The Cycle Repeats

Arc One, I'm a Devil?

Ch 1. Changes

Before he knew what was going on, his hand had already landed on his thigh. He could feel the warm liquid pouring from the wound. Bringing it up to his eyes, he looked on as the crimson, the beautiful crimson life blood covered his hand in that wonderful shade. Honestly, he didn't know where it came from, or what spurred it on, yet it was familiar. Mother? It reminded him of his mother's beautiful hair. Mother? No, that can't be right, her hair isn't red...

It started off small, a simple prick in the back of his mind. Where am I?

Blinking his eyes, Issei looked around. Ignoring the pain in his thigh as best as he could, idly noticing particles of light floating into nothingness from his leg. Wh-where am I? He was supposed to be dead. Where is that bastard Otsutsuki? He was supposed to be in the afterlife, with his wife, his mom and dad. This? Am I denied the ri- Shutting his eyes tightly as his hands shot up, gripping the sides of his head in pain, he screamed out in silent pain.

The memories came to him in waves. From landing the decisive blow with Sasuke on Kaguya to meeting an older man in the park, who spoke to him about perverted ideals. From training with Ero-sennin to walking through the mall with his mother and father. From proposing to Hinata to finally getting into the high school of his dreams. From meeting his mother with the most beautiful red hair he had ever seen, to the beautiful red haired senior in his school.

Raynare floated in the air, curious about what was going on with the boy. His entire demeanor changed instantly. His loud screams of pain and fear vanished to a look of shock, looking around with curiosity. Did he awaken his sacred gear? She waited on baited breath, her pitch black wings silently keeping her afloat, another 4 spears of her tainted light floating above her as she looked down. Down on the lowly human who entertained her for the night.

With a sigh, the fallen slowly descended to the ground as she carefully made her way to the teenager. I suppose it was all for naught. Must have seen his life flash before his eyes after all. Stopping in front of Issei who was on his knees holding his head, Raynare looked on in pity. Kneeling down to his level, she gently placed her delicate hand under his chin before pulling up, meeting his eyes with her own.

As the flood of memories finally stopped, Issei realized he was going to die, once again. It was a rather familiar feeling to him for a reason he didn't want to believe. From a past life of continuous warfare, a life of being hated and ostracized. A life of fighting for survival, one where you had to be strong to get what you wanted. A normal person would have buckled under the weight. Yet, Issei knew better. His will was strong, stronger than most. Yet, even so, having tasted this current life, even if only from the memories of it, he didn't want to experience what death would be again.

I want to live. It was instant. The moment his eyes met his killer's. He instinctively knew, he knew he wanted to live. I don't want to give up. With a great deal of pain, he reached out, grabbing the hand that was holding his chin, yet he could do nothing. He could do nothing with his current body. It was like he was eight years old again, too weak to do anything when he was kicked out of the orphanage.

Slightly startled at the boys actions, she ignored him even as he grabbed onto her hand. Gripping one of her tainted spears in hand, she slowly drew it forward as she molded it into a dagger, a kunai. Willing her tainted light to condense into the small weapon, she thought to herself as she held the human's face, staring into his eyes. Humans. I never did see what was so special about them. Father, why, why did you forsake us for these weak, miserable beings?

Gripping the dagger tighter as she slowly impaled Issei's heart with it, she spoke, her gentle voice not reaching his ears. "It was truly a lackluster date Issei. Seeing you play into the palm of my hand, it really turned me on. But, as luck would have it, or not in your case, the nights over, along with your life."

Releasing her grip on the dagger, she still cradled his chin as she finished. "If you want to blame someone, look towards the sky, for the one who started this entire mess in the first place."

Tilting her head up, she glanced through the trees as they swayed in the night breeze. "If not for one of Fathers mistakes, you would never had been targeted anyway." Bringing her other hand up to his face, she finished. "Still. It pains me to have to do this lowly work myself. Good-bye and god rest, young human."

