Ichigo Awakens

(Back in the SRDI)

"Are you kidding me!?" Ichigo groaned in frustration, watching the monitors display Valleys of Screams drifting toward the World of the Living. "How the hell did this even happen?! What caused this!?" The sounds of tapping from fingers on keys rang throughout the room before the image on the monitor revealed a certain Dragon.

"From the data and spiritual waves, it seems this started because Great Red stayed in the world for too long after fixing dimensional space." One of the researchers answered, making Ichigo drop his head and growl in anger.

"That freaking delinquent!" He yelled out before slumping over, not like he could do anything about that bratty child anyway. "What's the ETA on them arriving?" The Soutaicho asked, deciding to focus on things he actually could address.

"A few days at minimum, little over a week." Another researcher said while Kisuke looked at his phone.

"And Ajuka just alerted me that Shalba, the leader of the OSF, is talking with Diehauser Belial, the current champion of the Devil's Rating Games." The Captain informed while Ichigo felt his eye twitching.

"Fuck it, I'm going on break to spend time with my family." He decided as he turned to leave. "Let everyone know and I'll trust you to handle that Devil crap Kisuke. I'll be back to deal with the Valleys of Screams." Before anyone could say anything, Ichigo disappeared in a flash.

"To be fair, it hasn't even been half a year since he became Head Captain and things have gotten so much busier." Kisuke admitted, understanding his student's frustration.

(Gremory Estate: The Next Morning)

The Crimson Dragon would like to say that stayed calm and composed in the morning after a pleasurable night with his two most beloved girls, that he gave off a new air of adulthood and maturity as he stepped into a new stage of his life in becoming a Harem King. In truth he couldn't keep the idiotic smile off his face while the Gremory Peerage and family all sat around the dining room table, some giving knowing smirks while others were getting a little annoyed by his constant smile, with the youngest and pure minded being blissfully unaware.

"So, should we plan a wedding soon?" Zeoticus Gremory, the current head of the family, asked his daughter. He looked like Sirzechs but had straighter hair and a goatee, dressed in a casual white suit, and giving his glowing and blushing daughter a knowing smile.

"I've been coming up with ideas ever since your engagement to Riser was annulled!" His wife, Venelana, said with an excited smile. She looked just like Rias with shorter brown hair and wore a white dress with ruffled edges that exposed her shoulders. "We can even make it a double wedding if Asia is up for it!" She suggested with her eyes sparkling, making Asia blush now.

"Does this mean Issei is going to be part of our direct family now!?" Millicas, son of Sirzechs and Grayfia, asked in excitement. This finally knocked the Pawn out of his stupor as he imagined his married life... which wasn't too different from how it currently was, except for the prospect of more sex in the future. But then he thought of something.

"Actually, I'd like to hold off on any wedding plans." He announced, surprising everyone in the room. "I want to marry Rias, more than anything, but... I want to feel like I deserve it. That I've truly earned it." He said, his resolve growing firmer in his chest. He stood up from the table and bowed to the family heads and the Satan in attendance. "Lords and Lady Gremory and Lucifer! I will become a high class Devil as soon as I possibly can! When I do so, may I have your blessings to marry your Rias Gremory!?" He declared, surprising the group and warming Rias's heart as smiles overtook the people in attendance.

"Sounds like you're finally maturing if you can make a claim like that." A familiar voice said as Azazel entered the room. "Or could it be because your experience has finally gone beyond your hand?" The Fallen Angel teased with a hand pumping up and down, making most of the teens blush before everything went cold.

"Lord Azazel, please conduct yourself properly in the dining room and around the children." The maid, Grayfia Lucifuge calmly requested with an aura that promised pain. She had long silver hair tied in a few braids with red eyes and wore a white french maid outfit. She was known as 'the strongest Queen', having that position in Sirzechs's peerage as well as the position of being his wife. She took her role as maid seriously and often had to make sure everything ran smoothly, which her husband did not always make easy.

"Sorry about that 'Queen of Annihilation'." Azazel said, keeping a calm expression despite the nervous sweat he just developed, before coughing in his hand and addressing the whole group. "First off, congratulation Sirzechs." He then pulled out a dvd box and held it up. "Serafall's people finished up the first entry of our 'Oppai Dragon' series!" He announced with a smile, getting an excited grin from the Lucifer and confusion that bled into dread for Issei and Rias. "It's going through a few test screenings to see how it'll be received but considering how much the kids liked our initial script, I've got high hopes."

