26 JUNE 2015
A reader sent me a PM and asked if I had deleted ANGEL AND THE DEVIL. Yes, I had but meant to revise before posting it back up. Unfortunately, I have been busy with family obligations and personal matters and did not get to do any editing. But since I promised I would upload, I thought I would do so as soon as possible then edit whenever I get time to myself. So here is your request, dear reader. =P I do hope you still find ANGEL AND THE DEVIL to your liking. Once again, thank you all so very much for reading my stories thus far.
Originally I published the story on 12 December 2013 and completed it on 19 December 2013.
ANGEL AND THE DEVIL is one of the three stories of Never Had A Dream Come True series. Here is the order: (1) Never Had A Dream Come True, (2) ANGEL AND THE DEVIL and (3) PROMISE ME TOMORROW.
ANGEL AND THE DEVIL
-Never Had A Dream Come True-
CHAPTER ONE
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"Oh, hi Soi Fon."
So finally, her friend got what she'd wished for. She thought, greeting the new resident of the Kumamoto house, who had opened the door for her.
"Hello. Is Yoruichi home?"
"I'm sorry, she's out. But she told me she'll be home very soon." He stepped aside. "Please come in. I'll get something for you to drink. What would you like?"
She walked in and sat down on the sofa, observing Yoruichi's husband. Yoruichi had told her about his surgery and physical therapy. She didn't see a cane or him limping. She was glad for them since he seemed to be recovering well.
"I'm fine, but thank you. How is your injury?"
With a strange facial expression, he looked at her. "I'm almost back to my former self. Thank you for asking."
Surprised, maybe. He must be for they'd never had a real conversation in all the years they both had been friends with Yoruichi and the others. They used to get together in group but she'd always walked behind. She was the youngest and most of the time, their conversations and school subjects had been different from her own.
"That's good then. I hate to see Yoruichi wait on you after years waiting for you." She didn't bother to mask her threat. "You can't find a better wife or mother than Yoruichi, treat her very well. Don't forget her family has great influence and my own isn't far behind."
"I understand. I also know my wife is one of a kind."
He straightened and his gaze on her was steady. That said something about a man's character. Yoruichi's husband wasn't too bad. "I'm glad to hear that. I don't want to see anything other than happiness and smiles on her face. I was tempted to hunt you down when I learned of her miscarriage. Lucky for you that I was on tour and couldn't have come back."
He nodded, self-proclaiming. "I was a scumbag."
"Couldn't agree with you more there. However, you've redeemed yourself when you married her by the law." Seeing his confusion, she elaborated. "Wedding or no wedding, marriage license or not. My dear friend Yoruichi has always considered herself married to you."
"She's very special."
She said nothing but nodded in agreement. She kept her eyes on him, trying to find fault with his person and manners. She couldn't find any. I guess you're smart in love as in business. She admitted defeat, you win, Yoruichi.
"Belated congratulations on your marriage, Kisuke."
Her calling him by his given name must have turned the green light for him. He cleared this throat then said, "Soi Fon, I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to you. Thank you for everything that you'd ever done for Yoruichi. You helped Hisana too. So thank you."
"You're welcome." She chuckled before telling him her condition. "I agreed to help Yoruichi given that she names her firstborn after me."
"What if we only have boys?"
"She said the same thing and I'm telling you what I told her. You two keep trying until you have a girl and name her after me. It's that simple."
"Why don't you marry and have a baby girl yourself and name her Soi Fon Junior."
She couldn't come up with any clever response and so she said, "I can't catch up with you two. Yoruichi and you are diligent at keeping up the booming world population."
"My wife told you?"
The look on Yoruichi's husband was so comical that she could do nothing but laugh. If Yoruichi had been with them, she would have doubled over. She herself would have too, if the jury wasn't out on him still. Laughter subdued, she filled in for him.
"No, Yoruichi doesn't kiss and tell. She didn't even admit her love for you until the very end."
"How did you about us trying for a baby?"
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"Kisuke, where is Fon? I saw her Jeep in the driveway."
"I know her. We've been friends for years. I can tell when she's sad or happy. And when she talks about you, she's different. Not only her body language but her voice changes too when she says your name. So it isn't hard to know when she's in cloud nine."
