Preparations For the Summit

(Kyoto: Shadow Side)

It was the closing hours of the day for the domain of the Youkai, when many would lay to rest for the coming morn, though the city was still alight with activity for most of the guards, workers, and everyday denizens of the realm. All unaware of the black cloaked figure that glided across the rooftops, silently stepping from one building to the next, aimed at a towering Japanese castle. The guards of Youkai, Shinigami, and Quincy failed to notice as silent presence easily slipped through a window and vanished before a Neko maid rounded the corner.

"Princess Kunou!" The maid called out, looking about frantically. "Please, it's time for your bath! Your mother is very clear about your bedtime!" The cloaked intruder watched as the maid ran by, their head shifting upward toward the roof of the third level. Without even disturbing the air, the figure slipped through the same window they came in from and ascended to the spot the young fox was hiding at. They found her, huddled next to the window and shaking from barely contained laughter as she forced the castle staff to play her game of hide and seek.

"Kazui or Yuuichi would've found me easily by now." She giggled, unaware of the figure coming up next to her before pouting sadly. "I wish I could play with them more. I wish I could go to school with them in Karakura." She was brought out of her melancholy as the figure snatched her up and held her up in a warm embrace.

"Causing trouble for the castle staff again, my little fox cub?" The figure asked, removing the hood to reveal a skull mask that melted away to reveal Ichigo's smiling face. Kunou's face lit up with joy as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Papa!" She cheered, nuzzling against him affectionately. "What's with the surprise visit? Did you get time off?"

"No sweetie, I did not." Ichigo returned, chuckling as his daughter's hair tickled his face. "I'm still here for work, but I came in secret because I doubt the castle would be calm with their 'Lord Shogun' being present." He set her down and kept rubbing her head, making her squee at the petting. "And if that happened, I doubt I'd get the time to be with my favorite fox cub." His hands immediately shot to her sides, surprising the girl. "But I still have to punish you for misbehaving Kunou."

"Daddy please doAAAHAHAHAHAH!" She tried to beg before being subjected to her father's tickles, laughing as his fingers danced up and down her sides relentlessly as she curled up in an attempt to escape his unrelenting hands.

"Take your punishment and apologize to everyone!" He dramatically declared as she kept laughing.

"I-I'M SORHEHEHEHE!" She barely managed to say, getting him to stop as he picked her back up and kissed her cheek.

"Fine. Daddy forgives you." He said as she latched on again, trying to catch her breath. "Now let's see if mommy does."

"She might," the two looked at the window to see Yasaka in a bath robe looking at the two, "if papa joins her and their daughter for a bath." She said with a smile. Kunou turned to her father with an expectant look in her eyes, making the man sigh.

"I guess I have no choice." Ichigo said, relenting as mother and daughter cheered. The bath was a simple affair of bonding as a family, washing each other and basking in the warm herbal water meant to sooth nerves and aid in sleep. Not to say that Yasaka didn't take advantage of having her husband around and in such intimate proximity, washing his body with her own and making liberal use of her large breasts and groping his crotch. When they were finished, Kunou was taken to her bed while Ichigo and Yasaka went to her own. A large white room with a large bed, wardrobe, drawers, but the most prominent piece of décor was a shrine dedicated to the gods of Japan.

"You certainly made her month, my lord husband." The fox priestess said as she shed her bath robe, baring her whole glory to Ichigo without reserve and making an effort to show off each of her bodily assets. "Perhaps we should grant her a younger sibling. I would happily bear another child of yours." She shook her hips as she bent over, looking through a drawer filled with her sexiest lingerie.

"That would still be a while before she has her playmate Yasaka." Ichigo countered, drinking in her form with his gaze but not allowing his desire of her to control him. He was here on business, much to his chagrin. "You could finally allow her to attend school in Shadow Karakura with her siblings. Aura Michibane is very protective of her students and very few if any can get past Uryu's sight." He said, keeping the finer details of the Almighty hidden, though he was answered with a pout from his wife.

"I know that, but I still worry about letting her go out beyond my realm." She chose to forego undergarments and instead picked out a moon and flame themed sleeping yukata, wearing it rather loosely so that it was barely holding on by her breasts and ready to reveal their bounty to him again. "What mother isn't hesitant to let their child leave the den before they're ready, or before the mother thinks they're ready?"

