High School DxD: Scattered Cherry Blossoms

Twenty days have passed since the week James and Mizore finished drawing manga. In those twenty days, nothing of note took place. Other than training, James only took time out of his schedule to spend time with his parents, Mizore, Akeno, or Sona and Tsubaki. He also tried to find Rias to talk things out, but she avoided him completely. Honestly, he felt guilty about snapping that day. However, he did not feel that his actions were wrong. He did feel that he could have tried harder to keep his cool, though.

On another note, Mizore joined Akeno and Tsubaki for her education and magic training. Also, she began learning Tiger Style kung fu, to take better advantage of the ice claws she generates when she takes on her full yuki-onna form.

On the adults' side, they had three more meetings like the first one they had. They spent time brainstorming the best way to not expose James' progress, with nothing to show for it. During the final meeting before James would resume his training journey, Dante Sitri, Sona's father, suggested having an ultimate-rank devil accompany him on his travels.

Everyone agreed to his suggestion, feeling like they wasted a month of their lives to come up with such a simple solution. Eventually they chose to send Sirzechs' [Knight], Okita Souji. The decision was not made lightly, though. Okita was strong enough to keep James safe in most situations, and he was skilled in diplomacy. Meaning unless the two went around committing crimes, they would not have many issues just going around to hunt strays and fulfill devil contracts.

By the time the day of departure came around, James was a little disappointed he was unable to make up with Rias, but he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind. He had a promise to keep to himself, as well as Rias and Sona.

Upon departing the underworld, James and Okita teleported to the United Kingdom. For no other reason than James heard that the British Isles produced some of the worst food in the world, and he wanted to see if the rumor was true. Jumping straight to the conclusion, the rumor was false. Most of the foods, however, were an acquired taste.

Food aside, James three months in the U.K. were productive. He fulfilled sixty wishes for humans and was assigned thirty-eight stray devil extermination missions, all of which were at the middle-rank in power or lower. Although he had eliminated four high-rank devils, those missions were all assigned to Okita. As for James own extermination missions over the three months, James has successfully eliminated thirty-seven, currently pursuing the thirty-eighth.

Human World, United Kingdom, Skye Isle, Foot of Bla Bheinn

"Damn, this guy sure can run!" James exclaimed as he chased down his latest target for elimination. "It doesn't help that he devolved into a four-legged creature after going stray."

James has been chasing this stray devil for more than 8 km so far. He has been slowly closing the distance using just his normal running speed. Many times, he has considered using his flash step, but he was unsure where the boundary to that legendary realm of Celtic mythology was located on this island. Running normally would at least leave some time to react should he pass any boundaries that he would do well to avoid.

Finally closing the distance enough to cleave one of the stray's hind legs, James readied his posture for a decisive iaido strike. Before he could draw his blade, however, a shout, the voice of a male, could be heard from the distance.

"Halt your advance!" Ordered the Voice. "Proceed any further and consider your life forfeit."

Hearing this declaration, James slowed his steps. The stray devil, however, paid no heed to the warning.

James was about to ask that the stray be left alive so he could complete his mission. But before he could open his mouth, he saw a spear pierce the fleeing stray's heart.

"Got-damn, kill stealing bastard!" James roared in anger. "That's my first failed extermination mission!"

Just as James roar ended, a young man, a year or two older than James, made his way next to the stray devil's corpse. Pulling his spear from the dead devil, he glanced at James for a moment then paid him no further mind.

"So, you were the one who threw the spear," James said as he gave the young man a once over, "that was pretty impressive."

The young man only nodded to acknowledge James' word than began to walk away. Before he could take two steps, though, James continued.

"But you stole my kill dude." James said with a bit of annoyance in his tone. "Plus, you caused me to fail my mission."

The young man stopped, then turned his head making eye contact with James then asked, "And?"

"To make it up to me, how about you have a spar with me?" James asked with a battle hungry smile on his face. "It would help me work off some of this excess energy, too."

Not answering James directly, the young man looked back toward the mountain.

"I shall allow it." Came a majestic female voice from the mountain's direction.

Receiving permission, the young man readied his battle stance, a battle hungry smile also appearing on his face.

"James Alaverus." James introduced himself, as is customary before a duel.

"Setanta." The young man responded in kind.

"Ha! You are exactly who I thought you were." James exclaimed in excitement. "Are you a reincarnation or a spiritual inheritor?"

"Does that matter?" Asked Setanta.

Shaking his head, James replied. "Not really, I was just curious."

"If you survive, I'll tell you." Setanta said with a smile.

"Deal!" James shouted as he and Setanta rushed toward each other simultaneously.

Meanwhile, off in the distance, Okita Souji was watching over James.

"This should be a good challenge for him." Okita thought as he watched the battle start in anticipation.

Back to the battle, as the spear has anadvantage in range over the katana, Setanta was the first to attack. Setanta thrusted toward the right side of James chest. To counter, James performed an iaido causing the spear to miss wide to the right. Without missing a beat, Setanta transitioned, seemlessly, from a thrust to a sweep aimed at James' right shoulder. In return, James kept the momentum from his iaido slash and ducked under the sweeping spear while performing a foot sweep of his own, knocking Setanta off his feet.

