A New Quest

"Magic's principles, divine providence, the principles of the world..."

"All creation... I will send back everything to their origins..."

"...Rule Breaker!"

"Nyaaaa!"

And with the appearance of a luminous violet light, the iridescent and jagged dagger held in Zero's right hand, which had just gotten its True Name liberated, was stabbed into the middle of Kuroka's chest, resulting in the nekoshou's scream of agony.

No wound; no blood; but Kuroka still felt an indescribable pain spread throughout her body. It was unlike anything she had experienced before, even when compared to her previous experience of being experimented on.

The neko's body was currently twitching as she lay on the bed in a black dressing gown, her nails having already dug into the bedsheets as she tried to endure the torment.

"Sorry, please bear with it for a bit. Your body is in the process of getting remolded back to its original state."

Zero apologized from the side as he used his perception to sense the changes in Kuroka's body.

That's right, the saiyan was currently helping Kuroka remove the Evil-Piece within her body while at the same time reverting the process of her reincarnation.

It was the morning of the next day and after continuing their conversation from yesterday over breakfast, where Kuroka had proceeded to tell him more about her past and how the neko was practically forced into becoming a devil in order to protect her little sister, Zero had offered her a chance to remove every ounce of demonic energy and demonic blood from within her.

The female cat although in disbelief at first, had joyfully agreed after recalling all the mystery surrounding Zero, which in turn led to the current situation at hand.

<Rule Breaker>, a C rank anti-magic Noble Phantasm capable of dispelling and destroying any kind of thaumaturgy; also something Zero had gotten as a reward for his first full-clear of the dungeon's 2nd floor.

If it wasn't for Kuroka's specific circumstance, the saiyan would've probably forgotten he was in possession of it, let alone use it.

After all, the Noble Phantasm, other than providing him with a powerful niche ability, didn't exactly help him in terms of his own strength. Yes, it was still a weapon, but it was comparable to that of a regular dagger at most.

Ten minutes had passed before everything returned to its calm, much to Kuroka's relief.

Letting go of the bedsheets as she gasped for air, the neko, with Zero's support, sat up against the bed frame.

"Is it finally over, nya?" She asked weakly.

"Yeah, all done." The saiyan pointed his finger in front of her. "Look."

"Hmm?"

Startled with his action, Kuroka focused her vision ahead and widened her eyes as she finally noticed that aside from the dagger which had previously pierced her chest, a glowing chess piece was also present, both floating peacefully in the air.

The neko ignored the jagged weapon though, placing her focus on the chess piece; something that she was all-too familiar with.

"This..."

Kuroka spoke as her eyes started to become watery.

"It's as you think; that is the Bishop Piece that was used for your devil reincarnation, though surprisingly, there's still some of your late master's demonic energy left inside."

Zero said, staring at the glowing chess piece after he had returned <Rule Breaker> back into the Inventory.

"Oh? Nevermind, looks like the energy is beginning to dissipate."

As his voice fell, the verdant glow on the chess piece started to become faint before completely disappearing after a few more seconds. And while the demonic energy present within scattered into the air as magic particles, the chess piece, on the other hand, returned to its original color; white.

(A/N: The Evil Pieces will glow in accordance to the magic color of its users when in use. The Naberius Clan's magic circle is green hence the color chosen.)

"So, what are you going to do with it? Do you want me to break it, or are you going to destroy it personally?"

Zero asked as he turned back to the neko, who was currently trying to hold back her tears from falling.

"Mm. I'd like to destroy it myself if you don't mind."

She replied softly, but with a determined expression as she reached out towards the white bishop piece floating in the air.

Grabbing ahold of it, Kuroka's body shivered slightly, but nevertheless still covered her hand with violet magical energy before crushing the Evil-Piece into nonexistence.

With that done, the neko slumped back against the bed frame with her head lowered as the room was suddenly invaded by a peaceful silence.

Seeing that Kuroka was most likely lost in thought, Zero chose to stay silent as to not bother her and waited patiently on the side until she recovered.

Fortunately, he didn't have to wait too long as the neko opened her mouth soon after, though if it weren't for the saiyan's sharp senses, he probably wouldn't have been able to hear what she was saying.

"Thank... you... nya"

Kuroka said with a barely audible tone, lifting her head to face Zero.

"Mm." The saiyan nodded at the neko, giving a gentle smile in return.

