Another One Sacrificed to the Shopping Demons

{A/N: Taking a suggestion from some of the readers I'll be making a change.

low, mid, high-level will be changed to beginner, inttermediate,advanced-level

low, middle, high-rank will remain unchanged. I hope that will fix some of the confusion.}

Four months have passed since James recruited Moka Akashiya for his future peerage. In those four months, James and his friends did not venture out on any more field training trips. Instead, James and Cu Chulainn focused on getting Mizore and Moka up to an acceptable level in terms of combat prowess. Sona and Tsubaki joined their training as often as they could as well. And last but not least, Koneko also joined.

James and Cu Chulainn being the strongest of the seven teenagers who often trained at the Alaverus estate, often took part in high intensity spars against not only each other, but if their schedules would allow it Okita Souji, Auron, and even Cassiel would show up. Although they have not raised their strength to that of ultimate-rank yet, James and Cu Chulainn have refined their fighting techniques and power usage to a frightening degree, for their ages.

Mizore, having taken educational classes for the last three or so years, has pushed her level of education to the point that she would have no trouble keeping up in any high school in the world. Under Grayfia and Serafall, more so Serafall, she has pushed her ice manipulation further than before. Creating colder, more solid ice and manipulating it more freely. With her efforts, she was finally able to break the threshold and became an advanced-level, middle-rank being.

Moka also joined the classes with Mizore. As a female growing up in the Tepes Faction of vampires, she had few opportunities to better herself or broaden her horizons. Receiving the opportunity, she dove into it like a fish returning to the sea. Though four months was considered a short time in terms of gaining knowledge, due to her passion for learning, her progress has been nothing short of spectacular. As far as training goes, after testing her affinity for all sorts of weaponry, Moka decided she preferred to fight barehandedly. With that discovery, James took charge of her training. He taught her everything he knew about Muay Thai and wrestling. By the end of this four month stretch, if her supernatural powers were taken out of the equation, Moka would be a match for the best amateur MMA fighters in the Human World.

As far as Sona and Tsubaki's training went, they were split between James and Cu Chulainn, respectively. When training with Sona, James focused on control and variation. In terms of control, James and Sona spent little time on it. Sona's control of her demonic energy was far more advanced than James had expected. That only left adding variety to Sona's magical repertoire. To do so, James drew diagrams of all the water release jutsu he could think of from Naruto, minus the hand signs. From that point on, Sona went through a sort of transformation. With a new set of offensive, defensive, and auxiliary techniques, her threat level in battle increased substantially.

Tsubaki's training was handled exclusively by Cu Chulainn. As Tsubaki's weapon of choice is the naginata, it only made sense. Seeing as the naginata is a long-handled weapon with a curved blade, it is basically a spear. Cu Chulainn's training was much more straight forward that James'. Just a healthy dose of sparring followed by pointers and reflection. Then, rinse and repeat. After four months of training like that with Cu Chulainn, Tsubaki's handling of her weapon improved dramatically.

Finally, the most surprising addition to the training group, Koneko. James had found out about Koneko's talent for barehanded fighting through Sona. As he often asked about Rias and her peerage progress and well-being. Once he heard about her talents, James wrote Rias a letter. One formally requesting permission to train Koneko. And to everyone's surprise, Rias agreed. So, Koneko arrived the following day with a letter penned by Rias asking James to take good care of Koneko and expressing her apologies for all the things she had done to wrong both James and Mizore. From that day on, Koneko would join Moka in being trained in Muay Thai by James. And Koneko's rate of improvement was on parr with Moka.

The above routines went on for four months. However, after the third month, James added another routine to his schedule. Every evening, after dinner, James would review for the High-Class Promotion exam with Sona. Although James never slacked in learning and keeping up with the changes going on in the Underworld, he was nowhere as invested as Sona had been. Which made sense. Sona was being raised as the heir to one of the Underworld's most influential Houses. And although James still was not ready to admit it, with all the one-on-one time they spent together over the last few months, Sona was making progress in leaving a mark that is more than just platonic in James' heart.

===Day before the High-Class promotion exam===

Underworld, Satan territory, Capital City Lilith.

In the same crowded plaza, a teleportation magic circle bearing the mark of Alaverus appears in one of its corners. Once it had risen to its apex and vanished, six figures appeared in its place. Two adults, a man and a woman, and four teenagers, two young men and two young women.

While taking a quick look around his surroundings, the first to speak, James Alaverus, a handsome young man standing 6' (approx. 1.83 m) tall with caramel colored skin, cornrowed black hair with long braids hanging from their ends, and chestnut brown eyes with dusk pink outlining each iris, dressed casually in a black short-sleeved polo T-shirt, dark blue denim jeans, and black Airforce1's.

"I can't believe it; it's already been three years since I was here."

"Well, you did spend most of your time here in bed last time." replied Leona Alaverus, a beautiful, light brown skinned, chestnut brown eyed, young woman who stood at 5'9" (approx. 1.75 m) tall with long black hair pulled into a ponytail reaching her hips and a bang that falls over her forehead and left eye, reaching her chin, dressed in a white T-shirt tucked into a pair of blue stretch denim jeans, and black sandals.

Holding onto James' left arm as she looked around excitedly at the new sights, Shirayuki Mizore, a pretty, fair skinned girl standing 4'11" (approx. 150 cm) tall with shoulder length light purple hair, messy bangs swept to the left, and light blue eyes with dark purple pupils, wearing a strapless, knee-length white dress and heeled sandals the same color as her hair, asked for the details in curiosity.

