AN: Chapter 2 is finally done. I've updated Chapter 1 as well, found quite a few errors that I missed and took some time to rewrite somethings so they fit how I want this story to be better. Nothing I changed is significant, so you don't need to read it to understand anything happening in this chapter. Anyway, enjoy the newest installment of The Shield of the Gremory.

New World, New Life

Rias led Ysara to a large, candlelit room that appeared to be a meeting room. All of the furniture was at the far end of the room. There was a large wooden desk, two cushioned benches facing each other, and a table between the two benches. A small pile of clothes was neatly folded laid on the table. A scarlet rug was positioned under the benches and table. There were a few painting decorating the wall, but the lighting was too poor to make out what they looked like.

'This reminds me of all those dungeons I went into. Wonder what we actually do as a devil?' Ysara thought as she took in her surroundings.

"I sent everyone else out for the moment so you could get dressed in private. Just ask if you need any help," Rias offered kindly as they walked over to the table.

"What did you do with my armor? I know it was pretty broken, but I might be able to fix it"

"It disintegrated when I revived you. I honestly don't know why that happened. Clothes and armor are normally unaffected by the ritual," Rias answered.

Ysara merely nodded and examined the clothes they had provided her. "I've never seen clothes like these before," she commented absently.

"Really?" Rias asked her, the surprise evident on her face, "You're definitely going to need my help then," she stated as she moved to help the older woman.

Rias handed her the undergarments first. They were black, lacy things that left little to the imagination, like someone was trying to embarrass her. Rias had to help her put the bra on, the damn clasp refused to cooperate with her. Rias' hand brushed against her skin, sending a fiery warmth up her spine.

"Are you feeling alright? You're still colder than you should be." Rias demanded worriedly.

"I feel fine, the only difference from before I died is that everything feels warmer than usual," Ysara responded. Ysara couldn't help the small twitch of her lips curling into a smile, it had been so long since someone had worried about her.

"So, this is a new development? I've never heard of an Evil Piece doing something like this before. I'll have to ask my brother if he's heard of something like this happening before,"

"I think I might know what caused this," Ysara started, Rias giving her a curious look, "I assume you've heard the saying 'If you stare into the abyss long enough, the abyss stares back,"

"Yes, I'm quite familiar with the phrase. It's used to as a metaphor for when heroes turn evil."

"Well, what happens when you don't just stare into the abyss? What happens when you fall in? I… I remember what happened to my soul after I died. I don't know where I went or how long I was there. Words fail to describe what it was, but the closest thing I think of is a void. One filled with nothing but a crushing cold, one that utterly crushed anything that made you, you. Joy and pain, hope and despair, hate and love, anything and everything that you felt. It… it was something I'd never wish on anyone," Ysara explained, shivering as the memory of that horrible place came rushing back.

Rias pulled the older, and slightly taller, woman into an embrace. While Ysara had been warmer than normal, comparing that feeling to being in Rias' embrace was like comparing a candle to a forest fire. She sunk into it and let out a content sigh. Even The Queen's constant pounding on her mental barriers quieted. Ysara might have imagined the purred 'Thuri' that came from the other side of the barrier.

"Don't worry Ysara. You're far away from that horrible place and I'll make sure that you never go back there again," Rias spoke comfortingly and with such a conviction Ysara knew she meant every word.

She stayed like that for a few more seconds, basking in the comfort of Rias' warmth. However, they were interrupted as a giggle was heard from the doorway.

"Am I interrupting something Buchou? You left your tea in your room, but I can come back later if you two need some alone time," The black haired woman teased from the doorway, holding the tray in her hands.

"No, we were quite finished Akeno. Set it down on my desk and we'll get to it once she finishes getting dressed," Rias asserted, obviously exasperated at the other woman's antics, as she and Ysara broke apart from their embrace. Ysara felt her face burn as she thought about what the woman just said. She had to fight off a grimace as The Queen began trying to escape her cage again.

"I'm just glad the two of you are enjoying my selection of undergarments. She does look quite… ravishing," Akeno purred as she walked past Ysara. Gods damn that woman, her face felt like it was on fire.

The rest of the clothes were simple enough to put on. The white button down shirt had to be redone at least three times because she missed a button and the only reason she got it right the last time was because of Rias' help. The skirt was simple as well, once Rias had showed her how to use the zipper after she had stared at it dumbly for a few seconds. Both Rias and Akeno wore amused grins the whole time she struggled with various common clothes. The rest of the outfit consisted of a black ribbon that went around her neck, a black overcoat, a set of black leggings, and a pair of brown shoes. All of which she was able to put on without Rias' assistance. Ysara would have been surprised that all of the clothes fit her perfectly, but they did have three days to measure and get the clothes made.

