||Her Wish||

Chapter XVIII

Rias had already enough problems crowding her desk, lying with the files and documents detailing requests for the Devil's services looming, agonizingly intimidating. Three more were added in just a single day. One was the fact that she had to allow the Church's envoys to ramble in her territory without supervision, and the other was the young man who was the root of the said problem.

He completely lost it.

She had never seen him that angry before, and she was completely awestruck. Awestruck? No, that's not the right way to put. Rias was completely terrified. She couldn't do anything. She didn't do anything. She didn't want to hurt him; that's what she wanted to think, but she fully knew she was terrified of him. Him, the man she loved.

If Griselda hadn't make a mention of his sister, he might have killed her.

So far, the only silver linings she had, was no dead girls or a dead nun in her clubroom.

She tried to concentrate on the primary concern, which would be their Excaliburs issue. Even if that didn't concern her at the time, Rias had an inkling that it will in the coming days. Those Excaliburs were kept safe by the churches for a purpose, and that is to not let it fall to the wrong hands.

They failed at that. They're trying to reclaim it, destroy them even, but if they fail again, the Devils will be next in line for casualties. Worse, is that the Excaliburs were reported in her city, and without her knowing anything.

"Rias, what do you want us do with the request?"

That was Akeno's voice. Her Queen standing by her side. She must had noticed she had been avoiding the requests forms. "We'll have to postpone them for now. I can't take the risk."

"Okay."

"Also, I'll have to ask all of you to not wander outside at night." Rias said to her servants, but really, it was only directed at her Knight. "As long as whoever has the Excaliburs remains at large, caution is necessary."

As she had feared, Kiba didn't reply like the others. She doubted he was even listening to her due to how grim he looked.

She sighed. "Yuuto, do you understand?

Rias remembered the first time he glared at her. Back then it was due to distrust, but now it was irritation and defiance. Both saddened her the same.

'It's for his own good.' She steeled herself with that resolve. "Yuuto. I don't want to say it as an order but I will if that's what I need to do."

Everyone was staring at him. At the vengeful blonde Knight. Anxiously waiting for his response. They all knew disobedience could end with him becoming a Stray, and as his party, it will be their duty to dispatch him if that ever comes.

But Kiba smiled. It wasn't a smile he was well-known for. It was cold. Eerie, even. "I understand. Is it fine if I head home now? I'm not feeling well."

"...Alright. Take care of yourself, Yuuto."

Just like him, the rest were silent as he walked outside.

Groaning softly, Rias folded her fingers and lied her forehead against it. "...He'll leave at night for sure... That boy... It's been so long. I had forgotten his purpose of becoming a Devil."

"...Um... can I ask what is it?" Asked Asia.

Rias raised her head. "That's right. You didn't know, did you..."

"Me neither." Rossweisse added. "Is that why he's acting a bit... off?"

"Sadly, yes." That drew out a sigh from her. Rias decided to take a break from... well, everything. Her chair dragged against the wooden panel as she got off her desk, crossing the room to sit on one of the couches. She sat beside Koneko, in front of Rossweisse's seat.

Behind her, she could hear Akeno's tea preparation. The clinking of the ceramic cups as she placed the spoon were too distinct to be mistaken for anything else.

Rias glanced to a couch where Lucifer would lie around, whistling or humming, or cracking jests with Akeno, or just plain sleeping while her work kept her busy. He was just outside the room but she wished he was there.

She then realized both Asia and Rossweisse were looking at her expectantly, waiting with silent excitement close to that of a child. It made her chuckle lightly, before she began, "To start with, the Excalibur is originally a single holy sword. It was broken at some time during the Great War, but through alchemy and magic, the seven fragments were forged into swords. They're not as strong as the original Excalibur, but they each have their own specialties. For example, that large black sword that girl has is possibly Excalibur Destruction, while the other sword is Excalibur Mimic. It's considered very rare for someone to be able to handle the swords. I don't know its criteria, but it's often said that the sword chooses its own wielder."

Not long after, Akeno arrived with a cup of tea, specially made for her.

"Thank you, Akeno."

"Mhmm." Her Queen hummed. Ever so relaxed. She sat next to her, sitting primly. "Go on Buchou. Continue with the story."

Suddenly, she felt like a mom.

