chapter 22

Chapter XXII – Preparations and Punishments

Sona walked briskly behind her parents as they made their way to the meeting chamber where the Devil Kings were convening. Most likely, this is about the information given to them by Kyuren.

There was also a good chance that Rias was also summoned along with her family for another possible reason.

The Sitri heiress cursed herself for not taking action before and now, she and Rias would have to deal with the consequences of their stupid mistakes.

Deep down, Sona knew that this was going to happen sooner or later. After all, if Rias had succeeded and neutralized those Fallen Angels, the need to alert the authorities would not be necessary.

But she failed to accomplish it.

By no means was Sona blaming her red-haired friend, that would be inconsiderate and irresponsible for her part. She couldn't just place the blame on Rias because she too was at fault here and she sees that now.

No matter what angle you look at it, Sona should have gone directly to someone about this the moment they got wind of it. Serafall was a total no go for a damn good reason, but she should've informed her parents. At least then, somebody knew if things went to shit.

Which it did.

Sona had left her peerage back at the estate because this didn't involve them in the slightest. She was their king and leader, it was her fault that they were in this mess. The blame rested on her shoulders and she would not let her peerage get heat over her mistakes.

It would be immature and downright cruel on her part.

The Sitri heiress stopped by the twin doors leading to the chamber and she gave out a sigh. Well, like they always say...it was time to face the music.

"Lord and Lady Sitri, and Lady Sona." One servant bowed in greeting before holding the door open for them. "Please, the Devil Kings are expecting you."

"Thank you. Are there anyone else in there?" Claudius asked, expecting a certain family was also here from one of the same reasons they were here as well.

"Yes, Lord and Lady Gremory as well as Lady Rias are also in attendance. Ms. Grayfia Lucifage is also in attendance in the place of Lord Sirzechs."

Claudius and Inza nodded. It would seem that Zeoticus and Venelana had also been informed of their daughters...past adventures. Grayfia being here came to no surprise to them seeing as she was Sirzech's queen and wife; it was her duty to be here if it concerned the security of their home and race.

Sona expected as much when she heard that. She wouldn't be surprised if Rias had gotten an earful from her parents.

With everything said, the trio crossed the threshold of the doors and entered the chambers as the door was closed shut. Sona could see that Rias and her parents were there but Lord and Lady Gremory were indeed serious but not radiating disappointment and Rias was in on the same boat.

Pity...that would change in a second.

Looking at the table, she could see Ajuka and Falbium had very serious expression etched on their faces. For now, at least, their attention was focused elsewhere.

When Serafall had called for an emergency meeting all of a sudden, Ajuka Beelzebub was rather curious with this turn of events...maybe even a bit worried actually.

For one thing, his bubbly compatriot had never called for an emergency meeting before. If anything, this had to be something of great importance if it forced Serafall to blow the proverbial whistle.

And boy, was it so very important.

A day earlier, the entire Underworld was rocked to its very foundations when a seemingly powerless human laid waste to two devils. One was a high-class, nigh-immortal Phoenix Clan member, and the other was The Crimson Devil himself, Sirzechs Lucifer.

Not even a week has passed after that fateful incident and this happens.

Serafall had explained to Ajuka and Falbium everything and laid everything out in front of her fellow Devil Kings; the dossier, and a copy of the recordings.

As the leader in charge of the military, Falbium was at full attention when Serafall explained that this had the possibility to break the fragile peace and reignite the Great War.

He and Ajuka had read what was in the dossier and listened to everything the recording held and it worried them. But they had doubts as anyone would. How could they know that this wasn't fabricated? This could be an elaborate setup or something.

But if even a shred of this was true...

In the last war, the devils barely made it out alive and were practically only a handful left of them. They wouldn't survive another full scale war, not with their current numbers.

'How to proceed?' Ajuka contemplated to himself and he knew Falbium was thinking along the same lines. 'This information is not verified so we can't act on this alone. But everything about it makes sense.'

