Chapter 2: Meeting & Cleria Belial

The next day, as the final bell rang at Kuoh Academy, Sasuke found himself walking the familiar corridor toward the school exit. His dark eyes scanned the room with a practiced detachment, the unease from yesterday still gnawing at him. Just before he reached the door, a measured voice called out.

"Uchiha-san," Aiko said, stepping from the cluster of students with a calm, purposeful air. "Our President wishes to speak with you in the council room. Perhaps you could come with me after class. The Student Council learn to know new people in this academy. We think it's necessary to discuss about certain aspects."

Sasuke paused, his expression unreadable. "Discuss, or a ploy ?" he asked bluntly, his tone even yet laced with suspicion.

Riku, who had been leaning casually against a locker, grinned. "Hey, don't sweat it, man. It's nothing dangerous. Just a chat with the council. You'll be fine."

"Nothing's ever that simple," Sasuke muttered, his eyes narrowing as he recalled the strange sensations he'd felt in Riku and Aiko's presence. He adjusted his collar again before following Aiko out of the building.

Later that afternoon, in a quiet, secluded room in the main building, the council room, Sasuke stepped inside. The atmosphere was dim, lit by a few ambient lights that cast long shadows across a large, oval table. At the head sat Cleria Belial, a woman with striking white hair and an air of quiet authority. At her side, Aiko maintained her usual calm, and Riku offered an easy smile from across the table. Three other figures sat silently, their identities unspoken but their presence unmistakably significant.

Cleria's gaze met Sasuke's as he took a seat, the silence heavy before she finally spoke. "Welcome, Sasuke. We've been looking forward to your arrival to the Student Council Room"

Sasuke observed them all with quiet detachment, his eyes flicking from one to the other. These people aren't like the rest of the students, he can tell it for sure now. It wasn't just about their "power", it was their personalities, he can see it even without his Sharingan. They pretend to do normal human activities but since he entered, he sensed the tension, especially around him. They held back, careful with their words, as if afraid to step a line.

The council room's silence deepened as Sasuke's eyes swept over the assembly. His gaze was cold, unyielding. Finally, Cleria broke the quiet, her tone sharp and measured.

"Tell me, Uchiha-san," Cleria began, fixing him with an intense stare, "what exactly brings you to Kuoh? Are you here as a member of the Church, or do you consider yourself something else entirely? You are not an ordinary student."She decided to be direct and honest, it was obvious that this new student was not normal and that he belonged to the supernatural world. Now to know his motivations for being here.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his voice low and aggressive. "I'm not here to join anyone's cult or secret society, for that matter. I arrived by my own means. Don't assume I owe you explanations." He still doesn't know the nature of these people, but something tells him that they are not human, different from his definition of humans.

Aiko interjected, her tone formal but firm. "Our concern is not with your methods of arrival, but with the nature of your presence," Aiko had approached the table to pour some tea, subtly inviting Sasuke to come sit down, "You possess an aura that defies normal human limits. We must know: are you an enemy, or might you serve a purpose we could benefit from?"

Sasuke's jaw tensed as he leaned forward. His only arm instinctively going towards his sword which unfortunately is not here, he is not allowed to bring weapons to this school. Despite this, he still had Kunais and Shurikens that he kept on him from his old world.

"Spare me your nonsense. I sensed something off about all of you. Your power isn't the kind I've encountered before. Tell me. Now." His gaze flicked to Riku, then back to Cleria. He didn't trust these people at all.

Cleria's eyes glinted with a mixture of resolve and something unreadable. "Very well," she said, her voice firm. "Since you demand the truth that much, know that what you perceive as 'power' here is only a fraction of what truly exists. We are not merely students or mere human council members. We are demons," Cleria showed her demonic wings, while the other members did the same. "The Kuoh Town and the Academy as well, are taken care of by my family, the Belial clan, one of the 72 pillars of the underworld, the place where demons originate. These pillars are the remaining high-class devil clans. The surnatural world contains many races..."

