The Golden Dragon Empress - Chapter 35: Kyoto

After a devastating ambush, the Gremory Peerage prepare to travel to Kyoto, while Natsuki tries to be more open about her worries and Akeno nearly loses herself in her rage.

Asia frowned as she hovered over Gasper; her hands held out in front of her as she activated her [Twilight Healing]. 

On the other side of the Devil Dhampir was Akeno, the older girl was holding Gasper’s bloody and detached jaw in place, trying to keep it aligned with the rest of his head so that Asia's Sacred Gear could properly reconnect it. 

It had only been a couple of minutes since Odin and Rossweisse’s arrival had scared away the God’s former Valkyries, and Gasper had yet to wake up. The others, however, saw this as a blessing in disguise given how much pain he would have undoubtedly been experiencing if he were awake. 

As the soft green glow of [Twilight Healing] emerged, torn muscles and flesh began to slowly reconnect, bone fusing itself back together as the horrific wound gradually disappeared. 

Odin let out a low whistle as he looked away from the sight and towards the rest of the school yard before looking down at Natsuki, still standing over the girl as she laid on the ground, spitting out more of her shattered teeth. 

“Wow, you kids got your asses handed to you, huh? That was truly one of the most pathetic displays that I've ever seen. Are you sure that you all spent weeks training? I wouldn’t have guessed that from the beating you just got.” 

Natsuki slowly pushed herself into a sitting position, wincing as pain shot through her body. “You know,” she rasped, blood still staining her lips as her words came out slurred and with a lisp. “I'm starting to understand why your former subordinates want to overthrow you.” 

Rias glared at the Norse God, stomping toward him with fury written plainly across her face. “I would ask you to save your criticisms for another time, Odin-sama. My Peerage was just attacked by four rogue Valkyries without warning, nearly killing one of my servants and trying to kill another and I would like to know why.” 

Odin shrugged, unperturbed by the Devil’s anger. “You said it yourself, girly, they were trying to kill the mutt here, the rest of you just got in the way. As far as those Valkyries were concerned, you were nothing more than obstacles standing between them and their target.” 

“That is not what I meant,” Rias said through clenched teeth. “I am asking why Loki would want Natsuki dead? And why he would desire this so much that he would send four Valkyries to enter my territory, launch an attack in broad daylight?” 

“Well, the security in this city is terrible for starters. I mean, how many times has Kuoh been, has this school especially been attacked by some vengeful enemy? And I’m sure this won’t be the last time. But to answer your other question, I cannot say for certain, but it’s most likely that Loki wishes to sow discord. If Sigrún had managed to kill your Pawn than of course they would be blamed for the murder, but part of the blame would have fallen on you Devils and your Maou, which would surely anger the Shinto Gods even more because not only were you hiding their ruler’s child, but you also allowed said child to die on your watch. Then of course there is the fact that Loki is currently staging a rebellion against me, so killing a demigod of Natsuki’s linage would be a blow both to your faction’s overall strength but could make both of our factions less willing to align with each other.” 

It was a well-known fact across the supernatural world that final preparations were currently being made for the treaty that the Norse and Christian Pantheons intended to sign. It was a pact that would formally bring Asgard into closer cooperation with Heaven, the Grigori, and the Underworld after centuries of limited contact, which made Loki's actions even more dangerous. 

Before Rias could say anything else, Sona and her Queen arrived on the scene, the two quickly descending from the sky with grim expressions. 

“Sona,” Rias said. “Were you able to activate our plan-” 

“My Peerage and I were able to evacuate the school and erect a barrier once it became clear that we were under attack. Although, we had to rebuild the barrier twice in a short period after something broke through them,” Sona said, looking at Odin with poorly concealed irritation before her eyes swept across the ruined yard, lingering briefly on Gasper and Natsuki. “Judging by the state of things, I assume we arrived only after the battle was decided.” 

“Only one of those was my fault,” Odin said shamelessly. “Or would you have preferred if I allowed your friends here to die just so that that your weak, dinky little shield could stay standing so as to protect your ego?” 

Sona ignored Odin’s taunting as she spoke to Rias. “The rest of my Peerage is erasing the memories of those who witnessed the attack before they could be removed from the premises in time. Now, I would like to know exactly what happened here.” 

Rias explained everything to the other Devil, leaving nothing out as she recounted the attack from beginning to end. 

By the end, Sona's expression darkened, and she stared at Natsuki hard, watching as Asia had finished healing Gasper and had run over to Natsuki’s side and had started to heal her. 

“We will have to tell our siblings and the other Maous about this, Rias,” Sona said grimly. “A direct attack by agents of Loki against a member of your Peerage is troubling enough on its own, but the fact that Natsuki-san was the target changes everything.” 

