It's been a few days since Issei's victory against Riser. Y/N has been trying to figure out how he's going to tell Kiba and Issei that he was still alive, but he just didn't know how. His mother's advice was to tell them, but Y/N never really thought of a plan. For now, he just settled on watching the two from afar. He felt a strong magical presence behind him and he saw that it was Vali.

Y/N: What do you want?

Vali: Is it wrong to check up on a friend?

Y/N: Last time I checked, we were acquaintances. You said it yourself. Why are you really here?

Vali: Merely just to observe my rival of course. Never thought he was this weak.

Vali was right though. Issei was weak compared to him or Vali. In fact, the way Issei is now, he is considered as the weakest Red Dragon Emperor in existence.

Y/N: Well you're not wrong. He is the weakest of all the Red Dragon Emperors in existence.

Vali: Honestly, our battle will be quite boring. If anything, you would be a more interesting match up if you had the sacred gear.

Y/N: If you have no job for me, then there's nothing to talk about.

Vali: Whatever. Ophis's offer still stands.

Y/N: You can tell that flat ass bitch I'm not taking it. I told her many times already.

Vali: Is that so? Well, the next time she comes and visits, it won't be a pleasant one.

Vali flies off and Y/N only stares at the spot Vali once was.

Y/N: (thoughts) Issei...where you are now...you won't last against Vali. Not even a second.

Y/N looks back to the school and sees that all the students are leaving. He might as well retire for the day.

With Issei

The ORC were having their annual cleaning of the old school house so they decided to hold their meeting at Issei's house. Currently, they were all viewing Issei's book of memories as it contained many photos of him as a child.

Rias and Asia were ogling at the pictures of the small perverted boy. Kiba was viewing the more family album. The ones that Issei spent with his friends and family. He was jealous to say the least. He never really felt the comfort of a family. The only one close to him was Y/N and the other children during his time in the Holy Sword Project. As he scrolled through the pictures, he came across a certain picture. He saw that there was a holy sword in the background and he was angered by it, but was shocked about the people in the picture. Of course there was Issei, but there was a chestnut haired kid with violet eyes. But one kid caught his eye. 

Kiba: (thoughts) That appearance...it can't be. Is that Y/N? He did tell me that one of his good friends growing up was a pervert. I just didn't expect it to be Issei.

Kiba smiled at the picture. Y/N looked happy in it. He had his arms wrapped around the other two kids with a cheeky grin on his face. Kiba noticed that the chestnut haired kid had a slight blush on her face. Kiba knew she was a girl as Y/N had told him about his crush on her, but never got the chance to tell her.

Issei: Goodness gracious, why did you have to dig these out, mom?

Kiba: She's a good mother.

Issei: Yeah right!

Kiba: (sad smile) It must be nice to have a family.

Issei: Oh yeah, Kiba, do you...

Kiba: Hey, Issei-kun...this photo here...

Issei: (looks over) Hmm? Oh, those two boys used to be my neighbors. We played a lot when we were younger. The chestnut one moved overseas because of his parents or something, but the black haired one...he just...disappeared. We made a promise...we would stick by each other's sides, but...he just left... What were they're names again...I think it was...?

Kiba: (thoughts) That's because...no wonder that's how he came to know me. Sorry Issei...he's dead. (normal) Hey, Issei-kun.

Issei: Huh?

Kiba: Do you remember this sword?

Issei: Nah, it was a long time ago.

Kiba: It really is a small world. I never thought I'd be seeing it like this.

Issei: Seeing what?

Kiba: (narrows eyes) This is a Holy Sword.

Issei: (confused) A Holy Sword?

Kiba: Never mind. (closes book) Thank you, Issei-kun.

Timeskip-Night

Issei was currently biking towards the area Rias had answered him to go to. The only thing that was on his mind was how strange Kiba was acting today. When he arrived, he saw everyone there was waiting for him. He looked at Kiba and noticed the distracted and solemn look on his face.

Rias: Sorry to make you come out here.

Issei: It's fine but...inside there?

Koneko: No doubt about it. It's a rogue devil.

Rias: We've received orders to slay it, but there's a chance that this stray may be one of the Black Swordsman's targets.

Issei: Is money all he thinks about?

Rias: Issei, he's a mercenary. It's how he gets by. Anyway, we'd be at a disadvantage indoors. Stay out of this one, Asia.

Asia: Y-Yes!