The dossier mentioned that the mastermind of this little movement was a Cadre of the Fallen Angels named Kokabiel. The two know of him...that maniac killed a lot of their brothers-in-arms in the war and was a total warmonger.

Falbium narrowed his eyes. He knew Kokabiel from the war and he could definitely see him doing this just to restart everything. Add that and the Holy Swords...well, it was a catastrophe in the making.

The situation was clear to them but they needed more to work on here. That's why they sent word to summon Sona and Rias here.

"Sona..." Ajuka began making the aforementioned stiffen slightly. "I don't know what to make of this, so please explain what this means. Lord and Lady Gremory as well as Grayfia had already been informed of the situation and we'd like to know if this information is credible."

Breathing a mental sigh of relief Sona took it as her cue to speak and cleared her throat. It would seem that there won't be drama just yet. "Yes, I believe so."

"And this came from the same human who put Sirzechs out of commission." Falbium raised a brow in apparent disbelief. "Not very reassuring if you ask me."

At that, the Sitri heiress couldn't really deny that but they had to or they can expect the worst. "I won't deny that, and I also understand if this could be misinformation. But this is too big to just ignore outright."

Ajuka nodded. "And it won't. But what I'd like to know is, how did Kyuren got hold of this kind of information."

Sona sighed, this was going to be a long day. "The only way he could've gotten hold of this is that he was given it."

Immediately, almost everyone had connected what she had said and their faces grew grim. This could only mean one damn thing.

"So... the Fallen Angels had somehow gotten wind of him." Zeoticus stated what was on everyone's mind. There was no way another faction would hand over information this sensitive unless they were absolutely sure.

This human may be the reason why Sirzechs was not here but it posed an even greater threat if the Fallen Angels somehow got him on their side. And if they managed to turn into a Fallen Angel…Zeoticus didn't like the idea.

Grayfia too was thinking the same thing. Even though Kyuren had almost killed her husband and threatened her son, she knew the blame was mostly on Sirzechs and Riser. But that doesn't make it okay with her.

Only a few hours ago, her husband had regained consciousness. Once they were alone, the strongest queen let her icy persona crumble and enveloped him in a tight hug…before slapping him hard for his utter stupidity and a very harsh tongue lashing.

Thankful as she was that her love was still with them, she still could not forget how Kyuren almost took her king away from her.

Alas, any animosity must be put on hold for now.

"But how did they found out about him?" Rias asked. "Was there a leak?" The moment she asked, Claudius, Inza and Serafall turned to Sona. Something that was not missed by the others.

Feeling that she was cornered and had no other choice, the Sitri heiress could only sigh. "Rias, do you remember what happened a few months ago?"

The Gremory heiress was confused for a moment. "A few months ago? What are you talking-" In a split second, her eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing her like that made Zeoticus, Venlana and Grayfia grew increasingly curious. What were they talking about? "Rias, what is going on here? What does Sona mean?"

"...I...um...i-it's just..." Rias could only stutter nervously before she was saved - or rather, left for dead - by Serafall who had a very angry frown.

"A few months ago, little Sona and Rias were attacked by Fallen Angels and didn't bother to report it."

Just as expected, Zeoticus and Venelana's eyes widened in shock, as did Grayfia's. "WHAT?! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

Ajuka and Falbium were also surprised at this revelation but their surprise quickly turned to outrage and the Falbium turned to Sona with an accusing glare. "Is this true?" He all but growled.

"Y-Yes...it is."

"Do you realize that you not only put yourselves in very grave danger but almost sparked a fucking war?" The Devil in charge of the military was understandably miffed with this. These two maybe related to his colleagues but goddammit, what were they fucking thinking?!

The Sitri heiress could do nothing but nod her head meekly. She looked over to her parents and they were giving her disapproving stares including her big sister. 'Well, at least my tongue lashing is done...but for Rias...'

"YOUNG LADY, YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!" Venelana exclaimed at her daughter. She couldn't believe that her precious Rias had put herself in THAT much danger! What was she thinking?!

