The Black Dragon

The Changing Room

[Author note: Quick retcon from this moment on Felix will have a walking cane since he'll have to tell normal people he's blind]

"How the hell am I still shore. I feel fine one minute and then it just kicks in out of fucking nowhere." Zato complains as Felix lightly punches his arm.

"Be happy you aren't dead. From what you and the rest of your immediate family have said, the Cero Clan isn't the type to deal out mercy all willy nilly." Retorts as Zato shrugs even though he agrees.

That's the one thing that's been nalling at his mind since he got back home. The Cero Clan trying to make a show of him before killing him makes sense, but why spare him in the first place?

When the clan sets their mind to something, they get it done. From what his mother told him, Mitsuki had the perfect chance to end him, but she didn't. Sure killing what cause Hinata to go to war with clan bit even with his mother being as powerful as she is even she couldn't defeat the full might of the Cero Clan fighting against her, she would do severe possible unrecoverable damage.

Even with no proper answer anywhere within reach, it's something to keep in mind since the answer might just get the clan off his back or, at minimum, make them less of a pain.

"Oh yeah, before I forget, Akeno asked me to tell you to meet her by that grows pool." Felix says while snapping his finger the moment he remembers.

"What for?" Zato asks as Felix shrugs. "Didn't ask. I just said I'd relay the message." Felix replies as Zato sighs.

"Shouts like a pain, I'll pass." Zatos says only to get a slapped on the back of his head by his friend. Zato looks at him a bit ticked, but Felix only crosses his arms and returns his friend's stare, but his face is much more passive with a hint of annoyance.

"Whether you admit it or not, those guys care for you regardless of the fact you've become kind of a dick." Felix says as he walks toward Zato before lightly bumping the center of Zato's chest with the back of his fist before smirking. "And despite how much you try to deny it or refuse to believe, I think you care for them just as much, if not more. Stop trying so hard to hide it. I know some remnants of the Zato I knew as a kid must still be in let a bit him out ever now and then. It'll do wonder for you." Felix laughs as he backs up and walks away while giving his buddy a wave.

Standing there in silence, Zato looks down at himself. Feliz is right he was a lot different as a kid. More easy going, happier, and much more approachable. Nothing like he is today, but is there any of that old him left? Not even Zato himself has an answer to that question.

Regardless, Zato does find himself at the meeting place. Upon arriving, he finds no one but does notice the pool is now in great condition a far sight from its once abandoned and disgusting look. If you were to tell him this pool was brand new, Zato would have no choice but to believe you.

Suddenly, Zato senses a group of people appearing behind. Swiftly turning around, the first thing Zato sees is-

"Surprising!" The Occult Research Club shouts as Rias and Kiba fire off two party poppers. "Congratulations!" The ground continues as Zato looks at them not only completely taken off guard but also absolutely confused.

As some pieces of confetti land attop his head, Zato ignores them, still confused at the situation he's in. "W-What's happening?" Zato asks in complete surprise

"We're celebrating your victory at your family gathering." Asia says with a smile.

"That's right, I forgot all of you were there." Zato says while he glances over his shoulder at the pool. "So you did all this for me?" Zato asks, trying hard to hide the surprise in his voice.

"Pretty much." Koneko answers.

"School said we were free to have it all to ourselves for the day if we did cleaning ourselves." Xenovia chimes in.

"Let me tell ya, it was pain, but well worth it." Akeno laughs

"Thank you, but I don't have anything I can swim in." Zato says only for Kiba to throw a bag at him, which he does catch. Looking inside, he finds white swim trunks. Zato looks up at them a bit weird out since none of them should know his pants size.

"Don't give us that look. Your mom got them for us when we told her about our plan." Rias says as the group turns Zato around to look at the pool. "Well, it's your celebration. Let's get to."

Inside the changing room, Zato places his belongings into the Locker whipe thinking to himself. "Why am I doing this?" Zato asks himself. "Coming to see what they wanted makes sense it's something I would do, but the moment they brought up this dumb pool party idea, I should have left. Why didn't I leave? All I'm doing is putting them in danger the more time I spend with them." Zato slams the locker door shut mad at himself for his conflicting feelings.

"Are you alright?" Xenovia asks as Zato turns around and sees the girl in a dark blueish green swimsuit with golden straps keeping the whole thing together.

Quickly looking away, Zato answers. "Fine, I'm fine. What are you still doing in here? Thought you'd already be in the pool." Zato replies as Xenovia looks down at herself.

"Well, this is my first time ever wearing a swimsuit. So putting it on took soke time. What do you think, does it suit me?" Xenovia asks

"It's a few strings of fabric and maybe a knot. There isn't much understanding." Zato states while still looking away and ignoring her final question.

"Naturally, the church is incredibly strict when it comes to rules combined with the fact I didn't have much interest in this. However, with my new path in life, I'm free to partake in more feminine activities." Xenovia explains as Zato turns and attempts to make his exit, but before he can get out, Xenovia grabs his hand, stopping his escape.

"Hold on, I-I have a serious request to ask of you." Xenovia says while looking down with a blush on her face. A moment of silence passes between the two before Zato takes a deep breath.

"What." Zato says while glancing over his shoulder. Hearing this, Xenovia looks up and smiles.

"Well, Zato. Will you have a child with me." Xenovia asks as the one eye Xenovia can see widens before he begins choking on his own spit.

"Well, things just got interesting." Shamir says with an air of arrogance and interest in her voice.

As Zato gets his coughing under control, he mentally tells the back dragon to shut up.

"The hell is wrong with you. We've known each other for maybe a day. That isn't something you just ask someone who's basically a stranger to you! Besides, someone like you could easily get a better man than me," Zato shouts before his tone becomes softer as he turns around and tries to quickly make his exit.

Undeterred by the shouting, Xenovia continues by grabbing Zato's hand, stopping him from leaving and holding it close to the center of his chest. Holding it between her breasts as she. Upon feeling Xenovia's soft yet firm breasts embrace his hand, Zato quickly turns around, and Xenovia becomes one of the very few people to ever see Zato blush.

"You're right. we haven't known each other for very long, but I've seen the way you act, and it's shown me who you really are." As Xenovia says this Zato feels his burning face and hides his blush with his free hand and attempts to pull away the hand Xenovia has. However, her firm grip prevents this, with her strength if Rias had assigned her to position of Rook no one would argue.

"You came back to protect your friends and honored the battle they had fought. You protected me when you had no reason, too. You're the black dragon emperor person of great power and character. You speak of better men, but I don't think there are any men better than you, and even if there were, I wouldn't want them since I only want you Zato Cero." Xenovia says with a smile as Zato's eyes widen.

As Zato looks at her, he sees that her smile is genuine, not a single lie in any of her words, and true sincerity in her hearts. This is what she truly wants. A racing heart, a bead of sweat runs down his face as Zato grinds his teeth together before yanking his hand away full force and running in the opposite direction.

"Shut up!" Zato shouts. "That isn't me, that can't be me, that boy is dead." Zato says in his mind in a sorrowful tone