A heavy silence settled over the ruined schoolyard, and Natsuki clenched her fists as she tried to ignore the strange sensation of her teeth being pieced back together. She regretted having spat out most of them as she could now taste nothing but dirt as Asia used one hand to pick up the broken pieces and the other to fuse them back together and embedded back inside her gums. 

 I forgot that Asia’s Sacred Gear can’t regenerate body parts. Natsuki thought before gently pushing Asia’s hand away once the small girl had finished. “Thanks, Asia.” 

Asia frowned as she watched Natsuki weakly pull herself to her feet, noticing the distant look in her eyes that had become all too common over the last few days. 

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t get rid of your fatigue, Natsuki-san,” Asia said softly. 

“Don’t apologize for that, you healed me and fixed my teeth, that’s more than enough,” Nastuki said before looking at the others. She then pulled the talisman that Yasaka had given her out of her pocket, turning it over in her hand. 

“Natsuki-chan,” Akeno said strongly, glaring at the talisman with contempt. “You promised, it’s already been decided that you aren’t going to Kyoto.” 

The moment the words left Akeno’s mouth, everyone else's attention snapped toward Natsuki.  

Natsuki did not immediately respond, keeping her eyes on the talisman as her thumb brushed across the golden paper. 

“I know, but that was before we were attacked by Odin’s former brood of eye candy because of me.” 

“And that’s why we’re going to do what Sona-Kaichou suggested and tell the Maous,” Akeno said firmly. 

Natsuki and Akeno silently stared at the other, neither willing to back down. 

“You were never planning on staying, were you?” Akeno asked quietly after several seconds. 

The question hung in the air, and Natsuki looked away; her silence was enough of an answer for the other Devil. 

Akeno laughed bitterly. “I knew it. You were always planning on just running off, that’s what you were going to tell us all earlier, wasn’t it? When Rias told all of us what her brother had decided?” 

“Akeno, this is far more serious than anything we’ve faced so far, every second I’m around all of you is putting your lives in danger and yet Sirzechs’ solution is to treat me like some bargaining chip he can keep hidden here in Kuoh while we're all forced to pretend that everything is fucking normal. So, excuse me for not trusting those assholes we call leaders, both to keep any of us safe and to do what’s actually best for me.” 

“Well, you don’t really have time to decide that as it seems that my bodyguard has returned from is informing Sirzechs and the other about what just happened,” Odin said flippantly, looking up at the sky. 

“Bodyguard?” Issei asked before looking at the Valkyrie standing next to the God. “Do you have another bodyguard besides her, Old Man?” 

“And what do you mean he's informing my brother?" Rias asked sharply. 

“I didn’t come to your territory originally to chase away my former subordinates; I came because this is supposed to be the location where your leaders and I would sign our treaty. At least it was supposed to before the meeting was postponed in favor of them prostrating themselves before Amaterasu. I was taking a leisurely troll when I felt you all getting your asses kicked. So, I sent away the bodyguard Azazel had given me so that he could relay the news.” 

“And he’s here now?” Sona asked. 

Odin did not have to answer the question as out of nowhere, Aazel appeared above the group, smirking down at them lazily. By the Governor General’s side was a middle-aged, gruff-looking man with black hair, a matching beard, a muscular body, closed eyes, and ten black wings protruding from his back. 

Natsuki immediately noticed how taunt Akeno’s body had become as the two Fallen Angels descended, the older girl's expression becoming one of pure hatred and bitterness. 

The moment the pair landed, Azazel shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around at the destroyed school grounds. “Damn. I leave for a few hours, and you kids somehow manage to cause so much trouble for yourselves.” 

“We were attacked,” Rias said flatly. 

“Yeah, I got the report,” Azazel said, waving the Devil off. “Isn’t that right, Baraqiel?” 

All the teenagers apart from Akeno, Rias, Issei, Sona, and Tsubaki looked at the Fallen standing next to Azazel with shock. 

That him? Natsuki thought, her eyes moving between the Fallen Angel and Akeno, immediately understanding why Akeno looked ready to kill someone. 

Issei was confused after seeing his friends’ reactions to the Fallen’s name, not remembering why it was so important. “Is he someone important?” 

“Issei-kun, he is one of the highest ranking and original members of Grigori, a being so strong that his name is mentioned in the Book of Enoch, and who gained the title of the Lightning of God,” Kiba said carefully, his eyes moving briefly to Akeno before returning to Issei. “...And Akeno-senpai's father.” 

Issei's head snapped toward Akeno so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash, realizing that this was the man who had fathered Himejima Akeno and that this was the bodyguard that Odin had been talking about. 

Akeno had not reacted to Kiba’s words, still glaring at Baraqiel even as Azazel chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation. 

“Azazel, perhaps it would be best if we could tell them what was discussed between yourself, the Maous, and Gabriel-dono?” Baraqiel asked, used to the Governor General's attitude. 