Standing up as she ruthlessly dropped Issei's head, letting his body fall onto the pavement, she tilted her head back before brushing a strand of hair from her face. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, whispering to herself as the life slowly faded from his eyes. "Amen"

Opening her eyes back, she stretched her wings and with a mighty flap she was brought above the trees. Staring off into the distance, she could see lightning as it danced through the sky, she could feel the raging winds and rain that flew wildly about. Seems like the storm has become a maelstrom and it's heading this way.

With the moon silhouetting from behind, she glanced down towards the teenager who she was sent to investigate. "I truly am sorry. You were a good laugh for a human." With one last glance down at Issei's fallen form, even as the blood pooling around him glistened in the moon's light, she flew off into the night.

So this is it. I finally get a taste of what it's like, even if only memories, and I end up dying a dog's death. Laying on his stomach on the rough pavement, Issei closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. I at least wanted to see my mother and father one more time, ah, I don't want to die.

With dark clouds rolling in, thunder and lightning echoed around the quaint town of Kouh. Slowly, rain started to come down, as clouds snuffed out the moon's brilliance. The sensations of the rain hitting his back were slowly fading as was his consciousness. With his last breath came the last thought of his new short life. I want to see her hair... One more time...

Suddenly, the echoing sound of the approaching storm was drowned out as the clearing started glowing. Unbeknownst to him, his powerful will acted for him, putting pressure on the entire clearing, an invisible force willing itself into existence for a wish even his soul wanted. One that he wanted, even in his past life, it was... alright to be selfish once in a while, right? Even if only to see that beautiful crimson hair once again.

From in the pocket of his pants, the folded up flyer he received earlier started glowing a bright crimson, radiating brighter than his blood, reacting to the powerful will of his past life. The powerful will that dominated the clearing he was dying in.

Normally, in instances where a human were to summon a devil through the summoning contract, the human would only get a lesser devil, a servant. However, there are rare cases where stronger devils are summoned. Those with stronger desires, stronger wills, can summon stronger devils to grant more desirable wishes. It was for this reason, that a princess was awakened, her blue eyes shooting open at the feeling of a powerful summon calling out to her through one of the flyers.

It was instantaneous just as the thunder and lightning danced across the sky. A magic circle burst into life from underneath him, circling under him. Glowing with magic that repelled even the rain around him. Coming into existence beside him, Rias Gremory opened her eyes as she scanned her surroundings for any enemies before she set her sights on the person who called out to her. Issei Hyoudou?

She was slightly impressed as she realized he had called her in the state he was in. "Such a powerful life force. I wonder..." She spoke to herself, the rain forming a small mote around the edges of the magic circle.

As if sensing someone was in the clearing he laid dying in, his foggy eyes slowly moved towards her. Through barely visible blurriness, Issei mouthed his desire to whoever it was that was beside him, his desire to live.

'I...want...to..live'

Even as she noticed his eye glancing up towards her, his oh so blurry eye that she was instantly drawn to, she payed attention. Watching the desire behind the blurry eyes be spoken though his mouth.

Practically hearing his desire in her head, she smiled down to him as she whispered, making sure her soft voice reached his ears. "Rest now Issei, my precious Issei." Seeing his eye slowly close, she felt the overwhelming willpower slowly dissipate the clearing along with his conscious.

Quickly getting to work, she summoned her chess set, leaving it floating to the side. Ignoring the full blown Maelstrom that was currently over the town, she quickly placed a single pawn over him, letting it float over his back. "I, Rias Gremory, heiress to the House Duke Gremory, command you. Rise up, Issei Hyoudou, rise up once again and become my servant. Raise up, protect and prosper under my name."

With each of her words, powerful magic was flowing through them as the chess piece got to work. Yet, she sat there, shocked and amazed as it held a faint glow before it twisted and turned even as it wasn't absorbed. It mutated? And it still wasn't enough? Issei, what do you hold that a mutated piece isn't enough?

Getting over her shock, she quickly brought another over and placed it beside the single piece that was floating above his back. Letting the magic flow once again, she watched, in awe, as the same thing happened yet again. Quickly getting over her shock, gears began turning in her head as she got ahold of herself, she couldn't help the proud smile that formed on her face as she stared down at his.

