High School DxD: Scattered Cherry Blossoms

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Alaverus Estate.

The two years of training at home have come to an end and James is now eight years old. For the past twelve days, James has been working with Cassiel to create his own spiritual mark that will interact with his bloodline ability. As a half-devil, James should have needed more time to gather enough spiritual energy to create his mark.

Luckily, Rhea's theory about James awakening his past life's memories was true. Over the past two years, James has slowly forgotten the details about Warren Thomas a.k.a. the Samurai Nerd's life. As those memories faded, his soul strengthened, just as Venelana told them it would.

James' spiritual energy rising was a pleasant surprise, although in hindsight, it should have been expected.

Either way, Cassiel's plans to teach James about the spiritual mark were moved up accordingly.

Once Cassiel found out James had enough spiritual energy to create the spiritual mark, he cancelled the martial arts training, with the exception of their sparring sessions once a week. The other four days of training were dedicated specifically to creating the mark.

===Flashback===

Twelve days ago.

Cassiel explained, "In order to make a functional spiritual mark, you must come up with an image that acts as a trigger. Something that you think of instinctively when using the ability and saying the trigger word. And once you've come up with that image, you must be able to draw it with your spiritual energy in your spiritual domain or as you like to call it, your mindscape."

Listening to Cassiel's explanation, James took a moment to digest its meaning.

After internalizing the information, James closed his eyes and quickly came up with an image. A katana with half its blade missing and scattering petals in its place.

"Okay, Pop, I think I have my image." James said after opening his eyes.

"Oh, that was quick," Cassiel said, raising an eyebrow in surprise, before continuing, "I guess that really shouldn't be a surprise with all those art lessons, they must have really paid off."

Hearing Cassiel's compliment, James smiled smugly.

"But you're getting ahead of yourself." Cassiel quickly poured a bucket of freezing water on James' arrogance. "You have to be able to access your mindscape first."

With that, James deflated instantly.

===Flashback end===

After that day, James spent eight days gaining access to his mindscape. Once he did, however, he ran into another obstacle. He was unable to use his spiritual energy to draw such a complicated design. As it turns out, it takes quite a bit of effort to control spiritual energy.

James spent the next three days trying everything he could to draw his spiritual mark. He tried drawing slowly and carefully, only for the beginning parts of the drawing to dissipate. The same thing happened when he tried to draw it in sessions. He couldn't draw it too quickly, because moving spiritual energy was too taxing. He even tried to use his mental imagery to make a stamp with his spiritual energy... And failed miserably.

And today is the twelfth day since he started trying to awaken his bloodline ability. After their usual sparring session, James was seated cross-legged on the training ground pulling at his hair in frustration.

"Why is this so hard?" James asked rhetorically.

Cassiel, sitting opposite James, chuckled upon hearing his son's laments.

"Did you think it would be easy, Son?" Cassiel asked with a smile. "It wouldn't have taken me three months if it were."

James grunted at Cassiel's statement.

Seeing James frustrations, Cassiel changed his tone to something more consoling, then said. "Spiritual energy is basically part of your soul, and manipulating souls is never going to be simple."

Although James heard his father's consolation, only one word registered for him.

"Simple... Simple... Simple..."

James began muttering the same word over and over again.

Seeing James current state, Cassiel remained silent.

'It seems he's having an epiphany.' Cassiel thought to himself.

As a matter of fact, James had figured it out. Or so he hoped.

Even though he was currently muttering to himself, things were a bit more active in his mindscape. He was currently drawing a new spiritual mark. He had discarded the idea of the katana and petal combo. Instead, he drew the kanji for the number six, surrounded by the corners of a diamond. The symbol for the sixth squad of the Gotei 13. Once James drew the last stroke, the mark lit up brightly. Once it dimmed down, it rose high up then made itself comfortable.

Once James completed the drawing and the image solidified in his mindscape, he stopped his muttering and grabbed his practice sword, before standing up. Closing his eyes for a moment, James placed the spiritual mark into the core of the wooden sword then opened his eyes and spoke the trigger words.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

With the trigger words spoken, James' practice sword started breaking down from its tip. As the pieces flaked away from the blade, in the shape of cherry blossom petals, they took on a pink hue outlined by a darker shade.

