18 A return to normalcy

-????-

Have you ever heard the saying "Warriors do not fight because they hate what's in front of them, but because they love what's behind them"?

It's a very true case for many who take up arms and fight. Often times it can be used to say they fight for family. But it is far more general than that. An ideal, like justice also fits in this phrase. A Country, an ideal, a family. All of these things can drive a person to take up arms in order to protect them.

So what about you? What did you fight for after you died? What did you hunger for? As a Hollow, you must have had something driving you.

"I.... had..."

You can't even remember? You loved something. You remembered something. Otherwise.. why would you stay in that place for so long? Why the strong reaction at the intrusion upon that place?

"Lymsie.. Fang.. Frost.... My power... Mystic Intake..?"

No. That was what you had in life. You mourned, yes. But when you first became a Hollow? Do you not remember?

"Was a long time ago..."

You erased the memory of it. Your own Father. Your own Brother. Your world had perished.

"Stop..."

Everything you knew turned to ash.

"Stop it.."

Every memory will eventually return, regardless the vessel.

"Stop it..!"

Remember what you are. The first-

-Gremory Mansion-

Rias yawned, feeling a strange static in the air. Her hairs stood up, giving her a strange case of bed head. Though she was used to it, given Akeno sometimes had nightmares and unintentionally released a small amount of her power. But the absence of Akeno in her arms made her feel around the bed, only to come up empty.

She sat up, wiping the blurriness from her eyes when she finally sees her. Akeno was standing close to the window, looking outside with an unreadable expression.

What made Rias pause though, was her current appearance. Strange white plates covered her otherwise naked form. Her arms encased in white plate armor with dark blue fur lining the edges. The plates had also covered her breasts in singular strips while a dark blue furred long coat draped off her shoulders though fitting all twelve black wings through it, obscuring her rear. While a small plated tail hung off to the side, lazily swaying.

Rias quietly stepped out of bed and put her hand on Akeno's shoulder, getting a better look at her face. Her purple eyes carrying a light glow as she stared out the window. She seemed wholly unaware or uncaring that she was being touched.

"Akeno.." Rias pulled her shoulder, finally getting her attention.

Her purple eyes focusing on the redhead, there seemed to be no recognition at first. Rias touched her cheek and looked into her eyes anxiously, as if she were trying to locate Akeno in the depths of her eyes.

"..Oh." Akeno blinked, snapping out of her daze as she focused on the heiress.

"That was... strange." Akeno muttered, the white plate armor and coat disintegrating into nothing and leaving her naked.

"Whew.. Good. You had an.. episode again. This time there was this.. armor? It looked like cosplay. Gave you this wild look. But are you really okay?" Looking worried, Rias asked as she helped Akeno take a seat on the bed, running her hand along Akeno's smooth and soft back.

Akeno ran her hand down her face and frowned. The dream she had was vivid. But only the last part. Someone or something was questioning her. Or.. what she used to be. She knew her memory had significant holes in it. There was that desert and the white monsters but that was all she could really remember. But thinking back on it, it felt as if she were there a very long time. And that there was something very significant she had forgotten.

"I'm fine. I think it's that place.. The sunless desert. I was something like those white monsters I told you about. Maybe those abilities are returning in full. Azazel thinks they're what pushed me to evolve as a Fallen." Akeno replied, smiling at Rias' atttempts to comfort her.

"Well hopefully it doesn't push your body more. We'd all have to train to death to catch up to you." Rias replied with a smirk.

"Ara.. Isn't that a fun idea?" Akeno snickered as Rias' expression soured.

"Oh, unrelated to my little pseudo-transformation.. I think your Mom's trying to have sex with me." Akeno said, seeing pure confusion on Rias' face.

"Eh..? My Mom? Are you sure it wasn't just a dream? You did check her out a bit more yesterday, didn't you?" Rias asked, folding her arms.

"Obviously I did. But that was just so I could take a guess at how you'd look when you were older." Akeno pulled Rias in, her arm around her waist, following her words with a kiss on her cheek.