"Only terrible ones or those without any other choice." Ichigo answered. "Though some others might consider you selfish or overprotective with keeping Kunou here in Kyoto, knowing the safety net she has outside of the city."

"Especially since she's the first born of the one that was named Japan's leader of the supernatural." She admitted, sitting down on her bed. "Now less about the pleasantries and more about the reason you're here." She went from a wife seducing her husband into a night of passion to the leader of the Youkai of the region. "The peace summit with the three factions of the Biblical group, correct?"

"Yes, unfortunately." The Shogun admitted. "As much as I wish this was simply to see my wife and child, that isn't the case." He made his way in front of Yasaka, shifting to his own business state as well. "As the strongest one, I'm serving as the neutral peacekeeper and mediator. Uryu will be attending as the representative of the Gotei, and I've contacted the other Youkai leaders about their representation. They said they'd leave it to you." Yasaka nodded in understanding.

"I've thought about it and have made my choice. My loyal guard, Tomoe Gozen, will act as the representative of the Youkai." Ichigo nodded.

"Very well then. I expect her to gather their seals and be present in Kuoh before the summit."

"I shall relay your orders." She said, closing her eyes with a nod of her head. "Or you can tell her in the morning, preferably after a night of pass-" she opened her eyes to find Ichigo was already gone, "-ion. Fuck." She said in defeat, falling back onto her bed. Seconds passed like minutes before she got back to her feet, readjusted her outfit, and made her way to her daughter's room, intent on cuddling with her beloved fox cub.

(Kuoh Academy: Home Ec Classroom)

Orihime was again in her classroom, judging performances and assigning grades, as she thought about how how certain students did in today's class of baking pies. Most of the students did fine, except for one that usually excels and now had to be dismissed due to several cuts and minor burns on her hands. It didn't take a genius to tell that Rias Gremory was distracted with something, but only a small number of people in the school was aware of what it was. Now Orihime waited for the Devil to come speak with her, finally having the chance to do so now that everything else had calmed down. The class door opened and was soon shut as the crimson haired heiress came into the classroom.

"How are your hands?" She immediately asked, always caring for her students. "Want me to heal them?"

"No Sensei." Rias declined with a giggle at Orihime's motherly attitude, a stark contrast to how she brutalized Kokabiel with little effort. "It was just a couple of cuts and burns. Nothing Asia couldn't handle. Though if I had lost a finger, then I'd ask you for help." Though she meant it as a joke, it served as a reminder to herself of the sheer gap displayed by agents of the Soul Society.

"Something you'd like to talk about?" The spirit user asked, noticing the Devil's gloom. "Something outside of class or club activities?" Rias released a sigh as she thought about airing her grievances to her, knowing now that she was spying on the Gremory Peerage the entire time she's been here, but Orihime was always a source of helpful advice when she needed it. Thus, she took the plunge.

"I screwed up, badly." She admitted, referring to the Excalibur Incident. "It wasn't the first time my pride and arrogance hurt the people I love, but I was hoping that there wouldn't be a second time."

"People make mistakes Rias." Orihime told her. "But that's the way of things. Count your blessings at what was saved and what you could learn from those mistakes. Such as caution and understanding. Think about what you have lost, what you almost lost, and how you can do better." Rias took a moment to think, coming up with the obvious first choice.

"Being able to control and help my servants better. I should've noticed Kiba's mood and talk to him sooner, rather than letting him run off like that." Orihime nodding along and encouraging Rias to continue. "And I should've either prevented that sparring match Issei and Kiba fought in with Xenovia and Irina or just have them fight with practice swords and forbid Kiba from using his Sacred Gear. That... is painfully obvious in hindsight."

"Most things tend to be." The teacher agreed. "What else?"

"I... probably wouldn't try to convince the Exorcists to work with us." Rias admitted. "My pride wouldn't allow that and I don't think I could've convinced them even if I wanted to. Look at how that turned out."

"And did your pride prevent you from calling Sirzechs for backup?"

"...maybe?" The Gremory heiress said, conflicted on her own feelings. "I'm the sister of the strongest Devil, the leader of our people and a master of the power of destruction. I have to be able to hold my own."