One by one, she placed the pawns over her newest peerage member, watching as two more of the last six twisted and mutated before they all sank into his flesh. With all eight pawn pieces intertwining in his soul, the powerful magic that was flowing through his body quickly reawakened something inside him, which greatly shocked even her. She watched through the hole in his shirt, as his flesh grew back at an accelerated pace, scar tissue forming over the hole where his heart was. Normally, I would have to help with that...

She smiled down, a soft gaze towards his face as light breathing signified he had came back to life. Gently brushing the wet brown hair from his face, she used her magic, lifting him up as she rose next to him. Willing her magic to stand him upright, she quickly took his shirt of his upper body, inspecting the new scar tissue. Impressive. It's almost completely healed, though it will leave a nasty scar. Seemingly happy with what had happened, she focused her magic, channeling it, molding it so she could teleport him home.

Yes. What a wonderful night it turned out to be. She thought to herself before glancing towards the sky, the dark sky lit up from the thunder and lightning that arched through the clouds. Though I'll have to do some hunting, seems there's a few crows about. I'll have to repay them for what they did to my cute junior. With that last thought, she cast her gaze down to Issei's face, a smile settling across her face as they vanished from the clearing.

He awoke with the sound of splashing as he caught himself from falling face first into the knee deep water. His eyes hastily looking around his surroundings as he took in the familiarity of the sewers. "This...This place." Issei's eyes staring at the dark in front of him. "I know this place..."

"You should, partner. It's your soul after all."

The deep voice that echo'd through the sewers didn't scare him as he thought it should. It held no anger, no rage, only pride. He ignored it for now, content to find out more of this place as he walked forth, only stopping when he reached large, open gates.

He knew something should have been there. Something that was so ingrained and intertwined with his being, yet nothing was there. He couldn't remember what, or rather who was suppose to be in there. Yet, he felt a longing the likes of which surpassed even his longing for breasts.

"I don't believe there has ever been a host that has heard my voice before even awakening the gear... It must be changing to accommodate you. However... Never before have I been inside a host with such potential, such determination. Maelstrom? Yes..., you do your name Justice."

Turning around, he saw two large red eyes staring down at him from high up. Looking lower, he was slightly shocked at the gigantic body that the creature seemed to have. From it's back, two rather large wing-like appendages sat. From it's end, a long, spiky tail seemed to grow endlessly. Even though Issei could swear he had yet to see anything that size, he still didn't fear, knowing there were things larger than this in his past life. As he was about to move forward and speak, he felt it again, memories that weren't his, yet were, came in rather painful waves.

"Seems it's not yet time."

Looking up as his consciousness started to fade, even as he slowly fell backwards towards the water, his brown eyes never left the large red slitted eyes that seemed to peer into his soul. Even as his back landed atop the water, his ears picked up the beings deep, booming voice.

"We'll meet again partner, for now, rest."

zXz

It was dark, yet he could tell where his brother was. All he had to do was think and pull, and he would appear beside him instantaneously. The perfect time to finish this monster and end this invasion. He feigned death as Sasuke got into position, luring the hulking form of Kazushiki Otsutsuki into the seals he had placed.

It was painful as he waited. A chakra axe, lodged into his left calf. It hurt, but he was still able to move. Sending another pulse of his chakra out, he realized they were ready. Catching onto his brothers chakra, he flashed above the duo, his intent to slam his Gudōdama straight through the alien's skull.

Sasuke, as soon as he felt the overbearing weight of his brother's chakra tug on his own, he summoned his own with masterful use, instantly switching places with one of the uprooted trees his brother slammed down. The impact was enough to knock him out, sending him flying miles away, yet he couldn't feel anything anymore.

Opening his eyes to a familiar ceiling, Issei sighed. It had been a few nights already since the night he awoke in a new world. He was suppose to be dead, yet here he was, alive and well. Bringing his arm up, he laid it across his forehead as he steadied his breath, not being used to this body yet. The same dream again. Am I to relive the moments before I died every night now?