She and Yoruichi had spoken at once but Kisuke only heard his wife and went to greet her. They greeted each other with a kiss then her friend completely forgot about her.
"Missed me?"
"Yes, a lot." He said as he looked behind Yoruichi for something. "Where is Hisana?"
"Oh. We ran into Uncle at the gate. He took her to the bookstore." Finally the happy, married girl remembered the world around her own husband and herself then back to her guest. Namely her, the forgotten Soi Fon! "Are you sure you're on the right career path, Fon? You sounded more like a relationship therapist than an Air Force officer."
"You think so? Maybe I should change career." Slouching in the sofa, she heaved a long sigh. "I don't know. What about you? Should I buy diapers and formula next time I come visit?"
Yoruichi sat down beside her, crestfallen. "No, it's too early to tell."
"Sorry."
"It's fine. We're still young and have time. He-"
"Err, would you two ladies want something to drink? Refreshment? Something cool or warm?"
What was that about? Surely the grownup man wasn't shy talking about his love life, was he? Maybe he was. Inside she guffawed but calmly declined. "Please don't trouble yourself, but thanks for offering." She turned back to Yoruichi. "How about some coffee at that shop near Studio 35? I need to have my fill while I still can."
"Sure. Kisuke, we're going to be out for afternoon. Uncle and Hisana are going to be out until dinner." Yoruichi walked to his side and said her goodbye with another kiss. "I'll come back with dinner. What would you like?"
"Anything will be fine with me. Call and check with Uncle and Hisana."
"I'll see you before dinner then."
The couple kissed again. Damn. Didn't they have any modicum? They had a guest. Hello? She wanted to remind them but didn't have the heart to. Her friend deserved love and attention from the man she'd always loved. You've found your corner of heaven and I'm happy for you, Yoruichi. I wonder if I'll ever find my own someday. Then the face of the guy who she'd been avoiding like a plague came teasing her again. She shook her head hoping it would disappear but it wouldn't. It only got clearer and more vivid until she yelled, "Get lost already."
"Fon?"
"Huh?"
"Are you well? Need some Advil for your headache? Or should I call Retsu and ask for prescription for your heart condition?"
She had no idea what the crazy in love woman was thinking. So she asked with caution. "Why would I need meds for heart condition? There is nothing wrong with my heart."
"Oh? I thought I heard someone saying something about a thief of hearts. I thought yours has been stolen by that thief and now you have trouble breathing."
"You're getting worse, Yoruichi." She turned to the cause. "Kisuke, what have you done to my friend to turn her into such a drama queen?"
Hands in the air, he justified. "I haven't done anything but loved my wife. Isn't that what you want?"
"Men, they have one-track mind." She rebuked then laughed with her friend. "You've trained him well, Yoruichi."
"Better be. I had more than three decades to sharpen my skills."
Yoruichi's husband was good for he knew when he was outnumbered and not needed. He excused himself from their company to get back to some business planning. But before he left, she poked fun at him again.
"Hey, Yoruichi's husband, let me know when your soldiers succeeded seizing your wife's domain."
Man, that was fun. She couldn't believe it. A grownup and married man like him was blushing at her teasing while she, a single girl didn't feel a thing. Back to her friend who was now laughing her head off, she wondered. "Yoruichi, what have you done to that man? He blushed like a schoolboy."
"Nothing, I swear." Like her own husband earlier, her friend made a case for herself, hands raised. "Now and then, I only remind him he owes me years of loneliness and that he promised me an early Christmas gift."
"You're a genius, my friend. He's your slave for life after what he put you through." She clapped her friend on the shoulder as they walked to her Jeep and choked. Speaking while laughing wasn't smart, but how couldn't she not laugh?
Yoruichi patted her on the back. "Are you OK?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." She answered, still laughing but her laughter faltered when her friend, like a dog with a bone, quizzed her.
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"Who is this heart thief?"
"He's nobody. Just a passing infatuation."
Soi Fon didn't sound too convinced, but she wouldn't press. For now. Like herself, Soi Fon didn't like to discuss love life if not necessary. "Earlier you said you want to have your fill while you still can. Does that mean you won't be back for a long time?"
