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Continuation of my previous story. See here: http://pandoragaming.co.uk/topic/10400575/1/#new for chapters 0-4 
5. Confessions 5. Confessions I should probably have expected this. Father was scolding us for our actions in the woods. Perhaps I had naively believed that we would be treated as some kind of heroes. But I guess not. Using our powers, on humans especially was incredibly risky in this day and age, anything could become the catalyst for another war. However, my father’s anger and frustration at us passed over my head. Akeno was safe. We had saved an innocent life from a terrible fate and for that I was happy. “James are you listening to me?” sighed my father “Ermm yes of course” I managed to utter hoping that he wouldn’t scold me any further. I wanted to know more about Akeno and why she was in that forest in the first place. I knew Rias felt the same way as she stood next to me. She had fought our case tooth and nail with father, arguing of our innocence and our heroic act, but she clearly wanted the discussion to be over sooner rather than later. “I realise you only used your powers to save that girl, but just be careful next time, we live in a world of dangerous times, so be careful now” Hang on, was the talk over? I began to smile inside. We had escaped punishment and father’s punishments were always the worst. We began to leave his study, slowly inching towards the heavy oak door as my father prepared to return to his book. My hand was on the handle when… “Oh hang on you two, about your punishment…”
2 weeks indoors and no dessert at meal times for a month. No wonder father was a devil, that was truly horrible for Rias and I, especially when the Gremory cooks served the best chocolate cake in the underworld. This was all I was feeling as I made my way to Akeno’s room. She had been given a room close to both mine and Rias’s, but hadn’t left since she had first arrived. Nor had she uttered a word to anyone, preferring her own company and the darkness. My young mind came up with a multitude of questions for her but I was just determined to see if she was alright. Despite being in such a desperate position in the fight she begged her granduncle to spare us, for that I owed her my deepest thanks. It was only a short walk from the study to our rooms, I guess our parents decided to keep us close in order to keep an eye on us and keep us out of trouble (not like this had ever worked anyway). Soon enough I was in front of Akeno’s door. I paused. What would I even say? “What are you even doing lurking outside a young girl’s door? Surely you’re not having lewd thoughts?” teased Rias walking down the corridor “Or maybe you were even planning to confess your love for her?” I stammered out an excuse, not quite helped by blushing an incredibly bright red. “Anyway shut up Rias, I just wanted to know if she was alright, at least I’m doing something” “Look, when she’s ready she’ll talk to us, that what mother told me anyway. Plus I don’t want to get into any more trouble than I already am” and with that she sauntered off to her room closing the door behind her. I began to sweat slightly, and I nerves began to form. Why was I even doing this? I quickly pushed the thought of love out my mind. I was definitely just making sure if she was alright. My hand hovered by the door before I finally found the courage to knock. “Akeno, it’s me can I come in?” There was of course no answer, so I took this as my opportunity to push the door and enter anyway. “I hope I’m not intruding, I just wanted to see if you were alright” Akeno’s room, like all of the rooms within the castle was huge and richly decorated. A large four poster bed in one area, whilst opposite a comfortable sitting area was arranged, complete with table and chair. Sitting on one of the couches facing the door was Akeno, her purple eyes looking directly at me. Words seemed to desert me then. I was blown away by the beauty of the girl but more importantly I simply didn’t know what to say. The darkness of the room also didn’t help with my nerves as I stumbled blindly towards her. “Wouldn’t it better with some light?” I asked cheerfully hoping desperately for the silence to end. Upon switching the nearest lamp on, I turned to Akeno “See isn’t that better?” It’s difficult for me now to describe the awkwardness of this first proper meeting and I scanned the room trying to find things to talk about. My eyes eventually settled on the pile of books which surrounded the couch, I casually picked up the nearest one and flicked through the pages “You like reading huh? Which ones your favourite? I think this one’s mine”. I smiled remembering the countless times I had asked Rias and even my older brother Sirzechs to read this to me. The red leather of the book was badly worn by I had cherished it all the same. In fact, I still have the book to this very day, kept on my shelf in my room. Whenever I’m sad or angry or stressed I always read it and it seems to brighten up my day. “Father always says that the beauty of a book is that it lets you escape from reality even for just a few hours. So which one are you reading Akeno?” Following her gaze led me to a blue book about Princess’s and dragons. It had been Rias’s when she was younger and was filled with beautiful pictures perhaps that was why she had picked it? My idea was confirmed however when I realised that it was written not in the human alphabet but the devil one. She could never have hoped to read this book, just stare forlornly at the illustrations. “Want me to read this to you?” I smiled and to my great surprise she nodded. Eager to not let this opportunity slip I started to read. Once or twice I looked up from reading to show her the images to go with the story, and I realised she was finally starting to relax around me. Hour after hour quickly went by and we had read pretty much all the books in her room. Both of us had become gradually more tired and before long it was a struggle to keep my eyes open. The fire in the room had been lit, probably by one of the servants, and the warmth and the smell of burning pine wood only increased my drowsiness. “Akeno… before I forget…” I mumbled sleepily “Thank you for before… when we were in the forest… for trying to stop us from getting hurt…” the crackle of the fire was the only noise in the room, but unlike before when the silence was awkward and uncomfortable, it now felt relaxed and pleasant. Perhaps that was why that I quickly fell asleep on the couch, dreaming of the characters in the book. A prince saving a princess from the dragon. A knight in shining silver armour saving a damsel in distress. The night quickly passed and it was soon day again. I was surprised however to find when I awoke the curtains opened for the first time since Akeno was here and a blanket wrapped tenderly around me. Infront of me at the table, sat Akeno staring intently at the same blue book as before. In the space of one day things had truly changed, but I was still no closer of finding out about Akeno’s past.