As Setanta fell to the ground, James stood and swung his blade toward Setanta's left shoulder. Using his spearhead to parry James' slash, Setanta swept the butt of his spear at James ankles. Avoiding the blunt end of the spear, James summersaulted backward. With the newly acquired space, Setanta extended his spear over his head then used it to vault to his feet, bringing the spear down on James.

Side stepping to the right, James used is Ochiru Sakura to push the spear to his left then added downward force causing the spearhead to imbed itself into the ground. As to not allow Setanta the chance to pull it from the ground, James put a foot on the spear, then began running along its shaft toward Setanta.

Instead of trying to brute force the spear out of the ground, Setanta simply let go, then kicked the blunt end of the spear upward, destabilizing James' balance. James was forced to jump back. As James was forced to take distance again, Setanta reached his spear and pulled it from the ground. Advancing in James' direction, he launched a barrage of thrusts at different angles with different speeds.

Dodging what he could and parrying what he could not, James was slowly pushed back. Knowing that he would lose if he did nothing to change the situation, James intentionally showed an opening and Setanta zeroed in on it. At the same time, James swiftly sheathed his blade and drew it, aiming to slash Setanta across the chest in a non-lethal way.

Unfortunately, Setanta had pushed forward faster than James had expected. This miscalculation would end with James nearly cutting Setanta in half while having his own heart pierced.

'Shit.' James exclaimed inwardly. 'This time I really fucked up.'

Setanta was having similar thoughts.

*Clang!* *Clang!*

Before the two fatal blows could land, Okita appeared between the two young men. With one slash, he disarmed both combatants.

James and Setanta, relieved at keeping their lives and not taking a life unintentionally, both fell to the ground in exhaustion.

"You are both quite skilled for your ages." Okita commented, impressed by the skill both young men displayed.

"Thank you, Sir Okita." James responded, gratefully accepting the praise.

Setanta only grunted in acknowledgement.

"Well, it's about time we return to the Underworld Young James." Okita said as he beckoned James to his side.

"Yeah, I guess it's about that time, isn't it?" James asked rhetorically.

As Okita was about to activate his teleportation magic, the same majestic voice from earlier could be heard again.

"Setanta, invite our guests inside."

Setanta's eyes opened wide in surprise. He then turned toward James and Okita.

Bowing slightly, Setanta made a gesture ushering the two in the mountain's direction and spoke.

"If you could spare some time, my master would like to extend an invitation." Setanta said as he briefly paused. He then continued. "If you should choose to accept, then let me be the first to welcome you to the Land of Shadows."

Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith, Reception Room.

After making their way through the barrier surrounding the Land of Shadows, Setanta led James and Okita halfway up the mountain to an ancient castle. This castle, Dun Scaith, is home to the Queen of the Land of Shadows, the warrior-queen and mentor of heroes, Scathach.

After making their way to the castle, they walked its halls before reaching a reception room. Seated in the sparsely decorated reception room was an extremely beautiful woman with long purple hair and red eyes wearing a black body suit with metal shoulder pauldrons. Leaning on the side of her thrown, was a crimson red spear emitting an ominous aura.

As they entered the room, the beautiful woman gestured for them to sit. Accepting the offer, James and Okita sat across from the woman. While Setanta stood behind the woman to her right.

"Many years have passed since the last time I received guests." The woman began the conversation. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Scathach, Queen of the Land of Shadows."

With Scathach's introduction, excitement flashed through James' eyes.

'This woman is a living legend. She's trained some of history's greatest heroes.' James thought to himself, remembering the legends about scathach. 'Even if I can't become her disciple, a few pointers would help me improve by leaps and bounds.'

'It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Okita replied to Scathach's introduction. "I am Okita Souji, [Knight] of Satan Sirzechs Lucifer's peerage. And this is James Alaverus, son of Cassiel Alaverus [Bishop] of Sirzechs Lucifer."

With Okita's introduction, James bowed politely.

'I guess all those etiquette classes really did come in handy.' James mused.

"I am sure you are curious as to why I invited you into my castle." Scathach spoke, breaking James' musings.

"Indeed." responded Okita.

"As I am sure you are aware, I witnessed the battle between my idiot disciple's reincarnation and the young man seated beside you." Scathach began to explain. "I was impressed by his situational awareness and skill with a sword. I would assume you are his sword master?"

In response, Okita shook his head, then answered Scathach's question. "I wish I could take the credit for such a feat. However, I cannot. Young James here, is self-taught."

While Setanta's eyes opened wide in surprise, Scathach narrowed hers in interest.

"That I was not expecting." Scathach murmured to herself. Raising her voice to a normal volume, she continued. "I would relish the chance to finely polish this young gem's abilities."

"As much as I would like to agree on his behalf, I would have to contact his parents in the underworld to gain their permission." Okita explained. "Not to mention, he has some obligations to the Underworld as he is striving to raise his social class among devils."

"Contact his parents, then. This Scathach would not stoop so low as to force the boy against his parent's will." Replied Scathach. She then snorted and continued in a much sharper tone. "As for your Devil World's politics, seeing as the boy is a half-breed, I would imagine he is being heavily suppressed. Hmph! Would negotiating a quota for young devils to receive training from this Scathach not be enough to have him promoted?"

In response, Okita stood to his feet, quickly excusing himself to make contact with the Underworld.

After receiving Okita's explanation, James easily received permission to train under Scathach. Lasting until his fourteenth birthday. He would be allowed to return home for a week, once a year.