"Yes, I won't be. I've volunteered for another tour. It's possible that I won't be back until Thanksgiving. Christmas even."
"That long?"
"I know." Soi Fon said as she checked for pedestrians before making the turn for the main street. "You have my apologies in advance if you have a baby and I'm still on tour."
"I understand. Your career is like your marriage, just promise to be safe. It's not wartime, but mechanical failures and accidents happen all the time. I don't want to lose another family again."
"I promise I'll be careful." Briefly, her friend glanced at her abdomen. "I'm sorry about your baby."
"No, I'm sorry you had to hear it from Retsu. I meant to share the good news with you after telling his father." For a few seconds, the lump in the throat blocked her words. "But he left before I could tell either you or Kisuke."
"Retsu had tried really hard before she could reach me but I couldn't take a leave. I believe Uncle didn't know either. You were all alone, I wish I'd been here."
"No, Uncle knew but I didn't know he knew. If I knew he knew, it wouldn't be that depressing. It was terrible. I couldn't tell Uncle and Kisuke had no idea he almost became a father. I felt the kind of sadness I'd never felt before and was so guilty." She reached out and took Soi Fon's outreaching hand. "I'm fine now. It still hurts when we visit our son. But with Kisuke by my side, the loss has become a tender pain and reminder that life is precious. Fon?"
"Yeah?"
"If you ever meet a guy who makes you doubt your outlook on life, reconsider that outlook and consider him." She shook her head when Soi Fon's mouth opened, wanting to differ. "No, Fon, I'm not telling you to drop everything you hold dear and jump into a relationship with him. What I'm telling you, as a dear friend and someone who almost lost a lifetime of happiness, is that you should let your heart have more say in your life. Pride is good to have but too much pride will cut short your path in finding true happiness."
Her friend seemed to be listening while concentrating on her driving. They were stopping at the stop sign and entrance of Waterside Plaza, where the coffee shop was located. She called her friend's name and waited for her make eye contact before she remarked. "You're a great person and friend. I know you would have come to comfort me if you were able. Don't feel bad about it. I know you always think of us back home, that's enough. Thanks for the times you had to listen to my complaints about Kisuke. And thanks for helping me with Hisana. Thank you for everything, my dear, dear friend."
"Are you OK now? I mean it's physically safe for you to get pregnant again."
So like Fon. She hadn't expected anything else from her friend but another brushing off of her thanks. Soi Fon never asked or even wanted gratitude, she only gave and asked nothing in return. Any man who was fortunate enough to make her friend infatuated with must have been a man with great caliber. And her friend had asked if it was safe for her to conceive again. She smiled at her friend's specificity.
"You're like a mother hen. Just like Kisuke. But yes, I'm fine. Kisuke even made me see a specialist."
"Is he treating you well?"
She couldn't keep her smile off as she turned to Soi Fon. "How do I look?"
"You don't have the look of a normal woman or a human being. You look like you've just swallowed the sun." Soi Fon looked at her squarely on the face as she put her Jeep in park. "You're blinding to the eyes with your fixed smile like now."
"Am I?" She asked then laughed for she felt herself smiling broader. "I'm so sorry to outshine you, my friend. Wait until you run into that heart thief, you'll not only swallow the sun but also Mars. You'll feel so warm inside that you must let it out."
"That's unlikely to happen. We'll be hundreds of miles apart." Soi Fon disputed then mumbled. "Rich playboys don't have time or patience to play house."
And Soi Fon walked away as soon as they got out of the car, trying to getting away from the question was forming on her lips. "Fon, who-"
Closemouthed as always, Captain Soi Fon. But you're not going to get away that easily. She threatened Soi Fon's retreating back, entering the shop two steps behind.
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Damn. She shouldn't have asked Yoruichi to come out here with her. She wouldn't have to confront her inner voice again if they had been at Yoruichi's house. Kisuke would distract any unwanted attention Yoruichi might have for her.
They were inside the shop, waiting at their table for their order and Yoruichi didn't give her a break. She opened a can of worms that Soi Fon had tried to keep its lid on these past months.
"Enlighten me, my friend, why is that you a bold speaking, young woman not having a guy friend?"
"I do. Kisuke is one for starters."
"Cross that. A boyfriend."
