Extravaganza 17

Extravaganza 

A/N: This is an transitional chapter toward the next big arc that I call 'recruitment drive' that continue till Iori graduate from her current school and join Kuoh Academy.

# # #

(Busujima Saeko)

1 Hour before Iori's speech…

Saeko walked carefully between the tombs, following her sense where she could pick up the Yoki in the air. Since she unlocked her touki, sensing other types of energies has become easier for her.

The Suzuhiro Cemetery in Kuoh Town was one of those rare Western-style cemeteries in Japan that allowed burial instead of cremation; it was also a hotspot of the supernatural, as you could find flesh-eating yokai feasting on the corpses of the recently deceased.

She smelled the air, and it was frigid, and Saeko found the scent of decay and rot, a sure sign that one of the tombs had been opened. She walked faster but took care of looking around her to not getting ambushed by any creature.

Since the start of the Edo period, one of the missions of the Busujima clan was to defend the mundane people of Japan against Evil Yokai and Spirits. 

She followed a cobbled path to the more modernized part of the cemetery. As the cloud parted in the sky, the moonlight bathed the large tomb further down the small road. The casket was dug out of a large hole, and two creatures were feasting on the corpse inside.

As they glutted themselves on the lifeless body, Saeko unsheathed her katana and kicked the ground, charging at great speed at the two creatures, who are from closer inspection Jikininki. Jikininki are ghouls that feast on the bodies of the dead. They appear as ordinary humans for the most part, except that their features are more monstrous. Jikininki gain their sustenance by devouring the flesh and bones of the recently deceased. They do not enjoy their existence and do not find pleasure in eating the dead. It merely temporarily relieves some of the pain of their eternal hunger.

Saeko cut one of the Jikininki’s heads with grace and efficiency. There was a terrifying, sadistic smile upon her face as she fought against the two ghouls. She sidestepped a swipe of the claws of the remaining Jikininki, breathed in and out, and leaped. Saeko spun vertically forward in the air while releasing a flowing attack in a circular motion that beheaded the ghoul, black blood spurting out like a geyser from its now-empty neck.

She whipped her sword, and the blood on the blade was flung away just as the headless body fell on the ground. Saeko stood in place and spread her senses to try to detect any other creatures or foes in the area. Saeko sensed no one beyond some small animals cowering or sleeping in their den. The Swordswoman sheathed her blade back in its sheath and said, “Mission complete.”

Saeko pulled two trash bags out of her backpack and started collecting the head, which would be her proof of completion for the bounty she plans to collect. She got some blood on her uniform because of this, fortunately, Saeko got a raincoat to hide this until she got home.

She cremated the bodies of the two ghouls with a disposable onmyoji talisman, watching as they burned down to ashes. Those kinds of talismans were created at the Kushinada Temple of Kuoh by the family of Shinto Priest wearing the same name, giving services to help warriors such as Saeko to protect the public. 

The young woman left after only ashes were left of the two corpses, and lugged the trash bag on her shoulder. She walked toward the bike that she had left near the bus stop at the entrance of the cemetery. 

Putting the trash bag in the basket at the front of her bike, Saeko got on it and left. Many things were on her mind as she drove away from the cemetery, careful of her surroundings to not get run over; she stayed firmly on the bike lane. Her mind drifted a bit as she drove to her house; Saeko heard through the grapevine that the Devils had relinquished their hold on her hometown, and it was good. But it was also bad.

The Devils kept things stable and kept away the worst of the yokai, Stray Devils, and rogue Magicians. The Mundane Underworld was also keeping away from Kuoh, the Yakuza groups having been made to move away. Last Saeko heard, they were one town away and causing problems with their scams.

Saeko doesn't know who has obtained the headship of her town, but she hopes that the new Landlord was going to be more proactive in their guardianship of the city.

She arrived at her house thirty minutes later. It was a two-storey modern Japanese home surrounded by walls, in a nice neighborhood. And it was located at the east edge of the town, in proximity to the Temple dedicated to the local snake land deity, and the old church which was now abandoned. 

Her father wasn't home right now as he was abroad to help train a bunch of supernatural hunters in The US to whom he owed a debt. If there was one thing that the Busujima did was to always repay their debts.

Once inside her home, she went to the basement to store the heads in the special freezer to keep them fresh and deliver them to the Kushinada Temple to receive her bounty money.

Saeko sighed, she really wanted to go soak in the bath, she has school tomorrow and she needed to go to the Kendo club.

Ding! Her phone rang and vibrated, notifying her that she received a text. She fished her smartphone from her pocket and looked at the screen. It was her friend, Chikage.

