The duo ran out the elevator when they reached the grounds only to not see Koneko anywhere. Rias quickly tried to call her familiar but Haru stopped her before she could raise her hand. Before she could ask why, Haru took a sniff of the air a few times before his head shot forward. "That way! Her scent is coming from there!" Haru quickly sprinted his way out. Rias was trailing behind before asking something that plagued her mind.
"How did you know what her scent was?" She asked with narrowed eyes, thinking it was something perverted.
Seeing the look he chuckled sheepishly. "It's because of my new magic. I have better sense of smell, sight, and hearing so I can locate most things and people I'm familiar with." His explanation seemed to please his master as she nodded.
They ran through the night, passing many bushes and trees before coming upon the little white haired cat-girl standing in the middle of the forest. Both hid behind a tree as they watched Koneko's head turn back and forth restlessly. What's she looking for? Haru's answer came in the form of Koneko's head looking up at a tree.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" A voice soon came from a tree branch. The person on the tree branch was a woman… a beautiful woman. She had a voluptuous figure clad in a black kimono. Her hair was long, wavy and black, with a set of split bangs above a pair of cat-like slitted, hazel eyes and waving lazily behind her were two black tails. Atop her head was an ornate headband that seemed to draw the eye towards a pair of black cat ears sitting on her head. The beauties kimono was held together with a yellow sash and a set of golden beads; it was also open around her shoulders, giving everyone a view of her bountiful chest.
Haru was one of the viewers who was happy at this sight. Little drool spilled from his mouth before he heard a loud cough from his partner. [Snap out of it idiot!] Ddraig's irritated voice made the sacred gear user wipe his drool away and look focused once again.
"… You." Koneko hissed out in anger and surprise.
The woman didn't look the least bit worried over the tone Koneko had. "Hello, Shirone It's me, your big sister." The woman announced with a lazy wave.
So that's her real name. Haru thought to himself as he remembered Koneko's past. This is the woman who left Koneko-chan because she was power crazy? He questioned himself as he looked at the woman's entire being. I can't feel anything crazy coming from her! He thought with slightly widened eyes.
"… Kuroka-neesama." Koneko squeezed out between her shaking form. A cat soon caught Rias and Haru's attention. The black cat snuggled its way up Kuroka's leg.
"I'm very impressed that you came this far after following this black cat that sneaked into the party, nya." Kuroka said with a smile.
"… Nee-sama. What is this about?" Koneko finally got her words before asking her elder sibling what she was doing here.
Kuroka kept the smile on her flawless face. "Don't make such a scary face. I just had some minor business to take care of. I heard that the devils were holding a big party here, you know? That's why I was a little interested. Nya." She waved her hand like a cat and winked at her younger sister.
Cute. Haru thought absentmindedly at the cute gesture the seductive woman did.
"Hahahah, could it be that you're a member of the Gremory group?" A familiar voice asked from deep within the forest. Haru's eyes narrowed into slits when he saw the familiar black hair and ancient Chinese armor. Bikou! What's he doing here with this woman?
Is she aligned with Vali?! Haru questioned, seeing this guy was with Vali the last time he saw either of them.
Suddenly, Bikou's eyes turned towards the hiding duo. Shit! Haru cursed in his head. Found. He grumbled a little when he heard Bikou talk in their direction.
"Even if you erase your presence, it's useless. With people like me and Kuroka who know senjutsu, we can approximately detect you with just a slight variation in the flow of your spirit." Seeing that the cover was blown Haru walked out first, Rias following behind.
"… Haru-senpai, Buchou." Koneko was surprised to see her friends there.
"Hey damn monkey. Is Vali doing well?" Haru asked about the silver haired Vanishing Dragon.
Bikou let out his monkey like laugh before answering. "Pretty much. As for you though… Hm. Seems you've gotten a lot stronger than before." Bikou said with a surprised face.
Seems he can sense energy as well. Haru thought with a slightly troubled look
The monkey yokai only smiled. "Seems you already know as well. You really did grow stronger, your aura shows." He complemented.
Haru then took this moment to ask Rias about this senjutsu. "Buchou, what are they talking about? Is this senjutsu different from magic and the sorcery used by magicians?" Rias nodded towards the [Pawn] before explaining what it was.
