Hollow

"Shuri-san!" Rias called out to Akeno's mother as they entered the Grigori training hall.

Baraqiel was the commander of Grigori's forces. Often times, he was kept busy keeping the Fallen in line, training them and directing special operations. Luckily, he had Shuri with him or he'd spend most of his days drowning in work.

"Ah~ Little Rias. How are you?" Shuri, who was next to Baraqiel as he gave instructions, hugged Rias like she was her own daughter.

"Mom, Dad. I see you're keeping busy as always." Akeno greeted as Shuri too pulled her in.

"And you. Finally visiting your lonely parents. How are your studies? Do we have grandbabies yet? Oh, how about a lover?" Shuri rubbed her face against Akeno and asked, inadvertantly squishing Rias between them.

Not that she seemed to mind. In fact, she seemed to be in some sort of Paradise for perverts. Akeno gave her a smug grin before looking back at her Mom.

"To answer your questions in order.. My studies are going just fine, no grandbabies and I'm openly dating Rias now." Her words made Shuri's face light up in joy.

"Oh finally! Honey! They're finally dating!" Shuri turned and waved to Baraqiel.

"I thought they already were..? Well, it's about time." Baraqiel looked over, nodding stoically.

Rias blinked owlishly and cleared her throat.

"You're acting like you knew we.." Shuri turned to look at her as she trailed off.

"You don't think I can see the way you look at her? It was honestly so cute, watching your crush grow into this." Shuri smiled and rubbed the top of Rias' head.

Akeno snickered, watching her lover preen under her Mother's affection. Of course she knew her parents were well aware of their feelings for each other. In the past, when she had come to visit alone, she was often asked by her Mother is she had finally made it official with the Devil Heiress yet.

While Shuri and Rias began their small talk, her Dad walked over and stood next to her.

"So, did you and Azazel find out anything about your.. condition?" He asked quietly.

Akeno folded her arms and hummed thoughtfully.

"As most everyone in Grigori knows, it's an issue of my body being influenced by my soul." Akeno stated, sharing a look with him.

A teenager being at the level of a Seraphim demanded attention. Especially when some of their weaker members demanded to know how. In the early days of her joining, Akeno was the subject of scorn from the disgruntled members who were far older than her. Eventually, she earned their respect through the display of her skills. Though some stubborn stragglers remained, most of Grigori now saw Akeno as one of its respected leaders.

"And the more detailed version..?" Baraqiel asked cautiously.

"I don't think I'll be able to go past Ultimate class power. My body might not be able to handle my soul's strength. Though personally.. I think I'll be fine. My memories from that time aren't complete but.. I think there was a way to keep my body from being overloaded." Akeno shrugged.

"Mn. Hopefully you figure that out soon. Kokabiel's been.. interested in your condition for a while." Baraqiel informed.

As Akeno recalled, he was the Fallen the most unhappy with Akeno's twelve-winged status. He only had ten wings, despite being an Angel named even in the Bible. Having Akeno, a teenager with twelve wings in their organization was a slap in his face.

"Let him be. He's going to try something soon. I figure he'll get a close look at how my abilities work." Akeno smiled a little maliciously.

"Ah.. just like your Mother."

-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-

A fat priest quietly snuck into a manor on the edge of Kuoh. Having several sheathes and a sack slung off his shoulder, he looked incredibly winded.

"Haaah..! Such an inconvenient spot.." The fat man grumbled, fixing the cap on his balding head.

This was, of course, Valper Galilei. The man behind the Holy Sword project. The ex-communicated priest who had sacrificed children in his obsession to complete Excalibur and create the perfect artificial Holy Sword wielder. Though now, he was simply a lackey to a Cadre Fallen Angel.

"I've returned.." Valper announced as he entered the manor, stepping over the dead previous occupants Kokabiel had killed.

The Fallen was seated in the study of the house, fluttering through pages while the fireplace in front of him gave him the light needed to read. If he noticed Valper's return, he certainly didn't show it.

"Kokabiel. I have the swords and that Sacred Gear you requested." Valper stated, setting the sack and sheathes on the table across from the Fallen.

"It's Lord Kokabiel to you. Or did you forget who was orchestrating this plan?" Kokabiel corrected him with a cold sneer.

