11 Trouble with Women

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Gremory Mansion.

Six hours have passed since James and Akeno were teleported to the Underworld.

Akeno has remained unconscious the entire time. Whether during the medical treatment, performed by a member of the Sitri House, or the time she was left to rest after the Two-hour long treatment.

James spent the first part of that time reading up on the Himejima clan from the Gremory manor's archives. The rest of the time was spent on the training ground, performing practice swings. When he came back into the house, he was surprised that Rias and Heinrich had yet to return. Since he had nothing better to do, James decided to take a bath.

After a forty-five-minute-long bath, James found a butler waiting outside the bathroom.

"Yo, Geoffry, need me for something?" James asked in Curiosity.

James had befriended the Gremory mansions servant staff long ago.

"Young Master James, the Madam has ordered that I inform you, the young lady you arrived with has awakened." Replied Geoffry in a very professional tone.

James shook his head at the term of address. Not just Geoffry, but all the servants in the manor insist on calling him "Young Master," Regardless of his requests to stop.

Trying to get used to it, James replied. "Okay, I got it."

After his reply, James made his way through the manor to the guest room where the girl was resting.

Reaching the outside of the girl's room, James pulled a mirror out of his pocket and gave himself a once over to make sure he was presentable.

In the mirror he saw a handsome boy with caramel colored skin, long black hair in individual braids hanging down to his shoulders, and deep brown eyes with dusk pink outlining each iris. Tilting the mirror down, He checked to make sure there were no wrinkles in his sleeveless black shirt and black swish nylon pants. Seeing that there were no flaws, James tapped the toe of his black slippers against the floor, then raised his hand to knock on the door.

*Knock* * Knock* *Knock*

With the sound of the knocks, James could hear a gasp on the other side of the door. After a few moments, he heard the occupant's voice.

"P-Please come in." A female voice said softly.

With that, James turned the doorknob and opened the door.

Upon entering, James looked toward the bed. Sitting there was a beautiful girl with long black hair that flowed down her back and cascaded across the bed. On the top of her head were two strands that pointed up and curved toward the back. Her bangs covered her forehead, eyebrows, the bridge of her nose, and framed her face making her large violet eyes even more eye catching.

"You're awake, how are you feeling?" Asked James in a gentle tone, afraid to make the girl uncomfortable.

Looking down, the girl replied softly.

"Y-yes, I feel much better. Thank you very much for saving me."

"Don't worry about it." Replied James, waving his hand dismissively. "Helping pretty girls is kinda my raison d'etre."

At James' compliment, the girl flushed. Though James did not notice with her hair hanging over her face.

Not noticing her embarrassment, James suddenly smacked his own forehead and exclaimed. "How rude am I? It's been so long since we met, and I haven't introduced myself, yet."

Hearing the loud smack, the girl raised her head and made eye contact with the grinning James and thought, 'This boy is so exaggerated in all his actions, but I don't dislike it.'

"It's nice to meet you." Said James with his signature smile. "My name is James Alaverus."

Caught off guard by James' enthusiasm, she stuttered, once again, in her reply.

"P-pleased to meet you as well, M-my name is Himejima Akeno."

"Himejima, huh?" James paused to think for a moment, then continued in surprise. "Wait, isn't that the same name as the ones who were trying to kill you? What kind of family does that to one of its own?"

"You are correct." Akeno replied, gritting her teeth with undisguised anger.

Looking at the girl, Himejima Akeno, James could sense much more than just anger. There was a bone-deep hatred buried in that tiny body.

Noticing her emotional state, James' tone changed, and he began speaking in a soothing tone.

"I don't mean to be rude, nor do I wish to pry into your secrets," James began, "but I need to know your circumstances. That way you can get the best accommodations."

Akeno hesitated for a short while, then asked a question of her own.

"Who is it that will be arranging my accommodations?"

James nodded in satisfaction, appreciating the caution shown, then answered.

"I saved you as requested by the heir of the Gremory House of the 72 Pillar Families of the Underworld." James replied. "She saw your talent and wished to invite you to her peerage."

The caution in Akeno's eyes only increased with James' answer and subsequent explanation.

Seeing Akeno's vigilance, James let out a sigh. Then he explained.

"I know what you're worried about. Honestly, your reaction is the correct one in this situation." Said James with a small smile. "But I can assure you, no matter what you reveal or decide to do, no harm will come to you."

Maintaining eye contact with James, Akeno could feel the sincerity in his gaze.

After a long silence, Akeno ended her hesitation and said, "I have been hoping to find someone in whom I could place my trust, for a long time. I pray you do not betray that trust."

Taking a deep breath, before James could reassure her once more, Akeno began telling her story. The story about her, her mother, her father, and the reason the Himejima Clan was hunting for her.

By the end of the story, Akeno's face was a mess, full of tears and frustration.

"... Because of me, because of this cursed blood I inherited from my father... My mother was killed." Akeno said while sobbing.

Hearing her story, James could only sigh.