"Yes, senjutsu id different from magic and sorcery. The biggest difference is that senjutsu stresses the importance of something called chakra, the aura that is the great original power that flows into one's spirit, in other words one's life-force, and turns it into a constant current. It's a power that is both similar yet different from the magic of demons and the light power of angels. Its direct destructive power can't match that of magic or the power of light, but senjutsu can make use of the unknown part hidden within plants, animals and people. For example, if one learned senjutsu, it's said that they excel at reading the flow of someone's spirit, of their aura, and that they can also grasp the movements of a faraway target to a certain degree." The crimson haired princess ended.
Kuroka then added her own portion of this senjutsu learning session. "We can also control the flow of spirit and can restore both the interior and exterior of our bodies, or disrupt the spirits of all surrounding trees, make them bloom, or make them whither, nya. Senjutsu is a skill that manipulates the flow of life after all. We can disturb our opponent's spirit, and inflict damage to their life-force by cutting it, nay. Because the methods of repairing the disorder to one's life-force is limited for the magic of demons and the sorcery of magicians in comparison, this attack method almost always results in death, nya." The busty neko finished with a wink. The redhead couldn't stop the blush from forming on his face.
W-What is happening to me?! He asked himself. The moment I saw this woman I felt extremely aroused. He thought to himself as he remembered the heat that erupted in his chest the moment his golden eyes fell on her hazel. While trying to make any sense of this, Rias asked.
"Is this a terrorist attack?" The two only responded with a smile.
"No, we didn't come here for such a thing. It's just a stand-by order has come out in the underworld. Kuroka and I are off duty right now. When the order was given, Kuroka suggested visiting the devils' party. Since she likely wouldn't return easily, I tagged along. Okay?" Bikou explained why they were here.
Whew. Haru let out a silent sigh. Least they aren't here to attack. That took a load off his mind as he didn't really want to face off against Vali at the moment.
"Bikou, who is this boy?" Koneko's sister asked as she pointed towards the redhead. Her curiosity had been piqued the moment she laid eyes on him. Something in her just clicked when she saw those warm golden eyes.
Bikou answered. "The Sekiryuutei."
Kuroka's eyes widened at this fact. "Really, nyan? Heh. So this is the current breast-loving Sekiryuutei who drove Vali back." Kuroka said, giggling a little when Haru face-vaulted.
Come on! Haru moaned in his head. True, I do like them, but not to that open extent anymore! Haru thought to himself as he got back up.
Ddraig took this opportunity to mess with his host. [True but they don't know that. To most, you're the same idiot, breast-loving fool who shouts nonsense.] Ddraig smirked as his partner had tick-marks all over his face.
Bikou interrupted Haru's fight with Ddraig when he yawned. "Kuroka, let's go back. Since we can't participate in the party anyway, it's a waste of time being here." The black haired man tried to get the woman out of here. She didn't really listen as she looked at her younger sister.
"Alright, let's head back. But, I'll be taking Shirone with me, nya. Since I didn't bring her with me last time." Haru could pick up the well-hidden amount of sadness her voice carried. She wasn't power hungry at all! B-But why leave Koneko-chan then?! Her words only made more questions come to the less perverted teens mind.
"Ara, if you bring her back with you on your own accord, Vali might get angry, you know?" The monkey tried to make her stop.
"When they know that the same power as mine flows within her, both Ophis and Vali will be convinced, right?" Kuroka countered.
"Well, maybe so." Bikou said, seeing the logic behind the cats' words. Koneko finally started shaking heavily at the prospect of being taken away and the sight of her sister's smile and narrowed eyes. As she was about to move, someone came in front of her.
"… Haru-senpai." She muttered out in surprise. She didn't expect the red coat wearing teen to come to her defense after seeing who he would go up against.
"You won't be taking her anywhere. She's a friend and family member of the Gremory. If you want her you have to get through me." Haru declared with narrowed eyes. Eyebrows twitched though when he saw the two laughing at him. I'm getting a little sick of this! His more draconic side reared his head after being laughed at once more.
Bikou was the one to reply through laughs. "No, no, that's very brave of you, but do you really intend to make Kuroka and me your opponents? Guess strength is the only thing that you increased. This time, we'll leave immediately once we take the girl, so it'll be fine for you, right?" He asked.
