High School DxD: Fox of Ill Omen

 Yuki

The poison made the world feel fuzzy around me.

My limbs wouldn’t move the way I wanted them to.

I couldn’t stand up, and after casting a Baleful Bolt while already affected by the poison, I could barely hold myself up on my hands and knees.

I hated it.

Koneko had started to use her Senjutsu to fight off the poison's effects, but it wasn’t enough for her to do more than stand and move sluggishly.

And now she was trying to use her body as a shield from her sister's attack to protect both myself and Rias.

Even though she was also affected by the poison, she was willing to put herself between us and harm.

Issei was doing the same.

He wasn’t affected by the poison, but his Sacred Gear wasn’t working for some reason.

He was able to summon it, but it looked off, and it wouldn’t give him strength like it normally would.

He had already taken two direct blows from Kuroka’s attacks, and he was still getting up to put himself between her and us.

I hated that I was helpless and had to be protected like this.

“You really are weak,” Kuroka said, mockingly. “Are you really Vali’s rival? How were you able to push him back in a fight?”

“Shut up,” Issei coldly replied.

He was unsteady on his feet as he took a step towards her.

Even though he had to struggle to stay upright, he charged at her anyway.

He threw himself into the poisoned clearing without the power of his Sacred Gear.

He wouldn’t be able to do anything more than hit her with his own strength as a Devil, but he still went. 

It was stupid, but also the only thing he could do right now.

“I won’t let you touch them! I won’t let you harm Buchou, Yuki-san, or Koneko-channnn!” He shouted as he ran forward.

I winced in sympathy as he was hit by another of Kuroka’s attacks.

This time the attack launched him backwards into a tree at the edge of the clearing near us.

It made an awful sound as his body crashed into it.

He fell to the ground and didn’t move.

“Ise!” Rias weakly shouted his name, while trying to force her body to move so she could go to him.

“Issei-senpai…” Koneko murmured as watched him while she stood between us and her sister.

Issei began to move again as he got his hands under him.

Then with a loud grunt, he pushed himself up and stood again.

Rias let out a breath of relief when he started moving again.

But I could see the worry deepen on her face as she knew that he would only put himself in harm's way again, until he couldn’t anymore. 

Issei stumbled and fell to a knee as he made his way back to us.

I could see tears falling from his eyes as he tried to push himself back up.

He let out a loud shout as he pushed himself upright and moved in front of us again. 

Kuroka saw that and smiled.

“Look at him, Shirone. This weakling is one of the people you want to tie yourself to? He can’t even bring out the power of his Sacred Gear.”

“Stop calling me that,” Koneko said.

Her voice was stronger than before.

Still not strong enough to keep Kuroka from hearing the hurt under it.

Kuroka drifted closer in a half-circle, keeping her distance from Issei while still making him track too many possible bodies at once.

“You see?” she said. “They can’t protect you. The fox and your [King] are poisoned. The Sekiryuutei can only swing his fists blindly. They’re weak and will only hold you back. Come with me, and I’ll teach you how to control the power you have just started to embrace.”

“I don’t need your help,” Koneko replied.

“You do.” Kuroka’s smile softened as if she was explaining something to a child. “Or you’ll always be like this. Scared. Barely scratching the surface of what you could do. Dependent on people who can’t support you or understand you.”

Koneko’s fingers clenched against her dress.

“I don’t care if you're Koneko-chan’s onee-san, I won’t forgive you for making her cry.” Issei said, taking another unsteady step towards Kuroka.

Kuroka laughed.

“It’s funny hearing someone so weak try and say a cool line like that. When someone like you says that, it’s more sad than anything-nyan. Pathetic.” Kuroka sneered.

“I know I’m useless..” Issei said. “I’m supposed to have the power of one of the legendary Dragons in me, but I can’t do anything. It’s just like when Asia died in that church. But like when we lost to Riser and Buchou and Yuki were taken to the Underworld. If I had been stronger, then they wouldn’t have had to suffer through those things…. I really am a talentless and useless Devil.”

I forced myself to my feet as Issei spoke.

Rias had already stood and was watching Issei’s back as he stood between us and Kuroka.

Koneko moved to me and helped support me, despite still being affected by the poison herself.

She was moving more easily than before as the white energy of her Ki glowed brighter over herself than it had before.

“Would you be able to remove the poison from me with your Senjutsu?” I whispered to Koneko.

Her cat ear twitched as I spoke close to them.

“…I… I think I could. But what are you planning, Yuki-senpai?” Koneko quietly asked me.

“I need to be able to fight,” I replied. “Issei won’t be able to take much more and if you remove the position from my system, I should be able to resist its effects now that I know what to expect.”

“Nee-sama is too strong, Yuki-senpai,”

“Please, Koneko-chan.”

She looked up at me.

I met her gaze and after a moment she nodded

She placed her hand on my back.

I felt the pain and disorientation ebb away as Koneko’s Ki began to move over me.

We were slightly behind Issei and Rias, so Kuroka shouldn’t notice what Koneko was doing right away.

Issei continued speaking as he faced Kuroka.