"Y-Yes, of course Lord Kokabiel. I have everything prepared. I understand the need for the Holy Sword fragments, I do.. but why this obscure Sacred Gear? All it does is instantly kill anyone Lower class or below." Valper stated while opening the sack and pulling out a silver barbed chain.

"The Holy Swords to me, are just a means to an end. Killing the little Heiresses with them will be more than sufficient to start this war anew. This, on the other hand..." Kokabiel grinned maliciously as he grabbed the barbed chain.

It was an obscure Sacred Gear. Not a particularly powerful one either. To those unfamiliar with it, its function was exactly as Valper stated. But those who knew what it could really do, knew it separated the soul from the body.

That was hardly an issue to those even mildly strong. They could simply return to their body after being separated. It only somewhat acted as an annoyance or as some sort of fast-acting stun. But he had a very special use for the Sacred Gear, Spirit's Lament.

"That girl and her soul.. As long as I grasp it, I could use it as fuel to grow my own form. It's time, Valper. I'll lend you a Hell Hound, go lure that boy you've been keeping an eye on to the trap. We'll use him as a bargaining chip to see those Heiresses." Kokabiel ordered, waving his hand as a Hell Hound emerged from a magic circle.

"Uh.. Y-Yes. I must ask that you let me keep the boy alive. Now that Freed is dead, I must use what I can." Valper requested.

Kokabiel waved the back of his hand nonchalantly. If it didn't hinder his plan, he really couldn't care less. All he cared about, was acquiring that power.

-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-

Upon returning to Kuoh, Akeno and Rias decided to go on a date. (Totally not because Shuri kept insisting on it). Given they could be embroiled in a tense situation, they decided to spend their time doing something couples usually do, which was..

Watching Rias absolutely geek out in an anime/manga store.

"Look, Akeno! It's that two meter cutout of Goku!" Rias exclaimed, dragging Akeno along by the hand as she pointed at it.

"The.. Ultra Saiyan?" Akeno's smile strained, not knowing nearly enough about the anime.

"We really need to binge watch these together. You're Japanese! Love your culture more, will you?" Rias huffed in exasperation.

Akeno looked down at themselves. They had dressed in their nicest casual clothes. And the very first place they went was an Otaku's paradise.

'Well.. as long as she's having fun.' Akeno smirked and accompanied Rias as she browsed through the merchandise.

Several lewd figurines later, they emerged from the store with a large plastic bag.

"I literally cannot believe you blew 100,000 yen on these.." Akeno looked at the bag, half amused, half astonished.

"Android 18 in a one piece, Akeno. You just wouldn't understand.." Rias stated, sounding as if it was absolutely necessary.

"I'd be more excited if it was you in that one piece, honestly. I have to say, though. I do find your nerdy side absolutely adorable." Rias visibly flushed at the compliment, wrapping her arm around Akeno's with a little smile.

"Smooth. Now, why don't we go somewhere you'd like?"

"Good. I think you'll like my well thought out plans. Karaoke, Restaurant, Desserts-" "Oh blessings on the wandering sheep before us!" Akeno's ideas were interrupted by the loud, preaching voices of the two exorcist girls who had visited them before.

In all white hooded robes, they attracted a lot of attention from passerbyes. Some kids even stopped to point at the two of them.

"...Nope." Akeno smiled and tried to pull Rias away with her.

"Ah, you two!" Sadly, Xenovia saw them before they could leave.

"Huh? Buchou? Akeno-senpai?" Issei called out, being with Koneko, Asia and Kiba.

Rias laughed apologetically and pulled on Akeno's lower shirt.

"I think we should see what this is about. Promise to make it up to you later tonight." Rias said with a small apologetic smile.

-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-

"Ahm! Mmh~" Xenovia started to stuff her face with food as the ORC (minus Gasper and Risette) and the exorcists sat at the large table in the family restaurant nearby.

If they didn't see them eating in front of them, one might have assumed something rather lewd was happening. Akeno was tuned out though, still somewhat annoyed the date only consisted of buying Rias anime merch.

"O Lord thank these kind souls! Even if they are Devils." Irina prayed thankfully, though it only seemed to annoy them.