"M-Mother, please. I-I can explain-"

"The you better start right this instant." Zeoticus glared intensely at his youngest child. Oh, he just can't wait what kind of excuse she was going to tell them.

Rias was sweating bullets; she knew that the jig was up the moment Sona basically told her. "W-Well...I just thought that it wasn't necessary to tell anyone about it."

SLAP!

The Gremory heiress had a look of shock etched on her face when she felt a very sharp pain on her cheek. She was just slapped...by her own mother.

"How dare you...HOW DARE YOU!" Venelana took no pleasure in slapping her own flesh and blood but dammit, that deserved a hard slap to the face. "Not necessary?! What made you think that not reporting this was not necessary?! Is the life that your father and I gave you not worth it?! "

Rias looked away in shame as tears welled up in her eyes. Zeoticus was holding his irate wife all the while glaring disapprovingly at his daughter.

Grayfia just remained silent but she was very displeased and distressed with all of this. She maybe would not have slapped Rias, but she sure as hell would give her a verbal lashing, servant of the Gremory family or not.

How could Rias not come to them with this in the first place? Did she not realize that that kind situation was much more delicate than initially perceived and could lead to further tensions between the factions?

If that happened...Grayfia didn't know what would happen. To Lord and Lady Gremory, to Sirzechs, to her young son...to herself.

Rias was still receiving a very harsh verbal lashing before Ajuka cleared his throat. "Now I agree that this is certainly a clear breach of protocol and could have endangered not only their lives but the security of our race, we need to address the current issue first."

Beezlebub was most certainly not pleased with this coming to light just now. But before disciplinary action can be taken, they first had to figure this out, and if proven true, formulate a proper response.

"Lord Ajuka is right." Claudius nodded before placing a hand on Zeoticus' shoulder. "While I wholeheartedly agree that our daughters need to be punished." He cast a stern glare towards Sona who shrunk back. "We need to sort this out first."

Lord Gremory continued to glare at his daughter and hold his crying wife before he nodded. "Yes, you're right." He turned towards Rias. "We will continue this at home. And don't you dare leave things out." He growled that left absolutely no room for argument.

His son had just regained consciousness hours ago, now this happens... Where did it go wrong?

Rias sniffled. "Yes, father."

After a few minutes of calming down, they were finally able to continue the main reason why they were having this meeting.

"Now, let's get this started." Falbium began, leaning forward. "How are we going to approach this? Even better, how do we ascertain that this is solid?" He pointed to the dossier, questioning its authenticity.

While still very much angry at Rias for her very irresponsible action, Zeoticus gave his two cents. "What about sending a message to the Fallen Angels to authenticate this."

Inza shook her head. "No. The enemy we face is a Cadre who is most likely monitoring all the channels. If we send this message, it runs the risk of being intercepted by one of Kokabiel's minions."

Everyone nodded at that logic.

"Regardless if this is true or not, the simple fact that Kokabiel and Valper are working together is disturbing enough." Claudius said. "And if they truly stole the Holy Swords, we cannot just sit idly by."

Cladius was right and everyone knew it. Kokabiel was a warmonger and Valper Galilei was the head of the Holy Sword project. If they are working together then that deserves to be closely watched. With the Holy Swords stolen and in their hands, that deserves complete attention.

"All right, I see what you're saying, Lord Sitri." Ajuka said, earning a nod from the Sitri patriarch. "While we don't know if this is real or not, it is better that we are prepared rather than be caught off guard. Falbium, you know what to do."

"I'll get our forces ready just in case. But how do we go about this? We can't just pop up and start pointing fingers here." Falbium noted out.

Serafall took this as her cue to speak. "Actually, little Sona has a plan for that one." She gave her sister a small smile.

"A plan?" Venelana, having calmed down enough, asked.