"Excellent!" Sirzechs said with a smile. "Everyone, let's give it a watch today. I'd like to hear your thoughts." The Devil suggested with an honest smile, making it hard for the Gremory peerage to decline. "What about the Black Boobie Bandit series? Is Serafall being more of a perfectionist since that one includes her sister?"

"Well that and she's busy with some 'clan obligations' as she put it." Sirzechs gave an understanding nod and chose to leave it at that while everyone else wondered what could make the Leviathan act in such a way. "Now on to more important matters," the Governor General started as the jovial attitude was suddenly weighed down, "word about Ophis's capture by Ichigo has begun to spread. I just got word from Svarga that Indra is now interested in our 'little alliance' as he put it." Hearing that name made Sirzechs sigh in annoyance.

"Great. That guy. Any chance it's actually genuine?" Sirzechs asked only to get a shrug from the Angel.

"That guy moves to no one's tune but his own so time will tell." Azazel answered before continuing. "I also ran into that geezer Odin earlier. He fully wants to formally join the Alliance and needs to do some talks with us and the Shinto Gods since a certain strawberry insists that it's their job, not his, to discuss business and trade."

"Then let's get Michael and see if we can't set up a good time to meet up with everyone involved." Sirzechs said before his phone buzzed, checking it to find a message from Ajuka. "But later for me. I have something that I need to attend to." The Lucifer got up from the table and conjured a summoning circle to teleport away. He took one step before looking up and turning to his wife. "Grayfia, this is an order, find time in my schedule so that you, Millicas, and myself can spend time as a family as soon as possible." He said in a surprisingly forceful but gentle tone, Grayfia's expression remaining professional.

"Very well my lormPH!?" She started before Sirzechs gave her a surprise kiss.

"Thank you, my beloved." He said before disappearing, leaving a stunned maid in his wake and a bunch of surprised onlookers.

"Is it me or did your brother seem more... aggressive in showing his affection?" Issei asked Rias who kept watching her unusually stunned sister-in-law.

"Kind of. Wonder what brought that on." The Princess of Ruin said, idly thinking back to Ichigo and Orihime and how they acted with Ophis.

(Soul Society)

"So, what do you wanna do first?" Ichigo asked as he walked down one of the streets of the Seireitei with almost all of his children, taking a quick trip to Kyoto to get Kunou who was currently sitting on his shoulders. Celdia was the only exception since she was a still a new born, though Serafall did say her family managed to come up with a believable story so they were visiting. Still, Ichigo planned to set aside some time to spend with all of his children and brides, starting with his children that he felt he was neglecting. Ophis opted to go explore Soul Society during that time.

"Let's do combat practice!" Yuuichi shouted first, looking up at his father with excitement. "I wanna see how much we've improved!"

"Only if we take a bath afterwards." Rachel added in, her twin nodding in agreement. "We always get so messy trying to fight dad."

"And these were new outfits we made ourselves." Jared said as the twins posed, showing off their new summer wear, consisting of white shorts and short sleeved shirts with blue lightning designs. "What do you think dad?" Ichigo gave the two gentle pats, careful to not mess up their respective hairstyles.

"Nice job you two. Keep this up and I'll see about getting Senjumaru to teach you." That would be a long ways in the future, she can be a difficult master to study under. "Alright! Let's get to Squad 11 and work up a sweat!" Ichigo declared as they rounded the corner to the 11th Division barracks, making their way to the training ground to find it already occupied. Seated at the head was Kenpachi with his top off, leaning against a wall while Unohana and Yachiru applied healing Kaido to a massive bruise on his stomach, while Ikkaku was spectating a match between an angry looking Xenovia and a group of the lower ranked grunts of the 11th. They were all using practice swords and a number of other Squad members were sporting their own injuries while Xenovia had a few bruises and seemed more tired than hurt but was powering through on sheer anger. A part of him wanted to ignore it and head to a different training ground, but he couldn't. This wasn't a matter that could be set aside for a later date, this was something that could and should be dealt with ASAP. "Okay, what's happening?" He asked, walking up to the Kenpachi family.