Rias: Akeno and I will stay outside. Koneko, Yuuto, and Issei, you three lure it out.

Akeno: Yes, buchou.

Koneko: Yes.

Issei: Yes! Boosted Gear!

He chants his sacred gear's name and a red gauntlet appears on his left hand. Issei glances to Kiba and sees that he's not paying attention. The three enter the warehouse and await the stray. Kiba however, was still distracted. The stray devil appears and it flies into the air.

Koneko: Yuuto-senpai, if you will. 

Kiba: ...

Koneko: Yuuto-senpai!

Kiba: H-Huh? S-Sorry.

Kiba was too late as the stray launched some sort of acidic projectile towards Koneko and it hits her, decaying a piece of her clothing. Issei fires a Dragon Shot at the stray, but it doesn't do much damage as he didn't power up enough.

Issei: Quit standing there, Prince Charming!

Kiba was knocked out of his trance and lunges, swinging his sword down and cutting off the arm of the stray. The stray screams in pain and flies into the air. Kiba lands after cutting the limb, but trips on a metal pipe, which catches him off guard as the stray grabs him from above. 

It didn't attack him though as Koneko had grabbed the stray by the leg and threw her into the air, smashing through the glass window above. Rias commands Akeno to attack and the Priestess of Thunder launches down a bolt of thunder on the stray. It falls to the ground and Rias does her monologue and kills the stray. Issei and the others were drawn to the sound of slap, leading their heads over to Rias who slapped Kiba.

Rias: Did that wake you up? One misstep and someone could have died.

Kiba: I'm sorry.

Rias: (worried) What's wrong with you? I've never seen you like this?

Kiba: This hasn't been my best day. (bows) I'll have to excuse myself for now.

Rias: Yuuto...

As Kiba was walking off, Issei stops him, concerned for his blonde friend.

Issei: Kiba! What happened? You're acting all weird. You'd never normally act that way around buchou.

Kiba: It's none of your business.

Issei: I'm worried!

Kiba: Worried? About who?

Issei: Huh?

Kiba: Devils are naturally self-centered beings.

Issei: Dude, are you serious?

Kiba: Nevertheless, I'm sorry for what happened back there. See you.

Issei: Hold on! If something's got you down, just tell me about it! We're friends, aren't we?

Kiba: Friends, huh? You're very passionate, Issei-kun. I just remembered something very rudimentary.

Issei: Rudimentary?

Kiba: Why I'm still alive. Or in other words, what I'm fighting for.

Issei: For buchou, right?

Kiba: No. I live for vengeance. 

Issei: For vengeance?

Kiba: The Holy Sword, Excalibur...it's destruction is what I live for. But most importantly...

Issei: Most importantly...?

Kiba: The killer of my best friend. I must find him and kill him myself.

Kiba walks off, leaving a confused Issei. From afar on a nearby building stood Y/N. Tears were running down his face.

Y/N: I see...you have chosen that path as well...Kiba. Perhaps our paths will intertwine soon enough.

Later that night, Rias thought to herself. What Issei said to her about Kiba's problems. She knew that Kiba had grown a hate for the Holy Swords, but to find the killer of his best friend. This was something new to her. Kiba was the only known survivor of the project, but no one knew of the other child that survived that night.

Y/N was currently tailing Kiba. He watched as the rain poured down. The sadness that was accumulating. Y/N cries softly to himself as he starts to remember the pained memories he experienced here. The cries of his friends. The screams that were telling him to escape.

Meanwhile-Abandoned Church

Two church members were walking to the abandoned church that was once used by Raynare and her minions. These two were women. A blue haired girl, Xenovia, and a chestnut haired girl with two pigtails, Irina, the childhood friend of Issei and Y/N.

Xenovia: Ir's quite run-down.

Irina: Apparently a Devil and a Fallen Angel fought to the death here. 

Xenovia: He's awfully late. (removes hood) Are you sure we're supposed to meet him here?

Irina: Of course I am! I lived here with my parents! (takes out photo) Back when I was little!

Xenovia eyed the picture. She noticed there were some dry wet marks on it. Specifically on the black haired boy.

Xenovia: You never told me who that black haired boy was.

Irina freezes. She then remembers his laugh, his touch...his warm smile. It brought her joy. It felt like butterflies were flying around in her stomach. Every time she thought of him, it brought a blush to her face. Happiness is what she felt.