James watched this phenomenon in jubilation. With his face lit up from the glow of the petals, His usually bright smile had another level of radiance to it.

Cassiel on the other hand was flabbergasted. He had just finished saying how it wasn't easy and how he took three months. He felt his face heat up just thinking about it.

'Are you fucking kidding me, Twelve fucking days? Really?' Cassiel's mind was in a mess as he asked himself the same question over and over.

Lucky for him, James was too preoccupied with the swirling cloud of cherry blossom petals to notice Cassiel's existential crisis at the moment.

Once James' elation at his successful bloodline awakening had waned slightly, he pointed the hilt of his practice sword at one of the training dummies in the yard. With his intention, the cloud of glowing petals rushed off in the direction his sword hilt was pointed and... Completely obliterated the training dummy. And as the petals neared the wall of the training ground, they split into two streams and began moving parallel to the wall before turning back towards James and blending back into a single cloud.

Once the cloud neared the outstretched sword hilt, they gently began piecing themselves back together to reconstruct the blade of the practice sword.

When the reconstruction process was finished, James looked over his sword. Seeing no structural damage to the blade James lowered it.

"Well, it's a good thing it's Friday." Cassiel said breaking the silence. "We'll have to have a party tonight. And since there's no training tomorrow, we can party all night long."

Hearing that, James smiled just as wide as he had when he first activated Senbonzakura.

"Yeah!" James exclaimed with joy.

Seeing James' happy smile, Cassiel couldn't help but smile, too. But before getting carried away in the happy feeling, Cassiel had some instructions for James.

"Okay, we have some tests to run before we can call it a day." Cassiel said, getting James' attention before continuing. "I need you to check your destructive power with Senbonzakura, a sword, and barehanded. Also, I need you to check your maximum range and effective range with Senbonzakura."

Because Cassiel is a member of Sirzechs' peerage, he has a set of state-of-the-art training equipment. All the equipment necessary to do anything from building strength to testing it.

"Got it, Pop." James answered in excitement.

"Good." Cassiel nodded his head in satisfaction, turning to leave. As he walked away, he said. "I'll tell your mom about your accomplishment and the party. Don't forget to write down the results of the tests. We'll have some bragging to do later on tonight."

As Cassiel exited the training ground, James started his testing and recorded the results.

===5 p.m. Dinner Time===

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Gremory Estate.

With the break time before dinner coming to an end, James, Rias and Sona are making their way to the dining room.

"Hey, do either of you know what happened?" Rias asked curiously. "This is the first time Grayfia's magic lessons have ever been cancelled, right?"

Hearing Rias question, James only smiled.

Sona, noticing James' smile, fell into deep thought.

"Something good must have happened." Sona guessed, after considering for a while. "And by the way this guy is smiling like an idiot, it must have something to do with him."

Rias turned to look at James after hearing Sona's analysis. Seeing that great big smile, she pouted.

"James, if you know something hurry up and tell me." Rias pleaded while grabbing James' arm.

Seeing Rias bold actions, Sona thought to herself. 'She knows that won't work; she's just making an excuse to hold on to him.'

"Tch"

Having heard Sona click her tongue in annoyance, both James and Rias turned their attention to her. James with a look of confusion, while Rias was sporting a smug smile.

Seeing Rias smile, Sona audibly gritted her teeth.

Seeing the signs of an argument, James pulled his arm away from Rias and began patting both of their heads.

"I know arguing his how you two show you like each other, but if we don't hurry, we're gonna be late for dinner."

Like usual, Rias narrowed her eyes in pleasure, while Sona lowered her head in embarrassment when James' head patting began. After a brief moment, James stopped his patting and began walking again.

Once Rias and Sona snapped out of their dazes, they glared at each other for a moment then turned away and snorted simultaneously, before hurrying to catch up with James.

Before long, the trio made it to the dining room. As they entered, they noticed there were more faces than usual.

