Chapter 15: Troubles with Women are on the Horizon...

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Gremory Mansion.

Several hours have passed since Ryuken and Akeno were teleported to the Underworld.

For that whole period of time, Akeno has remained unconscious. Whether during the medical treatment, performed by a member of the Sitri House, or the time she was left to rest after the 2-hour long treatment.

Ryuken 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 1000 practice swings. When he came back into the house, he was surprised that Rias and Heinrich had yet to return. Seeing as he had nothing better to do, Ryuken decided to take a bath.

After a 45-minute-long bath, Ryuken found a butler waiting outside the bathroom.

"Yo, Geoffry, need me for something?" Asked Ryuken in Curiosity.

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

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

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

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

Reaching the outside of the girl's room, Ryuken 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 circles around the outer circumference of 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, Ryuken 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, Ryuken could hear the sound of a gasp on the other side of the door. After a few moments, he heard the occupant's voice.

"P-Please come in." Said a female voice softly.

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

Upon entering, Ryuken looked toward the bed. Sitting there was a beautiful girl with long black hair that flowed down her back and spread across the bed. On the top of her head were 2 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 Ryuken 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 Ryuken, waiving his hand dismissively. "Helping pretty girls is kinda my raison d'etre."

At Ryuken's compliment, the girl flushed. Though it was not noticed with her hair hanging over her face.

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

Hearing the loud smack, the girl raised her head and made eye contact with the grinning Ryuken and thought, 'This boy is so exaggerated in all his actions, but I do not hate it.'

"It's nice to meet you." Said Ryuken with his signature smile. "My name is Senbonzakura L Ryuken."

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

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

"Himejima, huh?" Ryuken 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?"

"You are correct." Akeno replied, gritting her teeth in apparent anger.

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

Noticing her emotional state, Ryuken's 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 secret," Ryuken began, "but I need to know your circumstances. That way we can give you the best attention."

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

"Who is this "we" you speak of?"

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

"I represent the Gremory House of the 72 Pillar Families of the Underworld." Ryuken replied.

The caution in Akeno's eyes only increased with Ryuken's answer.

Seeing Akeno's vigilance, Ryuken 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 Ryuken with a small smile. "But I can assure you, no matter what you reveal, no harm will come to you."

Maintaining eye contact with Ryuken, 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. I pray you do not betray that trust."

Taking a deep breath, before Ryuken could respond, 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 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, Ryuken could only sigh.

"Half-fallen angel, huh?" Said Ryuken to no one in particular.

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

'What am I thinking? He's a devil, enemy of the fallen angels.'

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."

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

"Because of my half-devil heritage, my mother also died. The circumstances were very 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 reply, Ryuken told her about his mother's death shortly after giving birth to him, and how they had no Phenex Tears, a miraculous healing elixir, on hand to save her life.

"... 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 Ryuken. 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 to reply.

Because I know my mother loved my father." Said Ryuken, 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 Ryuken's 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 hatred?" Asked Ryuken with a serious tone.

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

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

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

"Besides, this is perhaps the most important reason to accept your fallen angel side." Continued Ryuken, 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 Ryuken's 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 built around her heart shattered. The fractured damn holding back Akeno's tears also shattered and she began to wail out her grievances, hugging Ryuken's waist tightly.

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

"It's okay, cry it out," Ryuken 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 10 minutes later, Akeno cried herself to sleep in Ryuken's arms. As he was about to tuck her back into the bedding, the door flung open. Rias running in excitedly.

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

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

Ryuken felt a 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 Ryuken and Akeno, they were both pleased with the way he handled the situation.

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

"Indeed." Grayfia nodded in agreement. "However, I can see trouble with women in his 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 2 not had enough? Or are you trying to wake Himejima-San?"

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