Despite his formal and professional behavior, there was a bit of remorse both on Baraqiel’s face and in his tone as he looked at his daughter. 

“I believe that your advisor is right, Azazel. Time should not be wasted on your entertainment.”

~X~

Everyone turned toward the direction the voice was coming from and saw Yasaka standing before them with a blank look on her face.  

“Our town's security system really is a fucking joke, huh?” Natsuki muttered as yet another powerful managed to enter their territory undetected. “At this point, I’m convinced the barriers around Kuoh are just decorative.” 

“Yasaka-sama,” Rias greeted cautiously. “What are you doing here? I thought that you had returned to Kyoto.” 

“I did, but I was give the task of watching over Natsuki-sama by my Gods, I couldn’t very do nothing when I felt she was in danger,” Yasaka said. 

Natsuki glanced at the talisman before looking back at the Youkai. “This charm isn’t just for summoning you isn’t it? You can spy on me through it, can’t you?” 

“More like I can feel changes to your output of aura through it. It is not a spying device, Natsuki-sama, despite what you may believe. Had you activated it intentionally, I would have been brought directly to your location. The fact that your aura suddenly spiked and then fluctuated rapidly was enough to tell me that something had gone terribly wrong.” Yasaka explained. 

“That seems an awful lot like spying to me,” Natsuki said coldly. 

Yasaka ignored this as she continued. “By the time I arrived here, that Old Pervert had already what had attacked you, and so I wanted to see what your leaders would do in response. Which is why I waited for the arrival of the crows to reveal myself.” 

Odin chuckled, not bothering to hide the way his eyes lecherously gazed at her very well-endowed chest. 

Azazel shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Come now, Yasaka, is that any way to speak to some old friends?” 

Yasaka’s polite demeanor changed, and disgust appeared on her face when Azazel’s eyes fell upon her. “Azazel. How unfortunate that someone hasn’t managed to put you down yet, the world would be better off without mangy mutts like you walking about.” 

“Well, my enemies have certainly come close,” Azazel smirked, glancing down at his prosthetic arm. “But you and I can flirt another time, Yasaka. As the most senior member of our alliance since Sirzechs is too busy with his preparations for his trip to your territory, I think I speak for everyone when I say that Natsuki should go with the Youkai.” 

“What?!” Rias shouted, staring at the Fallen shocked. “Why would you… Did my brother tell you-” 

“He did,” Azazel said, his grin fading slightly when he looked at Natsuki. “Loki's involvement has changed a lot of things now. We're trying to avoid unnecessary wars, Rias, Sirzechs doesn’t want to overplay his hand too much by pissing off certain Gods more than his actions already have.” 

So, he thinks that trying to keep me away from Kyoto now will justify the Gods' retaliation against our faction? Especially as he can't stop the news of leaking about this attempt on my life. Natsuki thought. 

She was sure that the Maou were now calculating how much political capital they could salvage from the disaster. She now goes from a hidden prize being selfishly kept close to a fish visibly dangling on a line in front of their enemy that they were daring them to try and steal. 

Even now, the choice has once again been ripped away from me without caring about how it would affect me. 

“Aw, but don’t be too sad about this, my little Devils, because we’re all going to Kyoto as well.” 

“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth,” Natsuki immediately said. “Why would Sirzechs be okay with his sister and his Peerage going to a place that for all he knows could-” 

Azazel chuckled. “Eh, Natsuki-chan, don’t you know? What safer place will there be in all the realms if not for a place swarming with some of the strongest Gods, Devils, Angels, Fallen Angels, and Youkai in existence? If someone decides to start trouble there, they’ll be just committing a very elaborate suicide, kind of like what our old friends in the Old Satan Faction did.” 

“I think recent events should show that isn’t fucking true in the-” 

“When do we leave?” Rias asked Azazel. 

Natsuki turned to glare at her King. “Rias-” 

“You’re not getting rid of us that easily, Natsuki,” Rias said, cutting the girl off once again. “So, you can stop pretending that abandoning us is somehow for our benefit.” 

Odin laughed heartily at the annoyed look that Rias' words had caused Natsuki to make, finding the girl's continued suffering hilarious. “You really are a mangy mutt, aren’t you, girl? Trying to see how far that leash of yours extends before your master pulls you back!” 

The Pawn gritted her teeth and thought about what would happen if she gave into her impulse to punch the God in the face. 

“And I do mean, all of us are leaving for Kyoto,” Azazel said while now looking at Sona and Tsubaki. “Your sister doesn’t want anyone important being left behind and separated while tensions between the factions are this high, so you and your Peerage will be accompanying us too. So, congratulations, kids. You're all taking a trip to Kyoto.” 

Sona grimaced at the mention of Serafall but ultimately nodded in agreement. She could only imagine what her sister's reaction must have been to the attack on Kuoh Academy and the scene she must have caused. 