After taking a sip, Rias continued. "Years ago, the Church founded an institute." Her expression changed afterwards. Even years after, she was still sickened by heir heinous act. "At the time, it was a project kept secret from us—the Devils, and possibly the Grigori as well. Its main goal is to find a suitable wielder for the Excaliburs, using orphans so they wouldn't have to worry about dealing with the family."

The pieces were connecting. Rossweisse and Asia both had a certain wariness in their eyes, as if knowing it wasn't going to be a story with a nice ending.

"Did you know anything about this, Asia?"

"N-no..." The girl shook her head slowly. "I didn't know until today..."

"I see..." Rias huffed. "I don't know for certain what they did to the... 'test subjects', but I know that they disposed those who failed." Mild fury splashed across her face. "Orphaned children were butchered like animals. When they, the Churches, realized this, they immediately sent an envoy to shut down the project, but the envoy was murdered by those people. The news eventually spread to the Underworld."

"I overheard my brother and father talking about it. I was only 13, and hadn't been a year since I met Koneko," the white-haired girl shifted slightly. Then Rias remembered Kiba wasn't the only servants with a traumatic experience. "but even then I knew that's unforgivable. I had Akeno covering for me while I snuck out from my house. The facility was in a forest in Italy, and it was very well hidden. It was winter too, and the snow didn't help me finding wherever it was, but I did find a boy."

Her face softened. "A boy, not much younger than me. Covered in snow and bleeding. He was fatally wounded, and he was moments away from dying."

"...Yuuto...?"

"Yes." Rias nodded at Rossweisse. (12.)"It was him. He was young, but, even in his last breath, he only had one wish. When I asked him what he wanted, he said, 'To live and kill them.'. He was only 13. What 13-years-old boy would have that as a wish?"

She took a deep breath and let off a deep sigh. "It took a few years, but he finally trusted us. The Devils. And in that few years, he became the Kiba you all know. I thought he had changed, but he hasn't. Seeing those Excaliburs the girls carried must have triggered his memory. I thought I succeeded in helping him, but obviously I didn't. He's like a little brother to me. If something happens to him, or if... he abandoned me, us, for the sake of his revenge... I... I don't know what I would do."

The room went still silent. Rias could even feel the heaviness of the air. She wished Lucifer would come in from the door and sit next to her and tell her... anything. Anything at all. But he hadn't spoken to anyone since that... incident. Like her Knight, her lover might need some time alone.

"...Oh goodness... why is there so much to do?" With that exasperated statement, Rias got up with her cup of tea and a lighter mood. It felt better just by talking about it. Perhaps Lucifer would too. If, by some miracle, she could get him to talk first.

If she couldn't, then perhaps Rossweisse could...

"You can all leave now. There's not much to do and most clients requests for night-time visit. Think of it as a holiday." Afterwards, Rias settled herself on her desk, back on her chair and back with the paperwork. Shifting through several pages, she realized something.

Her servants were still here. "...Is something wrong? It's fine if you want to go. There's really nothing much to be done."

"I think we're all very worried about Kiba-kun, Buchou." Akeno said softly with her trademark smile. "Aren't we a big happy family? Don't we have to look after each other? Ufufufu~"

A smile crept to her lips. "What do you have in mind?"

"I'll guard him." Rossweisse stood up, presenting herself. "As a Valkyrie my job is... was to protect Odin. I'm a Devil now. Let me look after him."

Even with slightly enflamed eyes, she didn't look less brave. "Very well. You'll be assigned to watch over my Knight until I tell you otherwise."

A hand was raised. "I want to go too."

"Koneko?"

"Kiba-senpai has sharp senses. I can hide better than Sensei." That was a mild jape at Rossweisse right there, one she had successfully concealed. "I can follow him and tell Sensei where he is."

"..." Rias hoped she made the right decision. "Alright. But remember to report back to me. Anything that happens and before you're going to take action. Understood?" The two nodded decisively in response. '...If only you realized how much we care...'

"In the meantime, Asia," the blonde girl straightened her posture out of surprise. "you'll stay here with me. There's an unused guest room beside mine. It was originally meant to be Lucifer's but..."

"Ara~? But what?"

Hearing Akeno's evocative giggles, Rias gulped. "A-anyway, pack some of your clothes. While she's away, you'll be safe here with me."

