14

"So…any reason why you guys are trying to ambush me? I'm just a normal tourist who really loves exploring Japan." Rias smiled, trying to lighten up the tense atmosphere.

"Silence! Where is my mother?!" Kunou shouted.

"How would I know? I'm just a tourist." Rias answered.

"You liar! Fine, I'll force the truth out of you! All of you attack her!" Kunou ordered her fellow kitsune.

Rias, knowing that killing them was not an option for her plans, simply snapped her fingers.

With her snap, all of the Kitsune excluding Kunou fell to the ground unconscious.

The blonde 20 year old Kyuubi eyes widened in pure shock and a bit of fear. A single snap is all it took for all of her fellow Youkai to be taken out.

"Relax, no need to be scared. I only put them to sleep using sleep magic." Rias explained.

Kunou blinked. "Sleep magic?"

"Yes, it'll wear off once I cancel the effects. You're quite lucky you know, normally I would've just killed them without hesitation. But I decided to be nice. You really shouldn't go around ambushing tourists." Rias said.

"R-Right, I'm sorry, my mother is missing and I assumed you may have had something to do with it. From what little we know, a group of non-Youkai individuals are possibly involved." Kunou felt ashamed for jumping to conclusions.

Her words pretty much confirmed to Rias that the whole Kyoto arc is taking place. Two years prior to canon at that.

"I see, well I'm sorry to hear that. If you want, I'd be willing to help the West Youkai Faction out." Rias said.

The Kyuubi Princess felt stunned by Rias' offer. "B-But why? I did just try to ambush you, why help us?"

"Eh, I knew you guys were gonna try something. My group and I sensed you spying on us all day. You were a bit too obvious, no offense." Rias waved her off.

Kunou understood that Rias meant that she never took them seriously, which is understandable considering the feat Kunou saw Rias do a moment ago.

If Rias is willing, then why turn down her offer? Kunou knows she needs all the help she can get in order to find and potentially save her mother, Yasaka.

The next day, Rias and her group had been brought to a hideout within UraKyoto, by some Youkai under Kunou's orders to discuss the absence of Yasaka.

Another difference Rias noticed is that while Azazel obviously isn't here as a teacher. Serafall also did not make an appearance this time.

What confused Rias and her group was when they arrived at the area where the meeting was taking place. Kunou could be seen on her knees bowing to them, more specifically Rias.

"I-I am terribly sorry for my actions yesterday. At the time I was full of anger and did not really take the time to think of who you may be. I had no idea you were the Young Red Queen of Chaos, Rias Gremory! Please forgive me and don't hold my actions against the Youkai Faction." Kunou apologized earnestly.

Even in the Youkai Faction, Rias' name is well known. The younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer who is said to be the personification of chaos itself.

"You know, it's normal for them to think master is going to destroy all of Kyoto after their attempt to ambush her." Shirone commented.

Rias lightly glared at her Rook. "Oi! Cut me some slack here."

"She makes a point tho master." Kuroka joined in.

"I'm chaotic, not a trigger happy, petty edgelord. And also Kunou, stop apologizing and get up already. I told you yesterday that there's no hard feelings." Rias said.

Kunou nodded and stood up. "Thank you for sparing their lives yesterday."

Rias waved her off. "It's nothing, killing them would only worsen the relationship between our two factions. Plus your reaction can be justified and overlooked since you're worried about your mother. Now, how about you explain the entire situation to us. I did offer you help after all."

Once everyone got settled, Kunou started to explain everything to the Gremory heiress and her group.

"My name is Kunou, my mother who is the nine-tailed fox leader of both sides of Kyoto, Yasaka. Left this place a few days ago to formally meet with the Taishakuten's leader disciple. However, she never showed up at the appointed time and place. We did further investigation only for us to discover that my mother was attacked, and we confirmed that she's been kidnapped. While following the leads in Kyoto, we happened to learn of the presence of the Red Queen of Chaos and her friends." Kunou told them.

"I see, well I talked to both my brother and Serafall Leviathan last night. I can confirm that the Devil Faction is not involved in this incident in any way. That said, this information makes it likely that a third party is responsible for this operation." Rias said.

She had Ciel-sensei confirm it for her yesterday, the culprits are indeed the Hero Faction.

"Do you have any idea who the third party could be Rias?" Gabriel asked, her appearance was slightly disguised in order to prevent any Youkai from potentially pointing out her identity.

"Yes I do actually, Kunou, I don't know if you guys have heard of a group called the Hero Faction yet. But I'm positive they are the ones behind it." Rias looked at the blonde Kyuubi.

Kunou and the other Youkai's eyes widened. "How can you be so sure?" Kunou asked.

"I have my ways of gathering information I need." Rias smiled in a mysterious manner.

The Karasu-Tengu chief grunted before speaking up. "Lady Gremory, is there a way to save Yasaka-sama? My clan has nurtured an alliance with the nine-tailed fox clan for ages. We've prepared to help you in any way we can." He took a scroll and unrolled it to show a detailed drawing of Yasaka on it. "As you can see, this scroll shows what Yasaka-sama looks like."

Shuri, Kuroka and Shirone took a look at the scroll. Gabriel and Rias didn't need to since they already know what Yasaka looks like.

'That scroll doesn't do her true beauty any justice, not to sound creepy but I cannot wait to get my hands on her. Same goes for her daughter as well.' Rias thought to herself.

"We humbly beseech you. Please, lend us your strength to save my mother! No, please help us!" Kunou begged.

All other eyes turned to Rias, who just sighed, a bit annoyed with Kunou bowing again. "Kunou, I already told you. We will help you, do not worry. I promise we will return your mother to you very soon."

It was at this moment that all members of the Hero Faction felt themselves suddenly shuddering in slight fear for some reason.