Tossing the sheets covering him to the side, he sat on the edge of his bed. Looking slightly to the right, he noticed it wasn't even 6 a.m. yet. With a sigh, he got up and threw on his usual shorts and tank top before making his way out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Stifling a yawn with his hand, he ran the other through his brown hair.

It was strange when he woke up the night after. Having rushed to the bathroom just to see if everything was alright. To check and see if everything was real. It was weird at first, staring into his own face, yet it wasn't the same one as before.

The scar was still on his chest above his heart. His whisker marks were no longer there. His body was weaker than he had remembered, completely different. His sun-kissed blond hair was gone along with his ocean blue eyes, now having brown hair that matched his eyes. He was a completely different person physically, yet, mentally, he was above the humans of this world. He was Naruto Uzuamki in his past life, and this new he was gifted, he was Issei Hyoudou.

No one at school remembered Yuuma from the classes. The teachers didn't even seem to want to remember her, let alone believe their perverted student. I can't be going crazy. She was definitely there. This just goes to prove that this world is more dangerous than it seems.

His parents thought he had finally gone crazy as well, spouting things that would have made him stop and cry before. He loved them, even though they weren't his first parents, they were still his parents who loved him unconditionally.

Opening the front door, Issei quietly made his way past his fence before the started his morning jog routine. Still though. She was definitely in the classes with me. How does no one remember her? He thought to himself as he rounded the corner, not noticing the small creatures watching over him from the lamp posts. Thoughts for another time I suppose.

School was a totally new subject as well. Even though he never went before in his past life, unless you counted the Shinobi Academy, he wasn't the Hokage for nothing. Shikamaru made sure of it. From war tactics to mathematics, he was rigorously drilled in it. So when he entered the class rooms and went straight to sleep, he had shocked everyone. Especially when he ignored his two best friends for the first few days, now that had gotten a reaction out of everyone, though he still hung out with them after school.

Going from barely passing to knowing all the questions that were asked of him astonished even the Student president in passing. Though he still appreciated the female body, Ero-sennin had rubbed off on him after all. Remembering the females from school and around the town of Kouh put a blush on his face as he continued his jog, sprinting whenever he was about to catch his breath.

"Shit." He spoke as he finished the jog around his neighborhood. Wiping his head as he stood in front of his fence, Issei sighed, not liking the condition his body was in. "I don't remember being this weak in the morning or day..." Opening and walking through the gate of the fence, he entered his house quietly, his father and mother now starting to raise. Looking at the clock, he smiled as he heard his parents moving in their room. They awoke at 6:45 every morning to get ready for work and chores.

Quietly making his way through the pleasant home and through the back door before shutting it behind him, he smiled at the small yard. Tall fences giving them privacy to do whatever they wanted. Various plants lining the property line at the bottom of the fence, from roses to tulips, there was an assortment of colors that made it bright. Walking to the middle of the yard, Issei steadied his breath as he stretched his upper body and lower.

Recalling the various fighting styles he used and learned in the Elemental Nations, Issei began going through the kata's for his Hakuda, all being muscle memory and from being drilled into his head in his past life. Slowly going through each and every single one to make sure they were right, he ended it with a round house kick which leveled to about his waist. His body not being used to moving so much, it still stung a little as he was getting used to it.

Switching to the Frog Fu, he started all over again. What he was going for was his usual style, mixing the Hakuda he learned from scrolls left by his father and the Frog Fu he learned from the toads. Having completely mastered them in the elemental nations, he was utterly unstoppable in taijutsu when he combined them both. Only his brother in blood, Sasuke stood a chance against him when he used his created style which was dubbed Whirlpool Fist.

Working up a sweat and feeling his muscles pulse and ache towards the end, he sighed. I don't like not being able to complete both without aching. This is getting ridiculous.

Catching his breath in the cool morning air, he sat down on the worn out grass beneath his feet. Leaning back, he propped himself up on his arms as he watched the birds fly across the sky, the morning rays peaking over the clouds. I'm a long ways away from even thinking about unlocking the Gates... Actually, I wonder if there even usable without chakra.