@Kushi_Miko04: Good Evening, Saeko-chan~~! ๑(◕‿◕)๑

Saeko smiled and began to text her back as she walked up toward the bathroom. She dodged the furniture in the way as she sent back a greeting.

@Saeko78: Hello, Chi-chan (づ ◕‿◕ )づ

The purple-haired beauty drew herself a bath, and while the bathtub filled with water, she received a new text. Saeko frowned when she saw that it had a link attached to it.

@Kushi_Miko04: I have some news to share with you, look [Link]

She hoped that it wasn't a meme with a certain singer dancing. Chikage loved to make elaborate memes. But there were other types of links she dreaded coming from her friend…

Saeko furiously typed:

@Saeko78: Please tell me it’s not porn… (╯•﹏•╰)

Saeko had gone after Chikage with a wooden sword once, it was right after being linked to a R-18 manga. Chikage immediately replied, the girl was a fast typer.

@Kushi_Miko04: Chill, Saeko-chan! ʘ_ʘ

I remember my lesson, this is about the new ruler of Kuoh!

Saeko grinned, happy that Chikage could be taught.

@Saeko78: Very well (⌐■_■)

I will trust you and will look at the link.

Before going to take her bath, Saeko turned off the water as the bathtub was filled. She took off her clothes and clicked on the link. The link opened the DevilTube app, and a video started showing the Logo of DevilTuber called Tal-chan, who is a Tanuki yokai covering supernatural and mundane trends in Kyoto.

The video started with a beautiful girl in a black dress with heels walking. Her footsteps echoed as a sun blossomed behind her in the background, rainbow light shimmering that accentuated her silhouette and womanly curves.

With a clack of her heel, she looked straight into the camera, looking gorgeous and regal. 

“Attention - Mages, Gods, Devils, and the supernatural world at large!

You have heard my name, uttered in hushed whispers and reflected in every fearful glance! The weight of my wrath and the promise of my power loom over those who dare steal word of me upon their lips. The tongues of the masses flitter with their drivel and disrespect, yet when the moment is nigh to hear my words, they all shall fall silent.”  

Saeko listened to the entirety of the speech, excitement growing at the news that the new owner of Kuoh was someone so decisive and charismatic. But Saeko tempered her enthusiasm with caution as she remembered the large spike of energy she had felt not too long ago.

Was it this girl who made such a ruckus?

The video ended after the speech, after the lights effects receded and the screen showed a Tal-chan logo chili smiling. Saeko started conveying her opinion to Chikage.

@Saeko78: things are going to get interesting in town. Be prepared.

It was clear that many people would come either to join this new supernatural faction or to challenge Kuoh's new owner. She was interested in joining, after she had seen how this girl fights and dispatched her enemies. Maybe she was also going to consolidate the supernatural beings and other groups present in the town and its surroundings.

Saeko took the bottle of scented soap on the counter while saying out loud, “Yamato, eh. How fitting for a Japanese Faction.”

# # #

(Kuroka)

May 18th, 2008
Kuoh Town
Usagiyama Manor

They were standing before the huge doors of a typical Japanese manor. The big sign with the Usagiyama name written on it showed who it belonged to.

The tengu disguised as a human slightly bowed to Kuroka. “Here we are at our destination, Kuroka-San.”

She looked from the sign to the tengu wearing a black kimono. “Nyare you shure that this girl can do what she said, Toumya-san?” 

The tengu nodded and said with conviction, “Iori-Sama has never lied to us so far; she put into motion the works to free you while negotiating with the Devil Leaders. 

However, if you want more guarantees, Kuroka-San, I can tell you that Iori-Sama resisted being forcefully turned into a Devil; the artifact she wields allows her to do many miracles.”

This revelation surprised Kuroka, memories of her own reincarnation bursting forth as she replied, “This is… impressive. I remember when that piece sank into me. I was a Devil before I could even take a breath.”

She felt more relaxed now, knowing that the girl she was going to have to trust to fiddle with her very being wasn’t just a lucky fraud. Lady Magari and Yasaka wouldn’t trust her if she weren’t competent and strong.

The tengu went to ring the doorbell, looking into the camera of the intercom's panel. He briefly turned his human disguise off and pushed a button as he said, “This is Tenma, a representative of the West Yokai Faction.”

Kuroka heard the voice of a peppy girl on the intercom. “Oooh, Tenma-san! We've been waiting for you.”

Tenma laughed. “Ah, yes it's me, Talya-kun. As discussed earlier on the phone, I've come for an audience with Iori-sama. I brought Kuroka-san with me.”

