Chapter 37

Castiel P.O.V.

When did my life go so wrong? I mean, most men would want to trade places with me, but I honestly can't feel happy right now.

After all that happened, we spent a few more days in there, and everything was fine… for the others.

In my case I needed to go on a date with a pissed of girlfriend A.K.A. Seryu (that is never a fun experience, a date with an angry girlfriend is never trully fun, but in this case was necessary); talk with Rin about what happened and ask about this marriage (fun fact, I never got much of a choice in this as they sold me out… again. After the twins I am getting used to this shit); Needed to help Serenity in getting around others (she barely speaks to anyone else when I started, and she still not talk much to anyone else); Deal with Miku and help her when she decided to take a break from the stage (she said she realized she didn't like being there that much for quite a while, but never got any true reason to give it up. A marriage was plenty reason for her); and last, but not least, train with Akisame in how to better my muscles, as he wanted to 'help me a bit' (I got a new respect for Okuyasu after that, his teachers is a freaking sadist).

Now we are on a train back to the mountains to see how the training went to the devils, but my situation here is far from perfect.

As we were too many we divided into two carts, in one are Kuroka, Arthur, LeFay, Okuyasu, and Kanda. Yes, he still is here as his mission of guarding Miku for a few more days; which means he is stuck with us for even longer, fact that he dislikes and is very clear and loud about, and the feeling is mutual.

On the other cart, there is me, Seryu, Emily, Miku, Lugh and Serenity (obviously I am using Purity Halo at all times in here, it is not costly to use after all). Problem is, who stays where. It was a fight that almost took an explosive turn (an expression more literal than I would have liked). In the end, it was a rotation between the girls, except for Lugh that was uninterested.

Thank God for the small favors.

As I am enjoying a pudding I bought for myself, while shutting down my mind so as to not listen to all the girls talking about embarrassing stuff (how can 'girls talk' be more dreadful than a study-class with Rin I will never understand), I start to wonder how did the training for Rias and her peerage went.

I hope they are capable enough now. I do need them to win after all.

Oh, I remembered something. I need to take care of this before we get there or it can spell doom for me.

"Lugh, where is that item you stole from Rin? I need it back or she will skin us both alive and don't think she won't. She got a lot of Phoenix tears to use and her fuze is exceptionally short." I said trying to intimidate a bit while hiding the cold sweat rolling down my back.

I like my skin where it is after all and I have no desire to lose it.

She looks like she doesn't want to give it back, even if she knows there is no other chance. After a moment (more like a minute) of internal struggle, she put her hand inside her yukata and took out a very big red gem with a small golden cross embedded into it.

It was the Tohsaka heirloom and a treasure like no other for Rin. It connected her to her family and my father.

When she realized that it was stolen she started a man-hunt for Lugh, and, when she didn't found it, she cried a bit (but if you ask her she will deny crying 100%, she has too much pride for admitting that).

As I received the gem I noticed the absurd amount of energy that is accumulated inside, it was untapped.

"You didn't use it?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. If there is this much magic inside I could attest that it was not used for a long time, longer than the time Lugh has it.

That can only mean that she didn't use it at all, but if she didn't use it why steal it in the first place?

"I didn't use it, never intended to as well." She said with a straight face.

"Why did you steal it in the first place if you never intended to use it?" I asked as not only me, but Seryu and Emily also seem confused about that.

Lugh tilted her head a bit and said as if it was the most obvious and stupid question there is.

"Because it is a treasure."

I face-palmed, just like everyone else in here.

This girl is a pain in the ass, I sometimes wonder 'why is she our friend again?'.

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As we approached the mountains where the training is happening I could hear the sound of pained groans coming from up there. There are just a three more days to the Rating Game and it will be interesting to see how much did they grow in this time period.

Now that I think about it, it will be great for us if they win. It will be free publicity after all, that we managed to train them in such a short period to be a force to be reckoned with will make more devil families try to enter in an alliance with us.

I can almost see the cash coming, devils are loaded with it after all.

"Will you stop that grim already?" Was what Emily suddenly said.

