Chapter 020

His new home was too large, Makoto noticed after the first twenty minutes of exploring the five story tall building with Asia and Bennia in tow. It was not opulent to the point that it was garish, but it was certainly luxurious enough to cause Makoto to unconsciously estimate how much money each item would theoretically cost.

It was too much. There were features such as the small fountain in the "reception area" and an elevator that told him that this building was to act more as a Base of Operations rather than a Home. Paintings of different types of shadowed scenery hung on the walls with ebony black picture frames, and candles that were kept alight with a ghastly blue flame filled the candelabras and sconces that kept six of the eight floors lit well enough to see, but cast only just enough light to make the area "moody".

The bottom-most floor was cloaked in pitch black darkness, and styled like a modern bar. The Grim Reapers settled into the bottom floor and made it their home. They would sit idly around tables and inside booths, chattering their bones at one another in a form of communication Makoto was unaware they had. One of the Reapers had even taken to acting as a "bar keeper", cleaning a singular glass while maintaining a stock of liquor, beer and other drinks that the Fallen felt were needed for such an area.

It was welcoming, Makoto thought, to have the skeletal figures wave to him and nod their head when they saw him. It was almost like they were in better moods than they had been before, if such a thing were possible. They would fight for him at the drop of a hat, and he knew that they would do their best to keep him safe. The link shared between the Grim Reapers that swore loyalty to him and himself gave him a vague idea of how the beings felt, otherwise Makoto was sure he would be uneasy to allow such beings to remain around him for any length of time.

They didn't seem to have need for sleep, or anything of the like either, as the entire floor was entirely dedicated to the bar theme they seemingly enjoyed. Of course they would prefer a setting like this, these are supernatural beings. Makoto thought to himself, And supernatural beings in this world are unreasonable.

After catching sight of the Grim Reapers in a somewhat better light, he tried to rub his eyes to make sure they were not deceiving him.

The Grim Reapers each now wore a velvet blue cape with a black coffin sewn into the middle of its length. The robes they wore were generally the same, but the symbol on their robes had shifted from that of a skull, to that of a coffin as well. It seemed that somehow, someway, Azazel had given his Reapers capes to wear, and for whatever reason, they decided to wear them.

"I want one too!" Bennia yelled while crossing her arms over her chest, causing Makoto to assure the girl that he would make sure she got a cape like theirs as well. "I don't want one like theirs! I want a special cape!"

Asia quickly voiced that she, too, would like a cape. She claimed they were cute, and that since she was staying with him, it was only right that she "wore his uniform". He tried to tell the girl that there was not a uniform, but Bennia, with her quick mouth and scheming ways, convinced the blond that yes, he did and she would make sure she got hers.

If not for the genuine smile that lit up Asia's face instead of the false cheer that seemed to surround the girl, Makoto would have called Bennia out on her obvious lie.

Using the building plans, Makoto was able to discern which floors held what, and he was sure that he would find Bennia and Asia on the second basement level quite often, as Bennia had expressed interest in watching television in her spare time from the windows of the pawn shop in town. Floor B2 was basically an indoor movie theater, with access to both Human television networks and Fallen television channels on its large listing.

Makoto had absolutely no use for such a thing. It was yet another expensive addition that caused Makoto's initial estimates for the cost of the building to go up exponentially, as did each floor until he was sure he felt his mind going numb from the numbers running through his head.

The building certainly appealed to him, but he felt that more money went into crafting the large abode than Azazel was forthcoming with. It was more than just a simple payment. It was a bribe.

Makoto didn't know what the Fallen wanted, but if he went to such a length to try and win his favor… he must be desperate. Desperation leads to mistakes, but Makoto couldn't help but feel he was the one who made a mistake in accepting the keys from Azazel the day he left to train Issei.

He wasn't a fool. He was aware of just who the beings around him believed him to be. Azazel was attempting to get in good with whom he assumed was going to be a player on the chest board of the Supernatural.

By accepting the gift, he had basically formed the foundations of a friendship, so to speak, between his own "faction" and Azazel's Grigori. If Azazel began to spread that information, even if it were a white lie, it might potentially destabilize the fickle peace that settled over the land after the Great War went cold.

After settling Bennia and Asia into the fourth floor, Makoto made a phone call to someone he was sure was expecting.

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They say that when Death calls, you have to answer. Azazel agreed with the sentiment, because it meant he finally understood what his "gift" truly was. It took him far longer than he thought, considering the ten day lapse in contact between the two.

"I was expecting you to call me ten days ago."

"I was busy. You have some explaining to do, Azazel." Came the calm voice from the other line.

"Think of it as sealing the deal. Too late for me to take it back, as well."

"There was no deal, Azazel. This could have very, very terrible consequences and you know it. What do you really want? Quit being so dodgy and answer me straight for once."

Azazel threw his head back and laughed. It was amusing to hear that accusingly blank voice scolding him like he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It took a few moments for Azazel to finally regather his breath, but when he spoke again, his tone was much lighter.

"I want Peace. A true, conclusive peace between the Supernatural and the Human worlds, where there is no need for things such as War. I want there to be understanding between the factions."

The leader of the Grigori could tell he said the right thing, because Makoto lost his accusing tone.

"That does not change how this can be perceived. You are playing with fire, Azazel, and one mishap could make things get extremely hot."

Azazel knew that Makoto spoke the truth. He knew that if he were to tell, say… Sirzechs, that he bought Death a new home, Sirzechs might hear something completely different than those exact words. Sirzechs would hear that the Fallen were in good enough standing with Death to exchange gifts and favors.

That is why Azazel did exactly that, but it had the opposite effect than he expected. Sirzechs just maintained a knowing countenance through the video chat, as if he had information that Azazel did not.

He told Makoto as much, and the teenager silently cursed the Fallen for his meddling before the line went silent, followed by an annoying machine tone.

Death had called, he answered, then he annoyed Death until he hung up on him. Today was another good day.

Now if only he could get in contact with his breast hating brother Michael. Who knew the reception in Heaven was such garbage.