Hell of a Show Ch. 52 (DxD AU/Multi) (Patreon)

(Every character depicted in the story below is a consenting legal adult over the age of 18)

A/N: Talking to Yasaka.

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Rumi’s immediate reaction to Ahri’s words is one of support, of course.

“Should I tell them to send her away?”

Amadeus, of course, feels the exact same way. This ‘Yasaka’ might not be blowing up the top floor of the tower in an effort to get to Ahri, and hell she’d even done better than Gabriel in that she hadn’t tried to social fu her way to the elevator.

… But if Ahri’s initial reaction to hearing the other woman’s name was to pale and say ‘ah shit’, then it seemed to Amadeus that they were probably better off not letting Yasaka interact with the hybrid nine-tails whatsoever.

Only, Ahri apparently doesn’t feel the same way because after rubbing her face with both hands for a few moments, she shakes her head.

“No, I… it’s probably best to just get this over with. Especially if she came all this way. She’s only going to keep trying otherwise.”

Amadeus frowns.

“That’s no good reason to put yourself in a situation you don’t want to be in, Ahri. Say the word and we’ll shut her down. Full stop.”

Ahri stares at him with wide eyes for a moment… before blushing and looking away.

“It’s… fine. She’s fine. She’s not going to try and kill me, at least. Though she might react poorly to the fact that I’ve been reincarnated.”

Hm…

“Who even is this Yasaka woman anyways?”

Amadeus’ question draws an amused snort from Ahri as she looks back to him.

“You seriously don’t even know, do you? I keep forgetting you’re the type to make promises first and ask questions later.”

Grayfia bristles a little at that, but holds her tongue all the same. Especially since Amadeus just nods in agreement with Ahri’s interpretation of how he does things. After all, it’s spot on.

“… She’s one of the two primary leaders of all of the Youkai in Japan. She’s a Nine-Tailed Fox like me, except unlike me she’s purely a kitsune as well as extremely powerful. They say she has the blessing of Amaterasu herself and that she acts as her voice and hand in the mortal realm. She’s… also my cousin.”

Ahri just shrugs at the stunned silence from everyone else.

“I said it before, didn’t I? I’m the cousin to the current leader of the West Youkai Faction in Kyoto. And also that when she found out I was freed of my bondage, she would probably want me to become a member of her court.”

Amadeus slowly nods, remembering now. To be fair to him, everything had kind of kicked off right after Ahri had told him about Yasaka… and the hybrid nine-tails hadn’t ever actually given him a name. Still…

“So she’s a pretty important figure to come all this way then, huh?”

Grimacing, Ahri nods right back.

“Yeah. That’s why it’s better to just get this over with. Once she sees that I’m a Reincarnated Devil now, she’ll hopefully just view me as a lost cause. And it’s better to do this here in South Korea where she’s a visitor rather than have it happen at some point in the future when I’m back in Japan for some show with the group or something.”

That was… a fair point. Amadeus shares a glance with Grayfia, who just inclines her head towards him, making it clear she has no strong feelings one way or another. When he looks to the others, they all seem to be in relative agreement, with some additional determination from the other members of K/DA to back Ahri up and be there for her. Even Evelynn looks a bit more serious than usual.

“… Alright then. Rumi, have them send her up.”

Rumi nods and relays the message and it’s a tense minute and a half later before the elevator dings and the doors open. Out into the common area steps one of the most beautiful creatures that Amadeus has ever seen. She appears relatively young, with a voluptuous figure and long blonde hair done up in a loose ponytail that slides all the way down her back.

Her eyes are the color of molten gold and her face is framed in such a way that it perfectly manages to convey nobility. She wears shrine maiden attire, albeit with a white coat over it held closed by a red ribbon.

The moment Yasaka steps out and lays eyes on all of them, her nostrils flare and she partially transforms, a pair of blonde fox ears manifesting atop her head and nine vulpine tails swirling to life behind her. Whether it’s simply a display of power or she feels threatened by having all of their attention so focused on her, Amadeus doesn’t know.

She makes no actual threatening moves though, instead standing there wordlessly as they all remain silent in turn. Her golden gaze slides across each of them in turn, first taking in her cousin Ahri and then Ahri’s bandmates… and then Huntrix and finally Amadeus.

When her eyes land on Amadeus at long last, her expression becomes conflicted. There is a hint of interest that Amadeus had come to anticipate from women (and some men) who lay eyes on him for the first time. He is apparently beyond handsome to them, instead occupying that ephemeral non-gender specific realm of ‘gorgeous’ in the eyes of everyone he runs into.

