Don't hurt me, but I thought that getting this up and finished first would be a better idea. Who here remembers Born Again? The story I wrote, 5 chapters, about Misha losing her memory 'n stuff? Well, finally, here's the sequel to it. (There's an obvious pairing of Miya and a cetrain blondie... guess who?)

The Accursed
Chapter One

Three months had passed since the angel known as "Sasha" had read a decree from something called the "PTB", concerning her future in the Human Realm. Whenever Miya stopped to think about that she surprised herself. It felt as though a lot less time had passed than that, like for whatever reason time had just sped up without warning and suddenly she was jolted into next week.

"Hey, Miya-san, Higuchi-san is here to pick you up!" her boss, and owner of the Café tricot, called from the other room.

Looking up from her task at hand, Miya smiled broadly and called back, "that you, Sir! I'll be out in a minute!"

Though the PTB had decided that she would live in the Human Realm for the time being, they had been sloppy in getting her set up. Yes, they got her back into her old apartment, but it was unfurnished and none of her belongings were transferred over for at least a month and a half; they got the basics of her papers and I.D. set, but never told her if she would be attending school or not.

During those uneasy months there had been more attacks against angels, all resulting in deaths, and the angels in Heaven were scared. That was what was making the process so sloppy. And she didn't feel like she could hold that over them; for a long time, she was scared, too.

So instead of school—Takashi and Koboshi both agreed with Kotarou that she would have been graduated—she was set up with a waitressing-slash-dishwashing job at the tricot. Takashi pulled it in as a favour with his uncle to help her out. And she liked the job, too. She enjoyed working with the people, and with her boss, Kosuke Ayanokoji.

Kosuke was a friendly man who enjoyed reminiscing and laughing about 'the old days', even if they really weren't that old at all. He made her feel welcome immediately, and often told her stories about her antics as "Misha" within the café.

She finished drying the last dish and placed it in the safety of the cabinet. She happily burst out of the kitchen and into the diner, eager to see Kotarou. He was sitting at the front counter, talking to Takashi and Kosuke. He was smiling and drinking. He looked so happy that it brought a smile to her face.

"Yo, Miya-chan!" Takashi greeted her, raising his glass of water towards her. He then gave her his usual greeting, "Lookin' good, girl."

She bowed her head a little and gave her usual reply, "Thank you, Taka-kun."

"If you're done those dishes, Miya-san, you can go home now," Kosuke offered. He appeared to be washing a glass from the bar, himself. "You've had a busy day. Go home a rest."

"Oh, yes sir," she replied with a smile, "I will."

Still smiling, she danced over to Kotarou, who still had yet to greet her. He smiled coldly at her before standing up and causally motioning for her to follow him outside. He hadn't said anything yet, and that was a bad sign. He was almost always so warm, and he always gave her a hug when he first saw her. If he didn't, it meant that he was angry or upset with her. She felt a little uneasy knowing that he was about to go off on her.

"Um, Kotarou-kun, wait for me!" she called after him. She took a moment to turn back and wave to the other two men. "Kosuke-san, Taka-kun, I'll see ya! Su."

"See ya, Miya-chan!" she heard Takashi call after her.

Miya snatched her winter jacket from the coat rack and ran out after Kotarou. Immediately she was glad that she was putting it on as the cold air and wind began an all out assault on her. She shivered, and easily caught up to Kotarou, who actually hadn't waited for her.

He was mad at her. She had no idea why, but he clearly was upset. With her.

"Kotarou-kun..." she said softly once she caught up to him and catched his unusually fast pace. "Are ya mad at me?"

"What gives you that impression?" he replied, his voice as cold and bitter as the winter wind.

She frowned deeply at that. In the cafe he seemed so happy. Now he was cold and angry and moody, and as she racked her mind for an answer, she came up with only one thing: the beginnings of a headache.

Looking away she said, "nevermind then." She snuck a glance at her watched and added, "it's almost ten-thirty. Su."

"So?"

"So, there's something I wanted to pick up," she explained. That much was true. She had made plans to pick up a book from her favourite book store that night. She'd put it on order a few weeks before, and recieved the call for it's arrival just before she set off for work.

A tired sigh escaped Kotarou. "Can't this wait until tomorrow?"

Miya shook her head.

"Nuh-uh. I made a promise to show up tonight." She gave him a smile when he frowned deeply at her. "Don't worry, I can get there on my own. You've still got homework, right? It'll be okay."

Kotarou stopped walking. Miya stopped a few steps later. He was quiet for a long while, staring at her the whole time. He didn't seem angry anymore. A little concerned, but not angry.

"Why didn't you tell me that you fainted?"

"Fainted?" she repeated, trying to keep the surprise out of her voice. That's it... Sasha-san told him...

"Don't play stupid with me, Misha," he growled, taking a step towards her. "You're pushing yourself! Day and night you just keep pushing and pushing until you collapse!"

Miya crossed her arms over her chest. Anotehr factor decided by the PTB was that Kotarou, in order to fulfill his job as her guardian, was that he needed to see angels again. He agreed. The ability to see teh "supernatural" was thus returned to Kotarou Higuchi, and Sasha kept in contact with him.

But they always discussed matters that concerned her, and never let her become involved.

"Like I told Sasha-san, I'm fine," she nearly yelled. "It was nothing! You guys worry way too much about me!"

That was all the fire she had at that moment. She knew that fainting in her apartment, with only Sasha around--who could do nothing to help her--was a big deal, and she couldn't just make nothing out of it. She had also neglected to tell Kotarou about it, and he'd obviously been hoping, trusting, that she would. And then there was the fact that they also were working endlessly on a cure for her curse, and she was always ungrateful. It was hard to stay mad at someone when they did so much for you.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, looking away. "I just didn't want to worry you."

"Well you did," he snapped. He paused, seeming to hesitate, and walked up towards her. "I know you didn't mean to worry me, Misha, but you have to tell me when those things happen. Otherwise I have to worry. I'll think 'What else isn't she telling me?'"

She nodded slowly. "I know, Kotarou-kun, I know... I just..." She looked up at him, feeling as though her heart was being crushed. You'd wonder why, and I can't tell you.

She bounced up to him and giggled, as if recovered from the arguement. She threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. She closed her eyes and sighed against his neck.

"I don't want you to worry about those things, Kotarou-kun," she told him. "If Sasha-san finds a cure, then I'll have to leave you. I... I don't want to leave you, Kotarou-kun."

"Misha..." he replied, sounding as though he might cry. His arms slowly wrapped around her waist and he hugged her hard to his body, as if letting go wouldn't be an option. "We'll always be together."

She pulled back, just enough to give him a smile. "You go home and finish your homework. I'll check in when I get back."

He opened his mouth as if to say something, then hesitated, and closed his mouth again. He rested his forehead against hers and nodded slightly.

"Okay."

She smiled, then kissed him lightly.

"I'll see you soon."