Irina: He was just a boy that lived in my neighborhood. He didn't seem like he was special but...he always knew how to make me smile, laugh, how to cheer me up. He was a good friend. But one day...he just disappeared. He never said goodbye and I...I...I never got to tell him how I felt...

Irina then falls to the floor, dropping the photo and running her fingers over her eyes, trying to dry the tears.

Irina: H-Huh? W-Why am I crying? Strange.

Xenovia watches with sadness. Love was a concept she never understood, but she knew her partner was hurting on the inside. 

Xenovia: (thoughts) That boy must have been important to her. When I find him...I'll make sure he regretted leaving her.

The blue haired church member wanted to comfort her partner, but how? She lived a simple life at the church and she always carried and emotionless and serious demeanor compared to her partner's usually happy and bubbly personality. Emotions were a confusing thing.

Y/N awoke the next morning. He went to the bathroom and looked into the mirror. He had bags under his eyes. He spent all night searching for clues. Anything that led him to Valper Galilei. The only lead he did get was that Freed was working with him and there were in league with a Fallen Angel leader. He decided to go on a morning run to take his mind off it.

He got into some running clothes. A black athletic shirt, grey athletic shorts, and grey sneakers. He put on his headphones and begin his run. He was so absorbed into it that he didn't even realize he passed a certain church duo. Irina saw him pass by, but couldn't see his face. She turned around to see if Y/N was still there, but he was already long gone.

Xenovia: What's wrong, Irina?

Irina: It's nothing...

Xenovia: No matter. The school full of devils is near. Let us go.

Irina looks back in the same direction for a little while before turning back to Xenovia. Y/N halts his jog and turns around.

Y/N: Who was that? She felt so...familiar.

Y/N was unsure of who that was. The only thing she did know was that she felt oddly familiar. Like the two had known each other for a long time. Y/N carried on throughout the day and it was already night. He was strolling through his old neighborhood, reminiscing the old memories.

He then felt an odd energy. It was very familiar. Familiar to Excalibur. Y/N takes off down the streets and he gets near Issei's house. Wondering why the energy was here, he pushed his ear up against the wall, trying to listen in on the conversation. He peered through the window and his eyes widen.

Y/N: I-Irina...

Tears were slowly coming to his eyes. The one friend that he hadn't seen in a long time. She was here. In Issei's house. Issei had a cautious look on his face. It wasn't until she spoke up.

Irina: It's been awhile, Issei-kun. (smiles) Don't you remember me? It's me!

Issei's mother then shows the book to Issei. The picture that Kiba had been looking at. The person in front of him was one of his childhood friends. But "he" was actually a girl.

Issei: W-What!? But...

Issei's Mother: She was such a tomboy back then, but now she's a beautiful young woman!

Issei's mother wasn't lying when she said that. Y/N always like the color of her hair. He wanted to walk through the door and show them he was alive, but he couldn't muster up the courage to. He stood there...letting the tears fall, He wanted to, but he couldn't.

Issei: I really thought she was a boy.

Issei's Mother: That's really rude, you know?

Irina: I can understand. I was pretty boyish back then. But it seems that a lot happened since then.

Issei's Mother: Now we're just missing one more person!

Issei: Who?

Issei's Mother: It's--

Irina: Y/N...

Issei: Oh right, that guy! I swear when I find him--

Issei's Mother: It's such a shame he passed...

Issei/Irina: Huh?

Issei's Mother: If I heard correctly, he passed with his parents. What a nice boy he was. Irina-chan, didn't you like him?

Y/N could see the tears appearing on Irina's face. Y/N kept cursing himself for leaving that day. He was the one who broke their promise. They promised they wouldn't leave each other's sides. And yet, he was the one who broke it, even though he was the one who thought of that promise. 

He steps away from the window and let's the tears fall out. He kept internally apologizing, but he would never be forgiven. He died and he accepted that fact. He broke the promise and he accepted that. There was only on thing he could do...and that was destroy the Holy Sword Excalibur. Y/N felt the power emitting off of Irina and the wrapped object next to the blue haired girl. Y/N didn't want to hurt Irina and he never will. But he wanted to destroy Excalibur at all cost. The choice that lied ahead of him. What was he going to do?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am going to say this. I am sorry for uploading late yesterday. My parents had dragged me out to go hiking with them at the Appalachian mountains. I thought I could work on a Naruto chapter while I was over there, but surprise surprise, I didn't have internet. So in turn, the next chapter of From the Ashes is delayed. In any case, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Stay safe out there.

-okami