III

In the chaos of the apology and the whizzing spells, Koneko slipped away. She sprinted back to her room as quickly as she could. I can't believe I said that! What am I crazy? She shut her door as quiet as a mouse and climbed into bed.

She pulled the covers up over her whole body and banged her head against her pillow repeatedly. It was a mistake! He'd seen her by accident. Even Rias-sama admitted it was her fault! She wasn't mad at Issei. Koneko took a deep breath trying to calm herself. He'll definitely s-"spank me…" She whispered the last two words aloud. Why did I have to say that! It came out before I even knew I was going to say it!

She sniffled quietly remembering how quickly Issei had taken her in hand yesterday. How he'd scolded her and demanded she apologize. How he had so easily rendered her helpless when she refused, and then the embarrassment of him seeing her panties. Not to mention, the awful pain. She imagined she could still feel the burning. The heat in her bottom had been unbearable. That was what had finally pushed her over the edge. She could not endure it a second longer.

It was more than that though. She considered her thoughts while being punished. Sure, I was focused on the pain and the embarrassment… but part of me felt guilty. I couldn't get what he said out of my mind. She struggled to remember his exact words. 'I never insulted you or disrespected you, or tried to hurt you…' Something like that anyway. She took another deep breath. He was right too. Not once. Not in all the time I've known him. He may be a little too obsessed with boobs, but he's not a bad person, never tried to hurt me.

After several minutes, she began to wonder how long he would make her wait. With great effort, she crawled out of bed and tip-toed to the door. After listening intently for a few moments, she slowly turned the handle and peaked out in both directions. Finding nothing, she quietly closed the door and padded over to the full-length mirror beside her closet. 

She unbuttoned and unzipped her skirt allowing it to pool around her ankles. She slipped her fingers under the waistband of her panties and slowly tugged them down careful to stretch them outward so they wouldn't rub against her rear. She faced away from the mirror and turned to survey the damage in its reflection. It was healing, relatively quickly she thought. The burn had subsided, and what she assumed must have been red handprints the night before, had faded to a light pink.

She stood watching her fingers gingerly glide over the marks in the mirror. She shied away from her own touch at first. Her skin was tender still. Light pressure still brought pain. Each time she pressed the hand prints they turned white for a few seconds then faded back to pink. She stood fascinated by the evidence of the thoroughness of her punishment. The handprints overlapped in many areas. There were distinct crimson finger marks on her thighs where the most painful slaps had hit her bare skin. But she was most surprised that nothing had been overlooked. He had been meticulous in making sure he covered every inch of her backside.

She pressed a finger into one of the thigh marks and yelped at the resurgence of pain. She tried again a little softer dragging her finger with pressure from her thigh across her cheek watching the white line appear and fade.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Koneko was so startled she tripped on her skirt and fell onto her naked bottom.

"Eeep!" She squealed as the flames on her rear immediately reignited.

She leaped to her feet to escape the pressure of the floor. A quiet whimper passed her lips as she gazed at the door. Her heartbeat doubled, pounding in her chest. Her hands were shaking slightly.

"Wh-who is it?" She asked trying to strip the fear from her voice.

"It's Issei… I think we need to talk."

Koneko gulped. He said the same thing yesterday!

She nearly told him to come in when she remembered her panties and skirt were pulled down. The words died in her throat. Oh my god! I almost!Her face burned as hotly as her bottom. She quickly pulled her panties up forgetting to be gentle and barely smothering a squeak as they roughly brushed over her tender flesh. She pulled her skirt up, zipped and buttoned it as well.

"Koneko." Came the quiet commanding voice. Just like yesterday.

"C-come in." She squeaked as loudly as her dry throat would allow.

She watched the door handle turn as if in slow motion. The door opened slowly; Issei entered and turned his back to her. She was shaking as she watched him close the door, as if caging her. She was doomed to her punishment now. Once again… No escape.

As he turned back to her, she threw herself at his feet. She knelt hugging his knees trembling. She threw her head back and looked directly into his eyes tears already spilling down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry!" She blurted desperately.

Issei was taken aback. He hadn't quite known what state she would be in. He had expected defiance, or maybe depression, but this… this was entirely unexpected. She's terrified. He realized. She's expecting me to ignore her pleas, to not even listen to her. She thinks I'll just spank her again. His heart melted. He had never intended to spank her for her little slip up. But now seeing her on the verge of a breakdown, petrified at the mere sight of him. I never wanted this.

