[Third Person POV]
The forest went silent after the two grabbed the unconscious half-fallen and left. All the animals had already been scared by the loud noises and bright lights from the fighting.
The only sound one might hear was of the wind blowing around the fresh, bloody scent.
Soon, the sounds of the wind picked up slightly before two figures appeared from the sky and landed in the forest.
The first was an older Japanese man who looked to be in his 40s. His dark hair was styled in the traditional chonmage. He wore a black and green montsuki, and on his feet were geta.
On his hip was a katana that radiated strength; just looking at the sword would cause one to feel like they would be its next victim. The blade was covered in a regular-looking black sheath, but the swordsman had his hand on the hilt, ready to draw the blade should a threat appear.
Next to him was a little girl around ten years old. She was wearing a thick, teal sweater and a white midi skirt. Seeing the scene before her, her eyes showed many things, including fear, concern, and intrigue.
Her most prominent features were the two pitch-black bat wings sticking out of her back and the red hair covering her head.
The two figures were Rias Gremory and her current bodyguard, Okita Souji, her brother Sirzechs Lucifer's knight.
They were in the area when Souji sensed a fight going on nearby. Though he was curious, his duties to Sirzechs came first, not that he would be crazy enough to put Rias in danger. It was well known how much of a sis-con both he and Serafall were, even if they had renounced any family ties after taking the position of Satan.
The two were currently in Japan for business, though that was an obvious excuse to anyone who knew Rias.
She was a Japanophile of the highest order, which made him her favorite member of Sirzechs' peerage, right behind her brother and sister-in-law.
Wanting to visit Japan for years, Zeoticus and Venelana, Rias's parents, finally agreed to let her go, but only because she claimed she would use the opportunity to find members for her peerage.
A few days ago, the two arrived in Kuoh, one of the only areas in Japan devils had control over. Rias had been highly excitable over the last few days of their trip.
Frankly, he didn't understand her obsession with his homeland. Sure, it was beautiful, and even he would admit to being entertained by the new entertainment, but was it deserving of worship? He didn't think so.
Don't get him wrong; he loved Japan. He would visit the town he was born in once a decade to see the changes that occurred, but other than that, he didn't see the appeal.
Maybe it was because he was already familiar with the island nation. Perhaps he was just at that age where he started to detach from sentimentalities. Maybe because it was the first new culture Rias experienced that she loves it so much.
It didn't matter to him, though. He was just there to make sure nobody tried the suicidal action of messing with his King's little sister.
Though they likely wouldn't be delving too deep into the supernatural side. Sirzechs had given him a short list of locations with potential peerage members for Rias. Each had at least peak high-class potential if the reports were right.
They were at their third location so far.
The first two had been duds.
The first place they visited was Nagasaki. Having moved to the then rubble city shortly after the atomic bomb fell, the current ruling clan, the Shinohara clan, rebuilt the city, taking control of both the normal and magic sides. Their potential recruit was the first child of the head's third wife, who had awakened with a sacred gear.
While she wasn't shunned like so many from the Principal clans, her odds of inheriting anything substantial were low. Had she become a devil, she could've become devil nobility while also benefitting her family by connecting it to House Gremory. Unfortunately, they couldn't recruit her as she couldn't see herself becoming a devil.
The second one was worse.
They visited Matsuyama on Shikoku, meeting one of the many clans that ran the city. It was supposed to be a simple and beneficial deal for both parties.
Their bloodline was the descendant of one of Japan's previous daimyo, one of the dozens with blessings from the gods that survived until now, their legacy practically forgotten. In exchange for their son joining Rias' peerage, they would've gotten the support of the Gremorys, allowing them to outgrow the other clans in the area and reclaim their past glory.
While they were willing, they were also greedy.
After seeing Rias, the young master asked that they be betrothed.
Even if Rias wasn't already betrothed, a snot-nosed brat, who until now was only considered peerage material, was certainly not the kind of person her family would approve of.
Needless to say, any negotiations ended shortly after that.
Right now, they were in Kuoh because the current overseer, Cleria Belial, had gotten some information about the Himejima targeting Baraqiel's child.