She took the time to explain the surnatural world to not confuse him, but it still surprised her that he was ignorant of the supernatural world by his reaction, most people should know that this territory is in the hands of his family. This human, member of the Church or not, should know better than to enter the territory of a devil. Presumably, he didn't seem to be a member of the Church since he didn't have any holy objects on him, he didn't seem to be of any faction as well. But that remains to be seen.

Sasuke scoffed, his tone bitter and laced with sarcasm. Demons? Angels? Fallen angels? Gods? Did they think he was an idiot? These wings don't prove much, even he could create wings with Genjutsu. "Demons? You expect me to believe that a group of so-called student council members are actually demons? What a load of crap. Spare me the bullshit, what is your true nature?" Sasuke hadn't activated his Sharingan to know if she was lying or not, he wouldn't take the risk of exposing his eye to strangers.

After a short thought, what if what she said was true? This isn't his world but even so, things like hell and heaven seemed distant to him. He would only believe what he sees and not just with words.

Aiko interjected softly, her tone measured. "Our existence is as real as the forces that govern this world, Sasuke. We maintain the balance here, ensuring that the hidden forces of the supernatural do not overrun the mortal realm."

Cleria leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "I took an interest in you because your aura is… exceptional for someone without magic. It burns with an intensity that is rare, even among those who possess Sacred Gears. But uhm... You should'nt see this as an insult, it's more an opportunity for you to become a demon, you know ?" Cleria looked at Sasuke with hesitation and expectation, as long as he's not from the Church he shouldn't have any reason to refuse to join his meadow, right?

She nervously rubs her elbows together under the desk, she had never faced such ferocity from a human. He had a sort of domineering and threatening aura, even her peerage seemed to suffocate from Sasuke's presence.

She wasn't particularly strong, just like her peerage, to tell the truth she considered herself weak by comparing herself to her cousin, Diehauser Belial, she needs to improve the strength of her peerage to not appear ridiculous next to him. It's been a few months since she's been in this city and an opportunity to become stronger lies before her.

Sasuke's eyes darkened slightly. It might not have been insulting to her, but the whole Peerage thing, even if it was true, what right did she have to order him to become her dog? It was as if Danzo was inviting him to join Root willingly. He wasn't anyone's dog, and certainly not a self-proclaimed "devil."

Sasuke's curt "No" sliced through the charged silence like a blade. His dark eyes remained cold and unyielding, his tone brooking no argument. For a heartbeat, the council room was utterly still. Then Cleria's eyes flickered, an expression of subtle panic and disbelief crossing her features as she registered the rejection.

"I..." Cleria began, her voice faltering ever so slightly. She quickly regained her composure, though the tension in her hands, still nervously rubbing her elbows under the desk, betrayed her inner turmoil. "I only meant to offer you an opportunity, Uchiha-san. Not to order you like a... like a dog." Her words tumbled out, a mix of desperation and controlled authority.

Sasuke's gaze sharpened as he leaned back, arms folded. "Opportunity? You think I'm some stray to be picked up by a pack of deluded demons?" His voice dripped with sarcasm and disdain. "I don't need your pity or your 'opportunity.' I've always thrived on my own strength."

Riku offered a tentative smile from across the table, though even his casual demeanor carried a note of caution. "We're all fighting our own battles, man. You don't have to join us if you don't want to. But sometimes, having a few allies makes the fight less lonely. You know, I think you could have been a good demon."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed further, the tension in his jaw deepening. "Allies? I don't recall asking for friends or a council to babysit me. I'm not interested in being part of some secret society that thinks it can control the fate of this town." He paused, his tone biting. "Your wings and your supernatural mumbo jumbo don't impress me. I've survived on my own, and I'll continue to do so."

With that, he turned to leave, not paying attention to Cleria's mixed expression. He had gotten a lot of information today, from the expressions of those people to his rejection, all those stories seemed true. What crazy world did the old man bring him back to?

Demons, even angels. Sacred Gears, weapons given by a so-called God to humans to fight other races? How is he supposed to defend a world with so many variables against Otsutsuki? Just the thought made him paranoid.

