CLOUDS AND DURT

CHAPTER 1: Fist there was…

Once upon a time, two breeds coexisted the blue planet; demons and angels. However, neither were good or bad, only the history would determine which one is what. Normally, they lived apart and didn't mind one another, but sometimes, two different breeds would share passionate feelings and couples would give birth to a human baby. They grew up between two worlds unaware they would be the next generation of life. However, Hell's population were deeply afraid of Heaven's society and so were angels by demons. So a war exploded between the two breeds and demons lost. They became the flea of Earth. They would be persecuted, being the mean ones and they were forced to hide deep inside caverns and cavities. They perished. Each one of them died leaving no survivors, but a dark legend around their existence.

Angels continued to live in Heaven peaceful since no other sword could be pointed at them. They were wrong. Humans began to see themselves as perfect master breed. They had both demons' and angels' abilities, but most of them didn't know how to use them. However, they were holding both breeds' flaws. Men saw themselves as a perfect mix, but they angels and demons' bloods were not equally share in them. Brown and grey eyes meant demon blood was the bigger part of them. Blue and green (more like blue-green) orbs indicate the human was closer to Heaven. Finally, brown-green eyes were the sign their holders were perfectly balanced, but they are rare. Avid of power, Humans invaded Heaven, but were defeated by angels like demons were. Somehow, they saw their weaknesses and asked for a deal: they wanted peace and balance coexistence. And here begins the story…

A shadow was making its way trough the night. Hiding in the clouds, he searched for his way. His emerald eyes shined in the darkness and a pleasant smile crossed his face when a soft wind caressed his cheek.

-Good night, mother.

In the dark, you could believe his shoulder's length hair was black, but in fact, it was dark blue. However, his feathered wings were completely black. Finally, the young man decided to go back home. He flew silently to a castle surmounting a magnificent valley crossed by a peaceful river and reach to his room. Once inside his apartments, his wonderful wings disappeared in a whisper and the young man headed to his bed. He slowly fell asleep, his mind opening to an other world.

The young man dream

Light. Everywhere. A figure stands before him. Her slender form his covered by a pure white dress so delicate, her curves show perfectly. Beautiful wings that look like snow silently flap behind her moving slightly her blond shoulder's length hair. Her skin seems pale even in this light. The young man at last went to her and placed himself beside her. They slowly faced each other. Her eyes were burning in this white coldness and showed surprise; pure amber.

-Why are you in my dreams, mister, huh?

The young man was taken back. Her tone was a little bit harsh like if she was annoyed. The truth is, he didn't know the answer.

-I don't know miss, I do have the faculty to travel in others dreams and to read the mind the ones I want to, but I don't know why I came to you when I don't even know you.

-How convenient… Who are you to have such abilities?

-I'm a half-breed. Half human, half angel.

-Show me.

-Why?

-I want to see them. I want to admire them.

She was asking, but it almost sounded like an order. An urge to see, a curiosity were melting in her voice and somehow, he wanted to show her. His black wings appeared.

-They are so…

-Evil?

-No…beautiful. If white is the mix of all colors, then black is the lack of them so they complete each other don't they? Plus, black is emptiness, so aren't your wings the true purity?

-Who told you that?

The girl huffed at that like if she was insult.

-I'm a big girl and can think by myself, you know.

-No, I'm sorry, it's not I meant. I mean, aren't you an angel.

-Yeah.

-So don't you hate humans and half-breeds?

-What!? How can you believe that!?

-My fath… People told me that since I'm a baby.

-You've been lied to, mister. Or at least, my family doesn't think that.

-I'm… I'm glad.

-(Laugh) You're cute you know that.

-Some girls told me that quite often.

-Oh! Aren't we proud of ourselves!

-No, I didn't intended to…

-It's alright, I'm kidding. Are you always that shy?

At this, a smirk appeared on his face. No, he wasn't, but this girl…she was on her territory not his, if he would ever meet her again, he would act…differently.

-Who knows? Maybe I am, maybe I am not.

-Who are you, mister Mystery?

-I'm …

Before he could give an answer, her feature slowly disappeared, a smile playing on her soft pink lips and a promise of a new meeting in her eyes.

The young man opened delicately his eyes wishing to keep in his memory her delicious face forever. Then, a servant knocked on the door and made his entrance.

-Prince Asuran, your father, the king, wishes to leave rapidly for heaven so he requests for you to be ready at noon; this leaving you two hours.