"Yes! Thank you Buchou." The girl couldn't look more thankful. She's such a sweet girl more fitting to be an Angel. Rias genuinely felt for her.

"Hmm...? Are you going to let her hear your nighttime activities with Lucifer-sama, Buchou? Adding more of his 'mark' on your neck?"

"N-nonsense. I don't know what you're talking about." Rias insisted as she consciously rubbed her neck, hiding the hickeys and inwardly cursing Akeno for being so perceptive. No one seemed to understand her meaning, fortunately. May the innocence of her servants remains untouched by her mature jibes.

"All of you are free to leave. Stay safe."

With that problem given a solution, Rias moved on to the next problem.

Break

'Summer is coming.'

Those three words echoed in his turbulent mind as he plainly stared at the burning yellow orb in the blue skies, in midst of all the ominous grey clouds. He felt irritated just by knowing the season of hotness and insects is looming, just lurking right at the corner of spring.

Lucifer had been silent, but his mind was distraught. Not even the sun itself could distract him from it. It was anger, disappointment, gloominess, feeling of abandonment, and confusion all mixed into one jumble of a chaotic mess. There was an empty spot in the little place in his heart where his sister used to stay.

Hearing a click from the door behind him, he glanced past his shoulder. It appeared to him the Devils had finished their discussion. Good. He didn't want to bother them. He was not in the greatest of moods and the last thing he needed was to be a nuisance.

"Leaving now?"

Rossweisse halted her walk. She had thought he wanted to be left alone. Him talking to her was a relief. "Yes..." approaching him, she fidgeted. "...Umm... thanks for cheering me up, Lucifer."

He smiled softly. "Anytime sweetheart."

The rest of the Devils went ahead. Akeno glanced at the two and tittered loud on purpose, causing her teacher to fluster. But she noticed Lucifer wasn't laughing along or even spared so much of a smirk. Instead, he looked out the window.

"See you soon, Lucifer-sama. I hope you feel better." Then she bowed at Rossweisse. "Sensei."

Lucifer nodded while Rossweisse replied with something, before turning at him and realizing the little she could do. She hoped Rias could do better than her at this... In the end, she still couldn't help him.

At the least, she should be able to help her student. "...I have to leave too. ...Take care, Lucifer."

His head bobbed the same way he did earlier.

With a long, dreary exhale of a sigh, Lucifer caressed the wooden finishing of the window's bottom frame. No dust. The staff did a magnificent job at keeping the dirt away. Not a single speck whatsoever.

Who was he kidding... he couldn't even kid himself to be concerned with the building's maintenance. His head felt like exploding. Too many meandering thoughts that twisted his brain and tied his guts to knots. He didn't like this feeling. He avoided it his hardest, but it's simply unavoidable. He felt as if he had lost the ability to distract himself, and he wondered if it was a good thing or a bad thing, and it only conflicted him more.

Reality slapped him as a hand caressed his.

Lucifer turned around at her. The worry in her blue-green eyes were apparent. "Princess? I didn't notice you're here."

"...Are you alright...?"

Right. It's only normal she'd ask him. He should be worried if she didn't. "I was, until ten minutes ago. Then I blew up." The only thing he could do after making a mistake is admitting it. "I'm sorry, Princess. This is your ground, not mine."

In all honesty, Rias wasn't expecting the maturity. "I-it's fine... things didn't go as planned, but... I'm sure we'll handle it." She offered a soft, encouraging smile. "Please don't think about it too much... You must have a reason to."

A reason she'd like to know. Rias held her breath for a moment as Lucifer peered outside again, leaving her wondering whatever he was thinking right then. She had a guess, but she wasn't sure if it's a topic he wanted to talk about right now.

Another sigh. She deserved to know. "My sister, Gabriel..." Rias moved closer to him to listen. "She's a... she's a very sweet girl." Lucifer smiled at the reminiscence. "I was there when Father made her. She was so small. So innocent. There's no baby more beautiful than her."

"As she grew, we'd spend hours just walking around Eden. Sometimes she'd play with my hair or bugged me to braid hers. When I did, she would pet all animals she could find, and they would flock to her. She's essentially a Disney princess."