“Now that this has been settled, is there a location that we can all meet at and to depart from within the hour?” Yasaka asked, knowing that the group would not want to leave while settling their affairs and taking any belongings they needed with them. 

Rias gave the Youkai leader the address to Issei's house. 

Yasaka smiled. “Good, then Natsuki-sama and I shall meet you all there.” 

Natsuki's brow furrowed. “Who the helm said that you’re coming with me to the orphanage?” 

“Now that you are coming with me to Kyoto, I cannot allow you out of my sight, Natsuki-sama. That would make me a very bad protector if I did so,” Yasaka said, her smile growing larger as Natsuki glared at her. 

“You’re just going to follow me even if I tell you to get lost, aren’t you?” Natsuki asked rhetorically and when she saw the look on the Youkai's face, rolled her eyes. “Fine, but you’re not coming inside again, I don’t need you putting the others under another one of your spells.”

~X~

It did not take Natsuki and Yasaka long to reach Issei's house as the Pawn had already had a bag packed the night before having thought that she would have been sneaking off to Kyoto alone. 

Yasaka had teased the Devil about her readiness, although Natsuki did not pay her much attention, her thoughts were elsewhere entirely. 

The closer she was coming to meeting her elusive mother, the more her stomach wanted to eat itself. 

“You’re being awfully quiet,” Yasaka asked when they reached the front door of the Hyoudou residence. 

“I just have nothing important to say,” Natsuki said, glancing at the woman from the corner of her eye. 

“Because you are thinking about Loki, your mother, or Baraqiel's daughter?” Yasaka asked. 

Natsuki quickly turned her head to fully look at the Youkai, scowling as she did so. “What are you talking about?” 

Yasaka's smile became more playful. “You may be able to hide behind that dismissive and sarcastic demeanor of yours with other people, but not me, I can sense your emotions using Senjutsu. Your aura is like a tangled mess of anxiety, guilt, anger, and fear right now. And those feelings grew worse when I mentioned those three.” 

Natsuki stared at the Youkai for several seconds before scoffing. “You don't know what you're talking about.” 

“Don't I?” Yasaka asked lightly. 

“No, you don’t,” Natsuki spat. “You don’t know anything about me, so stop trying to analyze me.” 

Natsuki looked away from Yasaka and pressed the doorbell, effectively ending the conversation. 

Miki smiled brightly as she opened the door. “Natsuki-san! It’s good to see you again.” 

“Good afternoon, Hyoudou-san,” Natsuki said politely, forcing a small smile onto her face. 

“Come in, come in!” Miki said cheerfully before her eyes shifted toward Yasaka. “And who's this?” 

Natsuki glanced at the Youkai. “This is Yasaka, she is a friend of the ORC, and she is a student of the Kuoh Academy University division. Yasaka, this is Hyoudou Miki-san, Issei’s mother.” 

“Oh my, what a beautiful young woman, come in, come in, I just put the kettle on.” Miki said.  

Yasaka inclined her head gracefully. “You are too kind. Your home is lovely.” 

“Thank you, we recently had our home renovated curtsey of Rias-chan and her family’s construction business. We were so surprised by their generosity, especially because we still don’t know why they did so,” Miki said, waving a hand as she ushered them both inside. “Can I get either of you anything? We have green tea, barley tea, I think there might still be some of that plum juice my husband brought home yesterday.” 

“Tea would be wonderful, thank you,” Yasaka said warmly.  

Natsuki looked at Yasaka and Yasaka looked back at her with an expression of perfect serenity. 

Natsuki rolled her eyes as she left Yasaka to Miki’s hospitality, a decision she felt only mildly guilty about as she moved deeper into the house. 

Natsuki could feel where everyone was in the house, Rias, Xenovia, Kiba, Gasper, Irina, the two Fallen Angels, Odin, and his retainer were in the VIP room had been made on the sixth floor, while Issei, Koneko, and Asia were in their bedrooms but her attention was taken when she sensed Akeno alone on the rooftop immediately walked towards the staircase. 

After it had been decided by Azazel that most of the Peerage’ girls would be living with Issei, the entirety of the Hyoudou residence had been altered to accommodate this change, and so the once top of the residential house had been replaced with raised planters ran along low outer walls, filled with herbs and late-season flowers. There was a small wooden bench near the center that was surrounded by a small patch of grass and next to a small vegetable farm. 

Akeno was standing at the far edge with her back to the door, her hands resting loosely on the railing, looking out over the neighborhood. She had changed out of her school uniform and was now wearing a navy-blue skirt and a white short sleeved blouse, and her long dark hair was down, moving faintly with the breeze. 

She did not turn when Natsuki came through the door, even as Natsuki knew that she had clearly heard her. 

