"Baki, you know what to do, we'll get this sorted and finally, we won't have to deal with them anymore, we focus on...outside threats..."

Issei's group all looked at him, they knew when that time came, he was a leader that didn't wish for them to put themselves in harm's way for him. Only what he didn't know, he had earned that level of loyalty from all of them. Would they tell him that they, Baki and Lola, would sacrifice themselves for his safety? No. He may be this side of himself for right now but he was still Issei The Dragon, a man that did not hold back with his emotions when they came to him.

"I'll get on it, my guys are ready for the cars to blow up, all that is needed...is for you to start the bonfire party.."

Chuckling, it had taken them a while but they started a moment that wouldn't be forgotten with a simplistic view of what was to come next. Issei and Baki walked towards one another, holding out their hands as they shook each other. It was clear that in these moments, it was a say what was on your mind or forget it. There was nothing more to say for the both of them right now, turning away, he noticed that the body had already been moved. 

Meeting the eyes of the driver, Issei nodded at the man, he took the choice to do so and Issei blushed, knowing that he was a bit forgetful with who the main people who had assisted him were. Looking at Baki, pleadingly, he was already telling the man to thank the drive. Snorting, Baki walked out of the warehouse with the driver, Lola following behind the two as it was only the two, Issei and Nola, remaining. 

Well two and an unconscious Samuel, but he didn't really count cause he was going to be taking a dive soon enough and in the car, outside. Sighing, Issei looked at Nola, he knew that what she said in the car had bothered him but was it any different with how he would have said it? More than likely, yes. He would have gladly given his life for what they were doing here, even though, she would have her worries.

"After this is done, we can talk about Ollie when we get to Detroit, where we have no worries for right now...alright? Then I can hear you out, things can be sorted between the both of us, it's...easier."

He felt pressure lift from his shoulders, not even realizing that he was talking about the two of them, in a setting that had not really been discussed in any way before. Of course, he knew, in his antics, his playfulness, that he hid part of himself, a playful nervousness. Of course, it showed in his speech...

"So...you, me, fire, steaks, and blood.....and no, I do not need to say how divine you look in red, Princess."

Chuckling, he took her hand as he walked them both out of the warehouse.

This was it, the moment they had been waiting for and it was their declaration of war that neither knew would shake the very foundations of what they had. 

Somehow, in someway the time flew by it felt like a blink of her eyes. The once sunset that bestowed the ambush on Samuel now took a backseat to what lay in front of them.  Samuel's headquarter....  It was still a bit early in the day, the sun just starting to peak its head out from the horizon. There were a few lights that could be seen on in building but there was no movement, things were serene, they were peaceful. For now...

It would just be a matter of time now until Baki executed his part of the plan, the car bombs on Samuel's captains. Once those went off and those guys were dead the rest that weren't already inside would conjugate here in the building in front of Issei and Nola. They would go there with the intent of regrouping, trying to figure out what was going on. Only to not realize they had been trapped...

They already had things in place, backdoor had been wedged shut. No one was leaving from there... The canisters of kerosene were placed around the building, all of which surrounded by rather flammable debris. That was her idea, it would keep those canisters concealed and would help with the blaze.

The headquarter itself only had a few small windows on the front side. They were big enough for people to climb out if needed but if that were to happen those guy would just catch a bullet. Quick solution to that problem.... Then you had the front door. It was heavy, it was steel and it had no way to see out of. Building made for a good covering from outside eyes but with that security came it's downfall. With the backdoor blocked and the front door soon to be block, it made the building a death trap... 

The only thing they needed to do now was wait... That's exactly what they did, they waited. Waited in that truck, the one they were going to use to pin the front door closed. They sat there in silence for a bit, almost to the point it was too silent. There were a few moments that Nola caught herself drifting off, only the thought of impending doom onto others kept her focused and on task.

Looking over towards Issei as he sat in the driver seat, Nola opened her mouth.

"How much longer? It feels like we've been waiting forever now!"

Issei kept looking straight. "It won't be long now. The bombs should have already gone off, now we are just waiting for the mice to arrive."

Sure enough they did, starting with one then moments later another and another and another... They were funneling in by the handfuls, each of which had a look of panic on their faces. They all knew they were under attack but without leadership, they had the slightest idea what to do.

"Come on Issei, let's do this!"

He stayed quiet.

"Issei... come on... start this thing up and block that door."

He still stayed quiet, which caused Nola to sigh.

"Fine, if you won't go and you won't answer me. I will just go out there and do it myself." She turned in her seat and placed her hand on the door handle. Was about a second from pulling on it when Issei finally spoke.

"No!"

His no made her whip her head about. "No? Excuses me?" She could see his eyes shift towards the building.

"There's one more, coming from the alleyway. Patience..." He turned towards her and smiled, it was that playful smile once again.

"Okay.... I didn't see him..."