Over the next few days, I began to spend more and more time with Akeno. She never left her room and she never actually spoke to me, but I continued to read to her and strangely I felt we were getting closer. It wasn’t just me though. Rias often went to her Akeno’s room, I guess to do more girly stuff, and she too felt the same way as me. We decided then that we would do something for her, which would hopefully allow her to open up to us more. Now, being from an upper devil family, we were pretty bad with ideas on how to do this. So, together we poured over books and magazines as well as asking plenty of the servants on what they would do. Food seemed to be a reoccurring theme and because of Rias and I’s love of cake, we settled on the art of baking in order to gain more of Akeno’s trust. Armed with a recipe from one of the chefs, we quickly gathered the ingredients together. Chocolate. Check. Eggs. Check. Flour. Check. Sugar. Check. “Surely this can’t be that hard. I mean everyone can make a cake, right?” Rias questioned herself. I nodded, of course we could. We had taken on a group of bad guys the other day and won, baking a cake would be… well a piece of cake. Needless to say it didn’t go well. We didn’t quite realise at first that the egg shells didn’t want to be in the mixture. And often that mixing with our powers created such a huge mess that there was very little left in the bowl to bake. After 4 hours 48 minutes and 3 seconds we finally completed a cake. There had been other tries (the Gremory kitchen has 4 ovens) but they didn’t turn out great. One smelt like rotten fish, another burnt to a crisp and the last… well the less we say about that the better. But more importantly we had made one together that was at least edible. “Told you it wasn’t difficult!” Rias smiled smugly staring intently at out creation “I suppose so but what are we going to do with all this spare chocolate?” alongside the cake on the marble counter was bars and bars of chocolate. White, dark, milk chocolate bars of every kind. Laughing Rias took the nearest bar in her hand unwrapping it with care “I think we both know the answer to that”.
“I don’t feel so good Rias…” I said weakly, rubbing my stomach “We probably shouldn’t have eaten so much”. All around us lay the remains of our crime, heaps of brightly coloured wrappers and the sickly smell of chocolate filled the air. “You’re probably right” burped Rias “But it was so tas…” “MY KITCHEN! MY BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN” came a cry from the door “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?” It was the returning head chef Gaston. A portly man who’s kitchen was his entire life. We had managed to sneak him away for a few hours in order to make the cake, but we hadn’t had time to clear up. But surely it wasn’t that bad? I mean we were just making a cake. It was then they I decided to look more closely around the room. It was true that the area where our proud cake now stood cooling was clean and tidy, but the rest of the kitchen was a dump. Chocolate covered every known surface, mixed with a fine coat of flour and sugar. The appliances in the kitchen weren’t much better. Some still were smoking from their torturous role in the making of the cake and some of the cabinet doors were hanging off their hinges. “Rias we need to go now!” I yelled stumbling to my feet and grabbing the cake. With my spare hand I yanked on Rias’s dress “Come on we’re going to get in so much trouble if we stay here! Quick!” What I had failed to notice was the slight green tinge appearing around Rias’s face “I don’t feel so good” she managed to utter before rolling up in a ball on the floor I took a few steps back, heading towards the door all the while encouraging and begging for Rias to get up. I was about to return to her when Gaston found her. “Ah so it was you little miss… you’ll be having fun cleaning all this up then” “I’m so sorry for what’s about to happen” I heard Rias mutter before I heard Gaston panicking “No don’t you dare Rias Gremory. Do not do that….” I closed the door behind me this wasn’t going to pretty. It was because of this that I left towards Akeno’s to the sounds of vomit hitting the floor.
