Theo sighed as he walked the grounds of school once more. It was honestly hard to think everything was back to normal. After everything he had just experienced, he had thought he'd never just walk the school grounds like a normal student again. Yet here he was. Truth be told it was more to do with his mother's insistence. While yes he was living in safety with Kiyome Abe, he still needed an education. She thought he'd be safe on school grounds since the Fallen wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything while the Devils were present.

Which was ironic in his opinion. Devils weren't something he trusted. His mother and Kiyome thought the same but for some reason these Devils would keep him safe? He shivered. He just hoped they weren't the soul stealing types who'd corner him and kill him behind his mother's back. Kiyome had said they weren't but… Yeah, he was going to be a nervous wreck at school. Perfect. Just what he wanted.

"You could always kill them."

'I'm not killing anyone,' Theo scowled and walked a bit harder. He was still getting used to having someone inside his head. It felt so wrong. Like an invasion of privacy. Nothing was secret from this dragon. He'd never hate his mom for giving it to him but he didn't like the situation at all.

So he trudged along, doing his best to steer clear of anyone. Not just because of his usual nervousness but because any one of them could be out to get him. Were they devils? Fallen? Regular humans working with or for their own agenda? Really, after everything, he wasn't sure what to think of the outside world anymore. A part of him just wanted to stay home. His mom would let him… okay, no. No she wouldn't, especially not when he could go to a school with so many pretty girls.

'I know you want grandchildren, but come on.' He grumbled to himself.

Still though, he had a few people he wanted to talk to. Well only four came to mind when it came to students he knew. Two of which he didn't really care about personally so that left Issei and Koneko. All he wanted to do was have a simple conversation and get to know them a bit more. Gauge their interest and hope they aren't secretly plotting to kill him. If they are, hopefully it'll end up like with Mittelt. Minus him almost dying of course.

"I very much like the idea of you dying," Kholkikos grumbled inside his mind. The dragon seeming to know exactly where his train of thought was going. "Release from this prison would do me some good and I know you would love to be rid of me."

'I don't fancy being a ghost,' Theo huffed and shivered slightly. It was still pretty scary to talk with him but he was bolstered a bit by his mother. If the dragon tried anything, she'd shock him into compliance. 'My mother-'

"Yes, I know of that witch and her powers." Kholkikos growled, "Don't remind me. One day she will not have such power over me and you will rue that day."

Theo decided not to comment on that. He hoped that day would never come. For now he had to find either of the two students he was familiar with.

"Out of the way!"

"Issei?" Theo turned to the voice. Lucky break this was… Well until he saw Issei's state of panic. The two didn't have any time to say anything before Issei smashed into Theo. The two fell to the ground, "Issei, what's-"

"Bush!" Issei grabbed him and dragged him into a nearby bush. Before Theo could ask why he did this, a large group of girls holding shinai came running past. The duo kept quiet until they were all gone. That's when Issei sighed in relief, "They're gone. Thank goodness."

Theo blinked in confusion before he turned to Issei, "Did you do something?"

"Eh?" Issei turned his head and quickly shook it, shaking his fist as well. "No. Absolutely not. I'm innocent."

"Then why are they chasing you?" Theo wondered if it was just because of his reputation. What if they were blaming Issei just because he was a pervert? What if someone had framed him or worse they had just chosen to take their anger out on the closest 'villain' nearby.

"Well…" Issei rubbed the back of his head, "You see, I was inside the girl's locker room-"

"What?" Theo frowned. He scratched his chin, "Were you returning something?"

"Well… no." Issei looked away, "Look, I hid in one of their lockers to peek on some boobs but they found me out and I ended up holding this." He held out a pair of panties.

Theo pulled back, "Please tell me those are clean."

"Yeah… I think." Issei sighed, "Look, I am many things but not a panty thief. I'm not really into panties anyways. More of a boob and bra sort of guy."

"So… you'd steal a bra?"

"No," Issei quickly shook his head, "I'd just look. No stealing. So now I'm on the run for a crime I only half sorta committed."

"Why don't you just give the panties back?"

"And get beaten from here to kingdom come?" Issei balked at the idea, "No thank you."

Theo opened his mouth to reply to that before he remembered why he wanted to find Issei. Suddenly he felt really nervous. He hadn't had a friend in years. He hadn't had much interaction with other people in general, actually. This was all like relearning the process of friendship for him and he wasn't sure how to go about it. He needed to keep himself calm and just talk to Issei. Yes, that would be simple. Just a few questions and he could go on about his day like any other. Simple and easy.