"And what have you actually done to prove you're that strong?" Orihime suddenly said with a hint of venom in her voice, shocking Rias. "Have you pushed yourself to the point that you collapse from pain and exhaustion? Till your hands bled from repetition and an act became as familiar as breathing? Recited chants and spells so much that you could speak them backwards while intoxicated? Have you ever actually tried at something that required physical effort on your part?" With each question, Rias felt herself shrink more and more at her teacher's controlled fury. "I've watched my closest friends and loved ones do exactly that and beyond, with the one that WAS born special applying himself even harder because of it." The spirit user paused and took a breath to calm herself before leveling stern glare to the Devil, one that reminded her of her sister-in-law.

"You're one of my precious students Rias Gremory so it's because of that that I tell you now, out of your entire peerage, you're the weakest member." Rias wanted to protest, but the sheer power of Orihime's lecture kept her silent and grounded. "You're lazy, arrogant, and foolish because you didn't learn your lesson even after Riser tortured Issei to prove a point. Just a little girl while everyone around you is growing up. Natural talent only goes so far among the weak, the strong push beyond themselves. So, how do you plan to fix that?" Orihime finished, looking to Rias for an answer as to how the Devil would proceed, and ready to stomp down anything that seemed like an insincere course of action.

"I... should focus on my own growth more," the Gremory heiress started, taking the time to actually consider her course of action, "and copy Issei by sparring with someone strong." She said, making an expectant look at Orihime though she didn't acknowledge it as she gestured for Rias to continue. "I should also do some more group exercises so we gain a better understanding of each other. Maybe if we had that, I wouldn't have lost Xenovia to the Gotei." She sighed out, remembering the potential knight she failed to acquire.

"I'm betting she wished she became a Devil too by now." Orihime suddenly added, surprising Rias. "I heard her training instructor is my sister, Karin Hitsugaya, who can... be a little rough." The pause made the Devil a little concerned.

"Well, thanks for the talk Kurosaki Sensei." Gremory said as she got up. "It gave me a lot to think about."

"And if you're still sad, take advantage of that to get some alone time with that dragon of yours." Orihime said with a wink, causing Rias to laugh.

"Keep talking like that and it'll ruin your innocent image."

"That ship sailed back when I lost my virginity in a three-way at fifteen years old with my best friend." Now Rias was shocked. "For a Devil that often sleeps with her favorite pawn, you're surprisingly pure. Need a reminder on how sex works? I can get some toys for some private les-"

"I'M GOING NOW! GOT A POOL TO CLEAN" Rias almost screeched, face even more red than her hair as Orihime giggled to herself.

"So innocent. I almost understand the way you acted back in high school Chizuru." She said as she finished up her paperwork. "Now then... maybe I'll visit my favorite shut-in before calling it a day. Gasper is so cute!" She then disappeared in a gust of wind.

(ORC Clubroom: Later that same day)

"Now girls, did we learn our lesson?" Orihime asked as both Rias and Akeno whimpered in their chairs, a cup of tea in her hands as she stood over the girls. The pool was easily cleaned by the group of Devils and they were enjoying their swim, Issei helping to teach Asia and Koneko, and not a care was had as they had their fun. That was until Akeno decided to try and flirt with Issei while he was applying sun lotion on Rias and the two got into a fight. A non-serious and playful fight by Devil standards where they threw magic at each other, but one that was still causing damage to school property. Pretty soon after it started both girls were restrained as the pool water engulfed them and Orihime appeared to put a stop to it before making the two of them repair the damage, mostly by hand, and then gave them both a thorough spanking.

"Uhh, Kurosaki Sensei?" Issei started, holding up a shaky hand and reminded on how scary the teacher was. "Don't you think that was a little severe? It's not like anyone was hurt and we could've easily fixed the damage." Orihime turned a smile at him and he responded by hiding behind Koneko.

"No I don't Issei. It doesn't matter that it's an easy problem to fix, they still destroyed school property over a rather childish issue." She paused to take a drink. "There's a difference between destruction of school property during a serious battle and the same during a game. One's unavoidable, the other is irresponsible. If you're going to break anything, then just break your own toys. Wouldn't you agree, Sirzechs?" She asked, looking behind the group as Sirzechs appeared in a suit through a portal with a woman dressed as a maid with long silver hair. His maid, wife, and queen of his Peerage, Grayfia Lucifuge.

"Yes, my sister does need to be more careful and to not attract unwanted attention." The Devil King responded as most of Rias's servants kneeling to him with the exception of Rias and Akeno. Rias and her best friend were trying their hardest to not aggravate their still stinging bottoms. Orihime has a mean smack. "I apologize for her actions, Kurosaki Sensei."