“Hey Akeno” I called entering her room “Look what Rias and I made you!” Perhaps I was preoccupied with joy at having made a cake I didn’t see the stack of books that were piled up by the door. “We’ve made you a choclat… aahhh” I yelled grasping at the air as the cake flew out of my grasp. When I next opened eyes I was face first on the floor, my head buried in the soft carpet of the room. I feared the worst that it had gone all over Akeno and she would hate me for life after it, but a giggle pulled me back to my senses. Akeno was stood infront of me, trying desperately to stop herself from laughing. Not a single piece of chocolate or cake crumb was on her clothes. I breathed a sigh of relief “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you smile since you’ve come here” She immediately turned bright red, nearly the same colour as Rias’s hair. “No I didn’t mean to offend you!” I panicked thinking that I had made her upset “It’s just that I like Akeno smiling, I really do!” She turned to face me again and it wasn’t long before she was laughing again. Nor was it long before I realised that I was the cause of her laughter. From head to foot, I was covered in cake, chocolate dripping from my nose and ears. “No!” I groaned “This was meant for you, now I’ve only gone and ruined it”. It was at this moment that Akeno slid her finger along my face, removing the cake from it. She either chose not to or ignored my look of embarrassment before tasting the contents on her finger. “Mmmm” she laughed before cleaning the cake off my other cheek. I stifled a laugh too at this point. I may have been a lousy cook and a clumsy waiter, but at least I had done one thing right. I had allowed this girl to smile once more. I promised myself in that moment that I would always strive with all my strength to make that girl happy, and never allow her to be upset again.
However it wasn’t long before I was breaking that promise. Less than a week later, Akeno cried once more “Why are you so nice to me? Both you and Rias… I don’t deserve this… if only you knew” “Akeno!” I rushed to her side “What’s the matter?” Akeno was sat on the sofas in her room and I had been telling her of our lessons with the Gremory tutor. Everything had been as normal. She was happy, and was slowly but surely talking more with us. Then I saw tears slowly trickle down her cheeks and she began to audibly cry, uttering the same phrase over and over again – “Why are you so nice to me?” Perhaps naively I didn’t understand what was wrong, and so I did the only thing that I could do. Hug her. A hug was always something that I liked when I was down, especially from Rias, a warm embrace that shielded me from all the darkness and upset in the world. I just hoped that Akeno would feel the same way. I don’t know why, but I thought she might shy away from this. Push me away and run to the other side of the room. She had been on her own most of her life, so perhaps she would want to be on her own when she was upset. It was to my surprise then that she grabbed me tightly, burying her face into my shoulder. I held her like that for what felt like an age, feeling her tears soak through my t-shirt. Not one word was uttered, and it was only when her breathing began to calm down again that I found the courage to ask her, “Akeno, tell me please, what was the matter? If it’s me, or something I’ve done, I’m so sorry and I promise to not do it again. I just want you to be happy” She smiled at this and calmly shook her head “It’s not you Jamie, I promise you… Its me” I interrupted her then “Akeno you are a kind, sweet, and beautiful girl! There is nothing wrong with you, both me and Rias really like you!” Darkness clouded her normally bright eyes at this point “My past, means I can’t have this life. I am a monster… I don’t want to cause you any trouble” Words left me at this point, how could she think this way? Her words sounded like they were those of her granduncle. What had he done to her? I became angry at this point, but Akeno didn’t see to notice. “My mother was the head priestess at one of the temples in the Himejima territory. She was beautiful, and loved by all the people. She was always eager to help and would turn no person injured away” sighing softly she carried on “One day a man who was terribly injured arrived at the temple and my mother obviously treated him. Luckily for him he was able to survive. During his treatment he and my mother fell and love and before long I was born.” So many questions filled my mind, but I forced myself to remain quiet. It wasn’t the time to interrupt yet. “We lived a happy life and I loved them both so much. Father would often be away a lot though and it was often just mother and me. I didn’t have many friends, I was different because of my father.” Flutter. Black wings appeared from Akeno’s back. They weren’t like the sleek bat like wings of a devil, but were made up of hundreds upon hundreds of jet black feathers. This only meant one thing. “Yes, my father was what you call a Fallen Angel. But I didn’t care, I knew no different. In fact I loved my wings as they were the same as my father.” Tears began forming around her eyes again “I did love them and my father that was until I learnt the truth from my granduncle. Fallen Angels are evil and for him to