Highschool DxD: Rias' Maid

Chapter 8 - Punishing a Princess

The silence currently present in the forests is deafening. Raynare and Akeno don't dare make a sound as a furious Makoto stands guarding Akeno, Raynare, and an unconscious Issei while Rias is on the ground, eyes wide with shock yet also brimming with tears.

Rias had no idea what to say, what to do. Rias looked up at the Tengu, whose golden eyes shone brightly in the night. Rias felt like her whole body was on fire while being unable to look away. "I...I...I'm sorr-." "NO!" Makoto interrupted Rias, absolutely fuming.

Rias reeled back the brimming tears overflowing down her cheeks. Raynare felt a little upset. It wasn't Rias' fault. As much as she wanted to enjoy this, she knew what family being mad at you felt like. She despised it. "M-." Before Raynare could say anything, Makoto had turned and glared in her direction. "You shut it! I'll deal with you later!" She snapped. Raynare winched and quickly stopped talking.

Makoto was, to put it lightly, "very upset" with Rias damn near killing not only two of her peerage members but also Raynare. No, especially Raynare. Makoto had promised to keep them safe, and she wouldn't have even Rias interfere. Makoto turned to look at Rias and started scolding her but quickly found herself shocked by the sobbing mess in front of her. Makoto hadn't seen Rias' tears until now due to the red she was seeing.

Makoto hesitated, and her expression softened from immense rage to general disappointment with a hint of protectiveness. Makoto walked over to Rias, who flinched and looked up again to see Makoto's outstretched hand.

Rias reluctantly took Makoto's hand and helped her to her feet. "Come with me. We need to talk." Makoto said firmly, not giving Rias much of a choice. As Makoto led Rias into the forest, she looked at Akeno and Raynare. "Wait here until the other two Makoto's get here and help them with what they need."

Neither of the girls was really in a position to argue, and they nodded a little concerned as Mako took Rias to a secluded part of the forest. A clearing in the trees held many white roses that nearly covered the entire area apart from a small grassy pathway leading to a massive stump where a towering tree had once been. Rias recognized this place and got a bit nostalgic. Makoto used to take her stargazing here. She had no idea it was so close to the Manor.

The nostalgia quickly faded as she saw Makoto stop and turn around. Rias promptly wiped the tears from her face and looked at Makoto, whose expression had softened. "I'm sorry," Makoto said, shocking Rias, her eyes wide. Makoto had her head down and her hands together in front of her.

Rias was stunned. "W-Why." Rias timidly asks, still reeling from the apology. "I was being selfish. I wanted to spend time with you so badly that I forgot why I was here. I shouldn't have left Raynare, Kala, and Mittelt alone." Makoto sounded genuine in her words which utterly floored Rias.

"You brought the Fallen...How are they alive?" Rias asked, more composed. "That's something personal, Rias. Besides, it's not of your concern right now," Makoto said, her tone becoming sharper and more strict. Just like that, Makoto regained herself and looked at Rias.

"I cleaned up my mistake and kept them safe. However, you nearly killed two of your allies in your rushed state and annoyance. I thought I'd taught you better, Rias." Makoto said, a hint of venom coursing through her words.

Rias was never one to back down, even to Makoto, and walked up to Makoto with the two glaring at one another. "If you hadn't brought them, I wouldn't have been so annoyed!" Rias snapped back. "ME bringing them doesn't make what you did any less stupid!" Makoto retorts, the two chest to chest, nearly snarling at one another. This was more common than you'd think, especially when Rias was younger.

"Maybe if YOU trained me better, I would have more control over my powers!" Rias almost screamed, fuming with rage.

"..." was all Mako responded with.