The Blue Eyed King of Kuoh

New challenges and call to action

6 years have passed since the reading of Ragnar's letter, and Rune's training period was upon them. As initially agreed, Rune was to spend his time living with Zeoticus and Venalana until the age of 6. The goal being to at least provide him with some normalcy as a child prior to his training, and to build a friendly bond with the youngest child of the Gremory household. What they did not expect however, is how that bond developed.

Rune and Rias had been inseparable from the moment they met, should one of the children be taken to another room for any reason, the other would begin to whine and seemingly demand that their friend be returned during their angry babbling. Something that Venalana took immense joy in seeing. They ate together, bathed together, slept together, and played together. And that's how things went as they grew.

Venalana had to often intervene with her husband's constant desire to spoil the children, reminding him that one of the things they were tasked to teach Rune was kindness and understanding. Which would be difficult to do if they grew up being spoiled constantly, as much as she wanted to as well. They decided they would extend the same method of teaching to Rias as well, in order to grow up into a proper heir that would recognize the value of working for what they desire.

However, Sirzechs did not seem to get the message, as he made it his job to spoil the children whenever possible. He even managed to somewhat curb his obvious favoritism towards Rias as the years went by, somewhat. Something Grayfia had no trouble reminding him of by dispensing her particular brand of discipline consisting of either pulling his ears or cheeks to inhuman degrees.

As the two children seemed to grow closer overtime, the adults were beginning to worry that maybe separating them for Rune's training would instead turn out to be detrimental, so a new training plan was made. To have the training begin at the Gremory estate instead of moving Rune into Sirzechs home, at least until both children matured a bit more. This would also have the unintended side effect of giving Zeoticus and Venalana more material to record as Rias and Rune spent more time together. As well as one of the Gremory matriarch's favorite moments, the first meeting between Rias, Rune, and Sona Sitri. Alas, that is a story for another time.

When the time finally came, Rune and Rias were called upon by the adults to explain Rune's new schedule that would begin the following morning. Before they could continue Rias immediately latched onto Rune with all the strength she could muster with her tiny arms, being born a high class devil her hugs were deceptively strong, and as fiercely as an angry kitten rebuked the idea. "Rune isn't going anywhere! He's my bestest friend and, and, he has to stay!" The adults chuckled until they noticed Rune was slowly turning blue in her arms. "Rias honey, loosen up your hug a bit Rune can't breathe." Venalana stated with a smile, as Zeoticus could be heard laughing in the background.

Rias turns her head and confirms that Rune is a rather deep shade of blue before letting him go, albeit reluctantly. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Rune pats Rias' head in thanks and looks towards the adults. "What do I have to do? I don't wanna leave Rias either." He says, before Grayfia steps forward to explain. "You won't have to be separated from Lady Rias young lord." Before she could continue Rune begins to pout at Grayfia, "Auntie Fia! Why do you keep calling me that? I don't even know what that means!"

Grayfia nods with a small smile upon hearing his nickname for her, as she does everytime he says it. "It is a title you will need to get used to Rune, and it will make sense when you get older I'm sure. Now as I was saying, this new schedule would be to properly begin your education as well as training so you can grow as strong as Sirzechs one day."

Rune's eyes begin sparkling immediately with excitement, "I get to be as strong as uncle Zechs!?" Sirzechs was about to stand and puff his chest out in pride, however before he could he was shot down immediately by Rune's next words. "But what about you Auntie Fia? You're always telling uncle Zechs what to do, so you have to be his boss! I wanna be like Auntie Fia!" The second those words left his mouth Venalana knew what would happen next and brought out the camera to record the next few moments.