"She doesn't seem used to actually being disciplined for poor behavior, or the ramifications of poorer judgment." The Gotei agent said, putting a finger to her chin as she pretended to think. "I wonder if this is the result of being spoiled and coddled her whole life." Rias flinched while Sirzechs's expression became slightly strained, trying to maintain his calm and cool mask. "Oh well, I can discuss this with her parents and guardians during the next parent teacher conference. I'm guessing your presence here is about the peace summit, or is it about the upcoming open house?" Again Rias flinched.

"Please Sensei, my brother is very busy so I'm not bothered by him not app-"

"Father will be attending as well Rias, and it's both Kurosaki Sensei." That got the attention of the Gremory Peerage. "When we decided to hold this peace summit, I suggested Kuoh Academy because I knew of the upcoming open house so Serafall and I would be here anyway." Rias groaned in disappointment since she wanted to avoid having her brother present.

"Oh, I haven't seen Serafall in so long, can't wait for the open house now!" Orihime cheered. "But, is that the only reason why you're here?" Both Orihime and Grayfia were looking at him with a stare that could burn through steel, almost demanding that he come clean about a certain matter that Rias needed to hear about.

"A-actually, there... is something else." The Devil King admitted, feeling somewhat nervous from their glares. "I... forgot to book a hotel." He said, causing the peerage to be shocked in disbelief at his sudden airheadedness as he asked Issei if he could stay at his place. Grayfia shook her head in disappointment and Orihime just accepted that he didn't want to give Rias the bad news just yet. "-should get to know the family of the Red Dragon a little better. It's only right that I meet the family that's been taking care of my precious sister after all!" Rias may have joined her peerage in their reaction to Sirzechs's bizarre mess up, but she noticed he was nervous about something and just deflected the question.

"Well, I'll be leaving you all to it then. Don't forget to clean up everyone." The spirit user ordered as Orihime started walking out of the classroom, aware that Sirzechs started following her while Grayfia talked with Issei about their future cohabitation. "Did you want something?"

"Yes. I know you know about my sister's other bishop." Orihime turned to face the Devil. "I'm not precisely sure how the Gotei is keeping tabs on her peerage, but I'm asking you to help her with him. She needs something to go her way right now."

"She needs to recognize how complacent she's been, but you are right about giving her a win. She might break down into a depression if she doesn't." She turned and started walking away again. "Especially after a certain coward finally tells her she's being replaced." Sirzechs felt that one.

(The Next Morning)

After the night at the Hyoudo residence, Rias was pulled in to showing her brother around Kuoh by Grayfia. What the Gremory heiress found even more odd was her brother's insistence that it wasn't necessary, knowing he'd take any chance to dote on her. She was determined to find out what Sirzechs was hiding and told Issei to go to school without her. His only other company was Asia, which wasn't a bother, but his mind was trapped by one thought. Somehow using his Boosted Gear to enhance Rias's tits. That thought was so dominant in his mind that he almost didn't notice the pulsing pain in his left hand.

'Gah, what now!?' He thought in pain, trying to control the draconic power in his arm, only to find the source waiting for him at the front gates of the school. "Vali." Issei growled as he stood in front of Asia, protecting her from the other man.

"Hello there, Red Dragon." He said, walking up to the Gremory pawn without an ounce of hesitation. "I'm glad you at least remembered me." Issei was holding his hand, trying to suppress the dragon energy flowing through it. Vali casually took advantage of the momentary distraction to put a finger directly in front of Issei's face. "So vulnerable. Killing you now would be all too easy." The Red Dragon jumped back and got ready to fight.

"Boosted-!" As he said that, a blade appeared at Vali's neck, held by Kiba.

"This joke has gone on long enough." The knight said, keeping the blade ready to slit the White Dragon's throat. "It wouldn't do to have you two fight here."

