Chapter 7: Turning Point

The suburbs of Washington D.C.

A Friday afternoon, Mid-Autumn.

Although it is not quite sunset, the sun is most definitely closer to the horizon than the middle of the sky. Walking under this afternoon sun is a young man with caramel skin and a ponytail made up of individual braids. The young man, Ryuken, is walking home from another day of school while deep in thought, reflecting on the last 2 years.

'it's been 2 years since my bloodline awakened. I haven't really made much progress with it, though.'

Although Ryuken has put a lot of effort into improving his bloodline ability, his maximum range has only increased from 15 ft to 20 ft (approx. 4.5 m to approx. 6 m). Even though his range has not increased much, his power and precision have improved greatly. With his mental imaging, Ryuken was able to increase the hardness and sharpness of his petals. Also, he discovered that if he used his hands to guide his image of the petal's movement, the speed would increase, and that speed compounds if he uses his boxing skill to control the petals.

'I guess I'll be a mid-range fighter at most.'

Letting out a sigh, Ryuken shook his head to get rid of the negativity. 'At least the demonic power control training is going well.'

In the last 2 years, Ryuken went from splattering whatever room he was practicing in with water, to being able to coat both of his hands up to the elbow or both of his feet up to the top of the ankle; finely enough to not disrupt the water in the slightest. By coating his hands, he can pull water out of the bowl and throw it like a ball. And with enough concentration and an energy coating on the soles of his feet, he can even walk on water.

'I'm glad I taught the energy control training method to Riri an So-Tan, too.'

Ryuken also taught Rias and Sona this method of training, although he disguised it as a game. Although, this game often devolved into a water fight after both Rias and Sona were able to coat their hands entirely. What Ryuken finds the most interesting, however, is that Rias and Sona might as well be completely equal in terms of demonic power control, but they each excel in a different aspect. Sona, for example, can change the shape of the water ball into anything she can think of. Whereas Rias can raise the density of the water ball by inserting her demonic power into it finely.

'I haven't seen either of them in about half a year. I wonder what they've been up to...' Thought Ryuken, "Riri is probably spoiling Millicas. And I can't even imagine what lengths So-Tan is going to, to become a worthy heir for the Sitri house."

Millicas is the son of Sirzechs and his wife Grayfia Lucifuge, he was born shortly after Ryuken awakened his bloodline. Grayfia takes raising him very seriously, and is strict with her teachings.

'I bet they'll be surprised how close I am to mid-class in my demonic energy reserves, though'

Actually, the girls are both looking forward to Ryuken growing stronger. All because of one thoughtless statement that came out of Ryuken's mouth... "I know the 2 of you are strong, but I'll become even stronger. Strong enough so that when you really need me, I'll be able to save you." That statement led to the first crush of the 2 high-born devil ladies.

Passing the convenience store closest to his house, Ryuken snapped out of his introspection.

"Huh? How'd I get here so fast?" Ryuken asked himself aloud. Not thinking about it too deeply, Ryuken continued, "Well it doesn't matter, I'm gonna get me a bag of chips before I go home."

But before he could take 2 steps, his instincts told him that he needed to rush home. Believing in his instincts, Ryuken sprinted back, wishing he could use his demonic energy without consequence. However, even though he is worried about why his instincts are ringing alarm bells in his head, he is not frantic enough to disregard his safety.

"I don't know what's making me feel this way, but I hope everything is all right.' Ryuken thought while steadily increasing his speed.

Ryuken rounded the last corner and froze at what he saw. His house was engulfed in flames and surrounded by the neighbors.

'These are light based flames. But why?'

"What... the fuck is going on?" Ryuken muttered to himself as he watched the current situation in utter confusion. In panic, Ryuken began raising his voice, "Seriously, what the f--- Hmph."

Suddenly, Ryuken was grabbed from behind and had his mouth covered. "Ryuken, calm down. It is me Grayfia."