The Sitri heiress gave a curt nod. "As you had heard from the recording, Kokabiel possibly intends to strike at Kuoh and make an attempt at mine and Rias' life." At that, Rias' eyes widened in shock and her parents stiffened. "But I propose that we use ourselves as bait to lure-"

"Absolutely not!" Zeoticus cut her off. His daughter had already recklessly put herself in danger in order to fight the Fallen Angels with no support. There was no fucking way he was going to let her become bait!

"No." Venelana shook her head. "I will not allow my child to be put in such danger!" She looked at Claudius and Inza. "And you two, why aren't you protesting this?!"

"Trust us, we don't like it as much as you do." The Sitri Lord said, what parent would. "But there isn't much to choose from."

"These are the lives of our children we're talking about, surely there has to be another way!" Lady Gremory protested desperately.

"My lord and lady, please calm yourselves." Ajuka requested at the almost hysterical Gremories. "I understand what you are saying, but I would like to hear what young Sona has to say first. So please."

Sona nodded and looked over to her friend, the shock had apparently worn off and replaced with curiosity and determination. 'That's the Rias I know.'

"I intend to use myself and Rias as bait to lure Kokabiel into Kuoh. From there, we can spring a trap and surround him with our own waiting forces. And since the Grigori has essentially disavowed him, we can eliminate him without repercussions. But for this to work, secrecy must be employed. We cannot let the enemy get wind of this."

Falbium, Ajuka, and Grayfia slowly nodded. "The simplest plans are always the most devastating. But even if we are prepared, it will take time for us to get there." Falbium pointed out. "You two would be in incredible danger and I doubt you can last long against an experienced Cadre, let alone his followers."

"We can hold out as long as we have to." Rias spoke. She had failed to protect her territory and she was going to pay the price for it. She will not fail a second time.

"Your determination is admirable, but it won't be enough." Falbium said. These two were brave for this, but as commendable as it is, they would put themselves in great danger. Sona, Rias, and their respective peerages were going up against a veteran of the Great War.

Sona nodded, seeing the logic behind Falbium's word. But she had an ace up her sleeve. "Yes, but there's one thing I forgot to mention." Everyone with the exception of Lord and Lady Sitri, and Serafall looked at her with interest. "Kyuren has agreed to help us." If the situation wasn't dire, she would've let herself smirk at their faces.

This new development garnered mixed reactions from the rest. Claudius, Inza, and Serafall had seen the interaction between Sona and the human and there wasn't any hint of hostility in it; in fact, she seems to trust him. For now…they decided that they would reserve judgement.

The Gremorys were a little more worried. Zeoticus, Venelana, and Grayfia haven't forgotten what happened to Sirzechs at Kyuren's hands so they were understandably nervous about it. Hell, they were flat-out against it. They would not let Rias even 200 miles with him much less let him help them.

Falbium and Ajuka both looked at each other before turning back to the Sitri heiress. "Are you sure that is wise?" Ajuka asked. "And what do you think about this, Lord and Lady Sitri? Serafall?"

Claudius sighed. "I don't know what to think. I don't know the human very much and I wouldn't want my daughter to be anywhere near him." Beside him, Sona let out a frown. "But...his help would ensure my daughter's safety."

Serafall nodded. "Yeah, he gave his word that he'd watch Sona's back. But that still doesn't mean I trust him though." She wasn't known for entrusting her sister's safety to anyone she felt was a threat after all.

Ajuka hummed in thought, as well as Falbium. This was an interesting turn of events. "But why though. Why did Kyuren agree to help us with this?" Rias asked the question on their minds.

Inza was the one who answered that. "He said that if Kokabiel succeeded and war does break out, sooner or later he would get dragged into it. We have all seen what he did to Sirzechs, I shudder to think what else he is capable of."

Yes, it was a scary thought indeed.

'Hm... on one hand, I am not too keen on the human helping us. But on the other, it might give us an insight on his true capabilities.' Falbium said to himself. As the leader of the military, it was his job to know all the threats of his race and Kyuren is a possible one.

But they knew next to nothing about him, this may rectify that. Kokabiel was a leader class Fallen Angel and Falbium realized that this could be the chance he needs.

