Koneko sat by the windowsill in the ORC clubhouse, her small frame bathed in the glow of moonlight. Her cat-like eyes stared into the vast nothingness of the night, her thoughts consumed by a single name: Itachi.
His presence had shaken the supernatural world to its core. The wielder of chakra—an energy more profound and potent than senjutsu itself. A mysterious Sacred Gear that not only cast illusions but also boasted immense offensive and defensive capabilities.
"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?" a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.
Koneko turned to see Rias Gremory, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders, standing nearby with a knowing smile.
"Yes," Koneko admitted bluntly, her tone neutral, though her eyes betrayed her curiosity. It had been days since their first meeting, and her emotions were still in turmoil.
She couldn't shake the way she'd acted in front of him. Seeing him had stirred something deep within her—memories and feelings tied to the Nekomata incident.
She suspected he might be connected to the tragedy, perhaps even benefiting from the experiments done on her race. But if that were true, why would he have given her evidence proving her sister's innocence? Why would he provide the truth behind her race's near extinction?
Rias walked over and leaned against the windowsill, her expression softening. "You're not the only one. Itachi has left quite an impression on everyone. Even my brother, Sirzechs, seemed... intrigued by him."
Koneko frowned, her ears twitching slightly. "14 days. He said he'd teach us about chakra, and yet... nothing."
"Patience, Koneko," Rias said gently. "The exchange between the underworld and his faction is still underway. Itachi will return once all resources have been transferred, as per the agreement."
Koneko glanced at her King, hesitation flickering across her face. "Rias... when you spoke to your brother about him, did you mean it? Did you want him for yourself? Was it romantic, or do you just want to add him to your peerage?"
Rias chuckled softly. "Oh, Koneko. You know I love Issei. But there's no denying Itachi's strength—and his mystery." Her tone grew serious. "But what about you? Why are you so fixated on him?"
Koneko looked away, her tail swishing lightly. "He's... different. From our very first meeting, things didn't go well because of my emotional outburst." She paused, then continued, "Even knowing it was him who provided the evidence about my sister's innocence and the truth behind what happened to my race, part of me wanted to deny it. It meant my hatred for my sister was... useless.
"When I first tried to understand how he could use senjutsu—no, chakra—I attacked him. Out of nowhere." Koneko lowered her head, shame creeping in. "And I got hurt. I know I was in the wrong, but I wanted to test his power. Seeing how effortlessly he defeated me with chakra... I felt something."
"Attraction?" Rias offered, raising an eyebrow.
Koneko hesitated but nodded slightly. "Maybe. It was like senjutsu, but denser—ten times more potent. When he used that red cloak... my feelings grew stronger. I... I was—"
"In heat," Rias finished bluntly.
Koneko's face turned bright red as steam seemed to rise from her head. "I-I know it's strange, but our race seeks strong mates during that time of year. And somehow, Itachi triggered that in me. I just don't understand why I feel this way about a human who isn't even a Nekomata or Youkai."
Before Rias could respond, the door opened, and Akeno entered with her usual grace. "Still talking about Itachi?" she teased, a sly smile gracing her lips.
Koneko's ears turned even redder, and she muttered under her breath, "If this continues, I'll turn into a tomato."
"You're not alone, Koneko," Akeno said, sitting elegantly on the couch. "Even I can't stop thinking about him. That confidence, that presence... it's intoxicating. And that lightning attack he used against Grayfia
it was unlike anything I've ever seen."
Rias rolled her eyes. "Are we all going to sit here and obsess over him? Issei will surpass him in strength soon enough," she said proudly, referencing to the future Red Dragon Emperor.
"It's not just about strength," Koneko said, her voice firmer now. "There's more. During his battle with the Phenex Clan, he used abilities beyond anything possible with senjutsu. Black flames... even Lord Phenex seemed hesitant to confront them, despite his immunity to fire. And then, when they disappeared..." She looked at Rias, searching for answers. "Rias, you mentioned he had a powerful backing. What did you mean?"
Rias hesitated before sighing. "He's connected to a hidden human faction. My brother spoke of them—a group operating in the shadows of the supernatural world. They wield chakra, and their influence is larger than we ever imagined. Itachi isn't just a rogue human; he's part of something much bigger."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
"A hidden faction?" Akeno finally asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "Humans capable of using chakra—an energy stronger than senjutsu? That doesn't seem realistic to me. Maybe a few of them can use it, like that woman Itachi showed us. If she's part of that faction and even stronger than him, then this group must be incredibly dangerous."
Koneko clenched her fists. "That's why I need to find him. I need to learn about chakra and figure out my sister's whereabouts. If they knows the truth about her, she might be connected to them too."
Rias placed a reassuring hand on Koneko's shoulder. "We'll find him, Koneko. He'll return to the city, and when he does, we'll get our answers."
*****
(Grand plan begins) chapters are not finished. I am adding Koneko's POV and some other POVs to fill the gap for the 15 days in which Itachi was not present. These chapters are important as they will connect the story together.
Thank you for your patience and support—see you next week!