“I haven’t even achieved my Balance Breaker yet. All the other Sekiryuuteis had achieved theirs quicker than me, and it might still take longer before I can... I’ve already been called the weakest Sekiryuutei ever, and that’s not wrong. This power is wasted on me. I can’t defeat you Kuroka, but I can at least become a shield for my friends.”

“Well, at least you know your own worth, Sekiryuutei-kun,” Kuroka said. “But I think it’s time to end this.”

Koneko shook her head.

“…. No, Issei-senpai isn’t worthless… Senpai, did you know that most of the previous Sekiryuuteis were people like my sister?” Koneko asked.

Kuroka’s ears twitched as her smile shrank.

“They were those that became lost in their own power and became swallowed by it,” She continued, glancing at me. “But you can approach it differently than them, like I am with my own powers versus how my new-sama did. Despite your many flaws, you’re a kind person, Issei-senpai. Even if your power is lacking now, I know that as long as you don’t let it overwhelm you, you will be one of the greatest Sekiryuutei.”

Koneko smiled and her Ki over me felt warmer as she did.

“Thats why, if you find something that is truly important to you, you will be able to control your powers. You will be able to become a gentle and kind [Welsh Dragon].”

Issei looked stunned by Koneko’s words for a moment.

He looked down at the ground silently. 

He seemed to be contemplating something before he turned to Rias.

“Buchou. I think I know what I need in order to attain my Balance Breaker.”

Rias

Koneko’s words caused Ise to realize something.

A gentle [Welsh Dragon].

One that wasn’t absorbed by its own power, but was focused on something that made its power worthwhile.

She believed that he could go from being the weakest Sekiryuutei ever, to one of the best.

And she was right.

I knew that my Ise would become the greatest Sekiryuutei to ever live.

He just needed time and support.

“How lovely. Are we done? If you’ve all finished comforting each other, Shirone can come with me now.” Kuroka said.

I ignored her and stepped toward him at once. “Can you do it?”

“I-I think I can, but I’m not sure it will work.” He swallowed.

“While that sounds interesting, I’m not going to let you do that-nyan.” Kuroka said as she readied another spell to attack with. 

We needed more time.

We had to stall her now that she was done playing around.

Kuroka fired a larger demonic power bullet at us.

It made it half way before a bolt of purple-black lightning collided with it.

Yuki was standing on her own with her hand raised forward.

She looked much better than she had moments ago.

“Oh? Did Shirone heal the effects of my poison from you fox-chan? But you still don’t look too hot.”

“Koneko-chan did enough.” Yuki said as she turned towards Ise and I. “Can you do it?”

I looked at her.

Whatever Koneko had done to help her had worked.

She looked much less strained, but her face was still pale from the poison and I could see the effort it took for her to stand straight.

But her eyes were sharp.

Ise nodded to her.

“I’ll hold her then,” Yuki-chan said.

Koneko turned sharply. “No.”

Yuki did not look at her.

“With Malediction’s Embrace I can buy enough time,” she replied.

“Yuki…,” I said.

“There isn’t a better option,” she said. “You’re poisoned and Koneko can’t face her sister like this.  Issei needs time and I can give that to him.”

Kuroka laughed.

“Whatever you try still won’t be enough. I’m going to tear you all apart-nyan~”

I had an idea at that moment.

I made the choice in the next breath.

“All right,” I said.

Koneko looked like she was going to protest.

“We aren’t leaving her behind, and the second Ise can fight he will join her,” I quickly said. “I have an idea that should help her focus on Kuroka while in her state.”

“What do you need me to do?” Yuki asked.

I was going to have to apologize after this.

“Enter your ability and then I’ll tell you what to do.” I replied.

Yuki looked confused for a second before closing her eyes and began to enter her state.

I could feel the changes in the air immediately. 

The space around her felt heavier

Like the air in the clearing became tighter.

Then the visible changes on her started.

Her stance became less tense despite the effects of the poison.

Her posture became less controlled.

“Now what exactly is this?” Kuroka murmured as she watched Yuki’s changes.

I struggled but managed to step behind Yuki before the state could fully settle into unstructured instinct.

My hands found her shoulders.

She went tense at once.

I leaned close enough that my mouth was near Yuki’s ear and lowered my voice so that only she would hear me.

“You said Koenko is yours, right? During the first spar, remember?"

She didn’t move except for the twitch of one of her ears.

I didn’t know if this would work, but I kept going.

I tightened my fingers slightly.

“Kuroka wants to take her.”

Yuki’s breathing changed slightly.

I continued softly, each word chosen with care.

“She wants to take Koneko from us. From you.”

If I got her fixated onto Kuroka, then she would be able to fight without becoming distracted.

I could stoke the territorial instincts she had shown us and point her at Kuroka.

It might not be necessary, but I wasn’t going to leave it up to chance with her about to face a powerful enemy alone.

“She’ll take Koneko unless you stop her,” I whispered.

That seemed to be enough.

Her shoulders tensed under my hands as she seemed to be ready to throw herself at Kuroka. 

I released her and she vanished in an instant, Misstep shortening the space between her and Kuroka in a moment.