-Tell my father I will be ready.

-As you wish, sir.

Prince Asuran Zala, son of Leonire and Patrick Zala, king of Humanity: that is his identity.

At noon, Asuran was ready to go and was standing in the middle of a star drawn into a perfect circle. He could have fly to Heaven, but it would have been long and Asuran would have look like a mess. Plus his father couldn't fly and nobody should ever remind him because being not able to do something is the worst thing you could remind king Patrick Zala. Knowing his father was always so silent, the young boy brought a book on the Celestial world. He wanted to know more about his mother, but neither this should be told to his father; the subject was kind of…delicate. The 4 barons and their sons, the king and the prince would get in Heaven after about one hour. Sure, it's quite long, but this way of travelling requires a lot of power, plus they were in no hurry.

When everybody were all set and in the circle, a chant enveloped them and they disappeared silently. Asuran felt himself like he was floating and he almost fell asleep 4 times during his lecture. However, his father kept a hard face. He looked like a statue. The others barons just seemed interested in the scenery of Earth and one of the other boys, Nicol, was quite interested in Asuran book so they read together during the hour. The three other young men, Shinn, Yzak and Dearka, just talked of politic (Yeah… hate politic).

Finally, they arrived not too gently on a white marble floor. The Emperor of Heaven, Uzumi Yula Atha, and his son, Kira, were there to receive them. They invited the groups to go in their rooms so they could refresh themselves a little bit and then start the meeting at 2 p.m. They cordially accepted and went were they were told to.

One hour later, a servant went to get and lead the group to the meeting room. There, the leaders discussed about the issues of the deal and after four hours they finally both agreed to the clauses. It was about time because the daughter of the Emperor who reminded someone to Asuran was about to fall asleep. Not that it didn't interest her, but she couldn't concentrate on this meeting: something obsessed her, a blue haired boy. During almost all the meeting Asuran could see the young blond girl, her eyes on the sheets, but her mind elsewhere and he almost read every thoughts she had.

When they went to the dinner room, it was already decorate as if a ball was scheduled. Some guests were already dancing, others were drink some vines… As soon Uzumi arrived in the room, he lifted his arms and announced solemnly the deal was made and signed. Peace had finally come. Everyone cheered and the musicians started a new joyous song. The guests settled down for dinner and the servants came with the food. When the meal was done, the Emperor once again made an announcement.

-My dear subjects, today is a great day for we have finally achieve to obtain peace. Thanks to the initiative of Humans, we were able to come we a pact and we won't break it! For peace and for love of the future let's be friendly or at least civilise to Humans. They are part of us as we are part of them! I wish us both luck and prosperity.

-I appreciate your speech Emperor Yula Atha and my people will behave for we are strong and proud. Prosperity!

-Thank you King Zala.

At this, everyone acclaimed and went for the dance floor. Prince Kira invited his fiancée Lacus, but stop to say something to her sister.

-Cagalli, won't you dance as everyone else?

-Are you stupid? I can't even walk with those damn shoes. Lacus how do you support this? Plus, the dress is to long, somebody will walk on it, that's for sure!

-Cagalli! Shush! Watch your language! Dad is near, plus what an impression you will do on our guests.

At that, she huffed and the couple went to the dance floor. Asuran was watching and didn't miss a thing. An angel, princess of Heaven, was cursing? That's sure was interesting. So Asuran got up and headed to her. He kneeled beside her and started to whisper so she was the only one to hear.

-So we meet again, Miss.

She turned rapidly her head and her eyes suddenly shined brightly. How can he be here!

-Why! I'm really hurt you hadn't noticed me sooner; after all, I'm your dream man, am I not?

-I…I…You are certainly not as shy as in my dream. Plus, don't you know it's rude to read people's mind?

-Well, I now have the upper hand and I'm not reading people's mind, only yours. Yours is so interesting. Plus, we sort of already met in your head, so one more time won't hurt, don't you agree?

-And if one time was enough and I didn't wish you to see what's in my head, what should I do.

-Then, talk to me. No. Dance with me.

-I'm sorry I have to decline your invitation.

-Then I'm happy to tell you that you are quite beautiful yourself.

-Let's dance.

-As you wish, princess.