"Hmph... So, what happened then? I barely remember anything after a few drinks.." Rias muttered.

"Hm~ Well I'm fairly sure she slipped me an aphrodesiac in my drink. Then she came into my room at night, started to 'pet' me untiiiiil.... Well, you drunkenly stumbled in and claimed my first was yours." Akeno replied with a sultry smirk.

"Good job drunk Rias.. But that's strange. My Mother did that? I didn't think she liked women but Devil women are pretty flexible with attraction. Damn..! Now I have a rival.." Rias bit her nail.

"Now now.. I'm not going to hook up with anyone, relax. But that aphrodesiac sure was.. strong." Akeno hummed, looking at the feminine 'dew' that covered her upper thighs and womanhood.

"I have no idea how you're able to control yourself.. Aren't Fallen really lustful?" Rias asked, looking down at the wetness while subconsciously licking her lips and getting closer to Akeno.

"Yes but Azazel's given us all the bad name. Most of us can control it pretty well." Akeno sighed, remembering the many many times she's caught Azazel getting action.

"Well why don't I take care of that for you?" Rias' voice whispered in Akeno's ear suddenly as she pushed Akeno's back onto the bed.

Rias smiled seductively at her before her fingers delicately traced up her womanhood, collecting her wetness on her fingers and examining it with an aroused flush on her face. Rias then dragged her tongue across her fingers, getting a taste before sucking the 'dew' off them.

"Moou... That's so unfair. You taste, quite literally.. like honey. Makes me want to.." Rias trailed off as she saw Akeno's breathing hitch.

Seeing the Fallen so turned on by her previous action, Rias smiled seductively and began to trail small kisses across her chest, stomach, then thighs. Rias heavy breaths hit Akeno's sweet spot.

Her mouth opened, ready to thoroughly taste her lover when-

KNOCK KNOCK

"FUCK!" Rias exclaimed, looking up at the closed door hatefully.

Though this time, Akeno looked even more disappointed than she was. Akeno groaned and sat up before going to the door.

"Who is it?" Akeno asked, seeing Rias put her clothes on angrily.

"Oh! Uh.. Akeno Senpai? We're going to go back to Kuoh pretty soon. We had breakfast already, since Mrs. Venelana said you and Prez were sleeping in. They sent me to get you and Prez but I can't find her in her room." Issei answered on the other side of the door.

"Aah.. She's in here, helping me get dressed. Don't worry, we'll be out shortly." Akeno replied with a wry smile, seeing Rias deflate.

"Okay! See you out in the courtyard then!" Issei exclaimed before leaving.

"It's probably for the best we return. Save all that for when we have some privacy. Besides, I've beem away from Kuoh for a week now. I've gotta go feed Raynare and the rest." Akeno said, shoulders slumping.

"You're.. talking about people, right? The way you described them makes them sound like dogs or something." Rias chortled, now fully dressed as she watched Akeno get herself dressed now.

"Yes. But they're idiots. Raynare's like an overexcited but affectionate Husky. Kalawarner's a cat. Mittelt is a canary. Dohnaseek is a smart chimp." Akeno explained.

"You know.. I can actually see that now." Rias hummed.

-Kuoh, ORC-

After a short farewell to Venelana and Zeoticus, the ORC members all returned to their club via Devil teleportation. Upon their return, Asia and Issei immediately sighed in relief and slumped down into the nearby couches. While Gasper happily ran inti his own room, likely to get on his PC.

"Oh was it really that bad being in the Underworld for you two?" Rias asked, taking a seat at her desk.

"Just... not used to it is all." Asia replied, trying not to sound offensive.

"The sky was purple.. I kept hearing strange sounds far away and the horrible PTSD Akeno Senpai inflicted on me.." Issei muttered, earning himself a sympathetic pat on the back from Kiba.

"PTSD? Oh good.. Then you'll never forget it~" Akeno smiled before checking the time.