"Did you think, even with your entire Peerage fighting at their best, that you had a chance against Kokabiel?" Vali suddenly asked, unconcerned with the blade at his neck or the sudden gust of wind. "If you doubt your ability to beat him than you have no chance at defeating-"

"Why are you holding up my students?" Vali heard directly behind him, freezing the words in his throat. "I'm sure it wasn't to cause a scene, was it?" The Vanishing Dragon turned his head to see Orihime smiling at him, a smile that was lacking any warmth despite how kind it seemed. "Well?" Vali simply smirked before walking toward his rival and leaning against the bridge fence

"Nah, I'm just giving my destined rival some friendly advice." He claimed as the whole of the ORC now arrived and were glaring at Vali. "Now Issei, your power is woefully underdeveloped. If I had to give a rough estimate, you'd be somewhere between 1000 and 1500 of the strongest to weakest scale and that's being generous. Work on that, there will be others that will challenge you." He said as he began to walk away... then stopped to turn back. "Also, Rias Gremory, fair warning. Those around the Red and White Dragon Emperors usually have harsh lives. So good luck with that." He gave one more glance to Orihime, a look she recognized on Zaraki whenever he and Ichigo left for a sparring match, the desire to fight a worthy opponent. "Anyway, I've said my piece. Good luck!" He offered before leaving. Rias let out a sigh of relief, though she didn't show it, as the tense atmosphere faded away.

"Well, now that that's done, everyone to class!" Orihime said with a smile before vanishing in a gust of wind. The majority of the ORC went to their classes, while Issei had to go to the infirmary to try and control the dragon energy.

(Timeskip)

Time passed and the day went on for what counted as the new normal for Issei and the ORC. Once his dragon energy calmed down he attended classes and went home. The biggest news of that day was when he walked in on Rias and Sona in the middle of discussing the coming open house and the following peace summit. Neither were happy about Vali's attendance, considering him and the Fallen untrustworthy, but Sona was unconcerned. Something about the mediator being a huge deterrent to any conflict that may happen. The next day was a mostly uneventful open house until Issei made a perfect replica of Rias that his classmates started bidding on. Nothing else unusual happened until a group of students were making a beeline to someone in magical girl cosplay in the school's gym.

"Is... is that Magical Girl Milky Spiral Seven Alternative cosplay?" Issei asked, recognizing the outfit from binge watching the series with a client. The girl in question seemed like she was in her teens with long black hair tied into twin tails with pink ribbons. Her cosplay was predominantly pink with black and white accents consisting of a crop top with a long black sleeve gloves and white bracelets showing off her midriff, a short skirt with white hip flaps and a black belt, black and dark pink stripped stockings, a pink puffy hat with white wings, and a long staff with a star on top.

"You know that show?" Asia asked, not knowing anything about the outfit or the character.

"A repeat client wanted me to watch it with them." He answered as Saji appeared to disperse the crowd. As they did, Sona and Orihime came into the gym.

"What's going on!?" Sona called out, scaring the non-Devil students into dispersing. "Saji, what was oh... hello sister." She said, recognizing the cosplayer as her elder sister.

"Serafall!" Orihime cheered out, making her way to the Satan with arms wide open.

"Orihime!" The Devil returned as they hugged each other, much to everyone's surprise.

"So good to see you! Nice cosplay by the way." The Spirit user said as Serafall took a step back, twirled her staff around and posed.

"I wanted to get your opinion. Think Ichigo would like it?" She asked, winking with one eye and sticking her tongue out. Orihime and Sona ran a critical eye over her outfit.

"Definitely looks cute, but I keep telling you that Ichigo isn't into the magical girl stuff. " The Sitri heiress nodded in agreement to Orihime's claim.

"So not even for kinky cosplay sex?" Serafall asked with a pout, mortifying Sona with the casual reference to her sex life.

"You still don't have our permission to sleep with our husband Serafall, so please stop joking around." Orihime said with a smile, again shocking the Devils in attendance.

"Wait, Kurosaki Sensei, your husband is my sister's boyfriend?" Sona asked. "The same boyfriend that's the leader of the Shinigami?"

"Yeah, that's right." Orihime answered casually. "I also have nine other sister-wives."

"WHOA! The leader of the Shinigami has a harem? And it's expanding!?" Issei asked, his fear of Orihime disappearing to envision her in a skimpy outfit with nine other similarly endowed and cute women around a shadowed figure on a throne with Serafall presenting herself and walking toward the seated man, asking for his love and attention. He was pulled out of his fantasy by a fist to his face, causing a bloody nose.

"Please don't compare my husband to the likes of you Issei." Orihime asked, her knuckles steaming as Issei was brought back to reality... somewhat.

"Please introduce me to him Kurosaki Sensei! I must learn the ways of the harem-" He suffered another punch.