A smile graced her lips. A smile that disappeared as soon as his smile did. "Before my banishment, before my trial that sealed that banishment, when almost all of the Angels—everyone who was there, even those who I thought were my brothers, mocked my view of those petty humans, she was the only one who didn't. Of course there were a few others who agreed with me... 72 others... in fact. But she was my only sibling who didn't."

Lucifer shook his head, as if it could shake away the bitter pain. "God I love her so much. Missed her so much. Her smile, her laughter, her hair, her... everything. I don't miss anything that blasted place has. Not its glitters. Not its gold. Not its laughter or joy or the choirs. I only missed her."

"The last time I felt this way was when I knew I couldn't see her as often. Almost never, in fact. Not even after I was elected as the Ruler of Hell. I had the entire Underworld under my rule, and it failed to fill the gap she left behind."

"...Lucifer..." Rias felt she was on the verge of tears. She wished she could feel his pain, but she couldn't. Her siblings loved her and she could see them every day. She felt the same way to her servants. All of them.

Akeno, Koneko, Kiba, Asia, and now him. Everyone had felt pain while she hadn't, and she couldn't stop blaming herself, because all she could say to them was; "I'm sorry..."

And like they did to her, he dismissed her apology.

"Do you want to know the truth?"

"Yes?" Rias glanced up at him, doing her desperate best to hide her lack of confidence. He needed comfort more than she did.

"I can't remember her face. I can't-" He couldn't finish it. Instead Lucifer took a deep, long breath and rested his eyes. "...I'd give anything to see her again. I'd wage another war if I'm a complete lunatic. But even during the war I've never seen her once. Now I'm thinking she won't want to see me. Perhaps I do have no siblings."

Oh she felt horrible. And all she could do was hold his hand. "...You have me..." she whispered hopefully. "I'm not your sister but... I love you."

Lucifer could easily see the affection in her eyes. "...I don't like being brooding. It doesn't fit me." He chuckled ironically. "Did I sadden you?"

Rias gently shook her head. "...Do you want to lie down?"

"I need a drink. Something strong and dry. Gin and... anything, really." Lucifer grumbled. Anything that could make him forget what had happened. Unfortunately, no such thing exists aside from amnesia and dementia. Both he's fine not experiencing.

He saw her troubled look. Poor girl must had been thinking what to say after that. He really needed a person he could drink with.

"But sure." Lucifer sighed despondently. "Seeing that there's no drinks nearby, and the pub's shut tight... let's settle with lying down shall we?"

The two was back in their cozy bedroom. Freed from tepid air and the niggling pollens, and all of the scent of spring. She couldn't care less about spring and its end, though she had often heard him complaining about it. The Devil took a moment as he stood by the air conditioner. Taking in its motorized cooling breeze while the Gremory heiress had stopped by the door leading to her bathroom.

She looked at him. Eyes closed as the cold wind splashed against his face. "...You'll get sick Lucifer." As if. He's Lucifer. "I'm going to take a shower... a... cold one..." her lips curled to a shy but suggestive smile. "...With you... you'd like..."

Lucifer contemplated. Then he remembered. "You don't like cold showers, Princess."

"I'll... get used to it." She said mostly to herself. "...Lucifer... you've done plenty for me. Let me pay it back."

"Goodwill doesn't need a payback."

"Then let me show you my thankfulness." Rias pleaded. "Anything. Just... just let me help. I'll do anything. I don't like seeing you like this... If there's something, anything I can do, please tell me."

Her sincerity moved him. It was like a slap. A slap that made him understand the first and sole reason he was first determined to keep himself in his cheerful mood; so others wouldn't worry for him.

"You just did, Princess." Lucifer smiled, genuinely this time. Rias kept him on her head as he approached her, the bedroom's carpet silencing his movements. He stood before her, and his eyes showed all she needed to know as he leaned in.

She closed her eyes, parted her lips slightly in anticipation. She could feel his minty breath poking the tip of her nose as her heart pumped. She could feel the warmth of his body gently caressing her own, his virile scent, and his strong arms as one held her by her waist, and the other slinked beneath her crimson locks.

Rias exhaled. His lips brushed against hers innocently. But she knew him better than that. If her recent experiences were any hints, Lucifer was anything but innocent. She was proven to be true as he pressed his lips. Slow and gentle, he kissed her, and her world fell away. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words could never be. His quiet act of gratitude for loving him.