Probably one of the best opportunities one could get for a recruitment. They help her avoid death, and she serves Rias. They could help her even if she didn't join, but that would risk provoking the Himejima clan, which he and Rias didn't have the authority to do.
Seeing the battlefield in front of them, he immediately regretted bringing Rias. He could've left her back in town, where she'd have been under Cleria's protection while he checked things out.
It was too late now, he sighed. Rias had already seen the blood and corpses. At least she experienced this now, rather than in the middle of battle.
Walking up to one of the corpses, he recognized the crests on their sleeves.
They were Himejima.
Now, he was curious. They had all died, and considering his purpose for being in the area, they were likely chasing the half-fallen girl.
Did she do all this?
No. He could roughly guess their strength, even if they were now dead. All of them were mid-class, and there's no way she would have won; reports said she was advanced low-class.
While one of them did have traces of lightning magic, it was different than what she could do.
He sensed her magic on them, but there was another trace of lightning magic that had a draconic feel. Someone with a dragon sacred gear, perhaps? There are also the other two, who died to a bladed weapon of some kind.
He could see six different footprints from the few traces scattered around this tiny battlefield. He could roughly guess three came from these guys and a fourth from Baraqiel's daughter. That leaves two unaccounted for, likely the ones who did all this. Their footprint is also small, meaning they're a child, probably around Rias' age.
He'd inform Sirzerchs later and have him send someone to investigate. Whoever did this might be a potential candidate for her peerage, if they were even willing, of course.
For now, he'd take Rias back and try to calm her down.
Hopefully, it wouldn't ruin the vacation.
-----
[Hajime POV]
We arrived back at the hotel under disguise magic.
Akeno, though healed, was still covered in blood, and her clothes were torn everywhere. If someone saw her, they would probably call the cops or a hospital, neither of which is needed.
Going to Tsubaki's room, I put her on the bed before the two of us went outside the room to talk.
Tsubaki spoke first once the door closed. "So how do you plan to recruit her?"
"Do you remember what the information on her said?"
"Yes," Tsubaki said, somewhat confused. "Just because she is similar to me doesn't mean she'll accept."
"While I am convinced I could convince her regardless, I have some ideas that would benefit her," I said confidently. "Remember how it said her mother died?"
Tsubaki nodded. "Well, it's very likely that she wants her mother back. I'll offer to revive her mother if she joins us."
The second I finished speaking, Tsubaki's mouth hung open.
"But- what- how?! Is that even possible?" She sputtered.
"Why wouldn't it be? Devils can revive others with their evil pieces, so why wouldn't other similar methods exist?"
"Be more specific. You don't pull off the wise, mysterious person cliché as well as you think."
"Don't ruin my fun. Anyway, there are a few methods I can think of right now.
First is to recreate evil pieces and use them on her mother. However, there are a few problems with that: evil pieces only work within a day of death. Still, the knowledge might help us get closer to reviving her.
Next, we could try getting the Longinus Sephiroth Graal. It can manipulate souls, including reviving others.
There's also my gacha, which could easily provide things that would allow me to revive her. I already have something like that on me, but I can't use it right now."
"Why?"
"It isn't magic. I have no idea what might happen if I revive someone with it, and I don't want to risk angering any death gods. I may be willing to help her, but not at the cost of pissing off some of the most powerful gods."
"And if she leaves because you took longer than necessary to revive her mother?"
"Her mother is already dead. Whether I revive her now or later doesn't change anything other than how long they spend together.
Besides, from what I know, her mother was likely aware of the threat her clan posed, yet she still stayed in Japan despite her relationship with Baraqiel. She could've left the country or moved to the underworld but stayed in Japan. Also, she wasn't strong enough to defend herself and barely had enough strength to protect her child.
The Himejima are still out there and will still be hunting them, so until her daughter is strong enough to protect them, reviving anyone is off the table; otherwise, the same thing might happen again."
Tsubaki sighed, realizing I likely wouldn't change my mind.
"What do you plan to say to her then?"
"Not me, you."
"Excuse me?"