He knew how much removing the Evil-Piece, along with the demonic energy and bloodline, meant to her.

Essentially, it was a stain in the neko's life, something that reminded her of her tragic past, and one of the things that shackled her.

Now, with the Evil-Piece personally destroyed by her, and coupled with the comfortable feeling her body felt as the pain started to fade, Kuroka could finally say that she had achieved some freedom.

Seeing Zero's smile, Kuroka became dazed for a moment before she couldn't help herself anymore and plunged head-first into him, wrapping both her arms around his torso for a big fat hug.

"Oof! That was close. Kuroka?"

Zero questioned at the neko's sudden and unexpected action. If he hadn't reacted in time and caught her, the both of them would've fallen backward.

The saiyan was just about to inquire further, but with the sudden feeling of wetness on his chest through his shirt, along with the soft trembling body attached to him, he became silent.

'Looks like she finally couldn't keep her emotions suppressed anymore.'

Zero thought inwardly as Kuroka seemed to be crying her heart out in silence.

He knew that it wasn't just because he removed the Evil-Piece from within her.

Most likely, the neko had been suppressing her emotions ever since her mother passed away, probably so she could appear and act as a strong supporting pillar for her little sister.

Then, with everything happening after, from being forced into becoming a devil, the various experiments that she was involved in, killing her master and having to run away while leaving her beloved sister behind... not to mention finding out the cause of her race's destruction and being chased for months on end after that...

... One could only endure so much and now, with the sudden surge of emotions that appeared after the removal of the Evil-Piece, all those pent up emotions that were stored within her had finally been released through bitter tears.

Sighing, Zero didn't say anything and continued to wrap an arm around her, bringing the neko closer into his embrace while the other hand proceeded to stroke her silky black hair, providing some comfort so the trembling humanoid cat could feel at ease.

They stayed in this position for another half-hour before Kuroka eventually calmed down.

"Feeling better?" Zero asked as he saw her staying silent.

"Mm..." The neko only gave a light sound as she continued to snuggle closer to him.

'Is that supposed to be a yes or a no?'

He thought whilst deadpanning, though he was leaning towards a yes seeing her acting all cuddly again.

Little did he know that while he was in the midst of thinking, a certain cat currently had her head slightly tilted as she sneaked a peek at him with a hidden, yet mischievous glint in her teary golden eyes.

"Well?"

And the time Zero came to realize, it was too late as she quickly took the chance while he was startled in that split second to attack; that is, if grabbing his face and planting her lips onto his was even considered one.

"Mmmph?!" Zero widened his eyes as he didn't expect Kuroka to suddenly kiss him out of nowhere.

The kiss didn't last long though, only for about 3 seconds before the neko pulled away with a slight blush present on her face.

"Wha...?" Zero looked at Kuroka in confusion.

"That was my thank you gift to you, Zero-nya." The female cat said sincerely, her cheeks still a shade of pink.

"...Gift?" The saiyan asked, still kind of out of it.

"Mhm, you're going to take responsibility, right? After all, that was my first kiss, nya~ "

Kuroka giggled after seeing his reaction and decided to tease him.

Blinking a few times, Zero eventually regained his composure and upon seeing Kuroka's expression along with her mischievous laughter, it was then that he realized he hadn't been imagining things.

He suddenly narrowed his eyes, before making a decision.

There was such a beauty in front of him and he would be stupid if he hadn't realized her feelings for him by now; the girl had made it pretty obvious with that sudden assault on his lips earlier.

What thank you gift? It was all nonsense!

Okay, maybe it wasn't allll nonsense. Perhaps Kuroka had really done it to thank him, but normally that'd be on the cheeks rather than the lips, no?

In any case, despite her mischievous and carefree nature, the neko was someone who

was kind and compassionate deep down and Zero really liked that about her, which lead to his current decision.

Not to mention, the saiyan had just gotten himself sneak attacked and if he didn't return the favor, how could he call himself a man?

Thinking of this, the corner of Zero's lips tilted upwards before he opened his mouth to speak.

"Gift? Responsibility? Good, I'll accept it. As for your first kiss? Hurhur. I may as well take your second and third while I'm at it... what do you say, you naughty cat?"

Just as Kuroka was feeling surprised and joy over the saiyan's words about accepting her, she heard his latter sentence and coupled with the evil-looking smirk on his face, the neko's watery eyes widened.