The girl replied, “Give me one moment, I will come get you, but before that, I will ask you to not attack Iori-Sama's guards and pets… they hide in the darkness and look rather… peculiar.”

The warning was cryptic, but well received, and the girl, Taliya, came to retrieve them at the entrance. From what Kuroka could sense from the girl as she appeared before her, she was a half-yokai; she was a young girl with auburn hair who had fluffy, red tanuki ears and a bushy tail. 

Taliya led them inside the manor, they took off their shoes and put on slippers to not damage the extremely well kept wooden flooring. 

There was a dark feeling of darkness filling this manor when Kuroka spread her senses as she entered it. Was this what the half-tanuki yokai meant?

Kuroka felt herself being observed by something… many of them actually. They followed their movements with anticipation, waiting for the newly arrived guests to make a misstep. 

Some were not that dangerous, Kuroka could feel, but there was a particular set of eyes on them that felt dangerous.

“Ophis-chan! Where is my snack stash?!” Kuroka heard a girl's shrill voice shout.

It came from the room they were about to reach. Behind the sliding doors, the Nekoshou turned Devil heard sounds of struggles and furniture breaking.

“I ate them?” A youthful voice replied with a deadpan tone to the previous person.

The other girl who sounded older cried while saying, “How could you!? They were limited edition chocolates from Ferrero Rocher!”

In a very smug tone, the other young person said, “It was delicious.”

“Argh!”  There was the sound of a scuffle and of broken glass.

Taliya chuckled and knocked on the door, and all movement behind the sliding doors stopped. “Ahem, Iori-chan, you've got guests.”

With her enhanced hearing, Kuroka couldn't help but want to smile as she heard the girl whisper behind the door, “Quick, I need to be more presentable! Get up, Ophi!”

The Nekoshou frowned at the name of the younger girl, where did she hear it before?

“OK.” The other girl with the younger voice said and there was a ruffling sound.

There was a flash of power and energy that made Kuroka and Tenma flinch. Then they heard the imperious tone of the girl from earlier. “Enter.”

Taliya chuckled and opened the sliding door, and Kuroka saw two people standing in the middle of a traditional living room. One was a dark haired girl with red eyes at least three years younger than Kuroka, and another with the same dark hair and gray eyes, but way younger with fake cat ears on top of her head.

The older girl was wearing an elegant black dress, and the younger a black top with a denim skirt. The older girl smiled at them with a slight bow of her head. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

“It's an honor to meet you again, Iori-sama.” Tenma bow was deeper.

Kuroka followed suit, feeling Iori’s gaze on her; it was peculiar to be checked out by a woman. The other girl turned to the younger one, “Ophi, could you please go back to your room? I need to talk with my guests, Taliya will bring you snacks if you do.”

Kuroka was confused, Usagiyama, acted deferentially toward that little girl. The small one nodded tightly and said, “Umu, we have an accord, then! It's time to go on a raid on WoW, anyway.” 

Taliya waved goodbye and left with the younger girl, and as she watched them go, Kuroka asked herself, Was she her younger sister? Why couldn't I feel anything from the little girl? Not even her life-force or even her species.

# # #

(Usagiyama Iori) 

After watching Ophis leave, my eyes turned toward the ex-stray devil. She was more beautiful than I imagined. She wore a plain black kimono, and her hair was done in an elegant ponytail. “Well met, Kuroka-san. It’s nice to finally meet you, please you and Tenma-san, sit.”

The tengu and the devil sat across me on the cushions, and Kuroka said with a little bow, “Me as well, Niori-sama. I was intrigued by the fact that nyou are responsible for clearing my name. I want to thank you.”

I smiled and said, “You’re welcome. And yes, I have indeed sown the breadcrumbs for the New Satans to follow.”

I didn't think much of the Devils, they were kind of slow to act; as I thought that, Taliya came back to the living room, she had brought tea with her and served everyone a cup, including me.

Kuroka demanded, “But to what end, nya? What's the catch?”

My hands reached for the teacup in front of me and blew on the hot liquid, then took a sip. Stretching the silence until I broke it. “Think of it like taking a chess piece from another organization. I've already taken some of their important ones. And I hate the Old Satan faction, they are responsible in part for your situation.” 

If I wanted to have a good life in this world I needed to rid it of the threats I knew about. That is why I decided to tell those two about Khaos Brigade. “Currently, there are forces who want to plunge the world into chaos, and they have designs on you, Kuroka-san.”