Yuki swung her clawed hand at one of the copies of Kuroka with a growl as soon as she appeared in front of it. 

She managed to spot the real body in the crowd of illusions.

Kuroka’s expression flickered in surprise first, then irritation as Yuki hit her hard enough to blow away two of the nearest illusions and force her back.

Good.

Yuki seemed to be able to see through Kuroka’s illusions due to her Veil Sight ability.

I glanced at Koneko who was staring at me with a blush on her face.

“….Buchou….” She said lowly.

She must have heard me speaking to Yuki, despite my hushed voice.

“I’m sorry that I did that Koneko, but I wanted to be sure that Yuki would fully focus on Kuroka, and I knew that stoking her instincts would be my best bet,” I said. “Im sorry and I will apologize to both her and you once we are safe.”

I turned to Ise immediately.

He was already looking at me with the same determined gaze I had seen as soon as he had asked for my help moments ago.  

“What do you need me to do?”

_________________________________________

Koneko

Buchou had tried to be quiet when she spoke to Yuki-senpai before she went to face Kuroka-neesama.

But I had still heard everything.

My face felt hot as soon as I heard the first thing she whispered to Yuki-senpai.

You said Koneko is yours, right?

She had said it while holding Yuki-senpai’s shoulders, as if to steady her before she went to fight.

Yuki-senpai had seemed to become even more focused as Buchou had spoken to her.

As soon as Buchou let go of her she had taken off to attack Nee-sama.

I glared at Buchou as Yuki-senpai and Nee-sama began to fight.

She noticed and gave me an apologetic look as she explained herself and promised to apologize to Yuki-senpai later.

She turned away to talk to Issei-senpai about his Balance Breaker and what he needed to obtain it.

But I didn’t listen as I was flustered by Buchou mentioning that she had used me to stoke Yuki-senpai’s instincts.

I forced myself to ignore how much I liked hearing that and seeing it work.

I also ignored the fact that my heart was beating harder now.

I turned to watch the fight between Kuroka-neesama and Yuki-senpai.

Nee-sama was trying to back away from Yuki-senpai as she swung one of her clawed hands again.

Nee-sama raised a hand to fire another demonic power bullet at senpai, but the shadows near Nee-sama’s leg latched onto her, causing her posture to shift and the bullet to fire wide.

Yuki’s strike tore through the air and clipped Nee-sama’s arm.

Her claws tore through the sleeve of her-sama’s black kimono and drew small, sharp lines of blood before Nee-sama slipped aside.

Bikou, still fighting Tannin in the sky beyond the trees, whooped as the two of them continued to clash in the air above us.

Kuroka-neesama laughed.

It sounded almost effortless.

“Ahh, how dangerous,” she said, dancing back as Yuki was already on her again. “This is quite the trick you have, fox-chan.”

Yuki-senpai didn’t answer.

She stared at Nee-sama with her slitted eyes, unblinkingly as she pursued her.

Yuki-senpai was quick, and could close distance instantly with her Misstep, but I could already see the strain of Nee-sama’s poison affecting her again.

I had managed to purge a lot of it from her system, but I had just started to learn Senjutsu, and could only do so much.

I had started to heal myself as soon as Yuki-senpai left.

I wanted to be ready in case she needed me.

I didn’t know if I would be able to stand up to Kuroka-neesama, but if senpai needed me, I would be ready. 

Yuki-senpai appeared close to Nee-sama’s side and grinned as she stuck a hand forward and fired a cursed bolt at her from a few feet away.

Nee-sama responded by putting up a barrier and deflecting the attack.

Yuki-senpai raised her other arm and fired another spell, and then again, and again.

Nee-sama’s barrier held as senpai’s spells slammed into it over and over.

She responded with a hail of demonic power bullets at Yuki-senpai.

Yuki-senpai was forced back as she dodged and Misstepped away from the attack.

But she had been too close to Nee-sama.

She wasn't able to get away cleanly and was struck by some of the bullets as she dodged. 

It didn’t look like she had been hit too badly, but her dress was torn by her side and her chest.

She scowled and placed a Still Mark in the air between her and Nee-sama and prepared another Baleful Bolt.

“That didn’t work before, and it’s not going to work now-nyan.”

Nee-sama smiled as she put up a barrier between them. 

Yuki-senpai fired her spell and as it passed through the mark it accelerated towards Nee-sama.

Nee-sama could only look surprised as the bolt hit her barrier and it crashed through.

The bolt hit her in the shoulder and sent her reeling back.

Her kimono had a hole burned in it and she began to bleed from the wound the spell had left.

Nee-sama frowned at her injured shoulder before looking back at Yuki-senpai.

“I think that’s enough playing around,” she said as a dark aura began to surround her.

Her shoulder and the cuts on her arm healed as the dark energy built around her.

Her hands were coated in a black Touki that formed into claws.

“You may be more interesting than the weak Sekiryuutei-kun, but now you’ve gone and ruined my favorite outfit. I was debating letting Shirone keep you, but now I’m going to rip you to pieces-nyan,” Kuroka-neesama leaned forward and took a stance. “Are you ready?”

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