Eyes on the menu, she queried Yoruichi. "Do I look like a teenager to you? I know I don't look my age but I'm not that young looking."
"Another x mark. Why aren't you involved with anyone? A lover?"
"Lover? Isn't that for the one you love and not the man you sleep with? A sex partner is more like it."
She whispered the former, seeing Michelle, the poor cashier eye them with a tint of blush on the cheeks. And good for Yoruichi, she took the hint and lowered her own voice. "Lover. Bed partner. Sex partner. Doesn't matter. Stop beating around the bush and just answer the question already."
"Simple. Men don't interest me." She left their table as Rebecca, the barista called out their order was ready for pickup. The distance was too short to ready herself for another friendly attack.
"You mean you're not interested in men but women?"
She would have choked on her own coffee if she'd been drinking it. "Hell. What's with you, Yoruichi? Do I look the part?"
"You said men don't interest you." Her irritating friend shrugged one shoulder. "So it was naturally for me to jump to conclusion."
"I meant to say the men I've come across thus far don't interest me." Turning the table, she dealt similar cards. "And tell me why you never had a lover in the years that Kisuke had been away?"
"I found them boring and never loved any of them. And for me, I'd have to love the man to take him as my lover." With a another shrug, her friend sipped a sip of coffee then fluttered her eyelashes. "I flirted and you didn't."
Yoruichi might have said so but she knew that Yoruichi had only flirted to keep up appearance. It'd been unfortunate for other women since Yoruichi had been born with natural sensuality and the men had been interested in seemed to fall for her. And it'd been fortunate for the man she'd been in love with as those smitten men weren't him. She'd stayed on the sideline because he hadn't been there in the field with her. She wanted to tell her that, but she was quick like always and pounded.
"You're secretly in love with someone?"
"Puhplease." She shrugged off. "Me in love? Are you even speaking Earth language, my friend?"
"I'm speaking English and last time I checked it's an universal language. So yeah, it's Earth language that I asked you."
"Well, smarty pants, I'm not a prude if that's what you were curious about. I do kisses and other stuff. Unlike someone who never let a guy other than her own husband to kiss her on the lips. She also happened to be the one girl other girls got so jealous with for her flirting and keeping the guys hot in their pants."
"What is this other stuff?"
Yoruichi sounded more curious than offended. That's good! Not willing to disclose such intimacy, she gave her friend a vague response. "Stuff, you know."
"No, I don't know. Not a minute ago you said I was a prude and didn't do French kiss."
Another dead end. Frustrated, she turned to look out the window as she argued. "You're twisting my words. I said you didn't let them French kiss you. I never said you were a prude."
"You implied it. But that's about me and the past." Elbows on the table and chin in hand, her friend started her interrogation. "I want to know the reason why you've never had a lover. Do you even date?"
"Mrs. Urahara. I know you're madly in love and crazily happy with your husband, but not all are born for marriage and carriage." Imitating her friend's pose, Soi Fon told her with a self-satisfied smile on. "I'm content with my life and solo status."
"You're only content, not happy." Her friend turned dreamy again. "You've never experienced the feeling that you want to stay with another person twenty-four seven. And you can't seem to stop smiling just by thinking about him."
"I think I'll pass. I don't like uncertainty or the feeling of the what-ifs and the might have been. I never want to go through what you went through before he had the courage and claim you. I won't let any man wield that much power over me." She said tartly then shivered inside, hoping she hadn't just jinxed herself. It wasn't that she believed in such hogwash like fate and mythological gods, she told herself. But just to be safe and to appease any boring, devilish God of Love might be hovering nearby, she affixed. "I don't mind being alone."
Yoruichi tapped her hands, flat on the table and apprised her of her own experience. "You'll know when you meet the one. You'll want to tie the knot with him."
Yoruichi stressed that last statement and almost blindfolded, she counterattacked. "Like you said, you have to love a man to take him as a lover. I don't just share my body or bed with someone I don't love. And I'm not in love with any man, so it's normal to stay single and hold on to my singlehood. Gosh, does it still exist in the dictionary? I mean the term singlehood."
"I wouldn't know. I don't care about new slang or up-to-date terms." She almost laughed when Yoruichi waved a hand like an old lady, carrying on. "Let's get back the original discussion. You admit lover isn't and shouldn't be applied to just anyone?"