He looked deeply into her eyes and whispered her name.

She hung her head and unclasped her hands letting them fall to her side. She sniffled just once. Resigned to her fate. She had known it was a long shot to beg for mercy.

She felt Issei's arms encircle her. Her body drawn to his warm, strong chest. She opened her eyes. Issei was on his knees with her, holding her. She thought she might have felt a drop fall onto her cheek, but couldn't tell if it was his tear or hers when it rolled off her chin. She felt his heart beat against her chest. She swallowed and buried her face in his chest loosing her anxiety and desperation in silent sobs.

For nearly a minute he comforted her in this position. Her trembling faded. Her tears stopped flowing and her breathing slowed.

"Koneko…." He called again more softly than before.

She looked up at him tear tracks shining in the dim bedroom light.

He smiled softly at her.

He's smiling. Maybe he's not mad? She was heartened by the possibility.

Issei shifted to her left his left arm still around her back. He slipped his right arm behind her knees and tipped her off balance causing her to fall into his arms as he got his feet under him and stood lifting her at the same time. He carried her over to her bed and sat down on it. Gently sitting her sidesaddle on his right knee.

She quickly scooched backward to relieve the sting in her bottom, but his hand on her lower back forcefully prevented her movement. Koneko looked up at Issei questioningly, but he shook his head. She frowned but made no further attempt to move as the heat simmered under her. He wants me to endure this… to remember it while we talk. She realized.

"Mean." She whispered.

A small knowing smile formed on Issei's face. She accepted his order even though it probably seemed unfair. He let out a sigh. "I'm not going to spank you," He began.

Her head fell back and she sighed in relief. She tilted her head forward to meet his eyes again. "Thank you… it just slipped out…" She whispered realizing He probably wants me to feel this tenderness so I don't forget what the consequences could have been even though he decided to have mercy on me.

His smile increased a little. "Listen, Koneko-chan, I never wanted you to be afraid of me…" He paused trying to organize his thoughts in a way she would understand.

"What I want from you is respect… and a little courtesy." He nodded to himself. "This morning, when you greeted me, I was surprised and happy," he continued. "It's not about being super formal with me. I just… I need you to respect me as your senior. To… not jump to the worst possible conclusion at every mistake I make." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well I suppose you can jump to conclusions if you like, but don't shout them at me. Don't try to turn the others against me."

Koneko continued to meet his eyes as he spoke. Just listen, she told herself. Let him explain what he wants; it will make it easier for both of us.

"It's hard, you know?" He asked her.

When she looked puzzled, he continued, "This all started when I died… when I was murdered," he emphasized, "by someone I had a crush on. I was a loser; I admit it. I spent my time staring at pretty girls I knew I'd never have a chance with. But one day, I met this girl, she was beautiful, and I thought I was super lucky that she gave me a shot. And not just gave me a shot; she came up to me. I thought she saw something of value in me. Something worthy of a girl like that… It made me feel special, like… maybe I wasn't worthless." He shook his head. "But it was just a trick. She didn't care about me. It was a game; to kill me."

Koneko held her breath. Issei never really spoke about the events that had made him one of them. They all knew the basic story. She and Kiba had even been there when Issei had gotten his revenge, but they all sensed it was a touchy subject for him and left it alone. She nodded her understanding and waited for him to continue.

"I was saved. Saved by Rias-sama to be her pawn. Her servant. And I'm okay with that. I'm grateful, but.…" He trailed off wondering if she understood where he was going with this.

Koneko felt like someone had punched her in the chest driving the air from her lungs. Now she understood why her careless insults affected him so much. "You…" She started trying to avoid saying something careless. "You really love Rias-sama… don't you?" She asked.

He closed his eyes and sighed. He returned his gaze to her eyes and nodded. "Both Akeno and Rias are very special to me. Rias is a strong, powerful leader, but she's kind and forgiving as well. She saw me, a loser, tricked by someone I never should have thought I could get, and she was angry for me. She cared for me and saved me; made me part of her family. Akeno never judged me for my…interests. Nice word choice. She laughed them off and accepted me as family… as I am. She never asked me to change, and that really means a lot to me. That I can just be myself with her."