But Yasaka is not so easily led by her physical desires that that’s all she feels when she looks at him. Instead, that hint of interest is rather swiftly buried under a serious amount of judgment, an intense glare directed his way that leaves Amadeus thinking he’s supposed to feel like scum beneath her foot.

“Your greed is the greed spoken of in the Abrahamic Faction’s Holy Text, Devil.”

Amadeus blinks, as does everyone else. And then, while he’s still parsing what she just said and everyone else is starting to grow outraged… Zoey giggles.

There’s a pause as everybody looks to Huntrix’s lyricist, who has clapped her hands over her mouth, clearly not having meant the giggle to get out. When she sees that she’s become the center of attention, Zoey, wide-eyed, points accusingly at Yasaka.

“It’s n-not fair! She’s not allowed to come in here dressed like that and start memeing at us!”

Mira chuckles and even Rumi has a smile on her face at that. And K/DA… when Ahri chuckles, it breaks any tension in the room. And that’s in spite of Yasaka’s brow furrowing and the noble kitsune looking a bit confused by Zoey’s words.

“I know not what you speak of.”

That just makes everyone involved even more amused for some reason. Amadeus doesn’t get it either personally, but unlike Yasaka, he can just ask the girls to explain it to him later. Still, with the tension thoroughly defused, perhaps against Yasaka’s will, Ahri steps forward.

“You’re off base either way, Yasaka. Amadeus is the least greedy devil you’ll ever meet.”

Well now… he wouldn’t say that.

Rumi though, is already stepping up as well with a nod.

“Let me guess, you’re thinking he scouted us all out and made it his mission to reincarnate us… well you’re wrong. He saved my life when I was at death’s door.”

Ahri grunts.

“We had to ask to be reincarnated. Three times.”

Rumi jumps back in.

“Zoey and Mira did the same, so we wouldn’t be separated by time.”

Yasaka’s golden eyes bounce back and forth between Ahri and Rumi, her expression an unhappy one even as she nevertheless listens to what they have to say. Finally, she looks to Ahri, her eyes sorrowful.

“Why would you ask to be reincarnated into a devil, Ahri? You could have come to me once you were freed… you didn’t have to take this path.”

But Ahri just shakes her head.

“Your court wouldn’t have liked that, Yasaka, and you and I both know it. They already give you enough shit because of Kunou’s father as is.”

Yasaka scowls.

“And? Do I let that stop me from loving and cherishing my daughter with all my heart? Do you think I would let them stop me from sheltering you, Ahri?”

Her face softens after a moment and she follows her initial words up with devastation.

“Kunou misses you.”

Amadeus can tell the effect that this has on Ahri. She freezes in place, her own fox tails going absolutely still. So do her fox ears atop her head. From the sound of it, this Kunou is Yasaka’s daughter. And given the way Ahri reacts, she’s missed Kunou as well.

“… It wouldn’t have been fair to you or Kunou to ask that of you. This is better. You asked why I would ask Amadeus to reincarnate me? It’s simple… power.”

Ahri lifts a hand and a flame bursts into life in her palm. Yasaka stares at it, unafraid but also seemingly not sure what to feel, really.

“With Amadeus’ Bishop inside of me, I’m far more powerful than I ever was before. And with his help and the help of my fellow peerage members, I’ll get even stronger. No one will ever be able to control me again, I promise you that. No one is ever going to make me feel weak or helpless or powerless, ever again.”

Her words blaze as hot as her fire by the end there. Yasaka shudders and spends a moment silently reassessing. Finally…

“What of the Yogwae here in Korea? They will not let you live in peace. They will come for you here, will they not?”

Rumi cuts back in at that, jutting out her chin.

“They already have. They regretted it quite quickly.”

Yasaka frowns, but Ahri just nods and backs up Rumi’s words.

“I’m not afraid of anything here in South Korea. They’ve been taught a lesson about coming after me already. I suspect it’s a lesson they’ll take to heart for quite some time… more than enough time for me to get stronger.”

Ahri’s eyes narrow.

“The same cannot be said of your court, Yasaka. You and I both know there would be attempts made on my life there. I’d rather not put you or Kunou at risk by asking you to protect me from your own people as much as outside forces.”

Neither Ahri nor Rumi make any mention of just how many factions attacked them last night. Nor do they mention how two of the Great Satans had gotten involved by the end of things. To be fair, Amadeus can’t help but feel like it’s all pretty surreal and makes for a rather unbelievable tale… so maybe keeping things purposefully vague is the right call here.