He leaned towards Ajuka. "This maybe our chance to study him. To see what he is capable of against a powerful opponent. We can't let this slip away."

Ajuka agreed. This was a rare opportunity and he was willing to bet that the Fallen Angels have also sent in an observation team to monitor the powerful human.

"All right, but what about their safety?"

"We can't solely depend on the human to protect them at all times and we can't send anyone who can attract attention. We shall discuss this further, but let's hear the rest of it."

The two nodded before turning back to the others. "Is there anything else?"

"There is." Sona responded. "If Kokabiel and Valper have stolen the Holy Swords, there is a high possibility that the church will get wind of it. It is also possible that Kokabiel left a trail leading to Kuoh to frame us."

That was very concerning. "It would seem that the three Great Powers are involved in this plot." Falbium silently cursed under his breath. The Fallen Angels were bad enough, now the church was more than likely getting in on it. This was an inferno just waiting to happen.

"We will make the necessary preparations. But for now, we must end this meeting." Ajuka said before turning to Grayfia. "I trust that Sirzechs will be informed of this?" Ajuka asked.

The Strongest Queen nodded her head. "I will make sure of it."

"Then this meeting is adjourned." Ajuka announced and the others began standing up and left the room.

Sona was talking with Rias about this new threat to their territory when their parents came up to them with very stern glares.

"Sona, we are going home. We will be discussing your punishment." Claudius announced.

"We as well, Rias. When we get home, you will be explaining just what the hell you were thinking and then get your own punishment."

The two girls shivered but Sona realized something. "But what about school?"

"School can wait. This is far more important."

The two girls could only nod in submission. They were already in deep shit; it wouldn't do if they protested.

"Okay."

*Gremory Domain*

In one of the room of the Gremory estate rested Sirzechs Lucifer. Many of his brethren consider him as the most powerful devil alive…though he himself would add the word 'arguably' into that claim.

So one had to what kind of overwhelming force could possibly cripple him?

Sirzechs lay on his bed, his son sleeping soundly beside him. The Devil King gently stroked Millicas' hair. He had just regained consciousness only a few hours ago and the first thing he saw was his very emotional family.

His son was instantly by his side, hugging him like his life depended on it and bawling his eyes out. His parents were there, asking him if he was okay, how was he feeling and the like.

Though Sirzechs was still very much sore and groggy, he was fine. The doctors made sure of that claim.

Then came his wife, Grayfia. They had very little time to show affection to each other, but once h asked to be left alone with her, she sprung from her position and sobbed in his chest…before berating him for his absolutely stupid stunt.

'Well, I kind of deserved that, actually.' He chuckled. Yeah, it was his own damn fault he was laid up in a bed.

He felt extremely bad for worrying his family like that all because of his foolishness, but his thoughts wandered to the human who basically one-shot him.

Now, Sirzechs had taken extremely powerful blows in the past, but few could the power behind that punch. It felt like his insides were rupturing from the inside out and the majority of his bones were breaking like glass.

It was one of the most excruciating things he had ever experienced and if it was a bit more powerful…he might've ended up like Riser…only there was no coming back. Thank the Satans that he was healing fast.

'That human…Kyuren…he is powerful…dare I say it, too powerful.' Sirzechs mused to himself. That human took him out with one casual punch, if that was a serious one…

The Devil King knew that he had to set it right with the human. He was already informed that Kyuren was rather displeased with them and would kill any devil sent his way. There was no need for unnecessary bloodshed and as soon as Sirzechs was ready, he would meet with the human to express his deepest apologies.

It was better to have such a powerful force as a neutral than an enemy…that is, if he accepts.

Before he could ponder on it more, he heard someone knocking on the door. It was probably one of the servants or his family returning from some meeting. "Come in." He said, taking care not to raise his voice too much lest he awakens his sleeping child.

Immediately after, his parents, sister, and wife came in. He was about to greet them back until he saw that his parents held a look of displeasure, little RiRi of nervousness, and his wife of…well…Grayfia.