She had been so fixated on setting that place on fire that she had momentarily lost sight of her surroundings. Probably didn't help that she hadn't slept in the last 30 hours but that was a mute point. She took her hand off the door handle and situated herself back into the seat. The anxiousness within her grew with every passing moment from that point on. She even got to the point where she reached in her pocket to take out the lighter, opened it up and just kept playing with it.

She hadn't even noticed the man make his way into the building, it wasn't until she felt the truck start up that she knew it was time. Quickly she closed up the lighter and slid it back into her pocket. She sat up in her seat, giddy with excitement... Her mind firing off all sort of random things, some of which she spoke out loud... Not even knowing she was doing it. "Roasted Marshmallows..... Mm..." 

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

Nola began humming to herself as Issei crawled the truck to the building, as to not tip anyone off. He pushed the truck forward, until it jolted slightly from the contact from the wall. Placing it in park, he glanced over towards her.

"Princess... your palace awaits you..."

She smiled once again and giggled. "My palace... I think it needs some redecorating..." Issei gave her a subtle head shake but couldn't resist smiling back at her. It was contagious, as if her being happy made him happy.

"I'll get Samuel out of the back, go do your thing."

She didn't even let him finish speaking before she swung the door opened and bounced out of the truck. She skipped to the corner of the building, where she knew the largest of the canisters was hidden. It was under a bunch of boxes and an old mattress. Pulling the lighter out from her pocket, Nola lit it once more. She watched the flame dance off the top of it before leaning down and touching it to the mattress.

It took a moment for it to catch but when it caught it went up in a hurry. Standing there for a moment, Nola watched it. It was beautiful... It had a sort of calming affect on her.

"Nola! Might want to step back. Once that flame gets to the canister it's going to blow."

She heard him but she didn't move, just stood there and watched it for another moment. Pleased with the way it was burning and knowing he was right, Nola backed away from the blaze. She made sure to keep it in her sights the entire time... Watched as it spread from pile to pile, completely surrounding the base of the building in flames.

It wasn't until all the piles were lit that she made her way back to Issei, whom had Samuel out of the truck. He had the man on his knees, gripping up his hair so he had to watch everything unfold. Nola calmly made her way over to him and sat besides him with her legs crossed over each other.

"It's rather beautiful, isn't it?"

The first canister exploded, sending a black could into the sky. It was then that the screams began, it was then that the pounding on the door began, it was then Nola was truly happy. She sat there for a few more moments, continuing to take it in. The faint sounds of police sirens could be heard in the distance.

"Such a pity that I won't get to see it's completion. Though neither will you."

Standing up, Nola dusted herself off then walked over behind Samuel. She gave Issei a nod, a nod which made him release his grip on Samuel's hair. With her left hand, Nola ran her fingers through his greasy hair and forcefully grabbed a chunk of it. With her right hand, she pulled a blade out from her pocket. Leaning down just a bit, Nola put her lips just off his ears.

"This is probably hurt a bit, bitch...."

She raised the up and placed it onto his neck, pushing down Nola sliced him slowly. Basically from ear to ear. Blood began pouring out of him like an opened fire hydrant. Nola didn't move... she kept her hand entangled in his hair and blade deep in his skin. She could feel his life dwindling down, enjoying the moment... There was a single last gasp for air and that was it... Samuel was dead... Giving him a soft kiss on the cheek once he was gone, Nola pushed his lifeless body to the ground. Her entire right hand and arm covered in the mans blood.

The sounds of the sirens grew louder which was funny cause the loud they got the quieter the guys inside got. Taking a couple steps over to where Issei was standing... admiring... Nola looked up with him smile.

"How about those fries? I'm starving..."

"Tomorrow I promise you that....Besides, do you think I could handle you, like this Nola? Seeing you like this twice in one day, I did say you were desirable...."

Issei smiled, it wasn't that usual playful smile, it was genuine as he reached forward, combing his hand through her hair, not even noticing he was doing that for a moment as a smile did not even seem to be placed on his lips. 

Turning his head, knowing the signs were there, the police would be here within a matter of matters. It was time they got away from her, not even thinking, Issei picked her up rushing away into the car as he giggled like a madman. 

Finally, he got her inside the car as he slammed the wheel in excitement realizing that they had done this, what was next for them!? It was for her to tell him about Ollie. Yet that didn't even stop the smile as he back at her, the smile in place before he started the car, driving away like the two had finished the pre murder to their date as he called it before. 

"Let's get to the Savoy, there you can get dressed, and make sure that you are going to be taken care of, it'll be for the best. Besides, I want to have this look in memory, I don't want it ever leaving me."

Issei drove, not even noticing that he was smiling because of her, that playfulness had slowly been removed at that moment. It was Issei, for a moment, a chaotic playful Issei that knew what he wanted, it was to have fun, to create carnage and to make sure that they could do that together until the day came when it was no longer possible for the dragon. 

Issei's surroundings were lost to him, the police cars passing them, the multiple civilians who looked at the rushing blue and red lights, they had no clue what was about to come. A war that would consume the very fires of Issei and Nola, it was something they had been prepared to do, something they knew was going to happen. 