"Heh, let him keep smiling. It is the same smile he has on some missions when he is hunting down a stray, I think that is attractive." Said Seryu that was hugging one of my arms.

She might not have the most impressive body of the girls, but it is still a healthy one… I might be a bit of a pervert. But, it is only with the girls that are with me and that I care about so it is fine. Perverted acts are supposed to be just on this type of scenario (between people that like each other) and not on anyone independent on what they might want.

While deciding to ignore that train of thought I dropped the smile when I sensed some killing intent coming from the top of the mountain, and it was directed at me.

I could hear death approaching from the top of the mountain.

"Cas-kun, why are there more girls surrounding you now than when you left?" and so my judge, jury, and executioner said.

I looked at the petite and beautiful form of Yuno that was getting closer with a frown on her face.

I only had a few moments before I get the Yandere-deluxe treatment so I better say what I planned before.

I hope it works.

I said nothing but went towards her and hugged her fast enough for she not to pull any of her knives and tight enough for she not to move too much.

"Huh?!" Was her reaction to being suddenly hugged.

"I'm sorry that I made you worry about your place with me, but know that I love you and always will." I whispered in her ear, and with that, she melted a bit on my arms.

Again, she is all offense and no defense.

After a moment like this, she calmed down and decided to show her position to the other girls. And it was on the only way she knew (or cared about).

KISS

She kissed my mouth, not that I am against it. It is strange, how her lips were soft and it had an after-taste of strawberry in my mouth. We even did a bit of 'tongue fight' but it was not that long of a kiss.

She then hugged me tighter and whispered in my ear.

"I will want the full explanation later, and if it is not convincing…" She said that while putting her hand close to my crotch and using her nail to cross it over.

Was she saying that she will cut 'it' down?

Please don't cut 'it' down, I like it where it is.

A shiver went down my back with those thoughts, I better hope that the explanation is convincing.

I don't want to become a Varis from Game of Thrones or need to go to Bon Clay's island.

As I was thinking that Yuno took my right hand and started walking ahead, or so she tried because Miku took my whole left arm and embraced it while she too started walking.

Some might look at this and think of 'one flower on each hand' but I look at this as the first step towards Armageddon. What is up with all those flashes of lightning between their staredown?

I wonder if Will Smith will come to save the day this time.

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Somewhere in Hollywood

A black man that was getting ready for his next act on a movie suddenly he got a feeling that somewhere, somehow, there was someone asking the impossible of him.

He simply shocks his head and went to do his job, being awesome and one of the best actors of all time.

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A minute later we arrived at the clearing where everyone was, and by everyone, I meant Rias peerage, Bikou, Kuroko, Kaguya, and Yuzuru. I saw that Rias and her peerage being instructed by Kuroko about teleportation while the others were just sitting around. Looking at that scene I could say for certain one thing.

Rias and her peerage had seen better days.

Kiba looked like he could barely stand and was using a green spandex with many weights. Assassin-sensei probably heard Vert's tips about how to train. Poor guy. *FLASH* *FLASH* I took some pictures to take back to Kuoh, selling those will get me some good money (Rin barely gives me any money so if I have a chance to get some I will get it).

Next to Kiba is Akeno, and I could swear that her hair was straight down when I went on the mission, so why is her hair looking like a super-sayian in between 2 and 3? Did she change races? Except for that her energy was clearly more attuned to thunder as the 'feel' to it was clearly much purer than before.

Next is Rias. She looks fine at first glance but it is clear that she is acting weird, it is just small things that give it away but it is clear that she has not been sleeping well and has a lot on her mind. She probably used that machine, I remember that I was like that as well on the start. Poor girl.

Next is Koneko, she has grown a bit. Literally, she is about 4 centimeters taller and is clearly much more connected to her Yokai side, if her animal parts being out is anything to go by. Another point is that her energy seems to be flowing much more naturally and she is likely much stronger than last time. Not that I could see much, because as soon as she saw the group arriving she hide behind Rias so as to not see Kuroka.