Taking a moment to enjoy the feeling of the nature around him, he sighed before he sat straight up before closing his eyes and placing his palms together. It was hard at first, but sitting completely still in a body that wasn't trained to be perfectly still was hard. Harder than he would've liked to imagine, yet he was able to accomplish it.

As he sat there, meditating in the silence of morning, he steadied his breathing as he evened out his energies. Energies that most humans didn't even know existed. He was surprised himself when he was able to harness his physical energy and mental energy. From what he knew, the humans of this world didn't have the capability of harnessing them.

So, why was he different? Not that he could really do anything with them, all he did was even them out, making the stress vanish from him completely, and unknowingly letting his muscles heal even faster. He could feel the energy of the world around him, yet he didn't dare touch it yet, not until he understood how to control his own energies.

So he sat there, in complete silence, even as his parents watched him from their kitchen as they started their coffee. Even as the small creatures were watching him from afar in the shape of bats hanging from the trees overcasting the yard. Sitting perfectly still, he was able to accomplish two things.

The first, confirming the fact that he had no chakra, well that he wasn't able to combine the two energies to make chakra. It was strange, it was like his body wasn't adapt to use it, even though the ingredients for it were right there. Yet, the fact that he couldn't use chakra wasn't what upset him. A part of him was missing, a part of him that was with him from birth. A part of him that had been there for him for the greater years of his life before meeting his end on the battlefield.

A lone tear fell down his face as he remembered his first, true friend was no longer with him.

Kurama.

zXz

Wiping his head, he leaned on his knees as he caught his breath. Wearing the school's track suit pants, which he absolutely hated at the moment with it being too restricting in his opinion, barely hiding the weights covering his lower legs. He had the jersey portion off and was just wearing a under-armor dark blue tank top, liking the fact that it helped to keep the sweat off his body. Standing up straight, he placed his hands on his hips as he slowly walked the rest of the track to the end.

Looking around, he laughed at how long it had taken him to get this tired. School had ended two hours ago yet there were still students here doing various activities. In the middle of the giant field were several tennis courts that were crowded with the tennis club students. He had plenty of time to appreciate the various female forms as they played their games. Making his way to his small bag, he sighed as his lower body ached in slight pain.

"Man." He whispered to himself as he opened his bag and grabbed a water bottle. "I wonder how many miles I just finished." As soon as school had ended, having said bye to his two perverted friends, he immediately changed and came to the track. Determined to get this body's strength up to a reasonable level one way or another, as he didn't want what had happened a week ago to happen again.

"Hmmm?" Turning around he came face to face with a busty blonde beauty, last years captain of the tennis team, Kiyome Abe. "I'd say you just finished about twelve miles Hyoudou-kun. Impressive if I had to say." She took a moment to take an appreciative glance at his developing chest muscles, blatantly staring, fishing for a reaction, yet surprised as he didn't so much as blush.

He was a married man with two children in the past, he had already experienced more than anyone in the school could ever wonder. Yet, these young women still managed to get under his skin, he could only blame Jiraiya, dam pervert. Even before he married Hinata, women had thrown themselves at him and Sasuke more than he could count, who was he to deny a lovely young woman, being in the spring time of his youth and all.

He had to repress a shiver as he practically felt her eyes roam. "Ah sempai? You were watching me?" Seeing her nod at his question he gave a smile and continued. "What a pleasure it is to have such a beauty watching me!" Hanging around Jiraiya so long, he couldn't help but become slightly flirty to the women around him. Inwardly he let out a smile as he saw a small blush as she looked away not expecting the complements.

*Cough* "Yes, well, I do hope this new attitude stays Hyoudou-kun. It's refreshing to have another hopeful gentleman among the various perverted male population here." Hearing her name being called desperately from the tennis courts behind them, she sighed as she looked back up. "Well, as much as I'd love to stay and find out why such a change was sparked in you, I'm needed elsewhere." With a smile she finished as she turned around, casting her eyes up towards the school buildings rooftops where a red head was watching the pair. "Do keep it up Mr. Charming, and you might just land yourself a girlfriend. To-da-loo Ise-kun!"