"Half-fallen angel, huh?" Said James to no one in particular. "So, that's what that unfamiliar feeling was in your aura."

Hearing James' sigh, Akeno looked up and felt some fear.

'What am I thinking? He's a devil, enemy of the fallen angels. Why in the world did I tell him everything?'

With this realization, Akeno started mobilizing her magical energy. Just in case it was necessary to escape.

"*Sigh* You know, you and I are more alike than I initially thought."

"Huh?"

Seeing the confusion and wariness in Akeno's gaze, James continued.

"Because of my half-devil heritage, my mother also died. The circumstances were quite different, though."

"What do you mean?" Akeno asked, her curiosity piqued. Then she realized it was rude to try and dig into his past and continued in a fluster. "Ah! I mean... Forget I asked, It's not my place."

Chuckling at Akeno's cute response, James told her about his mother's death shortly after giving birth to him, and how she had to be resurrected using one of his father's [Evil Pieces], which changed her race into a devil. He also explained that Akeno would become a devil as well if she accepted Rias' invitation to join her peerage.

"... Like you, my non-human side was the direct... Or maybe indirect... Ah, whatever. It was the cause of my mother's death, too." Concluded James. Then he continued. "I have never looked down on my devil blood, though. Do you have any idea why?"

In confusion, Akeno shook her head then replied unsurely, "Because she's still alive?"

"Ugh... This line of reasoning sounded much better in my head." James said with frustration as he scratched the side of his head.

Akeno giggled, thinking the expression James made when he was stumped was cute.

"Anyway, back to the point. Because I know my mother loves me, just the way I am." James said with a gentle smile. "Isn't that reason enough?"

Akeno was spellbound by that gentle smile. When she realized she was staring, her face turned as red as Rias' hair, then she looked away.

But her head snapped back in James' direction when she heard his following words.

"So, Himejima-San, how would your mother feel if you were to lose your life, because of your self loathing?" Asked James with a serious tone.

Akeno couldn't respond. She only lowered her head and clenched her fists.

"I'm not saying you need to start loving your fallen angel lineage." Coaxed James. "But dying before you use everything you have is stupid. And that's what would have happened if we didn't show up when we did."

Akeno kept her head lowered, and tears began to flow from her eyes. Suddenly, she felt a warm hand on her head, patting it gently.

"Besides, this is perhaps the most important reason to accept your fallen angel side." Continued James, causing Akeno to raise her head and look at the boy in front of her.

"Your mother loved you, all of you... Both the human and fallen angel parts. Don't spit on her unconditional love for you by hating part of yourself."

Hearing James' last statement, it was like a bomb went off inside Akeno's head.

She kept hearing the phrase, "Don't spit on your mother's unconditional love for you," playing on repeat.

With that, the walls she had built around her heart shattered. The fractured damn holding back Akeno's tears also broke and she began to wail out her grievances, hugging James' waist tightly.

As Akeno cried, James continued stroking Akeno's head and long hair.

"It's okay, cry it out," James encouraged, "I'm sure you've needed this for a long time. Just let it out, and once it's gone, you'll be ready to start anew."

About ten minutes later, Akeno cried herself to sleep in James' arms. As he was about to tuck her back into the bedding, the door flung open. Rias running in excitedly.

"James, the negotiations were a---" Rias came to an abrupt halt when she saw Akeno with her head buried in James' chest. And James hugging her so gently.

*Sigh*

Seeing Rias' expression and body language, James knew a headache he didn't want to deal with was coming.

'And I just solved her potential [Piece's] biggest trauma that would impede her growth.' James thought to himself. 'I'm not even asking for payment for the after service.'

Jealousy and possessiveness exploding, Rias shouted. "James, what in the Underworld are you doing?"

James felt that headache coming as he tried to explain the situation, while Rias was hearing none of it.

Meanwhile, Akeno was sleeping soundly with a peaceful smile on her face.

Standing outside the open door, Venelana and Grayfia watched the children argue. Having heard the entire conversation between James and Akeno, they were both pleased with the way he handled the girl's trauma.

With a gentle smile on her beautiful face, Venelana Said, "That boy, James, he really is something."

"Indeed." Grayfia nodded in agreement. "However, with all he just did for Rias, he really doesn't deserve this."

Venelana frown in response. "Zeoticus and Sirzechs are to blame for this. Even though Zeoticus complains about her temperment from time to time, neither of them has ever denied her anything, no matter how ridiculous the request."

"This is going to come back and bite her, hard, when she least expects it." Said Grayfia, who could only sigh. Changing her expression, she continued. "Anyway, I can see trouble with women in James' future."

Venelana chuckled in response. "You are more than likely right."

Venelana and Grayfia giggled together, imagining what the future had in store for those children.

"But this needs to stop." Venelana said, making her tone sterner as she walked into the bedroom. "Have you two not had enough? Or are you trying to wake Himejima-San?"

Terrified by the new voice, James and Rias stopped their argument and began to shiver instinctively.