"So glad Kukaku taught me about the Shiba Fist." Orihime muttered while rubbing her bruising knuckles. "Anyway Serafall, I have to ask you to change." Serafall pouted again but used magic to strip out of her cosplay and into a woman's black and white three piece business suit.

"Ugh. I hate wearing this." The Devil groaned out. "So stuffy and I can barely walk in this skirt." She said, gesturing to her pencil skirt before snapping her fingers and switching them out with pants. "Much better. Can't remember why this isn't my default."

"Pain in the ass traditionalist elder Devils?" Orihime suggested.

"That's why." Serafall agreed before turning back to the others. "We need to discuss a perfect meeting room here for the summit so run along and Sona, I promise to not embarrass my darling little sister." Sona smiled back.

"Thank you." She returned as the group began to leave, Rias asking how Serafall managed to mellow out and how she could do the same with Sirzechs. Once they were gone, Serafall turned a focused and serious expression to the Gotei agent.

"I'm done playing. I want this for real Orihime." She immediately said, though Orihime's expression hasn't changed.

"This seems sudden. What exactly brought it on?" She asked, as the temperature seemingly dropped.

"A number of factors honestly. Mostly... he makes me feel safe." She held a hand to her chest as she reflected. "At first it was political, a union between Soul Society and the Netherworld would be an immense boon to us. And his power, you can't tell me that it doesn't turn you on to be around him when he flexes that Reiatsu... and you aren't the victim." Orihime had to nod at that specific distinction. "But... being around him... I feel like I can be me. Not Satan Leviathan, not Serafall the head of Foreign Relations, just... Serafall Sitri." She started blushing with a smile as she looked Orihime in the eyes. "My heart's been racing ever since I realized this. That's why I was so confident that Sona would be safe during the Excalibur Incident. That's why I want to really be with him now." Orihime responded by wrapping her arms around the Devil.

"Falling in love feels great. Doesn't it sister?" She asked as Serafall returned the embrace. "I'll talk to my other sister-wives, but I welcome you to our family."

(Timeskip... again)

The rest of the school open house went by without incident beyond Rias's family meeting with Issei's parents and fawning over her, much to her embarrassment, and Orihime leaving to pick something up from the Shinigami Bureau in Kuoh. Something Rias found odd was that Grayfia kept nudging her brother about something but he never seemed to speak about what she was meaning for him to discuss with the heiress. Always seemed to bring up something with his queen getting more and more annoyed. The latest talk back at the Hyoudo residence was about her other bishop piece, Gasper Vladi, locked away in a room in the ORC's building.

The Devil was sealed in an isolated room because of how dangerous the bishop's lack of control was, especially over the Sacred Gear: Forbidden Balor View. Anything caught within the user's field of vision was frozen in place via a suspension of time, a danger to friend and foe alike if it couldn't be controlled. Rias questioned what prompted this decision and Sirzechs simply told her that Soul Society agreed to help her with Gasper. She pouted that he was still hiding something, but she was hoping to finally get her precious piece to come out of that room. The young Devil never once left it, even when given the freedom to roam the building at night. The members of the ORC stood outside a set of double doors, blocked by police tape and Rias dispelling the seal. Orihime was with them, holding a tray of sugar cookies with red frosting and black candy bats.

"I'm opening the door." Rias said, reaching for the door handle. At the same time, the other members of the ORC felt something wet inside their ears as the world went silent. Issei saw the Spirit Master mouth something that looked like a countdown. Once the door opened, they still heard a loud cry of 'NO' even through whatever was blocking their ears before it flowed away. "Thank you Sensei." Rias said with a nod before entering the room, followed by the rest of the ORC. "Gasper, it's okay. It's time to come out." The crimson Devil said, gently trying to coax the young bishop out.

"No! I don't want to!" The voice of a young child cried out. "It's too scary!" The room was pitch black in shadow, a dim laptop screen on an empty table providing the only source of light, with sparse décor and furniture. The most notable item in the room was an oak coffin where a young child was lying, curled up as if it could shield them from the outside and shaking from crying. Orihime handed Asia the tray of cookies as she joined Rias and Akeno as they went to Gasper.

"There there, it's okay Gasper. You're going to be safe." Orihime said, switching to 'mother mode'. Rias reached down to pet her bishop, just as Gasper latched onto Orihime.