She didn't get to say anything though because the saiyan swiftly leaned in, locking his lips with her cherry ones as the inertia from the sudden action made the both of them fall towards the bed on top of each other.

Though startled by his initiative at first, Kuroka immediately responded happily as she wrapped her arms around her hubby's neck to pull him closer before closing her eyes, allowing herself to immerse in the novel experience for a second time...

After all, it was a deeper, more sensual kiss than the one they had shared before.

<< Scene Break >>

"You feeling better now?"

Zero asked again after they had finished their little make-out session. The saiyan was currently lying on the bed with Kuroka in his embrace as the neko rested her head on his chest.

"Nya... it feels much more comfortable after crying, though sorry you had to see me in such an ugly state."

Kuroka stated, snuggling closer to him. The neko was still flushed from the earlier excitement as she recalled being caressed by the saiyan on various parts of her body.

Though they didn't go any further, she wasn't really disappointed and instead felt content over the fact that Zero didn't want to take advantage of her while her emotions were unstable.

She, along with the saiyan, understood that these things would come naturally with time and weren't meant to be forced.

"It's okay. Everyone has a time where they need to vent out their emotions."

Zero shook his head as he replied. Like Kuroka, the saiyan was also thinking of their recent intimate interaction.

Although he had already calmed down by now, but remembering the soft, yet firm feeling in his hands from before almost made a certain part of him rise again.

He forced his mind into tranquility to clear the thought before he heard Kuroka speak again.

"Mm. Hey, Zero-nya."

Kuroka tilted her head to look up at him after letting out a sound of agreement. The neko had just thought of something and wanted to ask him to see if it was possible.

"Yeah?"

Zero answered while reaching out to pet her head at the same time.

"Nya... Do you think you could help my sister too?"

Kuroka asked after letting out a purr as the saiyan's thumb caressed her sensitive ears.

"Help? With what? Oh! You mean removing her Evil-Piece?"

Surprised at her question for a moment, the saiyan stopped his petting and raised an eyebrow as his coal-colored orbs locked onto her hazel-gold ones.

"Mm... I heard she was also reincarnated into a devil."

Kuroka nodded sadly. She went through so much just to prevent that from happening yet fate just seemed to play with her.

"Well, it's not like I mind or anything. Just, it isn't as simple as you think." He said with his brows pressed.

"What do you mean nya?" Kuroka perked up.

"Well for starters, she'd have to agree with it first. I'm sure you know the Gremory Clan and how they're well known for treating everyone in their peerage as family?" He inquired.

"Mhm, little Shirone's peerage, right?"

Kuroka nodded. It was truly fortunate that her little sister was given to the Gremory's.

"Yeah. Now, who do you think took care of her ever since her only pillar of support, you, went missing?"

The neko immediately understood what he was trying to say.

"You're saying that she's developed some sort of attachment towards them?"

"Most likely." He nodded.

Zero didn't know for sure, but from the lore in his previous world, both Rias and Akeno, along with the members of the Gremory Clan like Grayfia and Ria's mother Venelana, had been there for Shirone/Koneko when the little girl was at her lowest.

Now judging from the current timeline, one and a half years was more than enough for Kuroka's sister to gain a certain amount of affection towards her new 'family'.

"I see... what are the other reasons?"

Kuroka responded much calmer than the saiyan initially thought. Perhaps she already expected this would happen?

"Other reasons... eh... I know it might sound harsh, but because of the previous incident regarding the act of killing your master, your sister is probably now afraid of her youjutsu and senjutsu powers, especially towards the latter.

From what I know, the rumors about you being drunk on power, along with the nekoshou race's destruction afterward, made your sister develop some kind of psychological trauma towards her powers and chose to seal them.

Now, what I'm trying to say is, with the majority of her strength sealed, being a devil would at least give your sister some kind of self-preservation if she ever encountered any danger so it's probably wise not to remove her Evil-Piece for now, not until she recovers anyway."

Zero explained.

"But I could protect my little Shirone myself, no? Just like I did before... even if... even if I have to do it from the shadows."

The neko said before becoming depressed towards the end. She knew her sister was most likely afraid of her as well.

"You can't protect her forever, Kuroka."

Kuroka knitted her brows together when she heard him.

"Hey, you know I'm correct. There's no guarantee that you'll be with Shirone 100% of the time."

Zero stroked her head to comfort her as he continued.