"Three in the afternoon on a Sunday.. Yeah, I really should go check on them." Akeno heard Rias click her tongue in annoyance at her words.

"I'll be back in an hour or so. Want me to pick you up anything on my way back?" Akeno asked with a wry smile, trying to appease her frustrated friend.

"Ice cream sounds good right about now.." Rias responded, face half buried in her arms.

"See you tomorrow, Akeno Senpai!" Issei waved as Akeno nodded and left the ORC.

Kiba glanced over at Rias with a knowing look. Devising a plan, he noticed Koneko going for the cookie jar and quickly stopped her hand, earning him a raised brow from the Nekoshou.

"Hey Koneko, why don't we go rent a movie and watch it with Gasper? I'll let you choose the snacks. Care to join us, Issei? Asia? Or are you behind on homework and have to go home to see your parents?" Kiba asked.

"...Deal" Koneko replied, her stomach growling.

"Oh I'd love to! As long as it's not horror.." Asia muttered.

"I can come watch after I check in at home. Meeting up at your room? What about you, Prez?" Issei asked, seeing the gears in Rias' head turn as she realized Kiba's intent.

"Oh no. I have some Club President work to do. I missed a week's worth after all. I'll get Akeno to help me though, so don't worry. Have fun though." Rias smiled.

"Ah okay. Don't stay up too late then." Issei replied, following Kiba, Koneko and Asia out of the club room.

"Sly Kiba.. Earning brownie points." Koneko muttered to Kiba as they left.

Meanwhile, Akeno opened the previously abandoned Church, seeing a far more comfortable and lived in space. Mittelt was watching a cartoon while Kalawarner was sorting a new-ish looking wardrobe. Dohnaseek was in the nearest room, converted into a kitchen.

"Not a bad place you turned this into. You even got working electricity in here huh.." Akeno said as she walked into the church, getting the immediate attention of Kalawarner and Mittelt.

"L-Lady Akeno! How can.. we help you? We were just... uh..." Mittelt looked anywhere but Akeno as she stood up next to Kalawarner.

"Oh relax. I don't care what you do in your free time as long as you're not inconveniencing me. Speaking of.. where's Raynare?" Akeno asked, looking around for her number one Fallen fan.

"Kokabiel requested to meet her somewhere nearby. I don't know what for but I guess it's important because she flew out immediately." Kalawarner answered, looking a bit unsure.

"Kokabiel? Oh for..- I'll have to go talk to Azazel. I think he has Vali watching that ugly bastard.." Akeno grumbled before pulling out her phone and calling Azazel.

"Hello hellooooo~" A gruff, playful voice replied after six rings.

"Azazel? Listen, Kokabiel's just arrived in Kuoh and..... Oh for fuck sakes.." Akeno then sighed, much to the confusion of the Fallen.

"Ha! This is my voicemail beeeeeeeyotchh-" Azazel's voice cut in again before Akeno abruptly hung up with an evil, scheming smile.

"I'm going to give him hell later.. Tell Raynare to see me once she gets back." Akeno ordered, turning to Kalawarner and Mittelt, who hurriedly nodded in response as Akeno quickly left the church in annoyance.

-ORC room-

After that annoying call, Akeno quickly picked up a box of ice cream from the convenience store. As she walked into the ORC room, she noticed the thick scent of lust permeating the room. Opening the door, Devil pheremones hit her like a speeding Isekai truck. But what made her drop the ice cream was the sight of Rias bent over her desk, waiting for her arrival in a ludicrously sexy bunny suit.

"The rest are all very occupied with a movie.. So I prepared a little gift for you, as thanks for humiliating Riser." Rias sultrily smirked, seeing the blush on her friend's face.

"Nothing's getting in the way now.." Akeno said as she locked the door and unbuttoned the top of her shirt.

[A/N: Annnnnd get blueball'd again. I asked Reykale, Lilith and Fou if I should be evil or give you the seggs but they all voted evil. So go curse them xD]