Why I Can't Breathe Fire

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

The next evening, after James made his decision about his two pacts, he was relaxing in his bedroom. Having nothing to do while most of the household was still trying to decide on whom they should choose for their own contracts; James was mentally planning an assault on the Tepes faction in Romania for their attack and attempted kidnapping of Moka.

"[Something seems wrong with this.]" Ddraig said. "[It's been common knowledge that Moka has been with you since you became a High-Class devil. So, why did the Tepes wait so long to make a move.]"

"That's been bothering me too, actually." James replied. "I said we would go last weekend in the heat of the moment. But to be honest, something seems off."

"[On top of that, why would they send such a weak group after her?]" Ddraig added. "[It's also no secret that you're in the minor god-rank...]"

"For now." James interrupted with a grin.

"[Yeah, yeah, for now.]" Ddraig agreed in a dismissive tone. "[But why would they think that they could take Moka with a group that weak?]"

With that, both James and Ddraig fell silent. Neither knew what the Tepes, more precisely the Shuzen clan, were thinking.

"Well, since I've had some time to calm down, I guess I better go about this the intelligent way." James said as he reached for his smartphone.

A moment later, James had unlocked his phone and was scrolling through his contacts. Then, when he found the entry he was looking for, he pressed the call button and put the phone up to his ear. After the phone rang a few times, it was answered.

"{Devil May Cry}" Lady said answering the phone.

"Yo, Lady, what's up?" James said in a cheerful tone.

"{Oh, James, it's you.}" Lady said, recognizing the voice immediately. "{Since you're calling the shop's line, I guess you have a job for Dante and/or I.}"

"Correct." James replied. "Ddraig and I have some suspicions about the vampire attack last week. So, I want you and Dante to go to Romania and investigate what's going on with the Tepes Faction."

"{Does that mean I can get some revenge for the sneak attack from last time?}" Lady asked with a bit of excitement in her tone.

"Feel free." James replied. "But I want you to keep Akua, Kahlua, and Kokoa Shuzen alive. And if possible, bring them back. Moka wants to speak to them."

"{Anything else?}" Lady asked after noting that request down. "{Anything in particular you want us to pay attention to during our investigation?}"

"Yeah, figure out why they sent such a weak group with all the public information about my peerage." James instructed. "Oh, right. Figure out why they took so long to attack, even though it's been no secret that Moka has been with me."

"{Understood.}" Lady replied while noting down the instructions. "{Time frame?}"

"As fast as you can, without getting sloppy." James answered. "I'd prefer if they never knew the two of you were there. But you can tell Dante that collateral damage is not a concern this time. As long as they don't know it was him, that is."

"{I'm sure he'll be thrilled.}" Lady said in a dry tone. "{I'm so sick of hearing him complain about how hard it is to hold back. He spends more time whining like a bitch than actually doing his job lately.}"

And for the next three minutes, Lady continued to bash Dante about the way he acts on and off jobs. Eventually, James, with a wry smile on his face, ended the call and let Lady inform Dante of their next mission.

"[It sounds like that little girl has it rough.]" Ddraig said with a chuckle.

"Just imagine if Dante had been your host instead of me." James said with a smile.

"[Ugh... No thanks.]" Ddraig replied immediately. "[I can feel my blood pressure and cholesterol going up just thinking about eating that much pizza. I probably would have initiated swapping his internal organs for dragon versions without his consent.]"

"Hold on, I just heard something I can't ignore." James said in a serious tone. "What do you mean swapping internal organs for dragon versions?"

"[Oh, I kinda forgot to tell you, huh?]" Ddraig replied in an apologetic tone.

"Yeah, I think that's something I would remember." James replied while rolling his eyes.

"[Yeah, about that.]" Ddraig said, giving off the impression that he was scratching his head sheepishly. "[You're so much stronger and more talented than my previous hosts that I didn't think it was necessary at first. Then, I forgot about it completely.]"

"I get it. There's no need to kiss my ass." James said. "Just spill."

"[Yeah, yeah, fine.]" Ddraig said in an annoyed tone. "[As you know, the longer we're together, the greater your dragon aspect will become, right?]"

"Right." James replied.

"[Well, without the proper dragon physiology, you can't put that part of you to proper use. So, after a host reaches a certain threshold, most dragon type [Sacred Gears] with sentience...]"

"So, just you and Albion so far." James interrupted. "Since Vritra is newly whole again, and no one knew about Skiadrum until recently."

"[Basically.]" Ddraig said with a nod. "[Anyway, we have the ability to change your physiology into that of a dragon. And the more of you that becomes draconic, the better you would be able to wield your dragon aspect and aura.]"

"So, is that why I can't breathe fire yet?" James asked.

"[That's right.]" Ddraig answered.

"And... If this little slip up didn't happen, you would have continued to not tell me?" James asked with his eyebrow twitching.

"[Sorry about that, Partner.]" Ddraig said, apologizing sincerely.

"*Sigh* Whatever." James replied. "I guess we can work on this until Dante and Lady give us a report on what's going on in Tepes territory."

"[Well, with your strength, it shouldn't take as long as it usually would.]" Ddraig said. "[Your body can handle the strain a lot better than any of my other hosts would be able to."

*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*

Before James and Ddraig could discuss any further, frantic knocking could be heard. Activating his presence detection, James was not surprised to see that it was Mizore who was knocking on his door so excitedly. However, he was surprised to see that Scathach was with her. Curious about the pairing, James stood from his bed and made his way over to the door.