With a smile, he waved as she left him before finishing his water. Wonder what that was about. He thought to himself as he picked up and slung the bag across his back before making his way up the hill and away from the track. Locking the fence behind him, he glanced towards the roof tops to check the dark clouds that were moving in but spotted someone looking out over the fields.

He lost his breath in that moment. There was something about her that he feared and respected. He felt a need to be beside her, but squashed it as quick as it came. As their eyes met, he had to fight down a blush at the smile she gave him before brushing that beautiful red hair away from her face. Tearing his gaze away from her, he continued on, unaware of the eyes that were on his retreating form.

Reaching the front of the building, he went to one of the locker rooms and quickly changed out of the school's track suit. Now that he wasn't using the schools track field, he didn't have to wear their muggy clothing, something about representing the school when using their fields. Changing into a pair of loose fitting, dark blue track pants with a single orange strip going down both legs, he adjusted the leg weights. Adding more weight to them as they were easily hidden by this pair of pants.

Putting on a pair of wrist weights, he smiled to himself as he picked up his old clothes, placing them in his bag before throwing it over his shoulder. Leaving the locker room, he found himself sighing once again as the sound of thunder and lightning seemed to be right overhead. Though he would never admit it aloud, Shikamaru would never get rid of the smirk he'd get.

With a stretch, he turned around the corner and started towards the entrance of the school. Smiling and nodding to the Tennis club girls as he passed, not knowing why they were blushing, he was average in this world to his knowledge. With a laugh in his mind, he closed his eyes as the females were soaked from the rain that had started pouring outside. Though, I do have to say, they develop nicely here. These are what, 16!18 year old girls? Hot dam, Ero-sennin would be in heaven if he were here.

With the thunder getting louder and louder, he sighed, scratching his head as he slowed to a stop right before the steps leading down from the school building. "Ah~ I can't believe I didn't bring my umbrella." Crossing his arms, he closed his eyes as he let out a chuckle. "Guess mom was right after all. Didn't think the storm would be here so quick, wasn't suppose to hit for another few hours."

*Grugurgle*

Bringing a hand down to his stomach, he let the tears flow as he quickly realized the Ramen stand was going to close earlier today because of the storm. Looking down at his watch, he quickly realized it was closer to 6:30 than he would have liked. With a sigh, he readied himself, realizing he was going to have to book it home if he didn't want to get too soaked. Well, he was going to get soaked anyway.

Taking a step forward, he stopped as soon as he had the door opened to leave.

"Hyoudou Issei-kun." Another sigh escaped his mouth, causing her brows to twitch at his seeming annoyance of her. Now what. I just want to get home and relax. Turning around with a slightly forced smile, his brown eyes stared straight at the student council president's.

"I assure you I wasn't with them when they were doing what ever it was your about to lecture me on, Kaichou-san."

Of course that is his immediate reply. She thought to herself, ignoring how his brown orbs pierced through her own. "While it's good to hear that you weren't peeping like those two, I can assure you it's not about that." Adjusting her glasses as she spoke, Issei could only sigh, ready to leave the building. "I'm here, because I wanted to say on behalf of the student council, I would like to thank you for cleaning up your act. Not only do the girls feel slightly safer now that your, ehem, behavior, has cleaned up, your grades have shot up, with them, the school's grade point average will raise along with it."

And this is why I think school is a waist of time for me. But nooooo~ I can't just not go to school Mum says. "And with that, I hope your safe on your way home, other than the storm, there are crows about. I heard it's bad luck if you see one during a storm." Now that she was up close to Rias' newest servant, she had to say she was impressed even if he was ignoring her, trying his best to hide that fact. She could feel the power that was locked inside of him, the sheer potential the young man had. Though she kept her calm facade on the outside, she cursed herself on the inside at having overlooked him for Saji.

"Thank you Kaichou," he replied with a smile as he continued, "Though I don't think there would be any birds out during this storm." He finished with his hand on his chin, even in the elemental nations there were never any animals out and about during any kind of bad weather. This world can't be that different right?