'Alright, Theo. Just ask him what he thinks of you and your relationship together…. Wait, no. That sounds kinda gay. Okay, ask him about your friendship. That fits. Yes. Issei does want to be my friend. He's not using me or anything. It won't hurt like last time.'

"Of course it will," Kholkikos spoke up once more. "Why would anyone want to stay your friend, you spineless coward. He'll run off like that blue haired girl-"

'DON"T MENTION HER!' Theo's voice roared inside as his heart felt like it was going to break just by thinking of her image, 'Don't you dare talk about her, you overgrown lizard.'

"...ahahaHAHAHAHAHA!" the dragon's laughter filled his mind, "A little girl hurt you this much? Pathetic. You are not worth my time. Stew in your own self loathing, halfling." With that the voice stopped.

He felt someone put a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Issei looking at him with concern.

"Hey buddy," Issei said, "You okay?"

"I'm okay," Theo's voice was trembling.

"No, you're not." Issei narrowed his eyes. "You've been shaking for a couple of minutes and not responding. Is everything okay?"

Theo took in a deep breath to calm his nerves before replying, "Issei… are we friends?"

"Course we are," Issei said without hesitation.

"But we've only known each other a few days," Theo tapped his fingers together.

"Oh please," Issei waved that off, "Is that what you're worried about? Just because we've just met doesn't mean I can't be your friend already. That just means we've got a lot of time to get to know each other. There's not exactly a set time period you have to wait to make a friend."

Theo nodded. That made sense. Relationships, whether friendship or romantic, happened at different speeds. There was no set way to do it, "So why did you want to be my friend?"

Issei scratched the back of his head, "Well… you seemed lonely. I know what that's like so I thought I could lift your spirits."

Theo smiled. That did lift his mood.

"Well that and I thought with you around, the girls would back off a bit." Issei chuckled nervously, "You know… having a handsome bastard on our side… guess that didn't work."

Theo narrowed his eyes. HIs friend may have been wrong about the girl's backing off but even if that didn't work, Issei wasn't going to abandon him. He stared at the panty in Issei's hand. It was lacey and white. No doubt a girl wouldn't want anyone to see them in it without… well going that far with them. So they were probably super pissed right now. He closed his eyes as he readied himself. His friend was in danger and he was going to help.

"I'll do it."

"What?" Issei asked before Theo took the pany from his hand, "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to give it back to them and explain the situation," Theo said, "They won't hit you once this is all cleared up."

"You don't know what you're doing," Issei grabbed his arm, "The girls here are viscous when anyone does anything perverted."

Theo inwardly wondered why Issei would keep doing perverted things to them but he wasn't one to judge. He guessed Issei was either really determined or secretly a masochist. He hoped for the former because the latter was a bit scary. Thankfully he was not going to have to deal with any masochists in his life.

At that moment, two black haired beauties giggled deviously and didn't know why.

"I don't care," Theo said, determined to do it. "I want to help my friend and that's what I'm going to do."

"You'd do that for me?" Issei's eyes widened before Theo nodded. He sniffed and wiped a tear from his eyes, "Thanks. Just for that, I've got to give you something."

"You don't have-"

"So what kind of porn do you like? Big boobs? No man can resist that."

Theo stopped and felt uncomfortable. His nervously sat in place, "Errr…"

"Come on, anything you want." Issei bumped his shoulder against him.

"...Monster girls." Theo looked away, slightly ashamed of saying that out loud. His cheeks were aflame from his humiliation.

Issei blinked a few times, "Monster girls? Huh, I don't have much of that but I can find some if you want."

"You-"

Issei put a hand on his arm, "No man should risk their lives without porn to go back to."

Theo opened his mouth. Then he shut it. He had no comeback to that. What was he supposed to say in response. It was impossible. No sane person would say that outloud. Then he remembered he was the grandson of Zeus and related to other greek gods. Which meant that they, probably the most perverted gods in all pantheons, felt the same way. He was going to give Issei the benefit of the doubt and hope it wasn't anything too crazy.

"...Make it lamia," Theo stood up, panty in hand. "If I die, you can have my monster girl stuff. I've got a thumb drive with a lot of pictures near my computer. Never let anyone else see it."

Issei gave him a salute, "Gotcha."

Theo took one last gulp as he walked out of the bush. He eyed the area and walked around the school. He didn't have to search long for the people he was looking for. Two girls with shinai stood before him. One had shoulder length pink hair with a white hairband in it. The other had brown with the hair done in a ponytail with a red ribbon. Two long strands of hair framed her face.