"The kid's just upset she hasn't gained her Shikai yet." Zaraki answered nonchalantly. "She has the skills to be sure, so it's understandable that she's upset about that. But after listening to her past, it's obvious what the problem is."

"Indeed." Ichigo let out a sigh before taking Kunou off his shoulders. "Please wait kids, daddy's gotta help resolve this." He announced as he set her down.

"Kay!" They called out while Ichigo walked onto the sparring floor. "Uncle Zaraki, how'd you get that bruise?" Kazui asked the behemoth of the Gotei.

"Met that Dragon God and asked for a match." He answered. "She caught Nozarashi and 'lightly' pushed my stomach." He said with air quotes.

"He went from Seireitei all the way to granny Hikifune's Gatonden." Yachiru continued, pulling out three cloth covered bins. "She gave us lunches."

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"Enough!" Ichigo calmly called out as he marched out onto the mat, causing the group to stop and look at the Head Captain in surprise before bowing in respect. "Xenovia, go retrieve your Zanpakuto and recover what strength you can. Everyone else, clear the floor."

"Sir!" They called out and scrambling to follow his orders.

"Ikkaku, ref our match." Ichigo said, surprising everyone again. "The conditions for my loss will be if I move my feet at all or use my other hand." He declared before holding his hand out to one of the wooden swords and made it fly to his hand with Fullbring. The moment it touched his hand a blue grid like pattern spread from his hand to the whole sword. Xenovia looked at him warily but did as he ordered and stood across from him with her broadsword Zanpakuto. "Xenovia, it's clear to me what you're lacking. If you win, I'll tell you what it is." Ichigo said, keeping a calm expression while she gave a determined glare.

"Sir!" She called out before disappearing with Shunpo, appearing behind him with a side swing. It was just about to touch his Shihakusho before the tip of his bokken tapped against the edge of her sword from below and redirected her swing upward and leaving her stomach exposed to a quick stab to her gut, sending her flying across the room. She landed on her feet, feeling ready to puke but choked it down and locked her eyes on Ichigo again. He hadn't even turned in the slightest in that quick exchange.

"Nice try, but you're flaring your Reiatsu so much that even someone blind and deaf would've been able to find you." The hybrid told her. "Control yourself. Don't be a raging berserker."

"Yes sir!" She coughed out before getting back to her feet, ready to try again. She took a few breaths to calm herself and try to think of a new approach. If she was using Durandal she might have better luck, but even it seemed to be telling her to master her Zanpakuto before using it again. She flashed as him again, aiming for the side he wasn't holding his bokken from behind, and again Ichigo was blocking her easily with just his sword arm moving.

"Why did you chose to become a Shinigami?" Ichigo asked, giving her a momentary pause. "Did you truly desire it? Or was it just the more familiar option?" Xenovia stopped and looked down at her sword. "What's actually different now from when you were an Exorcist of the Church?" The girl kept thinking, trying to come up with an answer that was truthful to herself. Ichigo knocked her sword out of her hands, Ikkaku announcing her loss but she couldn't even dwell on that.

'Has anything changed about me?' She asked, really looking at herself as a Soul Reaper. Still a diligent soldier, still throwing herself into her training, still choosing to be a drone for what seemed like a greater purpose.

"Ask yourself again. What are you holding back?" Ichigo asked, gently raising her head and holding a hand over her face as it glowed white. "The only answers you can get now must come from within." Her eyes went unfocused as she fell over, the hybrid easily catching her before bringing her to the Kenpachi family. "She should come to an answer now. Please watch over her." He requested before turning to his kids. "One at a time or-?" He asked before catching Yuuichi's foot as it appeared in front of his face. "Nice try kiddo~!" He teased before gently tossing him into Qin as she appeared behind him before flashing back to the center of the floor. "Let's play kids." He said with a smile as the rest of his children attacked him all at once.

(Xenovia's Inner World)

Xenovia opened her eyes, finding herself in that familiar metal canyon that was her world. It was solid and concrete, unshakable and resolute, and with a singular path to follow it was also static. Just one path in an unchanging world, perfect for a soldier or a drone that would rather follow someone else than decide their own way in life. She looked down the path and saw a familiar figure just standing there with the black colored Durandal next to it.

"Do you understand what you were missing? What you were holding back?" The ebony armored knight asked her as she stood before it.

