had fled Kuoh and would probably be reporting to Azazel soon. Azazel was going to know all their plans, along with the fact that they had been expecting Asia Argento to fall into the hands of the Grigori! He was never supposed to know that!
Of course that was never the real plan.
Diodora was supposed to get Asia handed over to him in secret! From her perspective, he would have valiantly rescued her from the fallen angels. She would recognize him as the grateful devil that "she saved the life of" and he would have graciously offered her a spot in his peerage because she had nowhere else to go.
And HIS darling Asia was currently under the guard of some strange humans and that 8 winged fallen angel. Even if she was in Kuoh—devil territory—getting to her was going to be difficult.
But Diodora was never the type of guy to give up, anything that he wanted!
The eight-winged Fallen Angel and the kunoichi bitch were going to be a problem for sure, but Diodora believed in his peerage. They should be able to win in a straight up fight, and he never thought fairly in the first place. That should put their odds even higher!
His mind was already running with excitement—picturing the happy tears running down Asia's face when they finally met again! And then soon enough those tears would be turned into tears of pain as Diodora did what he loved most and broke her in properly!
"Hehehehe…"
XXX