Both the Nekoshou turned Devil and the Tengu looked at me with shock. Tenma was a smart Tengu, so he quickly connected the dots. “Iori-sama, are you talking about… what happened last month?”

I nodded and put down my teacup on its saucer. “Yes, Tenma-san. The kidnapping attempt on Kunou-chan, and the Hero Faction we took down in Kyoto are linked. This organization recruits marginalized members of factions all over the world: Angels, Fallen, Devils, Yokai, Norse Gods, Evil Dragon, and Vampires.”

Kuroka seemed to take in the information I just gave her. “Nyou saw an opportunity to save me and nyou just took it?”

My Metaknowledge still applied to such key points in the future, but there was still different stuff happening from what I remembered. Why did the Hero Faction intervene when the Yokai tried to kidnap Kunou? “Essentially, yes. You're a powerful being, Kuroka-san, and I don't want us to be enemies.”

“But… how do you know all this, Iori-sama?” Tenma asked with a doubtful voice.

With a soft smile, I showed them my gauntlet slowly forming, the red jewel on the top of my hand glowing red and beating in unison with my heartbeat. “Let’s say that I am burdened with knowledge through my dreams.” 

It wasn't even a lie; thanks to Witchblade, I could remember with clarity all of my memories and meditate on them for details I missed. I've read all of DxD's light novels and watched the anime and the special spin-offs like Slash Dogs. Speaking of them, I need to go to Kyoto to help…

Tenma-san's eyes widened as he looked at my gauntlet, as he understood that I was some kind of seer. It’s crazy what I can get away with, a super powerful, godlike artifact.

The tengu said rather seriously, “On my honor, I will not be repeating this to anyone else, beyond Lady Yasaka. We do not want to put more of a target on your back, Iori-sama.” 

“I thank you, Tenma-san. I appreciate your discretion.” I replied with a slight bow.

Kuroka took a sip of her tea, disturbed by the news that I am some sort of precog. There was an intense feline curiosity in her eyes as she looked at me. I averted my eyes from hers, lest I lose myself in them. Kuroka was deliciously attractive and my type.

The nekoshou smirked at me, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. I coughed in my fist and changed the subject from my perceived dream visions and went to the meat of the conversation. “Let's get to the point! Kuroka-san, do you want to stop being a devil?”

Kuroka leaned forward and asked bluntly, “Can nyou make it so that I keep my strength and my longevity, nya?” 

It was hard for me not to stare at her bouncing breasts. Why were they so big? Focus, Iori. She obviously did that deliberately, now that I see her pleading eyes. 

I stared at her for a long moment. “You want to have your cake and eat it too?” 

Kuroka tilted her head prettily. “Can nyou do it?”

I just discovered that I am a cat person… my eyes focused on Witchblade and I asked, Can we do it?

{Yes, I shall let her keep her strength, imagination magic, and her longevity. But the procedure is going to make her weak for three days as her body adapts to the changes.} Witchblade confirmed for me.

My partner had stopped the dumb Devil and his thot squad from turning me into a reincarnated Devil by bitch-slapping the Queen piece right into that creep’s face. If Witchblade says that he can do it, I will believe in him 100%.

My eyes returned to Kuroka, who looked at my gauntlet and me. I ignored the obvious question in her eyes and said, “I can do it, but this isn't going to be free.”

Something that I know about giving a service to someone is not to make it free. Kuroka looked at me as if she expected it. “What do nyou want, nya?”

I want her and her skills. Kuroka was a powerful Nekoshou with mastery of Senjutsu and Touki and I wanted her to teach me, Issei, and Nanami how to harness both forces. I smoothly replied, “Your services and loyalty for ten years, to teach me Senjutsu and Touki control, as well as work for me, Kuroka-san.”

She didn’t even hesitate as my terms were simply too advantageous for both of us. “Deal!”

# # #

(Hyoudou Issei)

Same day

Today was the best! Issei had been invited to Iori’s house! The fact that his sister was also there was inconsequential! Nanami suddenly mellowed out about Iori; she just made a 180, after trying to fight and being passive aggressive the day she revealed the supernatural to him and their parents.

It was strange to Issei, but if his sister has stopped being so stubborn about Iori it's all good with him. The twins were before the entrance of Iori’s manor, the large doors were daunting to look at. Issei asked himself if a human could even open them at all. Not a normal one, at least.

Nanami was looking in shock at the huge doors, the high walls, and the Usagiyama sign painted with metallic paint. “Issei, Usagiyama-san is… rich?”

Issei replied with a chuckle. “She said that she's a multi-millionaire, yeah.”