"I do want to follow this path, the path of a Shinigami, but it wasn't for the right reason in the beginning." The former Exorcist said, mainly to herself. "I went with the Soul Society because it was the more familiar option, not that much different than being with the Church and I could ease into the more liberal freedoms I have in this group. And while I could've taken my time to understand myself better and learn your name that way, I don't want to risk being too weak to protect my allies." She reached into the knight, her hand phasing through the armor as it turned into her broadsword Zanpakuto. "But I want more than that." She touched the Durandal, causing it to float to her back. "I want to taste delicious foods, laugh till my sides hurt," she started running down the path of the canyon, "smile till my cheeks ache, get so angry that I do something stupid, cry because my heart can't handle it," she entered a darkened area covered in shadows, "I want to know every joy and sorrow, love and hate, happiness and pain! I want to live my life to the absolute fullest now! So guide my way!" She reached a massive wall and brought the light in her hand up in a cutting motion. "Luce Solare!" She called out with a smile as she swung an ax at the wall.

(Back in Squad 11)

"No~! I've been defeated!" Ichigo playfully cried out as he let his eight kids wrestle him down, after making them all build up a sweat for the sake of their training. The training room was filled with laughter as he played with his children, Unohana shooing everyone else out to let the family enjoy their time together. The laugh became infectious as they all surrendered to the merriment, enjoying the private time they had. It wasn't too much longer before Ichigo noticed a shift in Xenovia's Reiryoku. "Congratulations, you can now graduate from training Xenovia Quarta."

"Thank you sir." The Exorcist said as everyone got up, Kazui and Hisana hanging off Ichigo's shoulders. "I must admit, I'm a little surprised it took this form." Xenovia held up her Shikai, showing a large and rather impractically designed ax. The hilt still had the curved spiked guard while the broadsword changed into a shaft connecting the handle to the ornamental head, which had two spear tips on the top and back with an angelic figure between the shaft and ax blade. It's color was a sunny gold aside from the blades and blue on the hilt(Divine Ax Rhitta). "You'd think I'd have another sword again, but... I like this." She said with a smile, holding the weapon up as it glowed in the sunlight.

"Every Zanpakuto is a reflection of the wielder. I'd recommend talking to Shuhei Hisagi of Squad 9 about his own experience if you have anymore questions regarding the form and power of your Zanpakuto." Ichgo explained, letting his kids down from his back. "Standard protocol is that your credentials will be sent to every Captain and they can offer you a position in their squad, but I'll be taking you into my Division. Hopefully that'll be enough of an aegis that you'll continue to be safe while operating in Kuoh."

"Yes sir! Thank you!" She called out with a bow. "I won't let you down!"

"Take some time to recover and then start training your Shikai properly. In a week, I'll make Kuoh your official assignment as a member of Squad 1." The hybrid said before focusing on his kids. "Alright you lot, to the Dragon Springs!"

"YAY!" They all called out as they left the building and flashed away. Xenovia watched the whole thing play out and made her decision. She dispelled her Shikai and started making a beeline for Squad 13, she wanted to talk to Captain Rukia Kurosaki.

(Devil Netherworld: Lilith, Main building of the Four Satans)

Diehauser Belial, it was difficult to find a Devil that didn't know of the man that was the current champion of the Rating Games. Undefeated ever since he started, winning fame and wealth and turning his family's fortune around from their decline. His power and prestige were without question due to his great merit and many considered him on par with the four ruling Satans in terms of power, he was not someone to take lightly despite his humble and polite nature.

"Lord Ajuka?" The man said, knocking on the door to the reigning Beelzebub's office. He had a graceful appearance with gray hair and eyes while wearing a high collared maroon mantle while leaving his chest exposed with tight black arm and leggings with armored grieves. "You called for me sir?" He asked.

"Yes, just come in." The muffled voice of the Satan said through the door. Diehauser did as instructed, took one step, and suddenly fell and landed on his face.

"Told you that'd work." Kisuke said, smiling behind his fan while Ajuka shook his head.

"A trip wire of all things." The Satan chuckled. "Well, I guess there's genius in simplicity. No one expects that when you're infamous for your intellect."

"Sir, did you just invite me here to have a laugh at my expense?" Diehauser asked as he got up, rubbing his head before noting his surroundings. They were in a dark corridor with walls that resembled melted purple wax that was currently solid, probably due to a series of stakes in the walls.