"Take it easy, I'm coming." James said as he placed his right hand on the doorknob.

As soon as he opened the door, Mizore threw herself at him and wrapped her arms and legs around him.

"What's got you so excited, Mizore?" James asked with a smile while supporting Mizore's body with a hand under her butt and patting her head with the other.

"Master Scathach and I have chosen our contractors." Mizore replied happily.

"Oh?" James was genuinely surprised by the news.

"Yes, what she says is true." Scathach said, entering James' bedroom as she spoke. "It would seem we were both able to find magicians, or a psychic in my case, that suit us well."

"Oh, now you got me curious." James said as he closed the bedroom door behind them.

"I shall allow the girl to tell you first." Scathach said as she gazed at Mizore, after taking a seat on James' bed. "If she has to wait any longer, she may not be able to bear it."

"Sure." James said, taking a seat next to Scathach with Mizore still in his embrace.

"Yeah!" Mizore cheered happily. "My contractor's name is Shiba Miyuki."

"Shiba?" James replied.

"Yup." Mizore said with a nod. "Just what you're thinking. She's the younger sister of one of your contractors to be. And she specializes in ice magic. Well temperature manipulation magic. But she usually uses it to lower the temperature and cause phenomenon that result in ice being created."

"I see." James replied. "And why did she choose you as a contract target?"

"The application said that she wanted to be introduced to more practical applications of ice magic in combat." Mizore said after recalling what was written on the application.

"I see." James said with a smile. "Well congratulations."

Mizore smiled sweetly after hearing James heartfelt congratulations. After patting Mizore's head for a bit longer, James turned his attention to Scathach.

"And how 'bout you, Master?" James inquired.

"I chose a woman who used to be one of the country's foremost presences in the use of magic to hunt stray devils and youkai." Scathach replied. "She goes by the name, Genkai."

'Genkai? Really' James thought to himself. 'I know I haven't said this in a while, but what's up with this world? Why are there so many characters from other series in it? Oh well, at least I never made Yu Yu Hakusho as a manga. Otherwise, this could be awkward.'

"She's not from the Clock Tower, right?" James asked.

"That is correct." Scathach replied with a nod. "For the last fifty years or so, she has been living in a reclusive fashion."

"I see." Then, how did she find out about you?" James asked curiously.

After hearing James' question, Mizore was also curious about it.

"It would seem she has a connection to some supernatural beings." Scathach replied. "They suggested that she attempt to make a contract with me so that I could assist in training her new disciple."

'So, does that mean there's a possibility to meet Yusuke?' James thought to himself. 'He's definitely my favorite shonen protagonist from all those memories I inherited.'

"Well, congratulations are in order for you as well, Master." James replied with a nod and a smile. "It's rare to find someone whos' as compatible in terms of focus as you are, like the two of you have."

"Hee-hee, yeah, I'm pretty awesome." Mizore said proudly.

"Indeed." Scathach said with a nod. "However, only time will tell if we are truly compatible. A person's personality cannot be summed up in a few paragraphs."

Hearing that, both James and Mizore put on serious expressions and nodded their heads in agreement. Everyone involved in the choosing of magician contracts had a similar thought regarding these contracts. Even though most of the new contractors would not be living with or near them, they were all concerned with the group dynamic being destroyed by the newcomers.

After that, like he had done with Moka when she chose her contractor, James reached into a small refrigerator he kept in his room and pulled out a bottle of wine. Then, with a snap of his fingers, a small table appeared in front of him with three wine glasses on top of it.

"Well, then." James said, sitting Mizore next to him, opposite Scathach. "Why don't we have a little toast to celebrate your success in finding a magician pact?"

"Good." Scathach said with a smile. "This Scathach would never turn down a drink from you, my disciple."

Instead of immediately jumping at the opportunity to drink like Scathach, Mizore looked at James suspiciously.

"What's wrong?" James asked curiously.

"Are you trying to get us drunk so that you can have your way with us?" Mizore asked, staring directly into James' eyes.

In response, James looked at her blankly for a moment. Then, he smiled and asked.

"And why would you ask that?"

Scathach was also curious to hear the answer.

"Because Moka told me that after you had your drink with her, you left her weak in the knees the next morning." Mizore said in a solemn tone. "And let me tell you, James. If you're only giving us alcohol for that... I'm totes in!"

James could only smile wryly after hearing Mizore's outburst at the end. It is true that James and Moka had a night of wild sex after she found her pact. And it is also true that James had offered a toast to her success. However, those two things are not connected in the slightest. In fact, James was not even the one that initiated the sex that evening. Moka had jumped him before she even finished her first glass of wine.

"I guess someone didn't fact check, huh?" James said with a wry smile. "Or did Moka tell you that I took advantage of her while she was drunk?"

Mizore stopped to think about it for a moment. Then, she shook her head.

"Now that you mention it, she never said that." Mizore replied. "But drunk sex always seems like fun in movies and stuff. So, I kinda figured..."

"I would not be opposed to an evening of such activities either." Scathach said, interrupting Mizore's explanation. "Besides, it is not likely that James has enough wine to get all of us drunk, in the first place."

"Uh... Anyway, why don't we have our toast." James said, picking up the bottle of wine and beginning to pour. "We can move forward from there."