Asuran laughed and took delicately her hand. They went to the dance floor and started a waltz. This didn't go unnoticed by both kings. Uzumi knew her daughter didn't care about the differences and was happy to see a great symbol of friendship between both kingdoms. However, Patrick Zala didn't like it one bit: his son was already too nice, thanks to the celestial blood; he didn't need a grandson who would only smile all the time, but he show nothing and realised it could have it's advantages.

Back to Cagalli and Asuran, he would always tease her by some commentaries about how she was acting so shy when, in the dream, she didn't care about what she says. Finally, Cagalli had enough to be red in front of everybody so she excused herself and went to the birds' room. Asuran wasn't really invited, but he felt in her head even if she tried not to think of it that deep inside she wanted to know more about him. Kira saw them leave and questioned his father with his eyes. Uzumi smiled to him: he had nothing to worry about.

Cagalli walk to a room and then disappeared when she flew to the ceiling. Impressed, Asuran went to where she was standing and saw a hole where she vanished. He let his wings appeared and fallowed her. She was there: her light blue dress floating as if it were made of wind. There were no walls and no windows only bars taken by birds. Cagalli was petting an eagle.

-Of all the birds here, you choose an eagle?

-Yep.

-Why?

-If you come near me, it will attack you.

-What if you come to me?

-Why would I do that?

-Because you're intrigued by me.

-Maybe.

-And you want to touch my wings see if they are as soft as they look.

-Stop reading my mind…

She pouted and he chuckled softly.

-I didn't read your mind. I just looked into your pretty eyes and took a chance.

-Oh…You're a snake.

-No, in fact I'm a dragon, what about you?

-Hum…snake.

-(chuckle) So you are…

-Sixteen going on seventeen. And you are eighteen, ne?

-Indeed.

-You are…strange, prince Asuran.

-Asuran will do and you are special, princess.

-Cagalli is my name. I don't like being called princess.

So you're not luckily born.

-Depends…

-Hum? Oh, that's really nice of you, Cagalli.

-Argh!

-What? I wanted to know and I'm flattered I'm the reason you feel lucky to be born princess.

-I…you are not the only reason…

-I have no doubt about it. Still afraid of me?

-No…

-Then why are you shaking?

-I feel something.

Cagalli then got nearer and started to touch Asuran's wings. They were so soft; like silk! She then faced the prince and touched his face. Something happened between the two young adults. A strong wind circled around them and they were crushed on one another. When the wind fell down, Cagalli was violently shaking now and was panting hard. Asuran tried his best to calm her down, holding her so she would feel his presence.

-Cagalli, just breathe in, breathe out. Tell me, what happened?

-So…that's how…that's how he felt?

Felt? Yes, he had felt something. Like if the greatest thing in the world was given to him, like if the world had exposed it's most treasured secret to him. Like if the most important person for him was inside of him and they were only one. This last comment might almost be true.

-Cagalli, please, talk to me. I'm a bit lost here.

-You don't know? You don't… my brother and Lacus felt it, they experimented this…this means…

-Hello. Asuran to Cagalli: I need explanations.

-Oh!… Yeah, right. The things is…

At this moment, a servant came in and when the couple realised his presence, Cagalli hastily backed away from Asuran. The prince was not ready to kill, but almost. He is really curious and wanted to know what surprised the princess so violently. The servant announced their presences were requested by the Emperor to do not be rude to the guests. He's lying. My father asked him to get us, not Cagalli's.

-Thank you, we are coming in a few moments.

-The servant flew back inside.

-Cagalli, what happened?

-Huh? Oh! Hum, nothing, just forget it. We are bonded; we are souls mate. I feel so…

-Full of life?

-What? Oh, no! You didn't!

-You wouldn't tell me and I was right to do so.

-I didn't want you…

-To be attracted by you only because of that.

-No…no…that's not it…

-Yes, it is, but do not fear, it will never happen.

-Oh.

-Because you pleased me since that dream.

He then walked to her and enveloped her waist by his arms. Her breath cut and her heart skipped a beat. Slowly, he reached for her lips, but she could almost feel his soft ones on hers, she silently whispered they needed to go back to the ball. This seriously broke the moment, but Asuran just laughed a little bit and offered her his arms. They exited the birds' room and headed to the ballroom. The ball was still happy and loaded with energy.

Cagalli saw her father looking at her and remark that beside him, king Zala seemed a little frustrated. Asuran noticed it and reed his father's mind. It was so chaotic! He knew his son was trying to see through him and tried to hide he was thinking, but the boy saw it wasn't really happy and sweet. What was his father planning?