Grayfia Lucifuge, wife of Sirzechs Lucifer and [Queen] of his peerage, is a tall, beautiful young woman with silver hair down to her back, framed by 2 braids with blue bows on their ends, bangs that cover her forehead, and smaller braids that frame her face, she has red eyes and wears read lipstick as a cosmetic accessory. She can often be seen in a blue French made uniform with a white apron and silver accents.

"Big Sis Grayfia?"

Knowing that Grayfia was present calmed Ryuken down quite a bit, however, her presence did not completely remove his anxiety over the situation.

"Where is my father? And why is my house on fire?" Ryuken asked as calmly as he could, given the current situation.

"Your father is in the Underworld; in Gremory territory, everything will be explained once we arrive." Replied Grayfia, then she continued, "I shall teleport us there. We need to hurry, before it is too late."

Hearing Grayfia's reply, Ryuken had a sinking feeling as thoughts of the worst began to take hold. Unable to speak he could only nod in ascent.

With Ryuken's nod, Grayfia conjured a teleportation circle. After a moment, Grayfia and Ryuken were nowhere to be seen.

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Gremory Mansion

In a bedroom in the Gremory Mansion, a pale Shinichi is lying in bed, taking shallow breaths. Surrounding the bed there are 3 people. The first is a handsome middle-aged man with long crimson red hair tied into a loose ponytail with a black band and bright blue-green eyes. The second is a beautiful young woman with shoulder length flaxen hair and violet eyes, and the last is a handsome young man with shoulder length crimson red hair and bright blue-green eyes.

These 3 are the current patriarch of the Gremory Clan, Zeoticus Gremory, his wife, Venelana Gremory, and their son, Satan Sirzechs Lucifer.

"How did this happen?" Asked Zeoticus.

"More importantly, how will Ryu-Kun handle this?" Asked Venelana, clearly worried about Ryuken's well-being.

"It... was... *cough* a... trap. *cough* *cough*." Wheezed out Shinichi between painful coughs.

"Shinichi, do not speak, conserve your strength." Reprimanded Sirzechs.

"If it was a trap, then we must have a leak, but who could it be?" Asked Zeoticus.

"Who else could it be..." Hissed Sirzechs through clinched teeth. "Could it be anyone other than those damned schemers from the Great King Faction?"

"We can, under no circumstances, allow Ryu-Kun to find---" Began Venelana with some fear of the future, before being interrupted by Shinichi.

"No… he needs... to know..., so... he can... grow."

"But---"

"Ryuken... will not... loose him... self. He... is my... son." Wheezed Shinichi with a proud smile. "Sirzechs, please..."

Seeing the look in Shinichi's eyes, Sirzechs nodded in agreement. Even if he is unwilling.

'I will just put a tail on him if he begins to show signs of instability.' Sirzechs thought, opting to keep that thought to himself.

Before the conversation could continue, a teleportation magic circle appeared off to the side of the room. After a moment and a flash of light, Grayfia and Ryuken appeared in the magic circle before it vanished.

Looking around the room, Ryuken noticed his father lying in bed, in terrible condition. He immediately rushed to the bed side and grabbed his father's hand.

"Pop, who could do this to you? You're so strong. Ultimate-class, right?" Asked Ryuken in panic. "You're gonna be okay, right? Right!?"

Seeing his son, Shinichi smiled. In a state of, what seems to be, terminal lucidity, Shinichi gave Ryuken is final address.

"Please, Ryuken, calm down." Shinichi said to Ryuken, as the latter tried to hold back his tears. "I failed a mission; these are the consequences. I do not have much time left. So, let me tell you, you have made me proud, my son. Prouder than any of my own accomplishments."

With difficulty, Shinichi attempted to raise his hand to Ryuken's head.

Seeing his father's effort, Ryuken held his father's arm and helped him raise his hand.

With his hand on Ryuken's head, Shinichi continued.