Natsuki walked across the garden and stood on Akeno’s right side, leaning her forearms against the railing and looking out at the same stretch of sky without saying anything.  

Below them, the neighborhood went about its day with no awareness of any of the magical absurdities that they were forced to experience. 

“You still mad at me?” Natsuki asked after a few moments. 

Akeno scoffed, narrowing her eyes at Natsuki. “Do you really have to ask that?” 

Natsuki laughed sardonically. “No, no I don’t.”  

“You lied.” Akeno said quietly. “You swore that you weren’t going to try and leave me-us behind. I knew something was wrong, I knew you were lying but I wanted to believe that you wouldn't be that stupid.” 

Natsuki looked away. “Akeno, I wasn't trying to hurt you.”  

“But you did. And you don’t even fucking care.” 

“Of course I care!” Natsuki exclaimed. 

Akeno sneered at her. “No, you don’t because if you did, you wouldn’t be trying to leave! What? Do you think we’re too weak to fight alongside you? That we will just hold you back? God, Natsuki, you’re no better than my-” 

Akeno’s eyes widened briefly before she turned away and clenched her fists; her knuckles going white against the railing as she pressed her lips together. 

Natsuki was quiet for a moment. “Were you going to say I'm no better than your father?” 

She hated just how easily she was losing control over her usually carefully withheld emotional state, especially because he knew that Baraqiel was the cause of it. Akeno knew that she was angry and disappointed with Natsuki, but she knew that she would not have yelled at her like this if not for him. 

“I’ve never done this before,” Natsuki said softly, staring at Akeno deeply. 

Akeno frowned. “Done what?” 

“Had friends,” Natsuki sighed, looking back at the sky. “I mean, I’ve had Kushina for as long as I can remember and the kids for years now, but everyone else I’ve met has always seen me as something to be tolerated at best. Friends, real friends were always something that I never thought I would have, that I convinced myself that I didn’t need because everyone else was beneath me. And if you had asked me a few months ago, I would have said you were right, that I was leaving because you were holding me back, but that isn’t the case. I... I do care about you guys, about you, Akeno, I care so much that the idea of anything happening to any of you scares the fucking shit out of me. I can’t protect any of you, so it would be better if I was as far away from you all as-” 

“Natsuki, that’s fucking bullshit,” Akeno said strongly, glaring at the other girl. 

Natsuki’s eyes widened slightly as she continued to be surprised by Akeno’s uncharacteristic use of foul language. “You still don't get it, I need-” 

“No, you don’t get it. How many times do I have to tell you that we’re your friends, and we’re not going to let you run off into danger alone before you get it through that thick skull of yours?” Akeno asked. “Did you leave Asia-chan to her fate when you found out that she was being held by Fallen Angels? Did you let Kiba-kun go off on his own when we found out that Kokabiel and Valper had brough the Excaliburs to Kuoh and wanted to restart the Great War? Did you become a Stray Devil when you found out about Rias’ engagement to Riser? Did you abandon Koneko-chan when you found out that she was a Nekoshou or who her sister was? And did you... did you treat me different when you found out what I was?” 

“All of those instances are completely different!” 

Akeno shook her head. “No, they’re not, they're exactly the same. Every single one of us was in danger, every single one of us had enemies stronger than ourselves coming after us, and every single time you decided that helping us was worth the risk. But now that it's you, now that you're the one being targeted, suddenly you've decided that we should stay behind and let you carry everything alone. So, explain to me why you think the rules are different when it's you.” 

Natsuki flinched and unfortunately Akeno noticed the reaction and knew that her had affected her. 

It did not feel that surprising to Akeno as she knew it did for Natsuki that they were both capable of reading the other so well. The two of them were far more alike than they were different; they were people who built their personas around themselves to defend their weaknesses; Akeno's warmth and politeness was a performance while Natsuki's sharpness and aloofness was her armor. But underneath all of it, they were terrified of the same things; losing the people they had allowed themselves to care for and seeing themselves as worthy of being cared for in return. 

“I don't know how to do this,” Natsuki admitted quietly. “I don't know how to let people in and not spend every second terrified that something is going to take them away. I've never... It's way easier to be ignored than whatever the hell this is.” 

Akeno was quiet for a moment, looking at her with understanding. “I know, but Natsuki-chan, you have already stayed through things that would have sent most people running, and every single one of us is still here because of it, so don't undo that now by deciding that we're better off without you. We're not, and you know that.” 

Natsuki stared at her for a long moment before letting out a deep breath.  

“You're really annoying when you're right,” Natsuki muttered. 

“I'm aware,” Akeno said, the edges of her mouth curving upward. “It's one of my better qualities.” 

“It really isn't.” 

Akeno giggled, some of the tension finally leaving her shoulders as she looked at Natsuki. 