His hand cupped her face, and his thumb caressed her cheek as their breath mingled. She let a sigh escape between their lips as his hand massaged her scalp, and she found herself already hugging him in return, longing for more.

As he pulled away, leaving her lips with a lonely feeling, Rias stared into his eyes. The tenderness in those browns that reminded her of a coffee bean. And how perfect his jaw looked even with the stubbles. And then his smile that hid his pearly whites. Her heart beat hard for him. She thought he could hear it beating.

She smiled at him.

She moved away, stepping into the bathroom, where then Rias lifted her blouse. As she let if all to the floor, her crimson hair fell down gracefully, like a crimson curtain to her smooth, hickeys-riddled back. She unclasped the hook of her purple bra; something which Lucifer seemed to do more often than she did as of late.

The brassiere slid down to join the blouse, and soon enough, her light orange skirt followed.

With only her purple laced lingerie preventing her from being stark naked, Rias turned to face him. Her heartbeat never lost speed and her cheeks were burning, but seeing the return of his smirk was worth it.

His stare was easy. It wasn't piercing in any way, but she felt as if he was sweeping over her body. She felt he was gently caressing her with his laid-back gaze. Shyly, she glanced down at her chest, and seeing the bruises only made her self-conscious. Ultimately Rias crossed her arms across her breasts as her nervousness triumphed over her poise.

"W-w... well don't just stand there..." She stammered as she looked away. "...You're making me blush..."

His smirk broadened. "You're effortlessly sensual."

As she became fully aware of the unthinkable she had done, her face reddened and Rias decided a retreat to the shower was needed. Ditching her panties somewhere in the bathroom, she then turned the faucet. Ice cold water greeted her skin like hail. So cold that she almost leaked out a cry.

She shivered, and as she looked to the glass door, Lucifer stood there, all prepared for a shower with the same self-satisfied smirk on his face.

"You should've started from your feet." he laughed as he entered, causing her to move away to give him space. He didn't flinch as the icy water spiked his back, and Rias felt as though she was being shielded.

Before she could admire his body, Lucifer gently pulled her close. Her plump, youthful breasts pressed against his broad chest, and Rias closed her eyes in anticipation.

"You'd think you should start out slow and warm..." He said, his voice not more than a whisper as he kissed her. Gently, this time. No bites, not nibbles, just a simple innocent peck on the lips. As he parted, he gave her a grin. "But then... how can you feel the thrill?"

"First, rinse your feet with the water. Then, your arms," He said like a tutor as he took her hand, and brought them close to him so he could kiss her palm, wrist, then all over her forearm. "Next, your head..."

Rias moved towards him, letting his lips caress hers once again. Few moans escaped her mouth, and more as he nipped her lower lip. He was fierily passionate and demanding, and very unwilling to lose. Not once he allowed her tongue a moment of respite even though she barely put up a fight. He was merciless. If her head was clear, she'd think her tongue would be bruised like her lips. She couldn't think much at the time, but she loved it.

"Hah... Ah..." By the time he pulled away, her breath was in tatters and her legs felt weak. Her chest rose and fell, and her pink buds hardened from both the cold water and the hotness brewing within her chest.

Another moan escaped as his hands glided down to her hips, as did his gaze to her lips. Down to her cascading wet crimson hair that latched on her tits like a wet shirt. He saw the red marks signifying what had and will follow soon and his grin broadened.

He cupped her breast and tore another of her moans, louder and sharper this time. He squeezed her gently, feeling his fingers sink and her pert nipple slid between his fingers. He enjoyed her little whimpers, her barely muffled voice that oftentimes escalated into a lewd moan.

"Perfect body. Perfect hair. Perfect mind." He hummed deeply. Silently, but not without a healthy dose of playfulness as his left thumb pressed her lips. "Perfect lips... Who am I to deserve you?"

She couldn't stand the lust. She wanted him so much that it was painful. "Please...Lucifer..."

"Turn around."

There was slight confusion and sadness in her eyes, but Rias did as she was told. She yelped as Lucifer had her pressed against the cold tiles. She could feel the cold biting her breasts. Oddly enough, that raised her desire. Without being told or being ushered by his hands, she had unconsciously spread her legs for him.