corrupt my mother and the Himejima name was unacceptable for some. So one day they attacked me and my mother at our home… and… and… she…” I understood, her mother had been killed for having a relationship with a fallen angel, that was why Akeno was forced to run off, far away from her home. Of course her family could not have her living so hunted her down. I shook my furiously. This world made me sick, this was horrible. “And… and so I lived off the land, travelling from place to place. My only friends being those sprites that tried to defend me in the woods. But deep down I knew, that one day I would be found and killed. But when that day came, you saved me!” she smiled softly “But Jamie, you have to realise, my Fallen Angel blood will only bring you pain and suffering in the long term. Perhaps it was better if I had died that day; that way I wouldn’t have to be a burden or bother for anyone. No one would know me. That is why I can’t have this happiness… this life….” I immediately hugged her again. I simply didn’t know what to say. My mind went completely blank, but what came next, was spoken not from my head but from my heart. “Akeno” I lifted her head so I could look directly into her eyes, I wanted to make sure that she knew this “It’s true that Devils and Fallen Angels are destined to hate one another… to fight one another for all eternity…” “I knew it” she cried, quickly pushing away from me and retreating to the dark fringes of the room “I know you hate me and I don’t blame you” Jumping after her, I grabbed her hand tightly “But, I like Akeno for being Akeno. I don’t care whether you’re a Fallen Angel or Devil, you have wings like mine or black feathers. I liked you before you told me this and I like you still. Back in the woods, I saved you without a moment’s thought and if I had known everything now back then I still would have done the same.” Smiling I pulled her closer for a hug and gripped her tightly. Whispering in her ear “I’ll always be here for Akeno. I only want to see you smile and be happy. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but believe me when I say that I’ll do anything and everything for you.” Akeno looked at me shocked. Had I said the wrong thing? I was always bad at this kind of stuff. Seeing my panic, she gripped me tighter and began to smile. I think it was the biggest smile I had seen since she had been with us “Don’t worry, what you said was perfect… but how am I supposed to react now after that?” she giggled, a slight redness in her face. I don’t know how long we stood like that, Akeno and I, in the corner of her room. Nor do I care. I had told her of my promise and I planned to keep it for the rest of my life. Akeno had finally revealed her dark past, but I didn’t care. I was going to show her the light of the future and the happiness that would come with it. I didn’t realise that my past was going to be a lot worse.
6. Family History Family History At the age of 14 most devils of noble birth, receive their ‘Evil Pieces’. These allow a devil to build up their groups, which in theory allows for stronger devils in the future. The idea was introduced after the War between Angels, Fallen Angels and Devils (as well as many other species) which coincided with the civil war in the underworld. Fighting two wars simultaneously obviously had huge repercussions on the underworld, and the civilian population was decimated. Whole armies fell and countless devils lost their lives. Evil Pieces were developed in order to allow devils to create groups, which in the event of war, could be used to protect the underworld. Now, the beauty of the Evil Pieces was that not just devils, but anyone that was deemed strong or worthy enough could join. Now, you’re probably wondering why they are called evil pieces right? Well, each ‘piece’ is based on one of the 5 pieces in chess. So, when a high class devil turned 14 they were given a queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and finally 8 pawns. Each of these carried different abilities: a rook had terrific strength, a knight had speed, a pawn had the chance of ‘promotion’, bishops commonly had more magic and finally a queen had the combined powers of all. It was a tough decision for many devils on who to choose for their. Pieces could only be used once and some powerful people could take up two or more pieces in order for them to become the servant of the king. Furthermore devil society quickly became captivated by the Rating Games. Rating Games were mock battles or simulations used to train devils and their servants using the Evil Pieces system. For some reason, it got so popular the top kings are now celebrities and hold huge prestige in the underworld! I’ve probably completely bored you with that. But importantly this leads me on to the next stage of my life. At 14, Rias gained her Evil Pieces before me, the red ruby pieces seemed to shimmer in the light whenever she showed me. Their beauty only encouraged me to dream of the day I would receive my own. I have never wanted time to move faster than it did in that year. Every second, every minute, every hour seemed to drag on, stopping me from my dream. Perhaps naively I didn’t exactly know what that dream was (I guess at that age you never do) but with a peerage surely anything was