She still has some issues with her sister that needs to be cleared up.

Now there is Gasper, and strangely enough, he seems like the one that changed the most. His hair got a bit longer and its platinum color is now with tones of blue on the tips. He also was emanating confidence and assurance that he didn't have when I left. Also, his magical reserves skyrocketed and now he is close to turning into a low ultimate-class.

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How the hell did THAT happen? I even feel threatened by him instinctively. If I was to put into comparison, he is about 20% of Sairaorg right now. He is close to Riser at 40%. And the two are the topmost talents from the young generation from all devil kind.

Dangerous.

And last I see Issei. He is laying down on the ground and cannot move a single muscle but it is obvious that the training had a great effect. His muscles are much more defined and his energy is on the mid mid-class, jumping many levels in only a week. I can only imagine how hard he must have trained. Also, I feel a tint of draconic energy from his magic reserves which means he is in contact with Draig and is in much better control of his gear. The energy that allowed this explosive growth must have come from there.

I can say for certain that they are at the very least two or three times stronger than when I left.

But there are no 'thanks' on their eyes when they look at me, just hate and desire for revenge. Probably due to how the training went down.

Especially Issei that managed to roll himself to look at my direction and saw Miku Izayoi, the popular idol, hugging my arm in an affectionate way.

"Wha-, Ho-, Whe-, Bu-…" and those words 'overwhelming' with meaning keep rolling out of his tongue.

"Full sentences, you need to go for full sentences or others might think you are dumb." I said to him.

It is the truth; you need to speak properly if you want to get your message across.

"Why is Miku-sama clinging to your arm?" He said, probably wanting to look at me but hypnotized by Miku's… assets.

I suddenly want to kick his balls. This might be an arranged marriage, but she still will be my wife and seeing him looking at her like that is pushing one too many buttons.

"She is here because-"

"I wanted to be with darling." She said hugging me even closer.

The looks I am getting from the girls hurt, especially Kuroko's and the twins' looks. In the case of the twins, there is even a slight change in the atmosphere and I swear that there should not have been dark clouds in the sky right now.

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I wonder if Zelretch is enjoying the show?

… who am I kidding, he is probably eating popcorn while watching right now.

"B-but since WHEN do you even KNOW Miku-sama?" He said, finally looking at me.

"I met her around 7 days ago." I said with a straight face.

His shocked face was funny, almost cartoonish to be honest. What, with his eyes bulging a bit and his mouth left hanging.

However, this reaction was quickly changed to one of anger as he said.

"Why is it that while I am training myself this much you are going out to pick up chick? Was that the 'mission' you were given?" He said in almost a shout. "Fuck, it must be good to be a bishounen. You don't need to do anything and chicks fall into your lap." Not only him but everyone else of the peerage was having the same reaction.

My own reaction to this comment, however, was very different. This mission was a load of shit, I had to fight many times and almost died more than once (the most dangerous being the times was when the girls were chasing me with their weapons, but that is beside the point), had to deal with a lot of emotions and face off against those twisted fuckers of Iscariots.

This was NOT a good mission.

"You know jack-shit about what I had to go through during this time period, so don't go jumping to conclusions." I said with a glare.

But even with me liberating some of my killing intent, there was someone else that was liberating even more of it than me.

Serenity.

And she was pissed.

She even started walking toward Issei, a cold glean on her eyes. I quickly took her hand so as to not let her go any further, God knows that she is 'a tiny bit' overprotective of me (except when the problem is women, that is the one moment that I need help and she happily joins in on the 'enemy' side).

"Calm down, everything is fine." I said to her looking directly at her eyes. Unfortunately, she still refuses to let go of her skull mask, but at least she is a bit more open on her actions.

As she felt my hand on hers she stopped and looked straight into my eyes for an instant before she turned her head to the side and said in a voice that was close to a whisper.

"Let go, it tickles." She said, asking me to let go of her hand even though she was putting no effort into actually taking her hand away.

After she said that I left her hand (it was incredibly smooth and gentle to touch by the way), mostly due to Yuno start to release a wave of displeasure aimed at me, after all, it was the hand that she was holding that is now holding Serenity's.