"Shirone needs the ability to fend for herself whenever you aren't there to protect her and at the moment, whether you like it or not, the Evil-Piece is something that could possibly save her life at a crucial moment.

Without it, she'll only end up as a helpless cat with no powers, just sitting there and waiting to be killed.

I mean, we're talking about the supernatural world here. You even heard Azazel say it himself; in this world, the weak are prey to the strong."

"I know, nya... but stil-"

Kuroka still wanted to reason, but Zero immediately interrupted her, leaving the cat pouting in frustration.

"Okay how about this, let's just say she does agree to remove the Evil-Piece from within her. Do you think she'll be able to handle the pain you felt earlier? Sorry, let me rephrase the question for a sec. What I should've asked is; will YOU allow her to bear with it?"

"..." Kuroka was immediately silenced with that.

Just like Zero thought, there was absolutely no way she could let her sister experience something so excruciating. Having your body remolded was definitely not a fun experience.

"Kuroka?"

Zero said with some hesitation on his face as he looked down at the unmoving figure laying on top of his chest. He was just about to call out to her again when a defeated sigh entered his ears.

"You're right... nya."

She shook her head with a bitter smile. Guess she had to give up on her sister's Evil-Piece removal after all.

"Still... I wonder how she's doing; I haven't seen her for a long time."

The neko spoke again, this time in a daze as she recalled the last time she had seen her cute little sibling.

She quickly regained her composure though as she felt the arm around her tighten slightly. Tilting her head to look at the culprit, she saw him giving her a comforting smile as he proceeded to ask her a question.

"Why don't you go visit her then?"

Kuroka's eye's instantly lit up at the idea, but immediately became dejected again when she thought how Shirone would react to her appearance.

"Nya... although I would love to, she probably doesn't want to see me..."

Saying that, she lowered her head again, though the slight shivering and tighter squeeze of her arms around the saiyan made him realize just how uncomfortable she was feeling right now.

Zero sighed. The poor girl... maybe he should just forcibly drag her into the Underworld to meet with her sister seeing as she didn't have the courage to do so. Her present dispirited appearance, which was completely opposite to her usual lively one, didn't exactly sit well with him either, making him more sure of his idea.

And to top it all off...

(Ding! Host has received a quest!)

<Chain Quest>: The nekomata sisters

[Quest Completion]: 0/3

[Quest no.]: 1

[Quest Requirements]: 1) Take Kuroka to her sister. 2) Ensure Kuroka's safety.

[Reward]: 1,000 system points

... he even received a quest.

'Well, that's convenient.'

The saiyan sweatdropped at the System's quick response, which basically cut off any hesitation he had left.

'I suppose it's also about time I travel the world. May as well, it's been two years after all.'

Zero thought as he suddenly sat up from his laying position.

"Nya?!"

And as she was hugging him tightly, Kuroka also got dragged along with him.

"Haha."

Chuckling at the funny pose she was in, Zero lifted her up and sat her on his lap, hugging the neko from behind while his head rested on hers.

"What's so funny nya?"

Kuroka said unhappily. After all, she was currently distressed over the matter about her sister.

"Nothing; nothing. Anyway, I was just wondering whether you'd like to go out and travel the world with me. Figured that I should probably close the store for a while and go on a holiday; give myself a break from training and all. Perhaps you could also use this opportunity to relax your mind while at it. Whatcha think?"

Zero quickly tried to divert her attention by changing the topic, which apparently worked wonders as it neko's expression changed into that of interest.

"Hmm... traveling you say... Well, alright! But we should go on many dates, nya!"

Kuroka's eyes shined at the mention of dates, making Zero sweatdrop. At least his simple-minded neko was back, no longer dispirited like before.

"Y-yeah... no problem."

He stuttered slightly after seeing how enthusiastic she was.

"So um, when are we heading out nya?"

The neko inquired, leaning into the saiyan's secure embrace as her head rested against the side of his neck.

"Like now?" Zero blinked mischievously.

"Nya? You already have a place in mind?"

Startled, she tilted her head slightly to look at his face.

"Yeah, didn't you say you wanted to go see your sister?"

A wicked smirk appeared on the saiyan's face as his coal pupils met her golden ones.

"You... don't tell me..."

Kuroka widened her eyes in shock.

"Hurhur... you surprised? Yes, it's time for us to pay a visit to the Gremory's."