possible? Rias often teased me about the wait. Just like an older sister would. And over the period of that year she had used two pieces. Her rook and her knight. Her rook was a small girl, shy and reserved who would rarely speak. She was put into Rias’s protection by Sirzechs after an incident involving her sister becoming a rogue devil who grew stronger than her master, killed him and ran off. The young girl, who went by the name of Koneko Tojou, was at some stage sentenced to die for her sister’s crime; but was saved by the kindness of Sirzechs and allowed to live with Rias as her servant. The knight’s life was perhaps even worse. Dashingly handsome, with bright blue eyes and blonde hair, Kiba Yuuto was once a member of the Church. He, along with many children were experimented on in order for them to become compatible with the holy sword Excalibur. Unfortunately for him and the others, the experiments failed – no one could wield the blade – and the Church decided to destroy the evidence, including the children. Somehow, some might argue a miracle, Kiba escaped the slaughter. Rias and I found him, running bare foot in the freezing snow, dressed only in light blue pyjamas and bleeding heavily. He was on the verge of death, but both power and revenge burned in his eyes, and so Rias decided to save him, hoping that his desire could be used positively as part of her group. It is often remarked by other devils that the Gremory family has the greatest affection for their servants. I believe both Koneko and Kiba would agree with this. Together Rias and I battled hard with them to forget and come to terms with their past and ultimately lead happy lives. However, helping Rias with her peerage was only a mild distraction. I wanted my own servants desperately, and eventually the day of my 14th birthday came around. It was the Father’s duty to present the Evil Pieces to the child, and I woke up extra early waiting for mine to wake up. I was on top of the world at this point and nothing could stop me or pull me down… or so I thought.
I stood outside the ornate oak doors of my father’s office, eagerly awaiting my own Evil Pieces. It was not long before he came walking down the corridor, perhaps I didn’t notice the look in his eyes, but he sighed as he reached me. “Look James I have something to tell you…” “I know! You’re going to wish me a happy birthday, to tell me to pick wisely with my pieces and to always know that you’ll be there for me, I’ve heard it all from Rias!” I shouted practically pushing him through the door. His office was immaculate as always. Bookshelves dominated every wall, filled to the brim with books of all colours and sizes. Papers were scattered across his desk and the newspaper had already been placed there alongside his morning cup of tea by one of the servants. I immediately seated myself at one of the leather seats at the centre of the room in front of my father’s desk. Behind me the door was slowly shut and my father eventually found himself to his seat behind the desk. Nothing was said between the two of us, and no action was made by him. Perhaps he wanted me to say something? “I’m sorry for what I just said and pushing you through your own office door. I’m just super excited to be just like Rias, I hope you can forgive me father” The word ‘father’ seemed to pull the man behind the desk to his senses, his eyes now firmly attached themselves to me. “I promised that on your 14th birthday that I would give you the news…” “About my Evil Pieces right?” I interrupted barely able to sit still with all the excitement He sighed again and immediately became more serious “No James. You need to listen to me…” You could say that the next sentence completely changed my life. Everything became numb and words that one moment had come so easily to me, disappeared the next without a trace. “I promised that on you 14th birthday that I would give you the news that I am not your father, neither is my wife your mother” Perhaps I first felt that this was a birthday joke and I racked my brain for any memory of Rias telling me that he had done the same to her. Panicking I desperately looked into his eyes, begging for them to reveal the truth to me. They did not. “Bu…Bu..But well who are my parents? I don’t understand! Please tell me you’re lying!” I begged tears pouring down my cheeks “Your parents were poisoned and are in comas… we were asked to take you in and look after you… so we di-“ “YOU LIED TO ME! YOU ALL DID! MY WHOLE LIFE IS A LIE!” I shouted leaping to my feet and running to the door. My whole life was a lie. I wasn’t a Gremory. Rias wasn’t my sister. This wasn’t my home. Slamming the door I sprinted to my room pushing past countless servants. I didn’t care anymore I just wanted to be on my own. I bet everyone was laughing at me. ‘James is so stupid! How doesn’t he know he’s not a Gremory? He doesn’t even look like them’ Quickly I reached my door “IS THIS EVEN MY ROOM?” I questioned myself sarcastically. Slamming the door out of frustration and anger before locking it. That night I lay on my bed. The moons beams slowly filtered through the window, illuminating the tears rolling down my face and the ever increasing damp patch on my pillow. What a birthday this had been.
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