"You said it earlier; you're just like her. She'll listen to you more than a stranger."
"Alright, but try to keep it from sounding harsh. She's already been through a lot."
-----
[Akeno POV]
As I woke up, I was shocked by the pain I felt.
That meant I wasn't dead.
Looking around the room, I noticed it was a hotel room. A girl and a monkey were at the corner desk, with the monkey pointing at me once I sat up.
The girl turned around before she spoke. "You're up. You're lucky we arrived in time; otherwise, you'd be dead."
She stood up before walking over to the bed.
"You probably have a lot of questions. Feel free to ask, but I can't guarantee you'll like them all."
"Who are you, and what happened?"
"I am Shinra Tsubaki. Like you, I was kicked out of my clan before I met my teammate. We were the ones who saved you from your attackers. We barely got to you in time, though. The people who attacked you are all dead."
"Why?"
"Why save you?" I nodded.
"My friend wants to recruit you to his organization. He heard about your situation and thought you'd be a perfect choice. You have no attachments to another group and are similar in age."
"So he's just using me?" I said angrily. Was he a devil of some sort? Why else would he be so cruel?
"Yes. Just as you'll be able to use him if you join," she said while walking toward the door. "So long as you aren't unreasonable, he will likely do what he can to help you."
Opening the door, a boy around the same age as me entered.
"Have you already explained everything?" he asked.
"Everything but your offer."
He sighed. "Fine."
Turning to me, he spoke. "I'm Suko Hajime. As my friend said, I want to recruit you to my faction."
"And why would I join?" I sneered. Was he seriously trying to take advantage of me like this?
"I can give you whatever you want, be it money, power-"
"Can you bring my mother back?" I spat out. Did he think I was born yesterday? I was already warned about the danger of deals by my father.
"In theory, yes." What.
"There are a few problems that I can deal with, but one problem is related to you."
My breath hitched. I might be able to see her again. Looking at his face, he smirked as if he knew I would ask that.
"What problems?"
"Well, the first is obvious: we need to get something to revive her. I have some ideas, but we'll need to be careful, otherwise we'll piss off Izanami who might take her back anyway. I have one method on me, but it requires her body and is highly likely to attract the gods' attention, and not in a good way. They might even just kill us and take it for themselves.
That brings us to the second problem. You're weak." I flinched at that. "Your mother died because she wasn't strong enough to kill all her enemies. She stayed in a country she knew those enemies lived in, even when Baraqiel could have taken her to the underworld. If you are to join me, and I am to revive your mother, you'll first need to be strong enough to protect the both of you so this doesn't happen again."
As I digested his words, I was heavily conflicted.
On one hand, hearing that he could revive her soon was relieving, but on the other hand, when he brought up my weakness, I couldn't help but agree.
When we were attacked, I was the one who ran for my life, leaving Mom behind to fight them. Even now, I couldn't protect myself and was forced to rely on others.
He was right. I didn't want this to happen again. I don't know how Mother would act if he revived her now. Maybe she'll go back home or maybe to the underworld.
Either option was bad.
The clan already knew the location of the house and could go there at any time.
As for the underworld, no. I don't want to even look at my father after all this. Mom died, I nearly died, and he hasn't shown his face once! I thought he said he was one of the most powerful fallen alive, but he isn't even able to help his family. Did he even care?!
Forget it.
If these two can help me, then who cares what I must give up to see my mother again.
"What do you want from me?"
"Will you join us?"
"Fine."
"Then welcome. Before we revive your mother, you'll need the strength to protect yourselves, so first, we'll be helping you reach ultimate-class. Good luck."
I just met you, and I hate you, Hajime.
__________
Author's Note:
To clarify, Sirzechs did not 'give' Akeno to Rias. At best, he gave her information on a potential peerage member, which was not something impossible for the leader of a faction to learn. While you might say they took advantage of her traumatized state, she was wanted dead by the Himejima clan. Her only real hope of survival at the time was joining Rias. Had someone else offered her to join them, it wouldn't have been inconceivable for her to accept, even more so since she isn't going to be someone's servant.
Thanks for reading; I'll see you next time!