Stepping outside, the cool evening air hit him, and he made his way toward the Plaza. The square was a vibrant mosaic of life: restaurants exuded mouthwatering aromas, shopping malls buzzed with chatter, and at the center stood a giant clock tower, its hands slowly marking the passage of time in this strange new world. Amid the bustling activity, Sasuke found a small eatery tucked away near the base of the tower. He ordered a simple meal, a bowl of steaming ramen and settled at a corner table, hidden from prying eyes.

As he sat there, the noise of the plaza faded into a dull hum in the background. His thoughts turned inward, a silent monologue playing out in his mind.

Proposing me to become a slave, even Orochimaru didn't went that far... I survived my own battles without needing any supernatural babysitters. Yet here I am, in a world where the rules have been rewritten overnight. This territory isn't my home, and these people, these so-called guardians of this "town", expect me to join their little club. But I'm no stray to be collected by a pack of delusions. I'll rely on my own strength even in this world. No alliances, no peerage. Just me, surviving as I always have. Naruto, tell me, what would you do if you were here ?

Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice. Glancing up, he saw Cleria approaching again. Despite his earlier dismissal, fate, or perhaps coincidence seemed to insist on her presence. With her striking white hair, she cut a striking figure against the neon-lit backdrop of the plaza.

This woman's hair is even lighter than Kakashi's. Sasuke also looked at the woman's facial features, completely different from the Kunoichis of Konoha or any village, on the one hand, he could understand why this person was of a "demonic" nature.

"Uchiha-san," she called, a determined edge in her tone as she came to stand by his table.

Sasuke barely glanced at her. He scoffed inwardly. Really? Again? With a dismissive gesture, he motioned for her to sit, or, more accurately, to stay where she was, as he was not in the mood for a lengthy chat. Talking to someone right now is the thing he wanted least of all, much less talking to a demon.

Cleria, unfazed, leaned casually against the table beside him. "I couldn't help noticing you seem to be carrying more than just solitude today. There's an intensity in your eyes that speaks of battles beyond what any ordinary human endures." Usually, she would send Aiko or Riku for this kind of thing, but after what happened at the Council, she wanted to make up for it a little, but mostly she had a real curiosity towards this human. What was his real strength? Why was he hanging around alone? If he was an enemy, he would probably have already acted and wouldn't be so stupid to come to the academy. Her smile only widened at the thought of knowing more.

Sasuke's eyes flicked up for a moment, cool and disdainful. "Battles? I've fought plenty without needing a pack of winged misfits to comment on it. What do you want, Belial ?" He didn't even hide his dislike for this girl.

She didn't get annoyed by his demeanor, a mixture of mischief and genuine curiosity. "I'm not here to lecture you about destiny or to force you into any peerage. I'm simply intrigued. Your presence in this place is uniquely… compelling. What an human like you can hide?" She was swirling the spoon in the coffee she ordered just before sitting down with him.

He scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Compelling? Spare me the poetry. I didn't come here to be recruited by some supernatural charity case. Your so-called 'peerage' sounds like a group of dogs and delusions to me. I am glad to be alone." His last sentence subtly indicated that he would like to be alone and unaccompanied, he was not open to discussion at this very moment.

Cleria leaned in, her tone light but insistent. "You claim you thrive alone, but even the fiercest warrior sometimes benefits from shared strength. Isn't it odd, Uchiha-san, how you carry that fire alone, as if you're destined to burn out?" Discerning the loneliness in those eyes was not unknown to her. But he didn't show it and he kept it inside himself, what could this human have gone through?

Her eyes darted to Sasuke's dangling left sleeve. This boy lived with only one arm, and yet he seemed so confident in his strength. She, who had both arms, a demon bloodline, a long life ahead of her, what excuse did she have in front of him?

Sasuke's eyes remained cold. "I don't need anyone to feed my flames. I've faced enough adversity without leaning on others. Don't mistake my solitude for weakness." The more time went by, the more it annoyed him, did this girl not want to let go of her jacket? Was she really bored enough to come and bother him in one of his only moments of peace?