"What's going on?" Sirzechs asked as his queen went to wake their son up.

Zeoticus ignored him for now before roughly grabbing a chair. "Sit. Down." He growled at Rias who obeyed without question.

'Okay, something was really wrong here. What just happened? Why is mother and father upset all of a sudden?' The Devil King asked himself as Millicas woke up and pulled away from his father.

"Your sister has neglected to inform us of something." Grayfia said in a tone that really made him worried. Most of the time, she was all business. Now, she was not a servant of the House of Gremory, but his wife…and she was very displeased.

"What? What's going on here?" He sat up straighter. "Rias, what's going on?"

When it looked like she wasn't going to spill it, Venelana took the liberty to. "A few months ago, Kuoh was infiltrated by Fallen Angels. And Rias didn't even bother to inform us of this."

Hearing this Sirzechs' eyes widened in shock. "EXCUSE ME?! Rias, what were you – ACK!" He breathed out in pain, clutching his chest.

"Daddy"

"Sirzechs!"

Everyone shouted in worry but the Devil King would not let it stop him. "What is the meaning of this?! You're telling me that you were attacked by Fallen Angels and you never said anything?!"

"I-I just assumed that it wasn't needed." Came the Gremory heiress' weak-ass reply. "Sona and I determined that they were rogues so we thought that we could eliminate them."

"That doesn't make it better!" Zeoticus roared. "Do you have any idea what could've happened to you both? Fallen Angels wield light weapons; they are deadly to us! One hit in the right place is all it takes to kill any devil!"

Luckily for Millicas, he was escorted from the room by one of the servants so he wouldn't hear this.

"B-But-"

"Mother, father, Grayfia…may I have a few moments with Rias." The Devil King asked lowly, making the red haired princess go white. Her brother seldom got angry with her, but when he does…

It took a few seconds before they left the room.

"Do you have ANY IDEA WHAT YOU JUST DID?!" Despite his aching body, he needed to get this through to Rias and this made her flinch back at his harsh tone. "Taking on Fallen Angels on your own is plain stupidity, Rias!"

"I-I know that…" Rias was openly crying now but Sirzechs would not be swayed by tears. She had gone too far with her stunt. "But if I had come to ask you for help, you would've started a war."

The Devil King could not believe what he had just heard. "Are you fucking serious? Do you really think so low of me that I would endanger our entire race?! Rias, I – we care about you! If you had just told me or father and mother from the beginning, we would've sent help. NOT START A BLOODY WAR!" His last shout made him cough out violently.

Rias saw this and was there by his side. "Zechs! Mother, father!" She called out in desperation and instantly, the doors burst open.

"Easy, son, easy." Zeoticus patted him on the back as Venelana gave him a glass of water which Sirzechs took a sip out off.

"Rias…" He began, earning everyone's attention. "I've let you do anything you want, but this is overstepping your bounds." Sirzehcs coughed again but it was tame compared previously. "Mother, father, what do you think we should do?"

Venelana and Zeoticus loved their children; they would die for them if it meant their safety and happiness. But what Rias did was irresponsible and endangered not only herself, but also Sona and their respective peerages.

"In light of your actions, we cannot trust you with your own safety because of your recklessness." Zeoticus began. "That is why, after this situation is over, your freedom will be reduced. Your contracts will be reduced to half as well as your allowance. Everything and anything you do will be constantly monitored by our agents unless we say so. And if you ever put your life in such dangers again, we will pull you out of the human world. Do you understand?"

"…Crystal, father."

Unknown to the Gremory family, Sona also got the same punishment.

The next day, Kyuren was walking through the halls of Kuoh Academy. He had just finished his second subject and was free for a few hours and he was on his way to the Student Council Room.

You see, just yesterday, he had learned that someone with a death wish wants to start another war. And the raven haired teen made the difficult decision to inform the devils about this nefarious plot.

One might be thinking, why was he helping the faction that disrespected him and demanded him to entertain them in a fight to the death.