"Please don't make me leave this room!" The Devil begged as the light revealed the bishop's silver hair in a bob cut with violet eyes and pointed ears, wearing the girl's uniform of Kuoh. Watching Gasper default the her teacher caused Rias no small amount of annoyance.

"Sensei? Why is my Gasper hugging you and not me?" She asked, a slight twitch in her eye.

"Oh, I break in here all the time." Orihime casually admitted. "I always make time for my students, and that includes Gasper. Besides, how can I resist such a cutie?!" She asked, hugging Gasper tightly, causing Rias to pout and Akeno giggle.

"She certainly is a cute one. Must be a bishop thing to be a cute blonde girl." Issei said, reaching for a cookie before a ball of red light set his hand on fire.

"Two things Issei. One, those cookies are for AFTER Gasper comes out and two, he's a boy." Orihime scolded, shocking Issei.

"A boy!? Looking like that?!" The pawn roared. "Why?!"

"R-Rias. I-is that Issei?" Gasper asked, after Orihime passed him to the king of the peerage, surprising the crimson Devil.

"I kept him up to date." The teacher supplied with a smile. Rias sighed and just accepted it.

"Yes he is Gasper. A lot more has happened as well. So why don't you come outside with us?" She asked as he jumped back into his coffin, latching onto a black stuffed rabbit.

"No! I don't wanna leave! I'll only cause trouble!" He tried to warn. Despite that, Issei was fed up with waiting.

"Come on dude. You heard her." And grabbed onto Gasper's wrist, causing the young boy to cry in terror with his eyes flashing. However, the second Issei grabbed Gasper, Orihime immediately sent out some of the Shun Shun Rikka to set up a barrier between Gasper and everyone else. The result protected everyone from the power of Gasper's Sacred Gear as it was rejected by the barrier... and Issei's hand was cut off.

"That was very rude Issei." Orihime scolded, already healing the injury while he was still numb from shock. "You need to be more aware of those around you. Poor Gasper's agoraphobic." She said, taking one of the cookies from Asia and heading back over to the young Devil. "Gasper. It's okay. I'll keep everyone safe. You, your peerage, there's nothing to be afraid of with me around." She said, handing him the cookie. "Everyone, show him it's okay." She ordered, prompting each one to bravely take up a frosted sugar disc and eat it. Gasper looked over the group and slowly began nibbling his, rising to his feet, and shuffling over to Rias and taking her hand. The Devil smiled as she slowly pulled the young boy out of the room, Gasper following but hesitating once they left the room. They made their way to the meeting room of the ORC. Orihime smiled at her students' progress before feeling her phone vibrate, pulling it out to see the message.

'Gremory Peerage cleared of surveillance bacteria.'

(Omake)

Xenovia's Soul Boot Camp, Pt 2.

Stage one of her training was to get used to moving around as a soul, playing tag with Kazui and running from Bawabawa until her performance as a soul matched her physical body. Next was to exceed that by tapping into one's spiritual power. The original plan was to sever the Soul Chain and have Shinigami recruits climb out of a deep pit without using their hands, but that was dismissed due to the unwanted risk of them turning into mindless Hollows. Instead they still had their Soul Chain and the training consisted of one part meditation to delve into their inner world to awaken their power, and one part climbing without their hands. The climbing was done on a series of gray platforms that would start sinking into the loose sand the moment a person stood on it.

"Not this time!" The blue haired girl growled as she ran up a warped incline, kicking off that to jump onto a ledge behind her and jumping onto the final platform above the incline, seeing the next platform's starting ledge getting beyond her jumping limit. "No no no no!" She shouted as she ran and jumped with all of her might. Her foot missed and she hit her stomach on the edge of the platform, grunting out in pain as the air was forcibly shot out of her body, but she held on by pressing her chin against the platform for any friction to keep her from falling and ignoring the pain in her body. All this was in vain as she kept slowly slipping while she tried to fling her feet to the edge. Her heart sank as she heard the tell tale roar of Bawabawa as it shot up to her and caught her legs. "DAMN IT!" She roared as she was pulled off and into the Hollow's maw. Once she was inside his mouth, the massive snake creature crawled over to where Karin was watching and spat out Xenovia.

"Again." Karin simply ordered, making the former Exorcist look up to glare at her.

"I hate you." She growled, simply earning a sadistic smirk from her trainer.

"Good. You're learning."