Disclaimer: This work is purely fanfiction. I own nothing. All characters and concepts are the property of Ichiei Ishibumi. All I came up with is this original story. Thank you for reading.

A/N: This is my first High School DXD fanfic. It's been a while since I read the light novels so if there is anything that I have wrong please let me know in the comments. Some things are changed for the story of course. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 1: Never Good Enough

*Wake up big brother, if not I'll, I'll...have to cuddle you*

Another day and another stupid message from this alarm clock. Sure, an alarm clock that got a new alarm tone every day might've sounded appealing when I bought it sounded interesting, but this was just ridiculous. At least it keeps me from wanting to hit the snooze button I suppose.

"Issei are you up? It's time to get ready for school," my mom yelled up the stairs.

With a deep sigh I replied, "Yeah mom I'm up. I'll be down in just a minute."

Truth is I didn't want to go downstairs. I knew exactly what waited for me down there. Nevertheless I carried on to get ready for school. My uniform on, teeth brushed, and hair fixed I descended the stairs in bitter anticipation.

"Bout time boy," my father grumbled from his paper, "you think the world is just waiting for you or something?"

Choosing to ignore the provocation I greeted my mother, "Good morning mom, something smells delicious."

"Good morning Issei," my mother smiled at me. It was at that moment I noticed her left wrist was slightly red and her cheek as well.

My fists tightened as my 'father' reached over and grabbed me by the back of the hair and began berating me, "You ignoring me boy. Got no greetings for your father who payed for the food your about to eat."

"No, dad," I responded begrudgingly, "I'm not ignoring you. After I eat I'll be all to glad to get out of your hair so you can get back to your...work."

Truth was my father had been out of a job for weeks. Something about disorderly conduct and if I'm not wrong I heard mom saying something to him about sexual harassment. So not only is he laying his hands on my mother now but he his flirting with other women. I may not know what kind of man I want to be when I am older but I can say for certain what kind I don't want to be.

Unfortunately my next reflex was something that pissed my dad off the most. As mom sat breakfast down in front of us clasped my hands. I'm not exactly what you'd call a believer. I mean why would any god let this kind of stuff happen. But my best friend growing up and his family had been very involved in the church. His dad had been the coolest man I'd ever met. He had this large sword he kept at home. The strangest thing happened when I touched it once. It had emitted this soft sort of glow. His dad had caught me, but instead of getting mad he just talked to me about the future and church.

With things so bad at home I spent a lot of extra time there. Dad had tried to speak out to my friends dad once. They had gone to a separate room at his behest and when they exited my dad looked terrified. He had actually started treating mom and I a lot better after that. Then my friends family moved and well, things got a lot worse. That's the first time I ever remember him hitting me and mom at least. I didn't blame my friends dad but… I couldn't help but think there was some kind of correlation.

Now whenever I sat down to a meal and reflexively went to pray he would reach out and smack me on the back of the head. Like he just did.

"Can't thank dad for your food but you can thank god huh? Well then I guess you don't need my food do ya? Go on, get out of here. You can eat in this house when you learn some appreciation," his shouts fell on deaf ears as I eagerly collect my things and headed for the door.

My mother knowing the how futile it would be to argue just came up to me at the door and gave me a gentle hug. It was her way of apologizing, I knew it wasn't her fault, she didn't make him act this way, and she deserved better. Still as she hugged me I barely resisted jumping as I felt her hand slide into my back pocket. It took me a second to get over the shock to realize that she was slipping me something and trying to keep my father from noticing.

"Have a good day Issei."

"I will mom, I love you."

A simple exchange of words. Sure it only sounded natural to most people. But I always made sure I told my mother I loved her. If I was truly afraid of anything it was that she wouldn't be there one day when I got home.

Walking away from the house I made sure I was out of eye sight before I checked my back pocket. A hundred dollar bill and a note, (I'm using American currency here because I'm not sure if you all would've understood that, that's about ten thousand yen) the message was brief but heartfelt.