It didn't seem all too real then, Issei knew that much, it felt...like a victory, one that was needed, it didn't feel like the battle was beginning, it felt like it was just setting in, the meaning of victory, the thing that would encourage them to move forward, to go forward with what they wished for and how they went about this victory. 

Issei's giggle caused him and Nola to meet eyes, seemingly, she knew what he was thinking then and she smiled back. Yet without them even knowing what the other thought, they felt that contagious feeling, one that did not stop at the simplicity looks. 

"Tomorrow, I promise, all the Oreos, fries-"

"Are you sure the Oreos are not just for you Issei?"

Giving her that mock look of anger, he had to laugh knowing that they wouldn't be getting another moment like this in a...while. Sighing, he gave her a cheeky wink and left the car, making sure to hold her door open for her as he walked around to her side. 

"No, considering who also ate that tub of ice cream, I'd say that it is for both of us..."

Shrugging then, Nola smiled at him once again, conceding for the moment. Although knowing he was the bigger of the two when it came to his Oreo fixation. 

"Now I am sure they won't glance at you twice, just...be careful with this, we just made a serious move and I want you okay Nola. I know, I'm protective, maybe overly so but hey, you are the only one I have left. I'd like...to make sure that this maintains the course, I'm not going to be losing you...even if I have to fight everyone to do so."

Bowing his head after such a declaration, he entered the elevator with her and walked her to her room. Smiling as she turned back to face him, he did stop her again though, reaching out and hugging her tightly. Breathing in as he closed his eyes, not even bothering to see her reaction, he walked away to his suite. 

The savoy was a great place, one that allowed for privacy, yet when Issei turnt on the light to his suit, he was greeted by a different sight entirely. 

One that he was not glad to see, Tatara and Ayato stood off to the side of the one person he did not wish to see. The person that had put everything into place...

"Eto...."

"My lovable Dragon Issei, it's been a while...."

Eto's lovable dragon never even got a chance to say anything else as he was knocked over the head and his vision swam as he fell to his knees, not before Ayato kicked him in his right eye...one that had Issei grunt in pain as he was being beaten down by his former...friends. 

"Eto...why? After everything I did?"

"Yes, after everything, you fell for a Dixon. Many stories are said about that family, a certain person wishes to make sure that her ties are cut off to you. Do you think she even cares Issei? Like I cared? Like your cousin cared? Like your mother cared? We gave you a lot of things Issei..."

She giggled, playfully and Issei was reminded of where his habits grew, of who taught him everything and how he felt being back in her presence, she was a terrible person to have as an enemy.

"We gave you this! We allowed you to leave, I FOUGHT FOR YOU! My Precious Issei! How dare you even think that you could escape me, eh!? This is something that you don't even deserve, you should be dead but as you know, I am merciful..."

Issei stumbled to his feet, his right eye already trying to adjust but fuck, it hurt, he wasn't even at 100% after tonight's events...only for Ayato to once again beat him down. 

"Still the determined little dragon, are you? Don't worry, we will break that for you, my precious Issei."

Eto walked towards him, kneeling down as she cupped his chin and allowed his eyes to meet hers as her lips descended on his, only for him to spit in her face and giggle like her, maddeningly...

"Fuck you, Eto, you might as well kill me, we both know, you or Noroi won't break me!"

Eto wiped the spit from her lips with her tongue, rolling her eyes in pleasure before gripping Issei's chin rougher. Making sure that she had his full attention, the smile he wore, it was still playful even in the face of what was to come at the hands of his former best friends. 

"We're not going to break you, my love. We're going to fix you, we're going to make sure that this defiance is the last. Ernesto and The Dixon family friend will deal with the rest of your...group. This little thought of yours, this moment where you thought that you'd won, is done. You, my little dragon are mine, again."

Issei didn't even have time for a rebuttal because what he got in response was darkness, all he heard was the echoing giggle of Eto in his mind and being hers, once more.

Eto looked over his body with a sad smile, motioning for Noroi to pick up who was standing in the shadows barely even noticed by the dragon. She looked over her men with a pleased smirk. 

"Good to know Samuel played his role to perfection...call Ernesto, Tatara, let him know that we're on our way and we have Issei. Magnolia Dixon, let's see how well you play this game without the dragon..."

Eto skipped out with Ayato and Noroi, not even noticing that Tatara had hung back with a scowl on his face. 

The tall ashen-haired man spoke with such ease that it felt odd being alone to him... 

"I promise Issei...I will help you get out of her clutches, again and back home."

Tatara walked out after Eto, not even glancing at his fellow people in the mission to kidnap Issei, all according to Eto, it was going smoothly and it was because Tatara had had no idea what to do next...

Issei was in her clutches, Tatara hoped, he really did that Magnolia could come up with a plan...otherwise, his true best friend would be stuck in Eto's loving embrace.