"Get to the point.. Kiba. You look like you're on the verge of screaming out demands." Akeno rubbed the bridge of her nose and looked at the agitated Knight.

"Right. Sorry. I- no.. we want to help you destroy Excalibur. And Valper.." Kiba stated firmly.

Xenovia hummed in acknowledgement before nodding, "I can agree to that."

"What!? Xenovia!" Irina stood up.

"You know who we're up against. There's no way we can take on a Cadre with just us. Our mission's success hinges on cooperation." Xenovia stated before looking at Akeno and Rias.

"I apologize for our words earlier. We were brash. If you would help us, we will agree to let you destroy two Exclalibur fragments. And Valper is already a traitor to the church. His death is a given." Xenovia offered.

Akeno sighed and looked at Kiba. Destroying the fragments was a secondary goal. The true prize was the priest. Seeing as how Kiba, Issei, Koneko and Asia were looking for the Exorcist girls, it's likely they were trying to set up some sort of communication with them, if just to catch and butcher Valper before they do.

"Do you know where the fat bastard is?" Kiba asked with a growl.

"Yes, actually. There was a recent disturbance near the edge of Kuoh. We were going to look into it after filling our bellies anyway." Xenovia stated, finishing her food and standing up with Irina.

"Well then, let's get going. If we're lucky, we'll catch him off guard and grab him before he runs back to Kokabiel." Rias said, standing up and leaving a hefty sum of yen on the table.

"Hell yeah! Let's go nab that fat bastard." Issei declared as they all stood up and left.

Akeno had a strange feeling about the plan. But a chance to nip this in the bud was far too tempting.

-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-♡-♤-

Upon arrival at the manor, they had noticed the smell of blood. Even from outside, it pervaded the surrounding area.

"Think we should knock?" Akeno asked jokingly.

"Well, it'd certainly take Kokabiel by surprise." Rias suppressed a small laugh as Akeno reached for the door knob.

*CRACK!*

And promptly evaded the flying chain that flew out from the wooden door with a nimble backflip.

"Ha.. Well I suppose it wouldn't be quite that easy, would it?" A voice from within the manor called out, followed by the appearance of a black haired man with pointed ears, sharp teeth, slanted evil red eyes and pale skin.

"Wow! Surprise surpriiise~ It's Kokabiel! The Angel God shat out when he had a little too much to drink. What was that thing you tried to shoot at me?" Akeno asked, feeling the ORC plus Xenovia and Irina get ready to battle behind her.

Her comment seemed to irritate Kokabiel for a moment, until he shook his head and chuckled.

"How rude of me. This is just how Cadre's communicate with each other. I'm a little confused though, by your question. What do you mean by 'tried'?" As he said that, Akeno felt a sharp pinch on the center of her spine.

"Akeno!?" Rias cried out, seeing the barbed tip inside her lover's back.

"Hahahahahaha!!" Kokabiel began to laugh maniacally.

For a second, it seemed as if she had taken a mortal injury. But Akeno seemed to understand what it's true purpose really was and looked up at Kokabiel with wide eyes.

"You... This is a bad idea. A really.. bad idea." Akeno warned, her voice shaky.

Kokabiel simply grinned maliciously, "Trying to dissuade me? Idiot! Your power is mine now!!"

Akeno felt a 'pull'. A constricting feeling overcame her as the chain shook and rattled, pulling something out from Akeno's body. She looked at the ORC, along with Xenovia and Irina and held out her hand, shielding them with some pale green energy they couldn't grasp.

She sighed and looked at Kokabiel with pity. What the chain had latched onto, was her Soul. More specifically, it latched onto her very core as a Hollow. And as soon as it was pulled out, Akeno's body fell to the ground.

Kokabiel was about to exclaim his victory when a pressure slammed into his head. Like an ocean bearing over him, it drove him into the ground and wouldn't so much as let him lift his head.

*Clack~*

The sound of something hard hit the pavement, followed by Akeno's mockery.

"I told you. This was a baaaad idea.." Her voice carried a hint of savagery within it, one that promised him an ungodly amount of pain.

[AN: New vote for Fic focus coming soon.]