Reaching his point of anger, Haru gathered some of his fired magic into his hand. The sight of this made Bikou stop his laughter.
Wh-What the hell is that fire? He thought to himself as he could feel something different coming from Haru's fire magic than from normal fire magic.
"Fire Dragon Emperor's Flash Bomb!" Thrusting his hand out, he shot the fireball he had made at the Chinese armor wearing yokai who dodged it after seeing how dangerous it looked. It was a good choice on his part as the attack went zooming past him, burning the trees that stood in its way before exploding on a mountain side a good whiles away.
"How's that? Funny enough for you?" Haru shouted with an irked expression. All looked at the damage the boy caused in shock.
"Hehehe. That's amazing!" Bikou snapped out of his shock before laughing. "This day just got interesting! Never thought coming here to watch over Kuroka could end up in a fight with the Sekiryuutei, who seems to have a power boost." Bikou said with excitement.
Just like Vali… loves to fight beyond anything else. Haru thought with a deadpanned expression. Standing up, he spoke to Koneko and Rias, not turning his back to see their shocked expressions. "Leave you two. Get back to the party while I handle these two. Call for help."
"H-Haru! I won't do that! As your master I order you to not fight them alone!" She demanded.
"Haru-senpai… .please don't do this. I-I'll go with Kuroka-neesama. I don't want to trouble anyone anymore." Koneko started to cry again.
"Enough!" Haru shouted out, surprising all. He then turned to Koneko who was shocked to see his hurt expression. "Do you know what you're saying?! You have never been a burden! You're the [Rook] to Rias Gremory! Not some weak girl who sacrifices herself before anything has been decided!" Haru shouted out before looking back to the enemy.
"Get Koneko-chan out of here, Rias." Haru asserted himself by flaring his aura higher. The sudden burst of power made Rias, Kuroka, and Koneko a little flush. "If you don't leave, I won't promise I won't accidentally hit you with my attacks. I don't want to harm either of you." Haru stated with a softer tone.
"… V-Very well Haru." Rias nodded her head with a small blush. "We'll go but I expect you to win! As my [Pawn] I expect you to beat these two." Rias said with a smile as she brought Koneko over to her.
Haru smiled at the woman and nodded. "Obviously." He said with a mock solder salute. As they were about to leave Kuroka spoke up.
"Since you're so troublesome, I'll kill you, nya." The neko said with a wide smile. After that statement the three could feel a shift in the area around. "W-What the hell?" Haru asked himself with a worried expression.
"… Kuroka, so you learned not only senjutsu, youjutsu, and devil magic, but also the skill to control space." Rias said with a soured expression.
Kuroka continued to grin at the female redhead. "I didn't go far as learning how to control time, but I have fairly picked up on how to control space. If I use the essentials of barrier techniques, it's relatively easy, after all. I covered this entire forest with a barrier, after the Red Dragon Emperor's attack, and isolated it from the outside world, nya. We can do anything flashy here and the devils from the outside won't be able to come in. You're all going to die by our hands and say goodbye, nya."
While Haru had narrowed his eyes in annoyance that they were stuck with two criminals that could attack Rias and Koneko when he focused on the other. He tried to come up with any solution for this dilemma. The solution came in the form of a familiar voice in the sky's above. "When I saw the familiar fire crash into that mountain I decided to check things out only to find my student in some trouble. Seems you're a glutton for punishment, Hatchling."
Looking above Haru let out a toothy grin. "Old man!" Tannin was floating in the air above Haru with his arms crossed. "Good to see you!" He said with his grin still in place.
Tannin glanced at Haru and gave a nod before focusing on the barrier around. "What an ominous aura. These visitors aren't suitable for this party." The dragon said as he looked at the two.
Bikou laughed in delight at the new arrival. "Oh, oh, oh! Is it isn't the former-Dragon King [Blaze Meteor Dragon] Tannin! So you came here as well! This is already a big problem, Kuroka! We have no choice but to fight now!" He told his female comrade.