Rias arched her body forward as she felt the cold water slithering down her spine, causing her to shiver as it slid all the way to base of her back.

Meanwhile, Lucifer was busy admiring her. The way her damp crimson hair cascaded over her skin to her sides, the curves of her body, the delicate line of her back, her lovely ample bottom. Rias shuddered lightly as his hand grasped her smooth ass, tracing its curve before settling between her thighs, focusing on the wet warmth of her body and the juices that flowed.

"Lucifer..." Why was he going so slow? She wanted him to just ravish her. "Mnn... HYAAAN?!" Then without warning, he delved deep into her in one thrust. Her body arched forward. She cried out a long hot moan of fulfillment.

He slid an arm around her body, cupping her breast and this time hungrily. He squeezed her hard, as hard as he fucked her, and Rias' mewling moans bounced over the shower's wall and mirrors.

Lucifer growled and seethed his teeth as he pulled her so he could whisper to her. "You're gripping too tight Rias; I can't move. Relax yourself."

Rias nodded meekly, but before she could try, Lucifer's hand had made way to her wet folds and two fingers pinched her clit.

"Kh- HYAAH!"

She cried out then as she came. Straining against him so intensely as her juice ran through her thighs.

The way she moved was one sensual and lewd sight. Even Lucifer wondered how he managed to restrain himself this far.

As she shivered, the leftovers of that burst of pleasure still tingling deep within her, Lucifer rammed her. Hard. Her tits bounced as he shoved deep into her. To hell with going slow. To hell with pacing. To hell with those Angels in Heaven. He wanted to hear her voice and he wanted to make her cry in pleasure as loud as he could.

And he did. Her voice hitched. She was losing her mind. Rias fumbled behind with her hands, reaching around his neck as Lucifer kept grip of her hips, not once stopping his movements. She turned her head, searching for his lips, and Lucifer appeased her by giving her what she wanted.

"Mmf-! Mmn... Nnhah..." She panted at the rough kiss, no longer able to keep up as his tongue and mouth ravished hers, sucking her tongue eagerly. She could barely speak. All she wanted was for this to continue and to feel him around her and in her more.

Rias leaked out a sad moan when Lucifer pulled away from her, his cock sliding out long and slick from her love juices. But then he turned her and lifted both her legs effortlessly. Still able to think, Rias wrapped her legs around his hips and arms around his neck. She pushed her body to his chest as Lucifer reentered her.

She gazed into his dark eyes with need. Lust practically had overwhelmed those jewels of hers.

Her lusty expression brought mirth to his smirk. "Enjoying this aren't you?"

"Yes... please... fuck me..." The smooth cold stone was pressed onto her back, but she couldn't feel anything other than the pulsating hotness of his cock.

He moved powerfully, hungry for her, and Rias could only moan and moan. Her sweet, sweet, lewd moan that was music to his ears, along with the rhythmical slapping of their thighs together as he ploughed her deep and ravenously in and out of her rapt body.

Rias cried loud and fervently in pleasure, cumming yet again and gripping him tight. But her walls were now wet enough for him to continue.

Unable to close her mouth, Rias kept moaning. She was no longer the proud Heiress of the Gremory, but instead a lustful woman striving for him. She couldn't move her body anymore despite her desires. She had lost count on how many times she had climaxed. Too in love with him and his long, juice-dribbled hard cock ramming her. Her hold on his neck was slipping, and if Lucifer let go of her, she wouldn't have the strength to stand.

With an expression similar to fury but with a wicked smile, Lucifer pressed his forehead to hers, staring deep into her, enjoying her brimming lust and her vulgar expression, enjoying the bouncing of her hickey-riddled breasts, gleaming due to the shower water.

Lucifer let out a low growl, a guttural groan that reverberated through him as he plunged intensely into her, kept on thrusting as he finally came. Even while climaxing, he refused to stop fucking her. Rias felt his hot semen bursting up fast inside her, filling her with satisfaction.

They both were panting hard as Lucifer stopped. Their chests swelled and fell, and her legs were shivering, their love-juices dribbling down her lustrous thighs and to the drenched floor beneath them. She didn't stop quivering as she squirted one more time.