"But you're afraid. Because she makes you feel like you're useful; like you're valuable. You're afraid that you're being tricked again."

The description sounded pathetic even to him. He nodded again.

"Maybe she saved me, just because she's a good person, and it was within her ability." He paused. "Maybe she's stuck with me but is too nice to say so." He thought quietly for a moment. "Maybe Akeno just likes to tease boys who are way out of her league. Maybe she tries to be nice, but really only considers me a nuisance."

"That's why," Koneko broke in, "you wonder why they could possibly be interested in you. Rias-sama or Akeno-senpai, both of them beautiful, powerful, lives seemingly figured out. What can you bring to the table? What could you possibly offer them that they would want you?"

Issei quickly raised and lowered his knee, causing Koneko to drop slightly and bounce on his knee. A twinge of pain shot through her rear, and she squeaked.

"Mean." Issei whispered.

Koneko blushed. "I only meant… meant that I understood what you were getting at." She replied sheepishly.

He nodded.

"What if… what if all the teasing is just that?" He asked quietly. "And what if, when I don't think they're teasing…What if the very idea of them being with me is a joke?"

"Rias-sama is not that cruel!" Koneko retorted defensively.

"I don't think so either," Issei replied mollifying her. Then he continued quietly, "But then, my judgement in that area hasn't proven very accurate."

Koneko nodded her understanding. She guiltily realized that every time she called him out on an accident, calling him a lecher, a pervert, hentai… she was highlighting his biggest fear. That he had no value and the girls of the house were simply teasing him with their empty implied invitations. That he was exactly what she called him and nothing more.

They were silent for several minutes.

When Issei looked down into her eyes again. They were softer. He read in them that she finally understood.

"I've never propositioned you!" Koneko remarked suddenly.

Issei was so surprised he couldn't suppress a snort. His eyebrows raised questioningly.

"So why care what I think?" she asked.

"Because!" He said. "You know I'm not trying to get with you; so you have no reason to tease or lead me on. Therefore, what you say is probably really what you think of me!"

Koneko frowned and nodded. That's logical. "And if what I really think of you is those insults and conclusions I'm jumping to…." she trailed off.

"Then maybe, that's what Rias and the others really think of me too." He finished depressingly.

After a moment, Koneko emphatically stated, "I'm sorry."

Issei let out an amused huff.

"I already told you that I forgave you. And I'm not gonna spank you."

Koneko blushed.

"I'm sorry." She repeated.

Issei smiled gratefully, "I know. It's just crazy paranoia, and thank you."

She leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her back in slow clockwise circles.

"I told Rias you wouldn't be joining us for morning training." Issei announced matter-of-factly.

Alarmed, Koneko pulled back from his chest. She demanded, "You didn't tell her that you…" she trailed off embarrassed. "…Spanked me?" she asked whispering the last two words.

"Of course not!" Issei retorted, his eyebrows furrowing in disbelief that she would even ask. "We agreed to keep that quiet this morning at breakfast!"

Koneko nodded falling against Issei's chest and shoulder again relief flooding through her.

"I told her that you and I had a long discussion late into last night, and that you would probably be too tired to effectively train until you had some extra sleep." He paused. "She agreed."

"Thanks."

"I thought you might want some time to think. And well… I wouldn't want to have to explain an unlucky strike."

Koneko blushed again but nodded.

"I need to go jump in the shower. I think… it's finally free."

Koneko rolled her eyes.

He lifted her up and set her on her feet then stood himself.

"This doesn't mean that you don't have to respect me as your senior anymore!" he reminded her.

She rolled her eyes again.

"Seriously. Even if I had some extra baggage on this one, it's just good manners. I treat you with respect and expect it in return."

"I'll try harder." Koneko replied seriously.

"Good!" Issei returned giving her a playful slap on her bottom causing Koneko to yelp and pout adorably. "Because I went easy on you because I was pretty sure it was the first time you ever got punished like that."

Koneko raised her eyebrows but didn't disagree.

"Don't think the kitties will protect you next time. I'm not kidding about that!" With that said, Issei winked and left her room.

Koneko dropped onto her bed on her stomach puzzled. Her face suddenly blossomed blood red as she realized he was referring to the cat paws on her panties! He intends to…. to… to…!