With great reluctance, she nodded. Damn it. She wanted to curse out loud when her friend kept up her cross examination. "Just admit it that you're no different than me and can't imagine yourself in bed with a guy you have no feelings for. There is nothing to be embarrassed about your lack of sex life. You and I both are late bloomers."
Yoruichi paused to sip some coffee. Yeah, it seemed the lady was tiring. She mentally cheered but her cheer died premature death as the said lady picked up where she'd left off. "I guarantee you it'll worth it when you find the right guy and be glad to share your first time with him."
Before she could tease Yoruichi about the first time, her phone rang. She eyed her friend then took the call. It was from her father.
"Hello, Dad. Yes, I'm with Yoruichi. Of course I can play pool with you. I'll be home," she checked her military wrist watch and it said 13:44, "at seventeen hundred, give or take. Don't worry, freeway 405 won't get bad for another hour or so. I know, Dad. I'll be careful driving. Oh, I forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me. Yes, I'll tell them you said hello." She looked at Yoruichi, finger pointing at her own phone as to relay the greeting. "Bye, Dad. I love you too."
Her friend nodded her understanding then again her friend didn't give up where there was a bone to gnaw on. Eyes dancing with mischief, Yoruichi poked fun. "So, you do know how to say I love you."
"He's my father and the only family I have." Shrugging one shoulder, she tried to appear composed but inside, she wept for the mother she barely remembered. "Dad would feel bad I didn't say it back. He told me he promised Mom to say I love you on her behalf. He's done so all these years since I was three."
"I miss my dad too. Although I barely remember how he looked like in my memory, his laughter hasn't faded." Hands holding hers, Yoruichi comforted. "They'll always be in our hearts."
Hugging her friend back, Soi Fon let out a long sigh then offered. "Yes, they'll be. And now let's us get you home before your husband reports you missing."
They laughed as they walked out of the coffee shop together. When they reached her Jeep, she opened its back door and retrieved a wrapped box from the cargo space. Handing the box to Yoruichi, "It's Hisana's belated birthday gift. Dad reminded me earlier. I meant to have him to give it to her in April, but his trip was cancelled due to some emergency meeting back in D.C."
"You're thoughtful as ever." The happy wife and mommy didn't let a chance to slip her hands. "You'll be a great mommy. Hisana likes you a lot and wouldn't have left with her grandpa if she knew you came."
"My niece is a doll unlike her mommy, who teases if she isn't flirting. I hope your husband is fine with your flirting."
"What are you getting at, Captain Soi Fon?" The girl even acted insulted and feigned brushing off imaginary tears. As if you can deceive me, Mrs. Urahara. She decided to let it go when Yoruichi went back to her normal self, letting her in a secret that she already suspected. "You must know I only flirted to get him on pins and needles and let his true feelings show. It never worked but I'm fine with it for I'm happy now. I now have what I always wanted."
"I'm happy for you too." She winked back at her friend then got in the car. "How is my niece?"
"She's doing better every day."
"Glad to hear. By the way, today is weekday and it's not yet two. Shouldn't Hisana be still in school?"
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They were at the plaza exit to the main street when Yoruichi shook the wrapped gift box. Already a wife and mommy and yet she could still act like a little girl sometime. She wanted to comment on that childish behavior but didn't as Yoruichi turned to her. "Today is Wednesday and school is out at twelve forty-five on Wednesdays. Little kids need to rest their young mind."
"I don't remember we ever got let out that early." Then she remembered Hisana was attending a private school. "I get it. We went to public school and got out at one twenty-five on Wednesdays."
"Your memory is still very good. So, tell me about this passing infatuation of yours for the thief of hearts."
"Will you just please drop that? Damn it, Yoruichi. I shouldn't have gotten you away from your mobile heater." Yoruichi wasn't offended but doubled over and almost hit her head against the dashboard. "Stop that or I swear I'll. Never mind. I don't know what I can do to stop your happiness from spilling over. I'll just get you home as quickly as I can and let you get laid again."
"Ha ha." Holding onto her stomach, her friend didn't stop laughing and only laughed harder. Then she said between laughter. "I think Kisuke would have kissed you to thank you for getting me where he wants me to be."