"You seem happy, monkey-san." Kuroka said from her seated position. "Very well. If we take down two necks that are dragon king class, Ophis will also be silent on the matter." The woman's words made Haru tense up and get in a fighting stance. Digging his feet into the ground, he stood in a horse stance, with his arms slightly away from his body. His left arm was covered in a bright light followed by the familiar call of, [Boost!] Haru coated his right hand in fire slayer magic.
"Nyoi-Bo!" Bikou shouted as the long staff in his hands extended at the flying dragon. Tannin easily dodged the attack but Bikou didn't let up as he swiped the staff horizontally. The dragon skillfully dodged all the swipes without breaking a sweat.
Getting a little tired at the constant dodging, Tannin opened his giant maw and shot out his powerful flames. The flames covered the sky in red.
Heh. Still holding back I see. Haru noticed that the dragon is still holding back a good portion of his power.
[Of course. Don't count Tannin as some weak youngling. He can incinerate that monkey in a moment.] Ddragi said from inside. True. The boy agreed. He knew first-hand how powerful the former dragon king was.
"Ahaha! Not bad! Former Dragon King!" Bikou said with a laugh of excitement. His body was slightly burned but overall he looked fine.
"Hmph! I was wondering what kind of person this Son Goku was! You seem quite happy to have received an attack from me." Tannin noted of the monkey.
"The name's Bikou! Nice to meet you, Dragon Boss!" Bikou introduced himself while twirling his staff around.
"Kuku. You talk like a true monkey." Tannin laughed a little at Bikou's speech and personality. "Do you really understand who you have made as your opponent?" He asked the youth.
"I have no doubt who I'm fighting. I just can't afford to lose so easily." Bikou said as he pointed the staff back at the old dragon.
"In any case, I'll be your opponent monkey. Meanwhile, Miss Rias and the Hatchling can handle the cat. She's the boy's master while he's the Red Dragon Emperor that I trained personally. The kid will easily trounce the kitty." Tannin explained while keeping his sights on the monkey currently on the golden cloud.
The battle then began when Bikou thrusted his staff back at the dragon who dodged then shot out more fire. Well at least that's one down. Haru thought to himself before looking back to the cat in the tree.
Kuroka was giving them a bewitching smile while she surrounded herself with black aura. The aura was laced with killing intent… Seems she really wants Koneko-chan back. The dragon slayer thought to himself.
"… Nee-sama. I'll go with you. Please overlook these two!" Koneko suddenly shouted out. Haru was about to shout at Koneko again when Rias beat him to the punch.
"What are you saying?! Koneko! You're a servant of my group! I won't allow you to do as you please!" Rias brought the girl in a tight hug.
Koneko only shook her head. "… It's no good. I understand best nee-sama's power. Nee-sama's power rivals that of an ultimate-class devil. For Buchou and Haru-senpai…Even with the power of a former-Dragon King, I don't think you can capture my sister who excels in both youjutsu and senjutsu…" Koneko was shaking in fear of what her sister was able to do.
Rias was adamant about this matter though. "No, even so, I absolutely won't hand you over to that person's side! To this nekomata that didn't try to help Koneko-chan who cried so much!" Kuroka only smiled at the red haired woman's anger.
"It's because a yokai cannot help another yokai. However, this time, I simply want Shirone because I want another piece under my control. I can understand Shirone's power better than a red-haired onee-san like you, right?" Koneko shook her head at her sister's words.
"… No… I don't need that kind of power. I don't need that kind of dark power. I don't need a power that brings only misfortune to others." Koneko was shaking while tears spilled from her eyes.
Rias held the shaken white haired girl in a tighter embrace. "Kuroka… You who had been blinded by power left a wound on the heart of this girl that won't disappear her whole life. After you killed your master and left, this child saw hell. When I first meet her, there were no feelings left inside. You betrayed Koneko, your own family, and lost a future to rely on while being despised by other devils to where she was about to be killed. That's why I will continue to show her many wonderful things in this life! This girl is not Shirone; she is Koneko Toujou, [Rook] of Rias Grmeory's group! I won't let you lay a single finger on her!" Rias roared out while glaring at the cat who was silent through the rant.
The standing-by teen was touched by Rias' words and smiled a little before looking back up to Kuroka who had an emotionless face.
"… I don't want to go… I am Koneko. Kuroka-neesama, I don't want to go with you! I want to live with Rias-buchou! To live!" Koneko shouted defiance at her sister.
