A Dragon's Freedom

Chapter 12

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Issei and Vali stared down one another, the tension was there as they seized each other up.

Vali: It's good that you've been kept busy, since I last saw you.

Issei: And why is that?

Vali: I wouldn't want our fight to be short lived.

Issei: Oh, I see, should've known, you always look for a fight.

Vali: Aren't you and I similar in that regard? - smirking at Issei.

Issei: To an extent - chuckling as he knew Vali was referring to his underground fights.

Vali: Anyway, good to have you back - holding out his hand.

Issei: What's this - mock gasping - the Vali Lucifer is swallowing his pride to welcome someone?

Vali: I'm beginning to reconsider.

Issei: Wow, you did quite a number on him, Lavinia-san - turning to the mage, who blushed as she realized that Issei could smell her off Vali - I probably should thank your other girlfriend as well, but she is not here - smirking back at Vali.

Vali: Shut up! - about to drop his hand, however, Issei grabbed it and pulled him in for a brotherly hug.

Issei: It's nice to feel welcomed, thanks for holding out for me for the past year. But I am not really back for the factions, I'm not going to be their weapon - as he released Vali from the hug.

Tobio: So why did you make a return, Issei-san?

Issei: For them - nodding to the sleeping Lilith and then the sleeping Kunou - my family, I'm their shield and their sword, they need a place where they shouldn't have to worry about anything, they're kids and shouldn't need to face the concepts of war like I did, when I got thrust into world.

Though Lilith was involved in the past war, having been Rizevim's bodyguard before she defected. She had even taken hits from Fafnir in his Outrage, but being made from Ophis, she was unscathed. Issei just didn't want her to go through that again and let her live out her life as a child. When his parents "adopted" her, she changed her eye color from gray to brown to match them.

Tobio: That's just like you, thinking of the kids.

Issei: They're part of my future.

Tobio gave a nod at that, before either of them could say anything, a brunette blur appeared in front of Issei and grabbed his hands.

????: Hi, my name is Minagawa Natsume! So you're Crimson Dragon-kun? I really wanted to meet you! I've been following all of your TV shows, you know?

Issei: Oh, um, thanks - he had a blush on his face, she was very attractive, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He made sure not to look at her body and check her out, but her enthusiasm reminded him of Irina and it made his heart rate quicken a bit.

Natsume: Wow, you look way better in person.

Issei: Um, thank you? - those around him laughed as it was similar to the old Issei and how he interacted, whenever he met a beautiful woman. He was enamored by this woman because she reminded him of his missing mate, feeling her hands on his felt right to him.

????: Oi, birdbrain, give the man some space, you're embarrassing him - a handsome man with the appearance of a delinquent.

Natsume groaned in annoyance, but before she could retort at the man, Issei gripped her hands and instinctively pulled her behind him. Now making her blush a little.