Besides, Yasaka doesn’t need to know that Lucrezah Lucifer outright annihilated a sizable portion of the Korean Supernatural community last night. She definitely doesn’t need to learn from them that the Lucifer had gone even further than that on a number of fronts. She’d probably eventually hear about it from others… but that was fine.

“That’s-!”

Whatever argument Yasaka might have brought to bear, Ahri shuts it down with her next words.

“Besides… all of this is purely academic at this point. You can see what I’ve become, Yasaka. I’m a Devil now… for better or worse. I was already outside of your jurisdiction… but now there’s not much you can do for me.”

Her harsh words act as a powerful blow to the Youkai Leader. Yasaka looks like she’s been punched in the gut, her face pale and pinched. In the end, there’s nothing she can say to Ahri’s statement… it’s true after all.

“… I’m sorry I failed you, Ahri.”

Ahri’s stony expression melts at that and suddenly she steps forward. Yasaka goes still, but Ahri continues her approach until she’s wrapping her arms around the other Nine-Tails and holding her closely. Yasaka only hesitates for a moment before returning the hug.

“You were the least of those who failed me, Yasaka. Do not fret though… I fully intend to live my life to the fullest now and damn the consequences. I won’t let fear get in my way anymore.”

When they pull apart, Yasaka’s golden eyes glisten as she looks at Ahri with a mixture of grief and pride. Then, she and Ahri step back from one another and her slightly wet gaze focuses on Amadeus again.

“Amadeus, was it? A strange name for a Devil.”

Amadeus tilts his head to the side, smiling politely.

“Amadeus Valefor, to be exact. At your service.”

Yasaka’s eyes widen at that.

“A Valefor? But you’re all supposed to be dead…”

Amadeus shrugs and decides to use one of Zoey’s ‘memes’, albeit modified.

“Rumors of our demise were… greatly exaggerated.”

Yasaka stares at him blankly, even as Zoey cheers in the background. Amadeus just arches a brow at her in response.

“Do you have some sort of problem with my family?”

Huffing, Yasaka crosses her arms under her ample bosom… seeing as its too big for her to cross her arms over it.

“Your Clan has a notorious history, Valefor. You should count yourself lucky that Amaterasu has become slightly less vengeful over the centuries, because seven centuries ago, it was Clan Valefor that broke into her shrine and stole away with important artifacts.”

Ah… you know what, fair enough. Amadeus was well aware of his family’s reputation and how it would almost certainly cause problems with some folks when they found out who it was. Frankly, it was actually stranger that he hadn’t run into somebody with a grudge yet.

Though, Yasaka seemed to be implying that there wasn’t a grudge, surprisingly enough. Nevertheless… Amadeus inclines his head.

“I’ll tell you what… if I happen across said artifacts, I’ll make sure to return them to you and your shrine, Lady Yasaka.”

The offer catches Yasaka completely off guard, her eyes widening as she blinks in surprise.

“What? You would do that?”

Smiling crookedly, Amadeus shrugs.

“It is an easy offer to make… given there is little of Valefor’s holdings left remaining. I don’t know where your artifacts went… and it is actually highly unlikely that they are still within Clan Valefor possession, I’m afraid. Our lands are desolate and not a single property of ours has survived to the present day.”

Not entirely true… the underground safehouse where Grayfia watched over him still existed. But Amadeus had already been through that entire place and knew there was nothing like what Yasaka was describing there. The Valefor Cloak was the only artifact that he’d found in that place.

Rather than get annoyed with the truth of his promise thrown in her face… Yasaka lets out a short bark of laughter.

“I see. That is indeed an easy promise when you know you will not have to fulfill it, I suppose.”

Huffing, she shakes her head and looks away from him at long last, though not without a swift glance up and down his body. Her eyes return to Ahri though and she smiles at the other Nine-Tails.

“Even if we are no longer of the same species… we are still family, Ahri. I would like to spend the rest of the day with you before I must return to Japan… if you will have my company.”

Ahri looks caught off guard for a moment… but slowly nods, shy and uncertain and yet yearning all the same.

“I… I’d like that, yes.”

Amadeus just smiles after them as the two move to the elevator to depart. All was well that ended well, he supposed.

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A/N: Remember to Vote, leave a Like, and let me know what you think!

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Google Doc Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LcJsPxsQRr106Rwguv9_M7PfajIj9lNylyZpKJHlqqA/edit?tab=t.0