"Go ahead and take a seat on the couch while we wait for everyone else to get back. I'm sure my familiar has already informed them that it's alright to come back," Rias told Ysara as she sat on her desk.

'At least I know what these are called now,' Ysara thought as she sat down on one of the couches, 'Wow! These are really comfortable.'

Akeno passed them both a cup of tea and they waited in comfortable silence for the rest of Rias' peerage to arrive, savoring Akeno's well-made tea. They didn't have to wait long, a few minutes later a cute, petite, white haired girl wearing the same outfit as everyone else walked in. She didn't even acknowledge Ysara as she sat down on the couch opposite of her and began munching on a candy bar. She was followed by a handsome, blonde teen boy wearing a masculine version of what they were all wearing. He gave Ysara a small nod and simply stood at the other end of the couch that Ysara was on.

"Now that every is here let's get the introductions over with," Rias declared as she set her cup down pushed off the desk, motioning towards Ysara. Ysara set her own cup on the table and stood from her seat before speaking.

"I'm Ysara Gaerwing, it is a pleasure to finally meet you all," She greeted.

"My name is Yuuto Kiba and it is a pleasure to meet you as well," the blonde introduced politely, "and that is Koneko Toujou," he motioned towards the white haired girl.

"Hi," was the girl's monotone response, not even glancing away from her treat.

'That's kind of rude. Though, at least she acknowledged me,'

"I am Akeno Himejima, and it is quite the pleasure to meet you," Akeno greeted teasingly.

Ysara had to fight to keep her face from heating up again. She wouldn't get her this time.

"With that of the way, you need to understand that we devils are not the only supernatural race. There are the fallen angels, who were cast down to the Underworld, or Hell as the humans call it, due to their wicked nature. They try manipulate humans and destroy us devils, constantly struggling for dominance with us in the Underworld that has continued since primeval times. Then there are the normal angels who come here on God's orders to hunt down demons. In other words, we have a three-way standoff. Are you with me so far?" Rias explained.

Ysara merely nodded, seemed simple enough. Demons and Fallen Angels share the Underworld while the Angels live in heaven, and all three races hated each other.

"Ysara, you have been reborn into the household of Rias Gremory, daughter of Duke Gremory, as my servant devil," Rias declared, a pair of bat like wings flared out from her back. Her other servants followed suit, each of them revealing their wings as well.

'Hm, that's pretty neat. Now, how do I summon mine?' she suddenly felt something shift and looked behind her to see devil wings on her back as well, 'Huh, guess that's how. Are they just for show or can they be used to fly?' she wondered. For as long as she could remember, she had envied the birds and her fellow dovah for their ability to fly.

"We're all students here at Kuoh Academy and we formed the Occult Research Club as a cover in case we need to get out of class for some reason. You're going to have to join Kuoh Academy as well, so you'll have a legitimate reason to be on school grounds. I'll just give you a quick examination to see where to place you," Rias told her as she pulled out small stack of papers from her desk.

Ysara already knew she didn't have a chance in Oblivion on getting any kind of acceptable score, but sat down to take it anyway. She just hoped that Thuri wouldn't be too disappointed. She took one look at the paper, before realizing that she was going to have more problems than she thought.

"Uh… I can't read this," she confessed hesitantly, garnering looks of shock from everyone except Koneko.

"How is that even possible? The Asgardians are isolationists, but I thought they still taught how to read most human languages," Rias practically demanded, receiving only a confounded look.

"What's in Oblivion is an Asgardian?"

"You mean; you weren't a Valkyrie?" Akeno asked.

"No, I've never heard of them either," Ysara answered, sending the group into further shock.

"If you weren't a Valkyrie, then what were you? And where did you come from?" Rias demanded curiously.

"I was human, half Nord and half Breton to be exact. Though I doubt that actually means anything to you considering how far from home I am. I don't know all the metaphysics behind it, but I'm outside of what we considered to be reality,"

"So, you're saying you're from another world? One that is completely cut off from our own world?" Rias asked.

"Yes. From what you've told me about this world, and what I know of mine, it seems like each one is a cluster of worlds with a central hub. The human world for this cluster and Nirn for my own. Thus, I jumped from my cluster to your own,"

"But, if each cluster is isolated from each other, then how did you get here?" Rias questioned.

Ysara's face twisted into a nasty scowl and she glared down at the floor, "That would be Hermaeus Mora's doing. He's the Daedric Prince of Forbidden Knowledge and Fate. I fulfilled my purpose and refused to join his oh so precious collection," she growled venomously, "So he stabbed me, and threw me through a portal like a broken toy. Then again, that's what I was to him… and to everyone else," Ysara's angry growl turned into a heartbroken sob, tears beginning to fall from her face.