“You know this probably isn’t going to be the last time that I will want to-” 

“I know,” Akeno said, leaning closer to Natsuki and resting her head on the taller girl’s shoulder. “But I’ll try and pull your head out of ass the next time you decide to be an idiot, Natsuki-chan.” 

Natsuki looked down at her for a moment, caught somewhere between exasperated and relieved, before she turned back to the railing and looked out at the city again. 

“So,” Natsuki said, clearing her throat awkwardly, embarrassed by how much she had unloaded emotionally onto the other girl. “How badly do you want to electrocute your father?”  

Akeno blinked and then she let out a startled laugh before her smile fell, and she began to press her thumb against the roof’s railing. 

Natsuki looked down at Akeno again. “I can go find Azazel and try and kick his ass if you want. I know that he probably chose Baraqiel for the express purpose of forcing you two to interact with each other.” 

“I know that he did,” Akeno said bitterly. “Azazel-sama has never been subtle.” 

“That's one way of putting it.” Natsuki said and let out Akeno a breathy laugh. 

For a few seconds neither of them spoke as Akeno's thumb continued its slow movement against the railing, and Natsuki watched it for a moment before looking back out at the city. 

“Seeing him again, it just... it just reminds me of that horrible day. My Kaa-sama spent years being hated by her own family because she married him; she gave up everything for him; her clan, her status, her home. He doesn’t even look bothered by it all, he’s still able to walk through life unburdened by the fact that he left us behind, that he didn’t care enough to protect his own wife and child while I have to continue living with this hole inside my heart that refuses to heal.” Akeno said bitterly. 

Now she was expected to ignore the man’s presence, to be the bigger person and pretend that she did not see the memory of the light fading from her mother’s eyes every time she looked at him or even heard his name. 

How is any of this fair? Akeno thought angrily. 

“I can’t say that I understand what that feels like, I didn't have parents to lose growing up. And I can’t tell you that you should look past everything and forgive him when I’m the Queen of holding grudges.” 

Akeno’s lips curled upwards for a moment before falling. “I don't know how I'm going to be in Kyoto with him there. I don't know if I'll be able to look at him and feel nothing.” 

Natsuki placed a hand on top of Akeno’s. “Then feel whatever you actually feel in that moment. Just don't let it swallow you whole, and if it starts to, just tell me and we can deal with it together.” 

Akeon shook her head. “But you’ll be busy with your-” 

“I’d never be too busy for you,” Natsuki said sincerely. “Amaterasu and the rest of them don’t matter compared to you.” 

In that moment, Akeno felt as if her heart was going to force itself out of her chest with how fast it was beating. 

How can she say such beautiful and heartfelt things and still act as if we are just friends? Akeno thought, her heart aching with a mixture of affection and frustration. 

She knows that Natsuki does not say these things to the other members of their Peerage, that Natsuki does not have these kinds of meaningful conversations with them as often as she does her. 

And yet, Natsuki remained willfully oblivious to the fact that Akeno had long since fallen in love with her. 

Akeno removed her head from Natsuki’s shoulder and took another step closer to her, allowing their arms to brush against each other as she looked up at Natsuki adoringly. “Natsuki-chan, I-” 

“What do you think you’re doing with my daughter?” 

Both Devils turned their heads toward the rooftop entrance, their expressions immediately hardening as they saw Baraqiel standing there with his arms crossed. 

The Fallen Angel's face twisted with disgust as he saw how close they were to one another, and in his eyes, were practically on top of each other. 

“What do you want?” Akeno asked coldly. 

Baraqiel ignored the hostility in her voice and instead looked directly at Natsuki, his closed eyes somehow conveying disapproval. “Move away from my daughter.” 

Natsuki's expression flattened. “Funny, I wasn't aware I needed your permission to stand next to someone.” 

The Fallen Angel frowned. “I’ve heard much about you, Kogane Ryū Kōgō, it’s bad enough that my daughter is forced to be in a Peerage with someone so reckless and self-destructive but seeing how attached she has become to a Demigod is deeply concerning.” 

Akeno moved to stand in front of Natsuki, placing herself between the two. “You have no right to judge Natsuki-chan, not when she’s stayed, fought for me, accepted me, and protected me. She has done more for me than you ever have!” 

Baraqiel opened his eyes slightly, revealing the same violet eyes as his daughter’s, staring at her uncomfortably. 

It’s a good thing that eye color and race him to be the only things Akeno has gotten from her dad. Natsuki thought, inwardly glad that this seemed to be where the family resemblance ended between the two and wondering what Akeno’s mother must have looked like. 

“Akeno... I... I-” 

Akeno sneered at the man, lightning dancing between her fingers. “Why are you bothering us? 

“Azazel wants everyone downstairs; the Sitri Peerage has finally arrived,” Baraqiel said, hesitating for a moment as his eyes lingered on his daughter.  