With a small smile, Sona nodded her head and said her goodbyes. Watching her walk off, he narrowed his eyes at the feeling he got from her. It was similar to the one he had earlier when looking up at Rias. there was a regal feeling, one that was trying to bend him he was looking at royalty. Shaking his head of such thoughts he finally left the school building, standing under the large catwalk that stood over the side walk.

"Whelp, better get too it." With a final sigh, he started his jog home, unaware of the various eyes that watched his back as he got lost in the storm. Wanting to make it home quickly, he pushed harder. Pumping his legs as he took off into the rain, careful not to slip as he took off in a sprint. To normal humans, he would've been seen as something of a blur passing them by.

Adjusting her glasses, Tsubaki narrowed her eyes as she watched the young devil run off towards his home, his back getting lost in the rain and distance. "Is that really Hyoudou Issei-kun?" She asked staring out into the storm, knowing the person beside her heard. "He seems... different than before."

"Ufufu, that would be Rias's newest 'pawn', Issei Hyoudou." Standing in all her breathtaking glory, Akeno smiled down as she kept her eyes onto his back as he vanished in the rain. "I'd say the change isn't such a bad thing, no?" Turning her head towards her friend and fellow Queen, she continued. "He still has those exotic eyes that strip all the young ladies at the school, fufu. I wouldn't be surprised is he's looked at you either Tsubaki."

Closing her eyes and turning around, she scoffed, not responding to her friends words. "I'll be leaving Akeno, Kaichou has a meeting she would like me to attend with her. Give Gremory-sama my regards."

With a smile, Akeno brushed her long raven, almost black hair from her eyes, her signature pony tail not there. With a blink, she realized Rias's familiar was flying right in front of her outside the 3rd story window. With a small laugh to herself, she quickly teleported to the club room, responding to her master's summons.

zXz

It was suppose to be a simple jog now that the storm had passed. A quick run around the block, maybe grab a bite to eat at the ramen shop that was still open surprisingly. Possibly run the errands his mother wanted him to do. He didn't expect he'd have to run for his life from a guy with black feathered wings that liked throwing spears of light at him.

It was strange, if he had the body from his past life, he wouldn't even feel as threatened as he did now. But his body wasn't strong enough to withstand anything this being threw at him. Especially those spears of light that kept missing him by the barest of inches. Each one that missed left a rather deep cut on his body, going through his as if they were a red hot knife through paper. Dammit, what is this guy?! Each of his attacks burn, not to mention this feeling of death when they touch me.

He didn't have time to even look backwards as he strafed through the large park that sat in the middle of Kouh, dodging random spears as they impaled the ground. With a burst of strength, he took off into the thick maze of tress, hiding behind one as he stood trying to catch his breath and his heart beat. "Dammit! How am I going to make it out of this?!"

Closing his eyes, he slammed the back of his fist into the tree behind him. Staring ahead, he narrowed his eyes as he finally steadied his bodies breathing and caught his breath enough to thoroughly think it through. "I can't get close to him, he just flies away. I can't let him get close to me, he's strong enough to break through the trees like paper, not to mention, those weapons," he paused, having to grab onto his thigh, where a good chunk of his flesh was missing from the side, "It feels like poison is running through my veins."

Going from his thigh to his head, he steadied himself as he fell forward on his feet slightly. Dammit! The blood-loss is finally becoming too much. If this guy doesn't kill me then that will. What do I do?! Steadying himself, he sent his gaze skywards towards the moon. In an instant, time froze as a memory hit him.

"Why are you out this late Naruto-kun?" His deep, age'd voice reaching the young blonds even from several yards behind. "You should be in bed, the academy starts tomorrow."

"I don't want to go. I'll just be an outcast and be pushed aside." His eyes didn't waver from the moon that was clothed in the clouds under it. His voice reached the old mans even as he stayed the same. "Ne, Jiji." Hearing the young blonds voice, Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe as he too looked up through the trees. "Will I ever be able to reach the top? Like you did?"

"The top?" Taking a rather deep puff from his pipe, he sat there for a moment, contemplating on how to answer that. He himself asked his predecessor, Hashirama, the same question. Knowing the young blond in front of him was going to have a tough life with the near all powerful Bijuu sealed inside of him and his powerful lineage, he came up with his answer almost instantly. "I believe, everyone has the ability to reach the top, some more than others, but everyone has the ability."