Horrified, she yelled at her friend. "You'd better keep him away from me, Yoruichi. Doesn't matter it's a thank-you or friendly kiss, I just don't kiss my friend's man."
"I was just kidding." The crazy girl finally got herself under control and patted her on the arm. "Don't worry, Fon. Like you saw him earlier, Kisuke is a sheep in wolf's skin. He never went out on a date before me."
"Poor you."
"Why am I to be pitied?"
"Neither of you had been with anyone else." Now, my friend Yoruichi, it's time to have my revenge. It tastes sweet. "It's like you two are walking in the dark. Are you sure you know what goes where, honey?"
"What do you take us for? Three and five? We almost had a baby and so you know we know what goes where." Then she laughed. "Trust me, Fon, these things come naturally. Sometime I almost beg him to let me get some sleep. I'm glad Hisana is on the far side of the house and away from us."
"Just almost, huh? Are you sure one man is enough for you? I have subordinates who are really good looking and have great experience too. Want me to introduce them to you?" The crazed girl didn't only laugh but cackled like an evil witch. What was so funny about what she'd said that Yoruichi laughed as she never had before?
"OK. Let's hear it."
"Hear what?"
"Why you're cackling."
"Are you sure you want to know?"
She almost said No, I'm not sure; but the daring gleam in her friend's eyes spurred her on. "Bring it on, crazy girl."
"It's you and your bold talk. If I didn't know you well, I would have thought you had at least a few flings." Soi Fon half wanted to turn around and demand Rebecca to know what had been put in Yoruichi's cup that made her this crazed. "You didn't go behind my back and got yourself laid, did you?"
Seriously, she was tempted to toss her crazy friend out of the car when they stopped at the intersection. "Why would I have to go behind your or anyone's back to get laid? And what if I did? Do you have a problem with that, smarty pants?"
"Nope." Head shaking, her friend surrendered with hands upfront. "Of course I don't have any problem with you finding your happiness. I only thought you'd share your momentous moment with me like I shared mine with you."
"You didn't share anything but told me over the phone that 'Fon, you know what, he's mine now'. How does that sound to you?"
"I know I didn't share the specifics, but at least I let you know when I had mine." Her friend didn't look guilty but faulted her instead. "And you, my friend, didn't share anything. Not the month or even the year. I thought we were the best of friends."
Yoruichi sounded disappointed. She felt bad for Yoruichi wasn't only a friend but like a sister she never had. Hands slapping the wheel, she turned to the passenger's seat and shouted. "Fine. I'll tell." But not the whole truth, my friend. It hadn't turned out as she'd planned for her words came out low. "I have a thing for this one guy. Happy now?"
"Not really."
What the hell! What else does the crazed girl want now? "What?"
"I'll be happier when you introduce your husband to me," said her friend then laughed again.
Is she a clown or something? Damn. She cursed her bad luck to come visit her crazy friend. She wanted to voice her frustration, but they had made it back to Yoruichi's house. She was saved! Not looking forward to another cross examination, she turned her Jeep around the minute Yoruichi was clear from the vehicle.
"Tell my niece I said hello and that I sorry to have missed her tenth birthday. And Yoruichi, take care. OK?"
She said through the window as her friend waved, "I will. You take care too. And Fon, don't forget what I said about reconsideration."
"You won't let me hear the end of it." She mumbled to herself then cursed. "Hell and damnation. Why did that thief have to appear when Yoruichi was around?"
She would never find the answer for she wouldn't allow it. Even if she had to go on long tours just to stay away from temptation and that thief. Enough of the thief. She told herself as she turned on the radio as loud as its volume wouldn't break her eardrums. She found the songs they play relaxing then her mood soured, hearing the latest song. She had her index finger on the switch meaning to turn the radio off but it stayed still. And so the song lyric and its music intertwined with the light breeze drifting in from the open windows, luring her senses.
There's a boy I know, he's the one I dream of
Looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above
Ooh I lose control, can't seem to get enough
When I wake from dreaming, tell me is it really love
How will I know (Don't trust your feelings)
How will I know
How will I know (Love can be deceiving)
How will I know
How will I know if he really loves me
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