For a brief second, Natsuki saw something unexpected on the Fallen Angel's face; regret. But the expression vanished just as quickly as it appeared. 

“We will be leaving for Kyoto,” Baraqiel said quietly. “It would be best if you finish preparing yourselves in the next few minutes.” 

Akeno crossed her arms. “Then we're done here.” 

Baraqiel looked as though he wanted to say something else, his mouth opening slightly before closing again. 

Without another word, he turned and walked back toward the rooftop entrance, the door closing behind him and silence settled over the garden once more. 

Akeno released a shaky breath and looked away from the door. She leaned into Natsuki’s touch when the girl placed a hand on her shoulder, steadying her. 

Natsuki remained silent, allowing Akeno to compose herself after the unexpected confrontation with Baraqiel. 

“Thank you,” Akeno said softly after a few moments. 

Natsuki stared at Akeno for a few seconds. “Before Baraqiel showed up, you were going to tell me something. Was it important?” 

Akeno stared into those crimson eyes and felt her heart squeeze painfully. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth and as she thought about Kyoto, the Gods, and Baraqiel, she forced a gentle smile onto her face. “It can wait.” 

Natsuki nodded without question. “Okay.” 

Akeno laughed softly. “You're not even curious?” 

“Of course I'm curious,” Natsuki replied. “But you'll tell me when you're ready.” 

Something warm settled inside Akeno's chest at those words, and she reached up and took Natsuki's hand from her shoulder, intertwining their fingers without thinking. 

Natsuki glanced down at their joined hands but did not pull away. 

“Come on,” Akeno said softly. “Everyone is waiting for us.” 

Natsuki squeezed her hand once. “Then let's go.” 

Together, the two Devils left the rooftop and descended the stairs, still holding hands along the way.

~X~

The Kyoto Sirzechs Hotel, Kyoto 

Outside of a large, opulent red and black skyscraper, a portal opened, and the group spilled out onto the street one by one; the portal sealing itself shut behind the last of them. 

“Welcome to the Kyoto Sirzechs Hotel, a hotel that is owned by the House of Gremory named after my brother,” Rias said with a proud smile. 

“This is where you all will be staying for the deration of the conference between our factions has concluded,” Yasaka explained. “The hotel was constructed several decades ago as neutral ground for diplomatic visits between our peoples and has been prepared to accommodate all of you.” 

Unlike ordinary hotels in the area, the enormous structure towered over the surrounding district, its architecture combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern luxury. Red pillars and black tiled roofs had been incorporated into the skyscraper's design, giving the impression of an ancient palace stretched toward the heavens. 

Issei slowly craned his neck upward to try and look at the entirety of the building. “H-Hotel? This thing is bigger than Kuoh Academy!” 

“Our master’s family never spares any expense when it comes to the projects that they like to take on,” Kiba said. 

“You mean showing off?” Koneko muttered flatly. 

Rias pouted. “Now, Koneko-chan that isn’t true.” 

“No, I think she had it right the first time,” Sona said dryly, narrowing her eyes when she heard Saji snickering behind her. 

As the others were talking, Natsuki was distracted as her entire body felt like it was being kicked into overdrive by the energy she could sense all around her. 

It feels amazing here; this whole place makes me feel like I have just been submerged in coffee. Natsuki thought, having no other way to describe it. 

She had never been to Kyoto before now, but the energy her body was taking in made her never want to leave 

“You can feel it, can’t you?” The Youkai leader asked knowingly, slipping her hand though Natsuki’s. 

As Yasaka held her hand, Natsuki instantly felt her body returning to normal as a shiver raced down her spine. It was only then that she realized that everyone else was walking ahead of them into the hotel while she was still standing in place. 

Natsuki blinked. “What?” 

“That feeling would be a combination of the Kyoto ley line and the city’s proximity to Takamagahara. As a demigod, your body is naturally drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy, so to someone like you, Kyoto must feel intoxicating.” 

Natsuki frowned. “Intoxicating is one word for it. It felt like my entire nervous system was vibrating.” 

Yasaka chuckled softly. “That is because you have spent your entire life starving without realizing it.” 

Is this why I reacted the way I did when I absorbed Senjutsu from Kuroka in the forest? 

“And you were able to bring me out of that state, how?” Natsuki asked as she and Yasaka began to walk toward the hotel. 

“By grounding your aura against my own,” Yasaka replied. “Think of it like placing a hand on someone who is dizzy and allowing them to steady themselves. I did not stop your body from absorbing the energy around us, I merely helped regulate the process.” 

Before Natsuki could ask another question, a multitude of bright colors flashed across the sky before it returned to its normal hue. 

Natsuki's breathing hitched. “What the hell?” 

Yasaka's expression softened immediately. “They know you are here.” 