Seeing the young blond not even move, yet, Hiruzen knew he had Naruto's attention. "It's just some never take the step that's needed. A leap into the unknown." He smiled as the boy finally moved. He watched as Naruto reached his arm up towards the moon, keeping it there as he spoke.

"Then I'll reach it, Jiji! Believe it!"

Blinking as the memory faded, he didn't even move as spears of light followed the shadow of the tree he was hiding behind. Hearing the being's voice get ever closer from behind, he sighed. A jump into the unknown? Well, here goes nothing Jiji.

With a smile, the being slowly descended from above the trees, his feet touching the ground as he conjured several spears from his tainted light. "I'll ask you one last time, little devil. Where is your master, if you even have one anymore."

Walking out from behind the tree, suppressing the pain as best he could, he stood straight up, staring directly into the beings eyes, even as every fiber of his own being told him to flee as fast as he could. "Devil? I don't know what your talking about. I'm a human, a normal human who doesn't like being chased by strange flying people who like throwing spears at people."

Looking around from under his top hat, the being laughed mockingly. "Well, since you don't even know what you are nor your master, I'll take it as your a 'stray'." Bringing his clothed arm up, the spears conjured from behind him all floated into one large one above his hand.

"You know. I'm slightly impressed a low class devil such as yourself is still able to stand with those wounds. These spears of light should be poison to you and your kind. A single cut and your blood will feel like it's on fire."

I've only got enough energy for one attempt at this, if this even works. "I told you, I don't know what your talking about. Devils, angels and the like don't exist!" He spoke slowly getting into a rather familiar stance, spreading his feet slightly apart, his right one in front of his left.

A shocked expression was present on his face as he listened to the young devil. "You don't even know do you? Now that! That is funny!" He had to hold his stomach in laughter as he bent forward laughing. So busy laughing was he that he didn't realize Issei took a single step, and appeared in front of him, his right foot flying through the air coming straight for the side of his face.

The impact was harder than then either of them anticipated as the winged being was sent flying through the air to the left, impacting one of the larger trees before falling to his knees. Issei, having expelled the rest of his energy that wasn't being used to keep him awake from the poison in his veins. Falling forwards, landing on his own hands and knees, he tilted his head slightly forwards as a crimson magic circle came to life from beneath him.

"Oh my, what a powerful servant I have." He could barely make out the voice that arrived along with the weird magic circle underneath him. "I'm proud of you, Hyoudou Issei-kun. And I'm sorry I didn't notice it earlier, if I had just kept my familiars watching you during the storm, well." Kneeling down, she quickly checked over him before standing back up, flinching slightly as she noticed the chunk of his flesh missing from his thigh. "I promise to make it up to you, but first."

"Ah." She turned around to face the fallen that was already up, a hand to the side of his face healing it as best he could with his tainted light. "If I had known he was a servant of the Gremory Princess, I would have left him alone." Narrowing her eyes at his knowledge, she readied herself, her body glowing crimson as her immense demonic energy came to life around her. "Forgive me, but was it not your fault for not informing him of his own status?"

Summoning his wings, not wanting to confront the heiress alone, he started flying up. "The name is Dohnaseek, I do hope we don't meet like this again, my dear princess. I might just let my light slip." He finished, already above the trees, as he took off into the misty night. His dark attire and black wings vanishing in the darkness of night.

Not wanting to follow with her pawn in such a condition, she quickly summoned her magic as she kneeled down, carefully flipping Issei over onto his back. She stopped suddenly as his hand reached up and gently ran it through her long hair. "Such beautiful hair." Grabbing his hand, she smiled at the sincere compliment before placing it down onto his chest.

"You can admire it as much as you'd like to in the morning, my cute little pawn." Finished her magic circle, she continued. "But for now, rest. I'll get you healed up, this I promise."

This was the hardest chapter to write for this story in my opinion. Imma have fun with this story, hope yall tag along for the ride!