'Have great day Issei. Sorry I can't do more. -Love Mom'

Crumpling the note in my hand I closed my eyes and turned my head to the sky. I was desperately fighting back tears.

"Hey God, if you're out there, and you're listening please take care of my mom," the words caught in my throat as I silently whispered them, "I love you mom."

Knowing my words will scatter empty into the wind I carried on.

I love the kendo room in the morning. The wood always glowed in the light of the early sun. After getting my gear on I grabbed a shinai (wooden sword) hit the floor. These drills were one of the few things that kept me sane. Every kata was like a dance, and every move helped me forget a little. I was lost in my thoughts until I felt another sword crash against my own.

"Kiba," I acknowledged my friend.

"Good morning Issei. Hard at it again I see," he flashed his prince smile at me.

Kiba Yuuto, the prince of Kuoh Academy. His pretty face, graceful air and charms bewitched all the girls of the school. The girls wanted him and the guys wanted to be him. He and I have been best friends since our first year of high school. He isn't a member of the kendo club and yet he is a marvelous swordsman. I'd say I've probably learned more sparring him then the club. Even I'm not really sure why we are friends. He came by the club one day and I was alone practicing, everyone else had already left. He asked if I'd like a friendly match and everything else is history. More often then not he wins, but here in the past few months I've started to be a decent match for him.

"Good morning to you Prince. You here to get your butt handed to you this early? That sounds like a really bad way to start the day," Issei taunted him but the mirth was heavy in his voice.

Kiba smiled gently in return, "It does sound horrible to start the day out that way, and so I'd hate to put you through that. No I was wondering if you'd be interested in stopping by the ORC today?"

That's right, he's a member of that weird club. This wasn't the first time he'd asked me to drop by. The Occult Research Club was what it's called. The name pretty much says it all but apparently they studied the occult things around Japan. I've stopped in before but honestly I felt out of my element. Everyone there was very nice but still I had this feeling that I didn't belong somehow. That being said, I have to admit the club president and vice president were both very beautiful. Of course being the two famous 'Big Sisters' of the school they would be.

First you have the vice president, Akeno Himejima. If I had to put it in words I'd say she is a true Japanese beauty. Her pale skin, dark hair, violet eyes and slim figure make her the picture of what you'd envision when you think beautiful Japanese girl.

Her counterpart, the president of the club, is Rias Gremory. It's hard to describe her with words. She has the air about her like she is some kind of royalty. From the way she carries herself to the way she speaks, everything about her seems very high society. Her crimson hair contrasts so strongly against her fair skin it's almost shocking. I can still remember her smile and striking blue eyes the moment we met. It was as if she was able to see through me. I felt almost naked in front of her gaze yet, never once did I feel judged or belittled. It was frightening in a way.

I guess if I'm being really honest there is one other feature about the two girls that REALLY stands out. I'm not a pervert or anything, but those two have the biggest breasts of anyone I've ever seen. I've even heard some of the girls in the kendo club talk about it. I've…avoided those conversations.

"Thanks a lot man, but I'll pass. Everyone is really nice and all, but I don't think I really fit in there," I explained.

A rare sad look passed Kiba's face, "Sorry to hear that man. Everyone really enjoyed having you. Rias told me to bring you whenever I could. I'd really enjoy having you there so come whenever you want."

I'm not really sure what was sadder. The fact that I was letting down my friend or the fact that I was disappointing Rias. Jeez what kind of guy does that make me.

After Kiba left I put my gear away and showered for school. That was when I heard trouble. Two girls voices were coming from outside the locker room. For some reason our club has become dominated by girls. The only other guys quit when the new captain Katase, a girl, took over this year and mopped the floor with the other guys. Thanks to the training from Kiba I was able to win but it was still a close match. They don't treat me badly, but I do think Katase and her friend Murayama resent me for being the strongest member in the club. Honestly I try not to make anything out of it because they are still nice to me.