"Nah, we also have a few questions to ask. Simple ones like 'why are you with the Khaos Brigade'?" Urahara said before Ajuka held up his phone and pressed 'play'.

"Diehauser," Shalba's voice rang out and made the Devil's blood run cold, "I need you to find a way to kill those damned human bastards! I don't care what the cost is, they will pay for their transgressions!" Belial looked around, finding nothing really out of place but his instinct was screaming at him that he was essentially dead if he tried lying or anything aggressive.

"Fine. Yes, I'm working with the Khaos Brigade for two reasons." The Rating Game champion said, spilling his guts to the two geniuses. "One, I'm trying to gather as much information as I can to ultimately help destroy them from the inside as a double agent. Two, I'm still investigating Cleria's death."

"The Kuoh overseer before Gremory right?" Kisuke said as he thought on the matter. "What was the reason the Devils' had for that? We knew she was getting romantically involved with a Church Exorcist at the time."

"And I think that was the cause given at the time." Ajuka admitted before returning his focus on Diehauser. "Any reason you think differently?"

"Yes. Cleria loved gossip and rumors and before she died she told me about these things called 'King Pieces'. I didn't think anything about it at the time, but maybe there was some truth to it."

"They exist." Ajuka admitted, getting a surprised look from Diehauser. "I made them to complete the chess set for the 'King' role when I started the Evil Piece system but discontinued that project after deeming them too dangerous if rogue Devils were to get them."

"Ajuka... where are the King Pieces?" Kisuke asked calmly.

"I've still got three but six were stolen." The Satan answered, quickly catching on to the Soul Reaper's train of thought.

"And who currently controls the rights to the Rating Games?"

"The Great King Faction, but the pieces were stolen before the Games were created."

"Would these 'King Pieces' heavily influence the Rating Games?"

"Yes, increasing a Devil's power by a factor of 10 to a 100."

"Did you forget about them until just now?"

"...yes."

"You see where you messed up right?" Kisuke finished while Ajuka sighed in irritation.

"This should've been obvious in hindsight." The Satan admitted, slightly disappointed in himself. "Why trust the elitist blue bloods with one of the methods to control promotions, that the nobility puts bets on, without heavier scrutiny!"

"They've likely been manipulating the Games from the very beginning," Diehauser theorized, "so if the King Pieces were confirmed to exist, it would ruin them! That's why they murdered her!" He growled in anger, planning his revenge for his precious family.

"And this is all circumstantial and theoretical at best." Kisuke added, ending those thoughts of vengeance. "What we need now is hard evidence."

"The Bael clan is currently the leaders of the Great King Faction, but Sairaorg doesn't strike me as the kind to use such methods." Ajuka said, coming out of his ball. "His strength is the real deal. Zekram Bael may know something about it since he was the closest to becoming Lucifer before handing it to Sirzechs, but he's been retired since before the Rating Games were established."

"Anything that might be able to sway him into playing an active role again?" Kisuke asked, recalling that the Bael was the only members of the Great King Faction they couldn't bug because of their Power of Destruction. Even Rias was immune until she started eating those special pastries.

"Hard to say. He respects power and is a staunch traditionalist. I think the reason he ultimately surrendered leadership of the Devils to Sirzechs is because he became the Avatar of Hell, but he's lost that power a long time ago." The two Devils wracked their brains for any answer on how to sway him and expose the corruption of the Great King Faction, then Kisuke gave them an idea.

"Ichigo's the current Avatar of Hell."

(Shadow Karakura: Tiamat's Nest)

"You think that'll be enough to convince them?" Ichigo asked with phone in hand as he climbed up the stairs of the grand tree where Tiamat made her roost, the rest of his children racing each other to the top while he occasionally flashed just behind them to keep them in sight. The path was constructed by the Goddess's magic as she brought the tree to life, giving a way for those that couldn't reach her nest by air. "I'm guessing they'll want some kind of evidence to support that claim?"

"Yes. I'd recommend pulling up Diodora if you could." The voice of Ajuka said. "We saw him getting dragged into Hell, but we don't know why. That's a mystery I'd like to solve."