Cleria's gaze softened as she sensed his simmering irritation. "You claim you don't need anyone to feed your flames," she said, voice low and teasing. "But even the fiercest fire sometimes dims when left to burn on its own. Don't you ever wonder if a little extra fuel might help you blaze even brighter?"

Sasuke's eyes remained steeled as he folded his arm tighter over his legs. "My fire burns because I've stoked it myself," he replied icily. "I don't need someone else's spark, or their kind of fuel to keep it alive."

Cleria chuckled, swirling her spoon with an effortless grace that belied her persistence. "And yet, here you are, Uchiha-san, with your singular, brilliant flame, flickering alone in the darkness. I wonder, is it your pride or the weight of your past that makes you cling to solitude so fiercely?"

He sneered, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Pride? My past? I've faced enough darkness to know that relying on others only invites weakness. I don't have time for... companionship, especially not from those who parade their 'supernatural' tricks like party favors." He only considered one person to be his friend, one person to be his brother, and nothing more than that.

Even the Taka organization he created before, those people who were his "companions" only served as tools to achieve his goal. What right did she have to judge his past without even knowing a fraction of it?

Her playful expression shifted, a spark of genuine curiosity lighting her eyes. "Perhaps you think I'm just another meddlesome demon trying to wrap you up in some grand design. But tell me, Uchiha-san, isn't it tiring, always carrying that burden alone? Even the wildest storms eventually seek refuge."

Sasuke's gaze flicked to her outstretched hand, then back to his untouched ramen. "I choose my path," he said tersely. "My battles, my scars, they're mine to bear. I don't need your pity to shoulder them for me."

Cleria leaned closer, her tone softening yet laced with determined warmth. "I'm not asking for your allegiance, nor for you to forget who you are. I'm simply offering an alternative, a chance to share the load when the night gets too dark. You might find that strength multiplied is far more potent than strength in isolation." She really wanted him in her Peerage, but she won't push it any further if he insists he doesn't want it.

Sasuke's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "I've learned that alliances often come with chains. I don't intend to be shackled by the whims of any so-called demon or otherwise."

A brief silence stretched between them as the ambient hum of the plaza swirled around their quiet corner. Cleria's eyes danced with mischief and something unspoken, a longing to understand this solitary warrior whose fire burned with such raw intensity.

Sasuke stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable as he resumed eating his ramen. The neon glow of the plaza painted shifting patterns on his face, each flicker of light a silent reminder of the strange new world he now inhabited. Despite his cold dismissal, a small, unspoken thought lingered beneath his defiant words, a thought he quickly smothered with the chill of his solitude.

"Don't get in my way, demon," he muttered under his breath, voice low and hard.

Cleria's laughter, light and almost musical, trailed after him as she stepped away, disappearing into the vibrant pulse of the evening crowd. And in that moment, amidst the mingled scents and sounds of the plaza, Sasuke was left alone once more.

And it was better this way, he talked too much for his taste. This girl... He had to stay away from her.

Sasuke stepped off the plaza, the neon lights reflecting off puddles on the pavement as dusk deepened into night. Lost in his own thoughts and still simmering from his conversation with Cleria, he barely noticed the scuffle until a guttural snarl shattered the quiet of the back alley.

Emerging from the shadows was a demon of middling stature, a crudely formed creature with mottled skin, small crooked horns, and eyes aglow with a fierce, unrefined flame. It lunged at him with a savage cry, unleashing a burst of fire from its fists as it charged.

Without hesitation, Sasuke activated his Sharingan. His right eye flashed crimson as he assessed the demon's every erratic move. In one fluid motion, he sidestepped a clumsy swipe and retaliated with a precise kick aimed at the creature's flank. The demon grunted in pain but recovered quickly, its fire intensifying as it swung its burning arm in another wild attack.

It's probably a demon given its appearance but it's... weak. This thing isn't even at the level of a Jonin, Cleria had spoken of a high class demon, he estimates that this demon is of a weak or maybe average level? In any case, it's disappointing.

"Pathetic," Sasuke spat, his tone dripping with contempt as he dodged yet another clumsy swing. "You're nothing but a nuisance."