Lucifer smiled, contented and refreshed, and pulled out of her slowly as he untangled her arms from his.

As he stepped away, her knees immediately gave in. Rias slumped against the wall and to the floor, her head lolled almost like a ragdoll. Her entire body was flushed, her thighs jittered every now and then, and Rias was exhausted. Spent, but immensely satisfied.

The Devil chuckled at the sight. Knowing he had successfully turned her into one hot mess fueled his pride as a man and her lover.

"You fared better than this noon Princess." Lucifer teased with a gentle laughter. He did most of the work, but he did not mind one bit.

Rias responded with battered breaths and a weak nod of her head, causing him to chuckle.

The showers continued to drizzle, damping his brown hair as Lucifer revered the Heiress. What one hot mess of a bombshell she was.

"Alright, let's get you cleaned up shall we?" He offered as he lifted her by her armpits. Still without strength, Rias fell into him. Lucifer readily caught her, hugging her tight as he softly kissed her cheek.

"...Rest..." she managed, her breathing still winded. "I need... rest..."

Gods she was so adorably sexy. "If you say so, Princess." With one hand keeping her supported, Lucifer turned the faucet and the rain stopped suddenly. He levitated a towel to clean off the juices on his dick and her cunt and thighs, and then held her tenderly as he cast a gust of warm wind, licking away the water off their skin and hair.

"Thank you Princess." He whispered to her as he lifted her up once again. Rias lied her head on his chest, resting her eyes as her lips curled. "You've been very considerate."

"...Did I make you happy...?"

Lucifer chuckled, carrying outside the shower carefully. "Very."

"I'm glad..."

How could one could be so erotic and now cute at the next moment. "You, are one sweet lady."

They both shivered as Lucifer stepped out of the bathroom, and Rias held him tighter. It felt like walking into a freezer for her. He forgot this Devil had one strong air conditioner.

Quickly, but carefully, he made way to the bed and gently lied her there. It didn't take long for the Gremory to curl herself in her blanket, and she waited as Lucifer sauntered to their shared dresser. Unlike her, he didn't enjoy sleeping naked. She forgot the exact reason, but it had something to do with the blanket grazing against his member.

Wait. That is the exact reason.

She waited and watched, smiling at the sight of his chiseled chest and stomach, remembering the vulgar warmth they had shared just now.

As she noticed he had finished wearing his dark green boxer briefs and a pair of comfortable shorts, Rias spread her arms and stared at him longingly. She wished nothing more than a cuddle.

Lucifer complied. Once he shut out all the lights in their bedroom, letting darkness envelop the chilly place, The Devil slid into the bed, scooting closer and closer to her until they could hold each other.

It wouldn't take long before she fell asleep. Rias knew. Hence why she said it before her exhaustion prevented her.

"...I love you."

"I do too, Princess. You know I love you."

Amiable warmth filled her heart, and Rias snuggled to his chest once again, smiling contentedly. At least until he squeezed her left breast with a chuckle; "And your body too."

Rias blushed and pouted then.

Break

She regretted at what she could've done but didn't do. No one but herself to blame.

But she shouldn't. Remembering what Lucifer had said and done for her, all those words and his support, Rossweisse had resolved to ditch her insecurity and focus on the task at hand, and that was to look after her student and fellow Devil.

She cast a glance to the sky, becoming uneasy at the impending dark clouds hovering above her. She never liked thunder. Then she looked down the street. Soon, she'd have to take a left to her apartment, but not Kiba's. His was still a couple of blocks away from there.

Afterwards, she will have to rely on Koneko.

And they arrived at the crossroad. "...Are you sure you can do this?"

"Yes." The petite Devil insisted. "Don't worry Sensei."

"It's a teacher's job to worry about her students you know." Rossweisse sighed as Koneko strutted away. Her expression stoic. "Be careful!"

"...I hope they will be okay. I wish I can pray for them."

Rossweisse patted Asia's head. "You're a good girl Asia. They'll be alright. Toujou's a strong girl and Yuuto's a skilled swordsman. Believe in them." She smiled hearteningly, and Asia beamed back. "Well then... let's get back. We still need to pack your stuff."

But the smile of the former Holy Maiden was short lived. "Oh... I hope I won't bother Mr. Lucifer and Buchou..."