The Pawn did not need to ask who ‘they’ were, and she clenched her fists tightly as she passed through the hotel entrance. As the two entered the hotel lobby, Natsuki noted that the interior was even more excessive than the outside.  

Massive crimson pillars stretched toward a ceiling painted with scenes from Japanese mythology, golden lanterns floated overhead, illuminating polished black floors that reflected everything, and a large indoor waterfall cascaded down one side of the lobby, filling the air with the soothing sound of rushing water. 

“It's beautiful,” Asia said softly, turning in a slow circle to take in the ceiling, her eyes wide and her expression one of reverence. 

“It really is," Irina agreed, craning her neck back to look at the painted ceiling. "Oh, and are those the Shinto Gods? I wonder who is who.” 

Natsuki pointedly did not look up, glancing at a few Youkai that she noticed watching her and Yasaka, not even bothering to hide what they were doing as they whispered to each other. 

“The residential floors are floors two through one hundred,” Said a young woman in a deep red uniform who had appeared at Rias' side as she bowed respectfully to the King. “You have all been have been assigned floors ninety-seven through ninety-nine. Your rooms have already been prepared and your luggage transported from the portal arrival point.” 

“Thank you,” Rias said smoothly, taking point. “We'll find our way from here.” 

The attendant bowed again and withdrew. 

As they began walking to the massive elevator doors, Yasaka reached out and grabbed Natsuki by the arm. 

“Natsuki-sama, I must go. I will not be far, and the talisman's connection remains active, so I will know if something is wrong.” Yasaka said. “Try to rest tonight if you can. You will want to be clearheaded when the time comes.” 

“When will that be?” Natsuki asked. 

“Tomorrow, most likely. Perhaps the day after, depending on how the preliminary discussions between our sides go.” Yasaka's expression then shifted into something more sympathetic. “The Gods are not unkind, Natsuki-sama, regardless of how you may have decided to believe about them.” 

Natsuki shrugged Yasaka’s hand off her forearm. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” 

Yasaka stared at Natsuki for a moment before sighing. “I suppose that is all I can ask. Goodnight, Natsuki-sama.” 

With that, the Youkai turned around and exited the hotel, quickly disappearing from Nastuki’s sight. 

“Natsuki?” The Pawn blinked, turning around and seeing Rias standing beside the elevator doors, looking at her with concern. 

“You coming?” 

Natsuki looked away from the entrance and forced herself to nod. “Yeah.” 

When she entered the elevator, Natsuki saw that it was large enough to fit all of them comfortably, which spoke to how many guests the hotel had been designed to accommodate. 

Natsuki stood near the back with her arms crossed, and her eyes fixed on the changing floor numbers above the door, feeling the ley line's energy hum steadily beneath her feet through the building's foundations.  

It had settled into something more manageable now that Yasaka had helped regulate it, her body quickly adapting to the change, feeling less like she was being submerged underwater. 

When she and the rest of the Gremory Peerage reached their floor, Natsuki barely paid attention as she accepted the keycard Rias handed her, walking down the hallway and entering her room. 

The suite was enormous with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city, a massive bed that sat in the center of the room, traditional artwork that decorated the walls, huge a flat screen tv and couch that sat across from the bed, a minifridge, its own bathroom, a balcony, and a large closet. 

“Rich people,” Natsuki muttered with snort, walking over to one of the windows. 

She rested her forehead against the cool glass, and closed her eyes, knowing that tomorrow would change things in her life forever. 

“What am I supposed to do?” Natsuki whispered to herself. 

“Go to sleep and not allow your anxieties to rule you,” Lux suddenly said aloud, her voice carrying through the otherwise silent room as a glowing circle appeared on Natsuki's chest. 

Natsuki chuckled dryly. “Easier said than done. My thoughts feel like they’re running faster than the speed of light; I’ll be lucky if I can even manage to sleep for an hour.” 

Natsuki’s chest grew brighter as Lux spoke. “You will have nothing to fear, Natsuki, not as long as we are with each other. It does not matter whether your mother turns out to be a disappointment or not, or if all the Kami seek to end your life, nothing you stop me from keeping you safe. And I know that your band of demonic miscreants feel the same as I.” 

Natsuki placed a hand on her chest, smiling softly. “Thanks, Lux.” 

“You never have to thank me for something like this, Natsuki. If I cannot be here for you when you are afraid, then what kind of partner would I be?” 

Natsuki laughed quietly. “Fair enough.” 

Eventually, Natsuki went about getting ready for bed, deciding to skip joining the others for dinner and lying down on the incredibly soft mattress when she was finished. She stared up at the ceiling, continuing to think about the mysterious Sun Goddess who had been haunting her thoughts for days. 

Sleep eluded her for a while, but when it finally came and she was able to close her eyes, Nastuki did so as her thoughts drifted toward her friends and family.