He advanced steadily, each movement calculated and brutal. With a rapid series of strikes, he forced the demon back. Just as he raised his hand to deliver the final, crushing blow, a move meant to end the creature's miserable existence, the air crackled with sudden authority.

"Hold it!" Cleria's voice rang out, firm and commanding. In an instant, she and two members of her peerage appeared at the entrance of the alley. Cleria's demonic wings unfurled behind her in a graceful, yet unmistakably intimidating display. Her eyes, alight with resolute determination, locked onto the demon.

"It is my duty to exterminate errant demons within my territory," she declared, her tone leaving no room for debate. "Allow us to handle this."

He easily neutralized a mid-class demon, he's at least my level. And his eye was red just now? Uh... This guy is mysterious, it's annoying me. She didn't show outside, but she was troubled.

For a split second, Sasuke hesitated then his gaze slid over to her with indifference. "Do what you want," he muttered, his voice low and laced with disdain. "I'm not interested in taking care of your little monsters.Just… leave me be." She couldn't even handle trash like that without him intervening? Disappointed, again.

Cleria's expression faltered for a moment, caught between frustration and reluctant respect for his strength. One of her peers moved forward, channeling a flicker of dark energy that quickly engulfed the demon. With a few precise strikes of magical force, they ended its miserable life, the creature crumpling into ash.

As silence fell over the alley once more, Cleria met Sasuke's steely gaze. "Your strength is undeniable, Uchiha-san," she said quietly, "The errant demons are demons who deserted their master. Sorry for troubling you again. We do what must be done to keep our territory safe."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but his tone remained blunt. "Save your lectures." With that, he turned and strode away, leaving Cleria and her peerage to watch him vanish into the neon night.

Kakashi, I didn't understand you before, but now I do.

It's fucking annoying.

-----

The next day dawned gray as Sasuke trudged into class, still carrying the weight of last night's encounter. He sat near the back, a solitary figure absorbed in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the window while the murmurs of his classmates filled the room. The familiar drone of the lesson barely registered in his mind.

A few moments before the bell signaled the end of class, the classroom door slid open with quiet urgency. In stepped Cleria, her striking white hair catching the light as she strode in with a determined air. She paused briefly at the threshold, scanning the room until her eyes met Sasuke's. With a gentle but unwavering nod, she approached his desk.

Sasuke glanced up, his expression as cold and unyielding as ever. "Belial," he muttered, the nickname edged with annoyance. He kept his tone clipped, unwilling to engage more than necessary.

Cleria pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "Uchiha-san, may I have a word with you after school?" she asked, her tone blending earnestness with an unmistakable insistence.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "After school?" he repeated curtly, his eyes betraying nothing of his inner thoughts. What did she want from him this time? She seemed stressed and tense so it's probably not another stupid invitation to her Peerage.

She leaned in closer, her voice softening yet still firm. "Yes. I… I need to speak with you about something important." Her gaze searched his face, as if she hoped to see a flicker of understanding.

Before Sasuke could respond, the bell rang, scattering the class into the usual post-lesson chaos. He gathered his things mechanically, his mind already churning with a mixture of irritation and reluctant curiosity. The corridor outside buzzed with students, but his focus remained on the enigmatic demoness who had reappeared, this time with an invitation he couldn't ignore due to his curiosity.

Later, in the fading light of late afternoon, Sasuke found himself alone in the empty classroom, the hush of the abandoned room contrasting with the vibrant energy of the academy just moments before. He was preparing to leave when the door opened quietly once more. Cleria slipped in, her presence as striking as ever.

"Uchiha-san," she began, her tone softer now but still laced with determination, "thank you for agreeing to speak with me." She paused, her eyes locked on his, earnest and unyielding. "There's something I need to ask of you."

Sasuke's gaze narrowed as he folded his arms across his chest. "I'm listening," he said flatly.

Cleria's hand trembled slightly, whether from nerves or the weight of her request, he couldn't tell. "I… I want to train. I want to learn from you," she said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper that nonetheless carried in the quiet room.

Sasuke looked at her with unconcealed surprise this time. What the hell is this...?