The brown haired boy didn’t care much about the fact that Iori was rich; she had told him that money is a means to an end and that it was often linked with personal power; however, having soft power to bribe people into silence or pressuring them to do something was good. Iori hated stupid politicians, and she wasn’t beyond forcing an issue that shouldn’t have happened; as an example, she said that she and the wealthy in town are financing the local police.

That surprised him, but he lived in a east asian country, the fact that the police took bribe from the rich people was par for the course. Issei promised himself that he won’t become a salaryman like his father and create his own business to not have to flatter old men all night long to be back with his family after work.

“Some people have all the luck…” Nanami said under her breath, she turned to her brother and said, “She doesn't act like a rich girl.”

Before Issei could answer the doors opened and three girls could be seen. With a chuckle, Iori who had heard her said out loud, “Did you expect me to have an Ojousama laugh, Nanami-san?”

This caused nanami to start stuttering and harrumph like Tsundere. Issei laughed at his twin and walked up to the love of his life. “Iori! Hi!”

He saw the two pretty girls at her side and asked a bit shyly, “Um, who are those two with you?”

Iori smiled at him, causing him to blush slightly; then she started introducing him to her friends. She pointed at the auburn-haired girl smiling at him teasingly. “This is Taliya, my bodyguard and magic teacher.”

“Sup?!” The pretty girl waved at him.

Iori turned to the busty golden eyed girl, it was all Issei could do to not look at her massive boobs. Habits die hard… “This is Kuroka, she just joined our faction, she’s a Nekomata.”

The girl looked at Issei, and she tilted her head in an intrigued manner. Then she turned her head to Iori. “Is he nyour boyfriend, Niori-sama? He smells… peculiar.” 

Iori blushed and said, “He is special to me, but that’s not why I am introducing you… Those two are Issei and Nanami, my friends.”

This was the first time he saw her act this way; the other girl pressed her and asked, “You didn't answer the question.”

Iori averted her eyes from Kuroka and coughed into her fist. “Ahem, this is not important.”

As if she were a shark who had smelled blood, she gave a predatory smirk to Iori, then to Issei. “Oh, I see~.”

Issei knew that Iori was going to train him and his sister to be able to survive what was to come, so he rightfully guessed that those two girls would help them. “Huh, are they going to train with us, Iori?”

Iori walked up to him and said, “Yes, Kuroka is really good at Senjutsu and Touki, I want her to teach us more about it. And Taliya is good at teaching basic onmyou arts.”

She started shining with golden aura around her body, showing him what Touki was. “That’s Touki, in essence the external manifestation of one's life-force, in other words their Ki. Like in Dragon Ball. But before I explain more about it, Issei, Nanami, do you want to see my gravity room?”

It was Nanami who reacted first, by stepping forward. “You have one?! Like the one from Dragon Ball?”

Instead of replying, Iori took both Nanami's and Issei's hands and pulled them inside the walls of her mansion. Not going to the manor proper, they went to the attached dojo behind the main building. A large courtyard with a beautiful garden separated the two buildings; the small road was paved with grey stone, and a small red bridge straddled a small pond.

Issei had the impression that he stepped into a magazine showing a rich Japanese mansion; it looked so traditional. When they passed the bridge, they found themselves before the Dojo, and it looked strange to him. Instead of wood, the building was made of a strange red metal.

“This is the dojo, inside there’s an expanded space where we can simulate different terrain, such as a plain, or a rocky desert. The gravity can be turned off or raised to ten times that of Earth’s.” Iori said as she walked up to the door and opened it.

Everyone filed into the building, and it was dark inside, until Iori clapped her hands and the light came on. A sandy beach and blue sky appeared. Nanami commented with an awed voice, “It’s like we are in a danger room!”

“Good job noticing, Nanami; I patented the idea with the Western Yokai Faction, and they built that for me, I’m still receiving dividends for it. It uses powerful illusion and dimensional magic to pull it off.” Iori said with a warm smile on her face.

Then the warm smile Issei was used to seeing turned into a devilish smirk; the door of the dojo closed behind them with a ‘clang’ sound. Issei looked behind him, seeing the door had completely disappeared; when he turned back to see Iori, she wore a silver armor that showed a large swath of pale and deliciously tender skin.

“Welcome to hell, Issei, Nanami. I hope you’re ready. Even if you bleed, puke, or cry… I won’t stop. You asked me to make you strong, then I will do just that.”

The only answer he had for her was the effusion of his blood through his nose and passing out because of his bottled lust finally finding an outlet. The world went dark as he heard, “I think I killed Issei…”