"You," the brown haired girl glared at him, "Have you seen Issei."

"I've… I've…" Theo was blushing and shaking. He had prepared for this but to actually talk with pretty girls was a hard experience. It didn't help that he had a pair of panties in his hand. He gulped. 'It's simple, Theo. Just tell them what happened and both you and Issei can live to see another day.'

He nodded and held up the panties, "I have your underwear."

The trio didn't say anything to each other. Theo realized exactly what he had said and done before his face lost all of its color. He wanted to die right then and there and the girls seemed to be of the same mindset.

"Wait-"

"My… underwear?" The brown haired girl blushed and eyed the panty.

He… He really just wanted to die.

"You pervert!" The pink haired girl cried out in anger before coming at him with her shinai.

Now while Theo wanted to die, he also wanted to live. On top of that, his training with his mother made his instincts kick in. He dodged the pink haired girl's strikes. Each one meant to inflict harm hit nothing but open air. He kept moving back as his mind tried to process what was happening. He didn't feel ashamed for his action now. He just felt scared about the girl before him.

"Wait, this isn't what it looks like!" He tried to get through to her as he kept dodging. He moved his head. His arms. Jumps when needed to get out from her sword swings. They were pretty good. She had a clear talent with the sword.

"I won't hear it," she cried out, "You made a mockery of my friend. You saw her when she was most vulnerable-"

"I wasn't there!" Theo jumped back, feeling terrified.

"Either way," the girl said as her agitation grew at his avoidance. "You have to pay for stealing what belongs to her."

Theo really didn't want to get hurt for something he didn't found himself getting closer to a tree. He didn't have a lot of places to hide. As she came down with another strike, he moved his arms up. As he did so, he used the only thing he could think of to block the attack. The panty. The shinai caught inside of it and he twisted it to wrap around the shinai. He lifted it up with a sharp tug. The girl was surprised and wasn't prepared for such a thing, so the shinai was taken right out of her hand.

Theo twirled it into his hand until he caught the handle, "Ha… wait, I did that?"

The pink haired girl's mouth was agape, "You… disarmed me?"

"I did?" Theo saw that he had her shinai now and it really clicked for him, "So… can I explain my-" He felt killing intent. He looked over to see the brown haired girl stomping over to him.

"You perverted, honourless coward." She snarled, "You parade my panties around as if my panties are a mere trophy."

"I don't," he lifted the shinai into the air and then realized something. The panties were still at the tip, waving proudly in the air. He blinked and gulped, "Oh… This is kind of a mistake. You see-"

"Die!"

She struck and she was faster and stronger than her friend. Theo tried to dodge but it was harder. Then he tried to move the shinai to block her attacks. That was a mistake. She smacked the shinai aside each time and sometimes hit him. One final attack knocked it out of his hands and before he could react, she struck him on top of the head.

He really needed to learn how to use a sword later. That and some pain relief.

Koneko sat by the tree she found herself sitting by lately these days. In all honesty, she probably shouldn't be here. She probably should be with Rias or one of the others. Instead, she decided to stay here and wait for a guy that was kinda creepy. Well unintentionally so she didn't hit him like Issei or the other perverts but still. 'He's lucky he has nice treats.'

It had become a bit of a standard day to have one of his treats now. Even if it had only been going on for a few days, she liked the routine. She could never get enough of sweets. Her one major weakness. She idly noted someone stomping about so she turned his head. Her eyebrow quirked to see Theo. He had bruises over his body and his clothes were a bit of a mess. He stopped before her before falling down on his face. He laid out in front of her and groaned.

"Bad day?" Koneko asked. He groaned in response, "Katase and Murayama?" He groaned again. She simply nodded. They were rather violent girls when it came to it. She could sympathize.

Koneko stared at him for a moment before sighing. She pulled him up so he could sit upright next to the tree. Not hard with her super strength, "There. Did you bring the goods?"

He nodded and gave her a cupcake from his backpack. She eagerly took it and bit into it. She enjoyed the taste and just sat there munching as she did so. Finally, as she finished, she sighed again.

"Look," Koneko said, "No more creepy spying."

Theo fell to his side and groaned. This time she could tell he was embarrassed by this, especially with how he was hiding his face. "Didn't… mean…"

"It's why I didn't punch you," Koneko said, "Second, don't fall for Issei's stupid ploys."

"...Friend…" Theo was too tired and sore to really say full sentences.

Koneko pinched the bridge of her nose, "Of course… Just don't bring him here, kay?"

"Kay," he replied.