"Furry. Please explain what is going on, Castiel." Yuzuru said with a blanc face and tone, but her hand tightened quite a bit.

"Contractor for life, what sort of lust demon has possessed you for you to be acting like this?" Kaguya, on the other hand, is much less 'composed' as she pointed straight at my face and shouted that.

"*buaahhh* W-Why did you get more girls Oni-sama? You didn't even go on a date with me yet! Why? *buaahhh*" Kuroko managed to make anime tears, don't ask me how but she managed to make them.

Seeing this situation, I sighed and decided to call for a meeting among everyone here so as to explain what happened on the mission.

I was thinking about calling just the girls, but Rias and her peerage would misunderstand what happened and it would be a pain in the ass later if I let them have misunderstandings now. Also, if she understands the danger that Iscariots is and that they might one day target her and Kuoh maybe she would try to raise the security measures.

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After I finished explaining everything to them the reaction of most of them was as expected.

All of them had serious faces as they 'digested' the information I gave them. Iscariots and the danger they represent.

"I get that your mission was worse than hell, I live there so I can say, but I want to ask something." Rias said after a while. She is much calmer and collected, it is like she managed to mature quite a bit.

I can respect that. A leader should be like that after all.

"Ask away." I said to her.

"Who is that one?" She said pointing to Lugh.

"This is Lu-"

"I am his slave." She said with a straight face, obviously taking pleasure on the fact that the girls were looking at me with 'blood murder' on her eyes. "He made me sign a contract that forces me to work for him and never to disobey him for the rest of my life." She said and in the end, she even gave a fake sob, as if she was crying.

Again, I can't understand why she still is a friend.

"*sigh* Let me explain before you guys jump to conclusions." I said. "Her name is Lugh. She is a stray member of Judgment and she had gone to Iscariot's to look for someone there. She came back to us, but honestly, I could not trust her at all so I put as a condition that she enters a master-servant contract with me so as to make sure that she would not run away again or do something to prejudice the Tower." I explained.

The guys from the Tower could understand my reasons as they knew her well enough, but Rias was different.

"And why couldn't she be trusted? Or even NEED to go to the Tower? If she wanted I could have added her to my peerage, the energy that is emanating from her indicates that she would be a wonderful addition." She said with a serious face. "If you give her to me I will try to help you in anything you may need and make the connection between our groups closer. I will even transfer half of a mine that has large amounts of magic metal that can be used for weaponry creation."

She really is desperate for help, huh. She must feel that she is not fully capable of defeating Riser so she is doing what she can.

BUT, it doesn't mean I will listen to her requests.

"The reason why she cannot be trusted is due to she being a thief, no other way to say it. Also, I refuse your request to 'give her' to you as she is not an object or a peerage member. She is a human, annoying as she is, and I will not sell her out." I said to Rias who pouted just a bit.

I guess even Rias was not that confident about this deal going through, or else she would not have accepted what I said without haggling a bit.

"Thank you, Castiel. Just for that let me give you something." Lugh said as she started fumbling with her Yukata before taking out a small hairpin.

A moment later I heard someone start to fumble in his clothes before an irate voice came from my back.

"That is mine. Give it back now and I will cut you in half, refuse and I will cut you into many pieces." And before I could even try to explain anything a sword came towards. I jumped ahead so as to avoid the strike, turning around to face an enraged Kanda that was looking between me and the hairpin that was on my hand with bloodshot eyes.

Meanwhile, Lugh was in the back trying not to laugh at the situation, pure mirth on her eyes.

Again, why is she still a 'friend' of mine?

She is more of a devil than Rias, and Rias IS a born-devil.

As I avoided Kanda strikes I noticed that some of the others were taking out their weapons to help, but so many people attacking at the same place could only men one thing.

BBBBOOOOOMMMMMMMM

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I hope the price to rebuild this doesn't go on my paycheck… Oh, who am I kidding? Of course it is.

Instant ramen, here I go.