If you want a better idea about the story, please watch or listen to the song "Alluring Secret: Black Vow". It is about an angel who falls in love with a human, but since such feelings are forbidden, the angel changes itself in order to be with their beloved. It ends sadly, though. So don't expect much happiness here, either...! ;u;

I would greatly appreciate reviews as well! Please enjoy!

*Previous realm = Afterlife, where those who die go

For the prosperity of both, we celestial beings are strictly forbidden to harbor any feelings of love, desire, or lust towards a member of the human race.

Those responsible for breaking this sacred law will be severely punished.

I: Pandora's Box

It was rather amusing to think that, down on the earthly realm, humans believed that celestial beings existed within a paradise atop the clouds, where God and His angels spent their days basking in the pureness of all that existed in the universe. In actuality, this concept of heaven couldn't be more wrong. Rather than kingdoms settled upon clouds, where God and His angels harmoniously dwelt, there was space - an endless supply of it for all them to coexist without intruding upon the domains of humanity. There were also no choirs of cherubs singing in marvelous symphonies, nor were there any breathtaking sites of gold, marble, or other valued substance. The celestial realm - or heaven, as humans often referred to it as- was simply endless space.

And because it was merely space and nothing more than that, the angels who weren't on missions from God were often gripped with an overwhelming sense of boredom. They were eager to embark on any assigned work, be it battling enemies and demons, standing guard by the previous realm* or simply blessing a human in response to a desperate prayer. If they weren't on duty, they were simply picking up idle chit chat with each other, existing in their realm where everything was pure and untainted by the hands of the living. Without any form of corruption, there was little to discuss, but they had managed to press on since the beginning of time, after all.

They just needed to continue on until things came to an end - whenever that would be.

"Tabris," one spoke, "You haven't been to the world below in quite some time, have you?"

The one known as Tabris looked over at the other, a small, relaxed smile curved at his lips. "No, I haven't. There are plenty of others who have yet to be assigned, so I figured I would let them have a chance." He paused, his ruby eyes filled with a sense of wonder. "Lilin are interesting creatures. It would be a shame for one of us to never see them."

"Lilin... Humans... I must admit to finding them odd. They place all their hopes with us, believing we to be the only beings capable of divine power, when they themselves..." The other angel trailed off, his tone dripping with boredom at the subject. It was an over-discussed topic that really didn't need saying. "Anyhow, it is rumored that you'll be sent to the earthly realm soon. I overheard it from one of the more elite angels... I don't believe it is in their nature to be wrong about what is to be done with us, so I suggest preparing yourself for the travel down. Landing is always rough, thanks to the barrier between our worlds."

Tabris sighed and closed his eyes, nodding in agreement. "I suppose I should. Thank you for informing me - you really killed some time for us both. That is something any angel will appreciate greatly."

Another smile curled at his lips.

Something is missing in my life. I just wish I knew what it was.

A harsh yank on the ear pulled the young man, Shinji Ikari, away from his distant thoughts and back to reality. His earlobe was continually pulled upon by the fiery girl that stood beside him, and much to his disappointment, she didn't look ready to let go anytime soon. "What were you thinking about now, you idiot? We're getting married in a week, and there's no time to go off daydreaming! Do you want the wedding to fall apart? Do you want me to plan everything for you? Lazy pig."

"A-Ah, Asuka, please let go of my ear... I was just thinking about a few things. Nothing's going to go wrong, I promise," he pleaded to his fiancée, attempting to wiggle his way out of her firm grasp. Alas, she was much stronger than he was, as it has always been between the two, and her attack on his ear soon spread to his nose, which she gave a sharp yank on as well. She was obviously in no mood to hear any of what Shinji had to say. "P-Please let go!"

"And why should I?" Asuka retorted. "You've paid no real attention to what I've been saying. Why should I listen to what you have to say? I don't want to hear your pathetic words anymore. Shut up."

With that, she released him, causing him to stumble back a bit in efforts to avoid any further attacks from his bride-to-be. Asuka smirked at the sight of Shinji cowering from her, and with a dry laugh, she turned and focused her attention on the church they stood in once more. It was a small, local church with not much to offer - but it was the only church in the area that was founded upon the name of a German saint, and that was crucial for this particular wedding. The irritable young woman wouldn't stop complaining if their wedding took place in a church or shrine that was distinctly Japanese. She sniffed at the idea, despite how she was partially Japanese herself. "Alright, listen up, Shinji, 'cause I'll only say it once. Once I come up here on the altar, you recite your lines, and after that I'm going to perform my piece."

There was an awkward silence, followed by a meek, "What will you be singing, again? Sorry, Asuka, I forgot..."