The black haired cat woman gave out a bitter smile that made Haru sad. Her eyes…she's hurting. While gazing into Kuroka's eyes he saw the pain that flashed through her eyes when she heard her sister say those words to her. A laugh soon escaped her delicious lips that made Haru shiver a little.
"Then, die." She announced with a thin mist-like substance that gradually reached the trio. Haru looked at the fog with confusion. [It's poison!] Ddraig informed his host. The host's eyes widened in surprise. Before he could tell the girls to cover their mouths they had already fallen to the ground.
"Hmm? Seems the Sekiryuutie is immune to my poison. It's a poison mist which only works on devils and yokai, nya. I won't kill you quickly because the poison spreads slowly, so I'll play with you before killing you, nya." Kuroka said with a smirk as she got down off the trees.
Rias fired off her power of destruction only to phase through the woman. "W-Wh-What the hell?" Haru asked himself as he felt the continuous [Boosts] store up. "That was a good attack, nya." Kuroka's voice surrounded the entire forest as clones of the seductive woman appeared all around. "But it's useless. I can easily make a clone of myself with the essentials of genjutsu."
"Ready Ddraig?" Haru shouted out to his partner who didn't reply instantly. Confused he looked to his gear that seemed to lose its shine. "D-Draig…what's happening?" He asked, slightly worried his gear was messed up.
[… Hm. Seems the Sacred Gear is at a crossroads at the moment.] Ddraig informed his partner. What?! What crossroads? He asked the great dragon.
[What I'm saying is that you are very close to attaining Balance Breaker but it needs one more push. Though I don't know whether it will be a normal power-up of Balance Breaker.] Ddraig said as he examined the gear. So…what you're saying is that I can pick between a power-up or my armor? He asked the dragon.
[Correct. But, let me tell you something. If you chose the power-up you could never be able to attain the Balance Breaker] Ddraig shocked the boy who looked a little conflicted on what to do with the gear.
"Ara, ara. Seems the Sekiryuutie can't activate his Sacred Gear. But, I'm still able to attack, nya." Kuroka announced with glee before charging up a magical bullet. Said bullet rushed to Rias and Koneko.
"No you don't!" Haru said before jumping between the blast and the girls. Surrounding his fist in flames as a shield, Haru back-handed the blast away from them. The magic exploded in the forest a few miles away.
"You're not gonna' attack these two while I'm around!" Haru announced before dropping back into his stance.
Hmm. Seems he's more suited for close combat. And he's strong enough to punch away my attacks. He's strong, nya. Kuroka thought with a small smirk. Shaking her head she narrowed her hazel eyes on the now emerald green eyed boy's position. The aura he now released caused the cat to become slightly hot. Such a powerful aura, nya. She thought with a subtle lick of her lips.
Taking a step forward, she launched herself at the teen who was preparing himself. When she was within range, he threw a right hook only for the nimble cat to jump over the hit. Haru's face meet the flat end of the woman's foot, sending his body through a few trees a few feet away. "Haru/Haru-senpai!" Both Rias and Koneko shouted in worry at the boy who was sent flying.
"Seems he's not that strong after all, nya." She then looked back to the two girls with a smirk. "Now, time to go Shi—" "Fire Dragon Emperor's Roar!" Years of battle experience told her to jump away before she was injured. Flipping away from her sister and her sister's master she was greeted to the sigh of very hot flames rushing past her. Landing gracefully, she saw the flames had continued onwards.
"Don't count me out that easily!" Looking back she saw that Haru had a bruise on his cheek and small amount of blood leaking from his lips but overall looked fine. "Compared to Tannin-sensei, that was just a love-tap!" He said with a smirk. Son of a bitch that hurt! He groaned in his head from the pain his face was in. While she didn't hit as hard as Tannin it was still paked with power that made him wince a little.
[Just continue to hold her off. Hopefully you can reach Balance Breaker through this fight.] Ddraig said to his partner.
Alright! Haru responded while getting back into his stance. His aura flared, the fog around his feet dispersed, and looked at Kuroka with determined eyes. "No way will I let you take Koneko-chan!" With a push off his leading foot, the dragon slayer began the battle with Kuroka.