Koneko nodded and helped him get upright, "Let's get you somewhere where you can relax." Koneko said before thinking. There was something about him she knew. He wasn't human. Not completely with that smell. If that was true, perhaps Rias could talk with him. She wouldn't force anything but it couldn't hurt to make some friends or acquaintances with other magical beings in school.

'Okay, she is nothing like the myths I know.' Were Kiyome Abe's present thoughts as she watched Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, washing dishes. That was unlike anything she'd expect from a goddess like her. If anything, she thought she'd force one of the guys to do it. Well if she didn't just up and kill them first. Yet here she was, acting like a homely housewife.

Truth be told, Kiyome had always looked up to the female gods of old. Some more than others given… well she didn't want to be like Aphrodite. Artemis though was someone she could aspire to be with her strength and determination. She wouldn't tell her though that Athena was her favorite. Still to talk and live with a greek god sure was something. Yet there were so many things off about this. So she steeled her nerves and walked forward. As she came by her side, she still felt it so jarring how small Artemis was. She looked so young and only about half her size. Yet she could never deny the power she had. Never.

"Is there something on your mind?" Artemis asked, never taking her eyes off the dishes she properly washed.

"Well…." Kiyome gulped slightly, "It's just that… You're Artemis."

"Of course I am," she replied. "Who else would I be?"

"Yet you're washing dishes."

Artemis paused and Kiyome thought she had stepped out of line. Then Artemis kept humming as she continued to wash them, "It's relaxing."

"But that's a housewife's work," Kiyome said, "You're Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Why aren't you out in the wilderness."

"That's no place to raise a child," Artemis said with a smile, "They need to be with other people and raised in a safe and secure location. I wouldn't dream to risk either of my child's life to the danger of some beast coming across them. No. They will be safe and sound."

"But don't you hate it?" Kiyome was actually confused. How could a goddess so free choose to live a life like this.

"At first," Artemis said, "At first I did hate it. I cursed myself sometimes for being weak. For wanting children in the first place."

"Then what changed that?"

"My children," Artemis said, "Every time I would doubt myself, I would look at their faces. Every smile they would give me would fill me with such joy I had never experienced before and… it made me curse myself in a new way. Why would I deny myself this happiness? I was no doubt a foolish young goddess, running away from what could be's."

"Even though you have a son."

Artemis stopped once more and the small look she gave her was enough for Kiyome to shut her mouth, "I changed. I changed because of my children and yes, because of my son. I'm not a stupid goddess who will just shoot someone willy nilly just because they are a guy. What kind of mother would I be if I did that?"

Kiyome nodded. She had nothing against Theo. He seemed like a nice guy and she liked him enough. He could be a good friend in the future, but the question had to be asked in her opinion. "I know. I stepped over the line with that question."

"No… you're right," Artemis sighed as she looked at the bubbly water before her, "I killed a lot of guys, and some girls. Many deserved it… Many didn't. It was because of my anger. My pride, or just listening to my mother. I let pettiness dictate my actions and I have a lot of blood on my hands. I didn't want my son to know that. I didn't want him to be scared." She sniffed.

"I'm sorry for bringing this up," Kiyome said, looking away in shame.

"You need to know since you're involved and you're curious," Artemis chuckled, "Better to get it out early. Still… even with all of that, he accepted me. My sweet little boy accepted me, faults and all. I love him so much. He's as clever as his sister, even if she has more of my backbone then he does."

"So you changed for him."

Artemis nodded, "Yes. HIm and his sister. I had to and I couldn't be happier with the new me. No more cold hearted goddess who shoots people on a whim. Now I'm the carefree mother who plays with her little ones all day."

"I get all of that but… why do you do the whole 'I want grandchildren' thing?" Kiyome said, "I thought you would hate harems and all that?"

Artemis stuck her nose into the air, "Because my son is different. He deserves it."

Kiyome quirked an eyebrow, "And?"

Artemis sighed, "Do you know what it's like to hold a baby in your arms and know that you're responsible for its existence? It's great. The greatest thing you can experience. I got to experience that twice and I will never trade anything for that. Yet, my children will leave me. They're growing older. I want them to experience that same feeling and… well I want to help take care of my grandchildren. To regain some of that feeling."

Kiyome nodded, "That's actually kinda mature of you, goddess."

"Call me Artemis," she giggled. "Say, you wouldn't be interested-"

"No," Kiyome deadpanned.

"You say that now~" Artemis deviously giggled, 'Just you wait~"

Kiyome sighed. She guessed this was her life now.

Sorry for the delay. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I can't wait to read your thoughts. Comments are appreciated and help me with the story. Until next time, take care.