"Why am I not surprised? Tch. It'll be a surprise for you, then, but it's definitely a German song. I want to have a grand performance before I'm married, so that everyone will talk about this wedding for ages. It'll be perfect."

Perfect for you, anyway.

Shinji pushed aside his bitter thoughts and nodded at the other, forcing himself to smile in reply to her sharp words. It was something he had accustomed himself to doing whenever he spoke with her. Their conversations usually consisted of him being lectured and yelled at, followed by complaints and exclamations of frustration as he failed to respond in the way Asuka wanted him to. She demanded perfection, and all Shinji could offer her was his broken shell, which she was obviously displeased with on a daily basis. It was a true wonder how they were going through with the wedding at this point. After all, most people would back out of nonsensical relationships such as theirs way before the point of engagement, but Shinji was a fool, and a fool he always would be. It would be impossible for him to find another person willing to love him - if what they shared was even love.

"Yes, of course. I want everything to be perfect on our day, Asuka," he replied with a tinge of sarcasm. "But wouldn't that be more appropriate at the reception? People don't like sitting too long at services. Your singing will be appreciated more afterwards... Right? I mean..."

Ignoring what he had to say, the redhead turned around and went back to examining the altar, as if she were looking for some sort of faults to find with it. She wasn't going to risk tripping over or stumbling on her big day. If there was something wrong with the place, she would have to do something about it. As she went about her examinations, Shinji bit his lip and took a few steps back, not wanting to be any closer to her.

Is this really what I'll be stuck with until I die? Constant judgement and criticism? I don't want her... Not her... I want... I want someone else...

Sure, Asuka was beautiful and talented, and it was a wonder how she could stick with someone as bland and spineless as Shinji, but behind her amazing exterior lurked something dark and saddening - a sort of loneliness and anger that the poor young man didn't know how to treat. He was still trying to sort through his own issues. With Asuka... Well, she sorted through her issues with violence and anger, and that was something he really couldn't handle. It was painful for him. But it would be more painful to be left alone.

I don't want to be alone. Please, God, I don't want to be alone...

"Hey, I'm going to go use the toilet."

"Hurry back. I'm not going to wait if you take too long."

Shinji nodded and turned, eager to leave and head towards the restrooms, which were located in the hallway outside the church center. He felt a breath of relief escape him as he continued further and further away from the girl, and eventually, as he closed the church doors behind him, he closed his eyes and smiled nervously. It was like crawling out from underneath the pressure Asuka constantly pushed upon him. Such a dizzy, weightless feeling.

Opening his eyes, he took a step forward, heading towards the restroom to wash his face, only to pause and take a long look at what was sitting right before him. His blue-grey eyes widened in surprise. A boy? No - much older than that. It was a man, probably around his age, maybe a little older, sprawled across the marble floors of the lobby. Panic seized Shinji, and he was instantly by the mysterious person's side, regardless of whatever the trouble was. "A-Are you okay? Hello? H-Hello...?!"

He reached down and took hold of the other's pale, bony wrist in attempts to stir him, only to feel a twitch rouse from the other, followed by a slight groan. Relief and worry flooded through him at the same time. "Hey, are you... Do I need to call an ambulance? I-I probably should, shouldn't I?"

"No... There is no need..."

The pale young man let out a soft sigh before sitting up, acting as if he had never been passed out on the floor in the first place. He opened his eyes, revealing their unnatural, ruby color, and glanced at Shinji with a small smile. "I appreciate you worrying about me, though. I had a bit of a fall, I suppose. I'm alright now." He reached up and brushed his silver hair away from his eyes. It was odd for a person of his age to have such a hair color, but then again, he was probably an albino. The worried groom-to-be kept this in mind, and realized the condition would explain his pale and fragile features as well.

"A-Ah, I'm just glad you're okay...!" Shinji reddened slightly with embarrassment. Was he acting strange? Maybe he had overreacted. Or maybe he was just being awkward, as usual. "I, uh, sorry. I wasn't expecting to see you on the floor like that, so I thought that you were badly hurt."

"Mm. Please, don't worry about me. I feel perfectly fine," the stranger replied, his smile remaining on his face, "Sorry to trouble you like this... Oh, might I ask what your name is? If you don't mind, that is."

He looked at Shinji with an emotion the other couldn't quite place, but he nodded, seeing that there was no reason to hold his name back. Incidents like this surely happen for a reason. "Sure... Um, my name is Ikari. Shinji Ikari. You can call me by either, I suppose. I... I've never been one for those distant formalities. Can I ask what your name is, too?"

There was a moment of silence between the two before the ruby-eyed stranger closed his eyes and replied in the sweetest of voices, "Nagisa. Kaworu Nagisa. It is a pleasure to meet you, Shinji."