"It likely won't be pleasant. I can smell sin and he was particularly foul." Ichigo returned. "Let me know when the meeting is and we'll see what we can do." He hung up as he neared the top, noting a lack of arguing about who got to the top first. "Kids? What is it?" He asked as he flashed into the room, finding the children marveling at a large blue egg that Tiamat was caressing in a large version of her human form. The egg was big enough for one of his kids to fit in if they curled up into a ball and the Goddess was of a stature where she could gently rest it on her lap.

"Lady Tiamat made an egg!" Hisana cheered out with her eyes sparkling as they all touched the warm shell.

"Can we get Yachiru and Ichinose!? They'd love to see this!" Abareru begged, grinning ear to ear. Ichigo looked to the rest of his children, all staring with sparkling eyes.

"Go." The hybrid said with a smile as they all vanished the second he started speaking. "Always so excitable." He muttered before he started walking up to Tiamat. "Gotta admit, this wasn't what I was expecting to see when you called for my aid." Ichigo and his kids were in the middle of a soak in a hot spring in the Eastern region of Soul Society when Tiamat sent her call for him. "Is this what Albion's claw is for?"

"Yes, young Gwiber's claw is necessary to complete her." The Goddess admitted, gently rubbing the egg. "I decided to create another daughter for the first time in a long time and I felt that his power would be perfect to help her, but there's one thing I still need." She said as she reached for a bowl that was filled with a white powder, the ground up form of Albion's claw that he got from Wing Bind. "The life blood of someone suitably powerful and your power is the most malleable of any I've seen since my brother. Please, be the father to my newest daughter." She said, holding the bowl to him.

(Soul Society: Kirinden)

"So, this is the place?" Issei asked as the Gremory group and Irina were flown to the Eastern region where they were told to find Tenjiro Kirinji on a bus shaped creature they were told was a type of lesser dragon. After they went back to Kuoh and did their school sport's day, they went home to watch the first movie of the Oppai Dragon series that Azazel and Sirzechs were insistent on making happen. Soon after the movie ended a Senkaimon appeared to reveal Gotei Squad 4 member, Hanataro Yamada, who said he was sent to give Issei a check up. Physically he was fine and just needed to rest his body. His soul however was what got damaged and was compared to an infected burn wound that wasn't treated properly, a minor one but still damaged. They were then advised to head for the Kirinden since the "Hot Springs Demon" might be able to restore his damaged life force.

"It's what the sign says." Kiba added as they looked over the building that looked like a giant hot springs hotel with a pair of signs next to the gate entrance that read Kirinden. "Well, let's-" He was silenced as the doors were kicked open, revealing a tall man with a giant black pompadour and tapered sideburns with a long stick in his mouth. His clothes were black hakama pants, a yellow haramaki belt, and a haori while leaving his chest exposed, showing off his lean build.

"Alright, which one of ya is Issei?" He groaned out, glaring at the gathered Devils and Angel before his eyes locked onto the Pawn in question. Before anyone could do anything he was already in front of the Sekiryuutei, roughly grabbing his head and giving him and more thorough examination. "Nevermind," he said before throwing Issei over his shoulder, "enjoy the baths. This won't take me long."

"T-think that was the guy we were told about?" Irina asked as they all tried to process what they just watched.

"His name is Tenjiro Kirinji." A deep voice answered as a pair of very buff guys came through the door. They were identical with the same muscular build and combed over black hair with the literal only difference being their glasses, one being circular while the other was a long pentagon shape. "The inventor of healing techniques in Soul Society. The concept of 'healing hot springs' is what got him the name of 'Hot Springs Demon'."

"And his generally attitude, but his skills are the real deal." The round glasses man said while handing each of them a pamphlet. "We're Kazuo and Kazuhiro and we'll be taking care of you for today."

"Just pick out one of these options for your soak and we'll direct you to that spring, but we'd recommend sticking with general wellness." The other twin responded. "Research is still being done on how much the more advanced springs will affect the reincarnated Devils." Rias nodded as she made her decision.

"Then I think I'll go with the 'muscle relaxation and blood circulation' spring." The Gremory heiress said as they all agreed to that option. "I am interested in that 'exfoliation and moisturize' option though. Can we do a second soak?"

"You can. By the way, we should probably cover your payment now." The round glasses one said, prompting Rias to pull out her wallet. "You'll pay in blood and magic." The entire group stopped started staring at the two, waiting for an explanation. "Squad 12 is the main department of scientific research for the Gotei, but boss focuses only on the medicinal and surgical side of research."