He could've just withheld the information and let them kill each other. The raven haired teen would definitely not shed a single tear; it wasn't in his character. No, his reason for assisting them was more along the lines of selfishness.

While it was true that he could care fucking less if they were wiped from the face of existence; hell, he wouldn't give two shits if the Devils, Angels, and Fallen Angels took each other out.

But if a war between them were to start then sooner or later...he was going to get dragged into it. That was one of the things he hated - getting dragged into somebody else' goddamn mess.

Let them fight and hopefully slaughter each other to extinction, but get dragged into it as a result. Or help the faction he didn't think VERY highly of and neutralize the threat before it got worse.

Option B may leave a very sour and bitter taste in his mouth but he had no other choice.

Was it so much to ask to be left alone? Kyuren just wanted to enjoy his life and mind his own damn business, not get tangled up in some messed up bullshit. Was it so much to ask for that?

Was it too late to back out? Yeah, it probably was considering that he would watch Sona's back until this whole thing blows over.

'This is just a onetime thing, Kyuren.' He told himself.'After this, they're on their own.' Kyuren wasn't helping them out of generosity, no. He was doing this so he wouldn't have an even bigger problem to deal with in the future.

Kyuren was going at a comfortably slow pace when he was suddenly called by two familiar faces. "Hey, Kyuren! Wait up!" Ah, it was Murayama and Katase.

True to his word, he had been coming to the Kendo Club every Wednesday if it was permitted by time to spar with the girls there. They were improving quite nicely...even though he was there just to spar.

"Hm? What is it?" He asked curiously.

"Well, the club just got some tickets to this martial arts contest...and we have one extra ticket." Katase chuckled nervously. "And... we were wondering if you want to come."

Kyuren raised a brow. "Um...what for?" Don't get him wrong, he was a huge fan of martial arts competitions; hell, he was undefeated in seven of them. He was just...wondering why invite him...especially with all that was going on.

Murayama smiled. "Consider it a thank you for sparing with us. You've really helped us and we wanted to say thanks for it." She, Katase, and pretty much the entire Kendo Club had gotten exceedingly better in their skills and overall performance.

Kyuren had basically whipped them into shape, so much so that they could go toe to toe with some of their other Kendo friends in the dojos. So they wanted to thank him for it.

"A simple thank you would've been all right." Kyuren shrugged. "But...fine, I got nothing better to do anyway." Because there really wasn't.

"GREAT!" The two girls chirped in joy. "Here you go." Murayama gave him the spare ticket. "See you next week Saturday, Kyuren." They said their goodbyes and went on their separate ways.

'Huh...how long has it been since I've been or watched a competition...?' Kyuren thought about it for a moment. The last time he did was almost a year ago. 'Eh, whatever. I'll just meet up with Sona for now. Find out if she has a plan yet… Come to think of it, she didn't attend our class.'

It struck him as odd that his partner was not present in their class together. At first, he thought that she was just running late and would come through the door with minutes to spare.

He was surprised that she didn't but did not dwell on it. She must have her reasons not too so Kyuren just let it be for now. Sona was probably in the Council Room, mulling over everything that has and going to happen, and lost track of time.

The raven haired teen couldn't blame her for that because it happened to him…a lot.

Eventually, he made it to the Student Council Room and knocked on the door three times before entering. "Hey, Sona. Just came in to check-" He stopped himself when he saw that there was nobody there; no Tsubaki, no Saji, no anyone.

'Hmm, that's odd…' Kyuren thought to himself before opting to close the door. The room was empty so he had no other business with it.

Where could they be? They couldn't be all absent today; it would be impractical. Frowning slightly, Kyuren was unusually worried about what Sona and the others had gotten themselves into but opted to leave it for now.

There was nothing he could do for her at this time because they were probably in the Underworld. Well, Sona was probably more affected by this than she initially let on. Poor girl…pssh, yeah right.

He briefly wondered if Rias and the rest of her club were in the same boat…they probably are since she lives here too.

Well, no need to dwell on this further. With that in mind, Kyuren went on his way.