"Remember this Ryuken, you were born to Shinichi Senbonzakura and Lauren Taylor-Senbonzakura. 2 proud parents who could not be prouder of how you have grown so far." Shinichi paused for a moment and began to rub Ryuken's head. Then he continued. "But now it is up to you to grow in a way you can always be proud of. Do you understand, my son?"

With tears staining his handsome face, Ryuken replied with a firm, "Yes, father."

Shinichi nodded with difficulty, but the pride in his eyes, which were looking at Ryuken, never faded. He then looked at Sirzechs and said, "Lord Lu--- Sirzechs-Aniki, I must *cough* *cough* leave the rest---"

Unable to finished his sentence, Shinichi took his last breath... With a proud smile.

===3 days later===

Over the last 3 days, Sirzechs told Ryuken the details of his father's death. Shinichi was on a mission to assassinate an 8-winged fallen angel. But the target already knew when and where he would attack. Thus, Shinichi stepped into a trap and was surrounded by 7 8-winged fallen angels and a 10-winged fallen angel. He did manage to eliminate his target and flee, but his injuries were too severe and he succumbed.

Ever since that conversation took place, Ryuken has spent almost all of his time in the room where his father passed. Other than meal time, which he took with the Gremory family. During meals, he would see Rias, and he noticed the concern in her eyes. However, he was not ready to speak with her, yet.

Rias Gremory is a few weeks younger than Ryuken. She has crimson red hair and bright blue-green eyes, which she inherited from her father, the same as her brother. Her hair is long enough to reach her hips with a strand that stands up on the top of her head and bangs that cover her eyebrows and frame her face.

Today, after dinner, Rias asked Venelana if there was anything she could do for Ryuken. Seeing the concern in her daughter's eyes, Venelana could only tell her that Ryuken needed time to stand up after losing his father.

Feeling as though there was nothing, she can do for her friend, Rias walked back to her bedroom with her head down. As she neared her destination, she bumped, head first, into someone. Startled and angered at being disturbed Rias began to lash out.

"What are you doing!? How dare you stand in my way!? I shall have you punished for---"

As Rias raised her head, she noticed the one she ran into was Ryuken.

"Ryu-Kun..."

Before she could say anymore, Ryuken hugged her tightly and said, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I made you worry."

As he apologized, Rias could feel his tears falling onto her shoulder and neck. Realizing that Ryuken is crying, Rias also began to cry.

"It's okay. I know you are hurting much more than I am." Replied Rias in a trembling voice. She was shocked as she could not remember ever seeing Ryuken cry.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

"It's Okay..."

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay... It's really okay..."

After repeating this back and forth for a few minutes, they looked each other in the eye... and began laughing simultaneously.

Stepping back and breaking the hug, Ryuken did not notice the disappointment in Rias' expression. Taking Her hands in his, Ryuken began to speak.

"Rias, you, Sona, the Gremorys and the Sitris are all I have left in this world. I refuse to let anything or anyone be taken from me again." Ryuken paused to take a deep breath before continuing, "I will become strong. So strong that people will think twice before hurting those I, Ryuken L Senbonzakura, deem important."

*Bu-dump*

Rias felt her heart skip a beat. 'Ryu-Kun is so cool.' Thought Rias as her face began to flush.

"Rias, when you get your Evil Pieces, I want to join your peerage as your [Queen]." Said Ryuken, which brought a smile to Rias' face. Ryuken's next words, however, caused that smile to freeze in place. "But I won't join you if you end up weaker than me by the time you get your pieces."

"Ryu-Kun, you idiot!!!" Shouted Rias in anger as Ryuken ruined the atmosphere.

"Hahahahaha! You're stronger than me now, but you'd better train hard or I'll be too strong for you to use even your queen on me."

"I hate you, Ryu-Kun. I hate you so much right now."

"Aaaaaahahahahahahahahaha!!!"

"Shinichi-San was right. He did not lose himself." Venelana said to herself, as she listened to the children from around the nearest corner with Zeoticus, Sirzechs, and Grayfia.

"That is right." Replied Sirzechs, "He's Shinichi's son, after all."