"They toyed with my life, murdered my family, pretended to care about me, and for what? So I could accomplish their petty goals? So that I would fight and nearly die for their own sick amusement? So they could toss me away like a broken toy when they grew bored of me?" she felt slender arms encircle her, and she leaned into the comforting inferno that was her Thuri, "Is that all I am? A toy for gods and mortals to play with?" she wept weakly into her Thuri's chest.

Rias rubbed her back soothingly, "Shh… Everything's okay now. You're one of us now, and we never abandon one of our own. You won't be able to get rid of us even if you tried," she reassured.

She wept into her Thuri's chest until her tears dried. It could have been minutes or hours, she didn't care. She was safe, safe in the comfort of her Thuri's warm embrace. She couldn't stop herself from nuzzling into her some, trying to find a more comfortable spot. She felt something push her away, but resisted. No! she didn't want to leave the comfortable warmth of her Thuri. Finally, she relented and let herself be pushed away. She opened her eyes, not really focusing on anything.

"Did you enjoy yourself Ysara-chan?" Akeno giggled teasingly.

"Wha… Oh! Oh gods no! It's nothing like that at all," she denied vehemently, though she couldn't keep her cheeks from heating up again, "It's just that she's so warm. I can't really describe it, but it's like a warm blanket on a cold winter night, but so much better," Ysara tried to explain.

"Well that makes sense, your lower body temperature would cause people to feel warmer than normal," Rias reasoned.

Ysara looked down shamefully, "I'm sorry about breaking down like that. I ruined your shirt and I doubt it was comfortable to hold someone that feels cold," she apologized.

"It's quite alright Ysara, you've had a rough past few days. So it's quite understandable for you to be upset over everything that's happened to you. As for your condition, the sensation was different but not uncomfortable. Even if it was, I would gladly sacrifice my own comfort if it helped you Ysara. Don't ever think I'll value my own comfort over your wellbeing. You're my cute little servant after all." she rebuked gently, caressing the woman's cheek.

'Dammit, these women are going to cause me to burst into flames,' she thought as she felt the heat in her face intensify. She managed to sputter out a simple," Yes, Thuri".

Rias simply giggle before speaking, "Now that you've calmed down, we still have to go over your duties as a devil. Normally, we'd have started you off with passing out the summoning circles. However, given your unique circumstances, we're going to have to give you a crash course on everything you'll need to know. You're not going to be able to leave this building until we get you into Kuoh Academy. Let's go ahead and get started".

She spent the rest of the day learning to read and wright again. That night, in the privacy of her bedroom, Ysara thanked whatever deity that was out there that she had been saved by someone like her Thuri. The gods and Daedric Princes of her world paled in comparison to her. They were all selfish manipulators, who toyed with humans for their own sick amusement. Not her Thuri though. No, her Thuri was kind and compassionate, something the deities of her world would never be. She was her guiding light at the end of the tunnel, her campfire in the frozen winter night. And she'd do anything to protect her Thuri, the woman who brought her back from the abyss.

For the next month, Ysara spent learning all she could. This world was so much different from her own. The technology was baffling. How in Oblivion did these humans get a hollowed out chunk of metal to fly? The language here was so different as well. How did it function with at least three different forms of writing? Why add suffixes to the end of people's names? She didn't know the answer, but that's just how it was.

The sheer amount of information she had been forced to learn in such a short time had pushed her enhanced learning capabilities to the limit. But, she had done it. Thuri had finally decided she was well versed enough to join them at the school.

It was early in the morning, about an hour before everyone else had to be at school. Ysara was wearing what Thuri had called casual clothes, a pair of jeans, a solid red t-shirt, and a pair of socks and sneakers. She was handed a large handbag, filled to the brim with stacks of summoning circles. She shouldered the bag easily, despite its weight.

"Go ahead and pass these out for the day while we're at school. I'm sure you're dying to get out of here. Don't forget to put sunscreen on before you go out. Tomorrow is your first day at Kuoh, so make sure to your uniform," Rias told her as she walked out the door with the rest of her peerage.

"Yes Thuri," was her simple reply. 'I prefer the school's uniform anyway. Jeans are far too restricting for my tastes.'

Walked outside for the first time in a month, basking in the sun's rays despite the slight burning sensation it caused her skin. She took in a deep breath, relishing the fresh air. It felt so nice to be outside again. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't been going stir crazy. She walked off the school property and into Kuoh proper, savoring the cool wind that blew across her skin.