"Slept the whole time, what happened?"

Hearing Mizore's question, Moka Akashiya, an exceptionally beautiful, pale skinned, red eyed, girl standing 5'2" (approx. 1.57 m) tall with long silver hair that reaches her lower back with messy bangs covering her forehead and dressed in a teal green blouse and a mid-thigh length white pleated skirt, and white Airforce1's for girls, perked up as well.

Cassiel Alaverus, a brown skinned, dusk pink eyed, man with spikey dark red hair standing vertically with one spikey strand hanging over his forehead, dressed in a white track suit and white sneakers, replied with a laugh.

"Well, after being dragged around for ten hours to shop with two beautiful women, then having to take the Middle-Class promotion test. He was just exhausted."

As Cassiel explained, Leona blushed in embarrassment, remembering the shopping trip in question.

'Sona and I got so into our shopping, we even forgot to eat. Which means, James didn't eat either.'

"Yeah." James said with a lifeless look in his eyes as he remembered the shopping trip from hell. Shortly after, his eyes sharpened as he glared at his father, Cassiel. "And coincidentally, Pop had business to take care of... Right until we got back to the hotel."

Cassiel looked away with cold sweat dripping from his forehead, unable to make eye contact with James, due to a guilty conscience.

On the other hand, Cu Chulainn a.k.a. Lancer, a red eyed, young man standing 6' (approx. 1.83 m) tall with dark blue hair pulled into a rat tail that reached his shoulders, wearing silver earrings, a black T-shirt with an Ichigo Kurosaki decal, blue denim shorts and black boots, laughed uproariously, before saying.

"James, oh James! Your father sacrificed you to the shopping demons!"

While James hung his head and slumped his shoulders after having his suspicions pointed out. Cassiel, thinking that turning just his head wasn't enough, turned his whole body away from his son. However, Leona, Mizore, and Moka had fire in their eyes as they glared at the laughing Cu Chulainn.

Noticing the situation, a moment later, James put on a mischievous smile, then suggested. "Well, I need to get another sword, as I had an idea I wanted Master Scathach to help me with." James then paused for a moment. Once he made sure he had everyone's attention, he continued. "So, how about we do things like this. Pop, can you take me to the swordsmith who made Ochiru Sakura? Meanwhile Mom, you take the girls to buy whatever they want, my treat. That treat includes you too, Mom."

Mizore and Moka's eyes lit up at the offer, while Leona gave James a hug and a kiss on the cheek in thanks. Cu Chulainn, however, raised his hand in confusion and asked a question. One he would regret.

"Uhm... So, I guess I'm going with you and Uncle Cassiel, then?"

"Oh, sorry Lancer, I forgot." James said with mock guilt in his expression. Pretending to think for a few moments, he spoke once again when he felt it was enough. "How about going with Mom and the girls to protect them and carry their bags."

With that, the flames of rage were visible in Cu Chulainn's eyes due to James' betrayal.

The ladies, on the other hand, were ecstatic at the thought of having a pack-mule.

After discussing the finer details, such as what time they would reconvene for dinner and where they would meet, they started to make their way to their own temporary destinations. However, as they were separating, as James stepped past Cu Chulainn, he whispered. "Being sacrificed to the shopping demons isn't so funny now, is it?" Then continued forward without looking back.

James could feel Cu Chulainn's glare trying to burn a hole in his back and paid it no mind.

Once the two groups separated, James and Cassiel first checked in at the same hotel as they had three years ago. After that, they headed to the swordsmith who created Ochiru Sakura's shop.

After walking for thirty-five minutes, the father-son duo stood before a shop with a large sign above the door that read, "Muramasa's."

Looking up at the shop sign, James asked his father, "This the place?"

"Yup." Cassiel replied casually.

"Alright, then let's go." James said, as he walked forward then pushed the door open.

*Ring!*

A bell rang as the door opened. Shortly afterward, they were greeted by a middle-aged man.

"Welcome to Muramasa's." The middle-aged man began before pausing, as he had recognized one of his guests. "Oh Cassiel, it's you. How's that last piece working out for your son? And what did he end up calling it."

Before Cassiel could open his mouth, James answered the middle-aged man's questions. "Mr. Muramasa, I assume. It's nice to meet you, and the blade you crafted is exquisite. Its name is Ochiru Sakura, by the way."

"Oh, so you're the kid Cassiel spoke about so proudly, huh?" Muramasa said while looking James up and down. He then continued. "Ochiru Sakura, huh? Japanese for falling cherry blossoms... not bad. Looks like it landed in good hands."

Hearing Muramasa's approval, James stepped forward, materializing the sheathed Ochiru Sakura in his hand, and made his request.

"Sir, I need a second blade." Said James, who then explained what he needed exactly. I need a blade with identical specs. Weight, shape, blade length, blade width, hilt length, etc. Everything needs to be identical. Aside from the color scheme. I need that to be the opposite. The cherry blossom pattern can be the same, though."

Once James finished, he took a deep breath and looked Muramasa in the eye.

"Before I agree, what do you need a second blade for?" Muramasa asked with a serious expression on his face.

"Well..."

James explained the reason he needed the second sword. Which Muramasa agreed to quickly.

"Come back in four days." Muramasa said after recording Ochiru Sakura's specifications

James and Cassiel then left the shop and returned to the hotel to rest before they met up with Leona's group for dinner.

It will remain a secret that James found the lifeless look in Cu Chulainn's eyes immensely satisfying when they met up.