As the voices came closer I started to panic. There is never scheduled practice in the morning before school so the building is free to use. It's pretty common knowledge that I come here in the morning to. So the question is WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE?!

The voices came closer and I could finally make them out, "I think I hear the showers running someone must be back here."

"You think it's Issei."

"Probably."

Why are they coming back here? Maybe if I yell out I can get them to go away and let me get dressed.

"Hey!" I called out, "It's Issei, do you mind waiting in the dojo so I can get dressed? I'm just getting out of the shower."

"Don't worry we can talk here," it's the captain.

"Yeah we have something to tell you," her friend added in.

Luckily the showers are large and I have all my stuff in here so after getting dried off as fast as possible I started sliding into my clothes, "Well what's so important that it couldn't wait?"

Finally buttoning my pants I walk out to find the captain and her friend not wearing tops. They even went as far as to let out fake tiny screams.

"W-w-w-whats going on here? If this is some kind of flirting thing I'm really not into the two of you like that," I shouted without even thinking while covering my eyes.

"Oh no Katase, Issei has peaked on us while we were changing," Murayama feigned distress.

Katase played along, "I think we'll have to tell all the other girls about this."

Murayama continued the farce, "but if we do that they will okay think he is a pervert and no one will want to have anything to do with him. His high school life will be miserable."

I can obviously see where this is going so I quit covering my eyes and looked straight into theirs doing my best to avoid looking at either ones chest, "Okay, so what's this all about. Your little performance is not funny. What do you want?"

Both girls smiled, "We want you to quit the kendo club."

The shock had to be obvious on my face, "But why?"

Murayama answered, "Because since Katase took over it has become almost an all girls club. Now say if Katase were better than you that would be one thing but for our best member to be a boy AND not our captain is a problem. So if you don't leave we'll tell everyone that you came along to peak on us during morning training."

The two girls smiled like they had me by the tail, "Uh girls there are a few flaws in your plan."

The looked far more surprised then they should have been, "Like what?"

I sighed, "Well first off, it's your word against mine since no one else is here. I understand there are two of you and all but Kiba was just here and so he knows I was here first. Second, it's a commonly known fact that I come here before school, several of the other girls have come early just to train with me. Third and as you know, I'm kind of popular with most of the girls in the school, especially our club having chased off the perverted duo on more than one occasion, they aren't just going to buy that I've turned pervert myself. Lastly, and this is just an observation mind you, but why did you actually take off your clothes at all when it's just my word versus yours?"

The looks on the two girls face were utterly crestfallen. Of course they couldn't have known about the Kiba thing, but the rest of it was obvious. They slowly put back on there clothes, all the while glaring at me with tear filled eyes.

I just couldn't help myself, "You two aren't actually idiots by any chance?"

Murayama snapped at me, "I'll have you know Katase is 86th in our class."

I tilted my head, "And what about you?"

Katase responded instead, "She tries really hard!"

All I could do was shake my head, "I don't understand. I've never had any issue with the two of you. I don't want to be captain and I've always thought you did a great job. I think the guys who left because they were weaker than you are idiots. So why, why are you being so harsh to me?"

The girls seemed to lose there resolve for a moment but instantly sprung back. It was Murayama who finally replied, "We don't want you here Issei. You might be the great 'knight' of our prince Kiba but you still don't belong here. Can't you just get that you aren't wanted?"

Something about those words stung. It struck a lot deeper than I thought it would anyway. Kendo was the one thing that I did that genuinely brought me piece, but now, I'm not wanted here. I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Somewhere else that I'm not wanted.

""Issei,"" they said in unison.

I finished getting myself ready and left without a word. The two girls had seem to have lost all of there steam and wore a guilty expression on their faces. I headed towards the school building with my bag. The sky was so blue and the sun made the morning look so cheerful. So why was it on such a sunny day that I felt so blue.

"Hey God, it's me again. I know I'm asking a lot and all but if you could just help me find somewhere to belong I'd really appreciate it. And as always take care of mom," Issei bowed his head as he finished. How long would his words fall on deaf ears.