'Why do I feel like I forgot something? Eh, it's probably not important.' she thought. The breeze picked up again, 'Oh, I missed this so much,'

'Uhg, why did I want to get out and do this again,' she groaned internally as she handed out another paper, making sure to flash the crooked nosed woman a kind smile.

The sounds of the city were deafening. Cars honking, children screaming, dogs barking, anything and everything seemed to take the time out of their lives to make some kind of noise. The acrid smell of car exhaust burned her nostrils. The sun beat down on her, having gone from mildly annoying to practically scorching her skin. She pressed on though, she refused to disappoint her Thuri.

She handed out her papers to anyone that would take them: an old married couple, a small boy with buck teeth, a man in a black trench coat, a woman in a wheelchair were just a few. She kept at it, her bag feeling steadily lighter. Finally, she reached for another paper and felt nothing but the bags smooth interior. Taking peak inside, Ysara had to restrain herself from shouting to the heavens at the lack of papers.

'Finally, now I can get out of this gods damned sun,' her stomach rumbled, 'By Shor's bones am I hungry!'

Glancing up at the sky, she guessed it was around mid-afternoon. She hurried back, craving the blessed silence of her home. Reading about all the things she'd see in the human world and actually seeing them were two completely different things. Finally reaching the old school house, she pushed open the door and finally noticed the angry red tone of her skin.

'Shit! That's what I forgot this morning. Thuri's going to let me have it once she sees.'

She didn't have to wait long, her Thuri having been behind her desk working on something when she walked in. Rias let out a gasp, and was swiftly at her side.

"You look like you just got pulled out of boiler. This is exactly why I told you to put sunscreen on this morning," She fused

"I… uh forgot," Ysara's stomach decided to make itself known, "I may have also forgotten to eat today as well" she confessed sheepishly.

"What am I going to do with you?" her Thuri asked, shaking her head in exasperation. "Come one, let's get you fed and heal those burns"

She could only hand her head and let her Thuri lead her away.

'Maybe tomorrow will be better,'

The first thing Ysara noticed as she and her Thuri walked into the school was the whispers. All the other students could talk about was her. Speculations of who she was. Of her relationship with Gremory-senpai as they called her Thuri. That she wasn't worthy to walk with their precious Gremory-senpai.

'They're right, I don't deserve Thuri. But they are even less deserving of her presence.'

Pushing out those dark thoughts, Ysara followed her Thuri until they she stopped in front of one of the many doors.

"This is your classes room. Go in and just follow the teacher's instructions. I'm sure you'll do fine," Rias told her encouragingly.

"Yes, Thuri," she replied softly.

Her Thuri gave her a small pat on the shoulder before walking off. Ysara took a deep breath and stepped forward, but hesitated before entering the room.

'I've faced far worse things than this. Get a grip! You can do this. You have to do this!'

Finally, she walked into the room and every eye turned to her. The room was filled with students. She couldn't count how many there were. Her heart quickened and she was distinctly aware of sweat beginning to coat her palms. She almost didn't hear the teacher when he addressed her.

"Ah, you must be the transfer student. The one from Brittany right?"

She turned to face him, taking in his very average appearance. He was a middle aged man with black hair. He was wearing glasses over his brown eyes. By the gods he was so average looking.

Ysara nodded, "Yes sensei,"

Ah, Brittany is my favorite part of France. Go ahead and introduce yourself to the class and take a seat by Hayata-san. Raise your hand Hayata-san" a girl in the back raised her hand.

"My name is Ysara Gaerwing, it is a pleasure to meet you all," she greeted and bowed. She walked up one of the aisle and sat beside the girl, pulling out a note book and pencil. The girl beside her didn't even acknowledge her.

'That's fine with me, I didn't want to get to know you anyway,'

A few more students came in before the bell rang. The teacher stood up from his desk and walked over to the board.

"Alright class, let's go ahead and continue where we left off yesterday on derivatives,"

'Oh joy, calculus. My favorite subject,' she thought sardonically.

The day only got worse from there. She had to trudge through every subject she hated. And the only subject she liked, Biology, was taught by the most boring person imaginable. That man could less interesting as watching paint dry. Lunch was alright. Akeno was a pretty decent cook, but the bento she had just wasn't as good as it was fresh. Finally, the school day ended, but she had to spend the rest of the day passing out more summoning circles.

'No matter how bad it is though, I'll endure it. If this is the price to pay for being by Thuri's side I will gladly pay it a hundred times over.' She thought as she let sleep claim her.

AN: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, let me know what you think. I'll go ahead and say that my High School DXD knowledge is somewhat lacking, so If I've messed anything up just let me know.