"Most of the time it'll be monetary, but since we have such little experience with Devils and Angels, especially reincarnated ones, he wants to capitalize on that and get samples of blood and magic." The other twin answered. "Then he can make more effective springs for your kinds." They kept staring but Rias put her wallet back in her pocket.

"Okay. Just be quick." She said, rolling up the sleeve on her left arm and presenting it with everyone else following suit. The twins gestured for them to follow as they went inside the gate and then into the lobby of the building.

"If you have a fear of bugs or needles, close your eyes." The angled glasses brother said, getting confused or scared looks from the group before he opened a plastic square door on the wall about six inches all around. Then they heard buzzing as a group of mosquitoes with vials instead of abdomens, making all of them flinch but only Koneko was restrained by the round glasses twin. "Please relax, you won't even feel the needle." Most of them hesitated, but Rias took a breath and held out her arms with confidence with the rest following suit. Koneko had her cat ears and tail out and was hissing while Gasper was trembling with his eyes squeezed shut but they eventually had their samples taken and true to the twins words, they didn't even feel it. "Thank you. Now please follow us."

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"This is bliss~!" Rias sang as she lounged in the water up to her neck. "I can actually feel every tension in my body relax."

"They really weren't kidding about these springs." Koneko still had hr ears and tail out and was actually purring. "This was worth the bugs."

"Divine~!" Asia and Irina hummed as they basked in the warmth.

"We could leave after this one and I'd be satisfied." Akeno added as she sank deeper with a smile on her face. "Makes me glad we're allies with the Soul Reapers." All the girls hummed in agreement while Kiba and Gasper were in a separate bath. Rias took a moment to look at each girl in the bath with her and thought about her future with them, especially since they all seemed like they were a little eager to make Issei's harem dream come true. Since she knows she'll be Issei's first wife, it was time to take Orihime's advice and lay down some ground work on the rules of the harem.

"Girls! I think this is the perfect chance to have a special meeting." The Crimson heiress called out, getting their attention. "Now, we all know that Issei dreams of having a harem." They were confused but confirmed that they all knew this. "I know that I'm in this harem as the first and head wife, considering all the 'firsts' we gave each other." She said, giving a teasing look to Asia and Akeno. The former nun blushed while the queen gave a smile that belied the challenge she was issuing. "Irina is also joining this as she's a political marriage to ensure the peace between Angels and Devils."

"I promise to get along with everyone!" Irina added, while blushing.

"Thank you." Rias responded with a quick nod. "Asia, we already know is joining. Especially after that rather passionate night we had with our future husband." The bishop covered her face and sank even deeper, there was a little worry that she was about to legitimately overheat. "All that's left among us is Akeno and Koneko. How do you two feel about our dear Issei?"

"I've already made my stance on this known, haven't I?" Asked Akeno with a teasing smile. "I fully plan on seducing him myself, I certainly don't mind being a mistress after all."

"Alright. Go on a date next time you two have some free time." Rias calmly told her.

"Ara? Are you sure?" The lightning user started with a mischievous smile. "I might just take your place as-" Rias went over to her and gently grasped her chin, giving her best friend a sultry look.

"I'm happy with it. After all, Issei's harem will also be MY harem." The king of the Gremory peerage claimed as she leaned in to a suddenly blushing Akeno. "Meaning your body will also be mine to enjoy~." Akeno closed her eyes before feeling Rias kiss her cheek, surprising the sadist. "But, I can wait to have a proper taste later. After WE go on a date Akeno." She said with a wink and a smile, making Akeno give a smirk that promised payback while everyone else was blushing at what Rias said.

"UUAAAAH! ARE YOU TRYING TO DROWN ME!?" They heard Issei roar from deeper within the complex. "I THOUGHT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HEAL-!" He got cut off by a loud thud and splash.

"QUIT YOUR COMPLAINING!" Tenjiro roared out. "YOU'RE BASE POWER IS SO WEAK THAT IF I'M OFF BY A LITTLE YOU WILL DEFINITELY DIE! NOW GET BACK IN THERE!" Suddenly the Gremory group decided to never need Tenjiro's personal attention. They were going to train so that they'd never need to go to him for healing.