'I wish I could bother them.' Sounded one rueful and jealous thought belonging to the Valkyrie. "You won't. They'll be happy with you around."

Thirty minutes had passed since she parted ways with her teacher and Asia, and Koneko hadn't yet managed to find him. She had reported both to Rossweisse and Rias that Kiba was nowhere in his apartment.

Unpleasant thoughts raced into her mind, and as the clouds rumbled, Koneko quickened her pace down the road.

'Kiba-senpai, where are you?'

She had been in the park and searched through the shopping district, any place where she thought she could find him, but she still didn't. Her worry grew and grew, and it began to gnaw on her patient and stoic façade.

The color of the city drained away as the ominous clouds blocked the sun. A splatter of rain hit her nose, and Koneko wrinkled it in annoyance. She had to find him. He had to be somewhere. There's still that power that she could use... but... No. No, she refused.

Gritting her teeth, Koneko rushed to where she knew the old abandoned church was located. That place was off-limit to the Devils, but not after what had happened a month ago, where the Fallen Angels broke the treaty. She was unsure if some of the crows were there, but she had an inkling they had something to do with the death of the priests and others.

If she was thinking about dealing with the Excaliburs... and knowing the Devils had no part in it, the church that was once a base for those questionable cultists would be the first place she would investigate.

And she was right. Hundreds of meters away, where she was close enough to see its shabby roof, she sensed the Fallen Angels. Koneko was alerted, every nerve tingling with dread as she hid into the woods nearby.

Gingerly, she took out her cellphone, but before she looked into her contact book, a thought crossed her mind that stopped her.

Should she tell Rias? She will demand her to stay back for sure. Her King would never allow her to go into the crow's nest no matter what. If she told her teacher, Rossweisse might inform Rias. If she asked her to compromise with her, Koneko doubted she could lie or keep it to herself.

Swallowing her uncertainty, Koneko shoved the phone back in her jean shorts' pocket. She didn't want to worry either of them. She wasn't going to head in there headfirst either as she's still unsure if Kiba was there. She could feel many Fallen Angels in there; their holiness was a distinct characteristic. But she couldn't detect a single Devil.

Then the rain started to pour. Heavily without any warning. The leaves of the trees were hardly any cover, and as the rain hailed over her and her clothes, Koneko grumbled.

She decided her senior wasn't there, and opted to get back to Akeno's shrine, when then her sharp hearing picked up the sound of violence among the sound of the rain. She leapt back into her hiding spot, behind a few thick shrubberies and killed her presence.

And saw a Fallen Angel towering against a girl that was on the ground, seemingly bloodied. She couldn't tell who it was due to the distance and the vision blurred by rain, but she's certain it was one of the girls sent by the Church.

...She wondered if they like to get into trouble.

She heard cursing from the man's mouth. He was tall and creepily pale, but he was strong. She wouldn't last long against him, and Koneko didn't know those girls enough to danger her life to save them. But she stayed, however, as a spectator. As a scout for Rias Gremory.

The man then grabbed a sword off the ground. It had a thin blade, like a katana. He handed it over to someone else that just arrived. This time, she knew who it was.

'Freed...' The crazy exorcist who ran away at the night when her King reincarnated Asia. She watched them talk a bit more, then the white-haired man blasted into a laughing fit as he looked down on the girl. The taller man went back inside, Koneko's eyes followed him, but her attention was torn away when she heard a painful scream.

That maniac, he was carving something to the girl's back using the sword; the Excalibur Mimic. Koneko thought she could hear the girl start crying between her screams, but Freed kept laughing.

Koneko clenched her fist. She didn't want to, but every fiber in her body was screaming at her to help the girl. Her concern was with Kiba, not that girl or Freed or the Fallen Angels.

Turning a blind eye, she silently moved over the bushes, treaded the forest until it was safe for her to come out and darted back home. Yet, before she turned around and leave, she found him.

"Senpai!?"

It was brief, but Kiba's eyes were dead sharp. That murderous gaze could only mean one thing. As the blonde Knight continued his silent charge, closing in the exorcist with a blindind speed, Koneko realized something. Something that she had forgotten and never felt once after her abandonment. Koneko remembered how dreadful it was; the fear of losing someone she held dear.

To be continued...