Usually, the ones present for dinner were Leona, Venelana, Rhea, James, Rias, Sona, and Grayfia and/or Serafall, depending on who was teaching the magic class for the evening. Today, however, all the previously mentioned individuals were present. Also, Zeoticus Gremory, Dante Sitri, and Sirzechs Lucifer were seated at the table, too.

"Father, Big Brother, there must be something big happening if you're both here." Rias said as she made her way over to her family.

"*Sigh* Rias, not even a greeting to start?" Zeoticus asked with a sigh of exasperation. "It has been two years; your etiquette is still a mess."

"Haha, father we're among family. Is all that etiquette necessary right now?" Sirzechs interjected, then turned to Rias to continue. "It's been a while, Rias, I'm glad you seem to be doing well."

Before Rias could respond, Zeoticus continued his nagging. "Rias needs to work harder to carry herself the way a clan head should."

Hearing her father, Rias could only grit her teeth and clench her fists.

"That's enough, Dear, tonight is a night for celebration." Having seen enough, Venelana also interjected.

Meanwhile, Sona also greeted her parents and sister. However, instead of a scolding from her parents, Sona was hugged in an exaggerated show of affection by Serafall.

James greeting with his parents was the only normal one.

After a bit more small talk, Zeoticus, as the head of the house, softly tapped his fork against his glass. He then stood and began speaking.

"Before we start eating, there are two pieces of good news to be announced. Sirzechs, if you please."

Once Zeoticus signaled him, Sirzechs stood and moved to his wife, Grayfia's side and softly grasped her hand.

"I'm happy to announce to all of you, Grayfia and I are going to be parents." Sirzechs said with a smile.

Grayfia also smiled in joy with her free hand stroking her abdomen.

After a moment, the room broke into cheers of congratulations.

The loudest of which belonged to Rias.

"That means I'm going to be an auntie, right?" She screamed in excitement.

"That's right, so you'd better fix your behavior to set a good example for the new child." Venelana said sternly. Her tone unable to hide the joy in her gaze as she looked at her son and daughter-in-law.

"Levia-Tan is gonna be an auntie, too." Serafall screamed just as loud, if not louder than Rias. "Now I'll have So-Tan and the new baby to love."

Most in attendance ignored Serafall's antics. Sona, however, was bright red in embarrassment.

After a few more minutes, Zeoticus stood once again. Tapping his glass to gather everyone's attention, once more.

"We have one more announcement this evening. Cassiel, if you would."

Everyone's attention shifted to Cassiel. Under everyone's gaze, Cassiel took a deep breath and shared the good news.

"This morning, James awakened Senbonzakura."

After Cassiel's announcement, there was no loud cheering. Instead, everyone stared at James in shocked silence.

James, unsure what to do with all this silent attention, scratched his head in confusion. He then asked, "Is that bad?"

With James question, the first to snap out of their daze was Serafall. Using her absurd strength and demonic energy control, she seemingly vanished from her spot. Only to reappear with her arms wrapped around James, with his head buried in her sizeable cleavage.

Jay-Kun, you're such a genius!" Serafall exclaimed excitedly. "I remember your daddy was thirty before he even felt his bloodline reacting. Then he took three months to fully awaken it."

Cassiel began fidgeting uncomfortably as Serafall mentioned his time spent awakening his bloodline ability.

Not paying attention to Cassiel's second existential crisis of the day, Serafall laughed loudly while spinning around with James in her arms.

James on the other hand, was flailing his arms trying to free himself before losing consciousness, due to oxygen deprivation.

James was finally saved by Rias and Sona, more out of jealousy than concern for his well-being, though.

After the excitement died down, Cassiel also revealed James' most recent strength test results.

Once everyone had a copy of the results, everyone exclaimed internally. 'This kid really is a genius.'

According to the test results, James now had the demonic power reserves of a low-level, middle-ranked devil. His unarmed striking power was also at low-level, middle rank. Armed striking power reached middle-level, middle-rank. Senbonzakura, at maximum output, just barely breaks the low-level, high-rank threshold, with an effective attack range of 25 feet (approx. 7.6 m) and a maximum range of 33 feet. (approx. 10 m)

After the final reveal, the celebration dinner finally began, the celebration not ending until shortly before dawn.