A/N - Chapter 2 ! Just so you know, I may jump one or two things…hey it's a fan fic, things can't be perfect -_-. Some scenes are from episodes, others are of my own creation and folly. Also, review about the story, not the grammar ! i know there are mistakes, but hey, no one is perfect -_- there are far worse out there !

Underworld –

In the depths of Hells, Crane Yuzuria, Unicorn Yato and Pegasus Tenma ran for their lives. Having achieved their objective: rescuing Tenma from the clutches of death, and plucking the mysterious Mokurenji tree fruit, it was now time to go home, back to the land of the living.

Returning to the Banks of Hell once more, Crane Yuzuriha skidded to an unpredictable halt, abruptly turning to once more face the very direction she had just come from. Yato, barely the unconscious Tenma on his side, barely avoided crashing into her."Yuzuriha, what're wrong? Why are we stopping, Tenma doesn't have much time-"

"We're being followed…" She spoke seriously, glaring off into the distance of the tunnel they were about to exit. There was no one in sight, however her fighting posture begged to differ. A single tense moment slipped, before finally she relented her stance.

Yato looked skeptical. He could not sense anyone. But experience had taught him quickly not to discard Yuzuriha so quickly. Attentively he peered round, shifting Tenma's weight once more to balance him. "By Who? Specters?" Already they had run into their share of trouble. It was a miracle an army of Hades ghouls were not set upon them. The three headed hell hound Cerberus, was more than enough fun to handle.

Yuzuriha adjusted her favored scarf as she spoke, more aloud thoughts than actual statements. "I'm not sure…I don't recognize the Cosmos…It was only brief."

Tensing Yato thought of the worse. "You think we could be ambushed?"

"No…" Yuzuriha determined, decisively. "If their intention was to attack, they would have done so by now…for now it seems they are just observing"

Yato blinked, shuffling his hold on Tenma once more "Observing what? Us?". The thought seemed strange. Only the souls of dead wandered the Underworld, and they paid no heed to the walking strangers. The only other inhabitance were Specters. And if Yuzuriha was correct, Specters wouldn't be watching, they would be attacking. The situation was unnerving. Tenma once more bordered on Death's final door. "What are we waiting for then, let's go!" Yato took off ahead of her, heading towards the staircase tunnel exit, with Yuzuriha following soon after.

However the looming shadow of a mammoth Specter stopped them in their tracks. In a loud sneering manner, the giant spoke, threateningly stepping forward as he did so. "Saints, did you think you could escape so easily?" Standing well over 6ft the mega man loomed over the trio, encased head to toe in black Beetle like armor. As always, the proud Specter disclosed his name openly as, "Celestial Ugliness star, Deadly Beetle Stand!"

Advancing towards the troubled trio, the giant buy man continued to speak moronically, declaring, "I thought I sensed the waterfall of blood being destroyed. I came to look and it seems I'm stumbled across some scurrying saints. I don't know how you managed to get so far but your journey ends now". Lifting the thunder mass of his foot, the Specter, charged with Cosmos slammed it devastatingly hard back down to the ground "Die!", he chanted, "Die! Die" repeatedly he swung his massive fistst towards the trio. Yuzuriha agilely dodging whilst Yato ducked and tumbled to the ground, rolling out of the way with Tenma still supported against him, unconscious. Time was soon to run out.

"Yuzuriha!" Yato finally shouted with urgency, quickly slumping Tenma into her hold before recoiling away to avoid a boot being swung his way "Take Tenma and get back to the sanctuary! I'll hold keep this guy busy!". Distracted, watching his comrades fade away in escape; Yato was struck hard by the boulder sized fist swung at him by the raging Bug Specter. Crumpled on the ground in pain, Yato shakily glared towards the cackling villain. "Oi, what happened to all that spunk?"

Jeered at again, Yato slowly rose to recover his foot, defiantly shouting, "Don't underestimate me, you overgrown dung bug!"

Twitching in annoying, heated with anger the specter crushed his foot onto the smaller saint, forcing pressure down onto the boy's small frame. "You're the one underestimating me! I'll kill you!" she growled threatening, readying his foot for the final crush.

Until a sharp and sudden whistle drew his attention. "Eh…what the…." The words died in the specter's throat, as before him came a swarm of what could only be described as strange green glowing firefly like balls of light, circling and enticing jostling in mid-air round them him. Grudgingly, the giant grumbled, "Pretty…", amused by the slight phenomena

"Who…?" Yato, coughing blood from the on slaughter, choked, glancing upwards above them.

Perched on a peak of brimstone rock and stone, stood a chrome and iron adorned figure, metallic wings flared out in show, brandishing an elongated slender spear in hand. The glistening chrome wings bore resemblance to those of a common swallow bird. Thick and rounded at the trunk of the armour's back, but growing increasing thin and trimmed to the tips. Despite being broken and bloody, Yato pushed him-self up to gaze at her, this strange, almost imposingly cold looking being. She seemed almost inhuman, with no visible features of skin or hair. The only human remnants were that of her facial mask, all three of them, placed on and around her original face. Though full body fitting, by no means did the mass of metal seem bulky. Finely made and crafted armour, beautiful engraved and shaped to perfection. As if she were a sculpture of defining war, come to life. Accented curves and shape clearly showed it was a female before them, though nothing of any glamorous voluptuous standing. Indeed simple a slender, seemingly athletic build woman.

"An….angel?" the bumbling bug man mumbled, beady eyes wide and blinking, rapidly, forgetting even that there was a bronze saint currently pinned under his massive foot.

The metallic angel, seemingly un-amused, crossed her arms in lacking interest. "Not exactly my choice of words, but close enough…" Her voice was strangely detached, a void of whimsical emotion. With a snap of her metal clad fingers, a hellish green ball for flames flickered before the specter, dashing and dancing, as if a fairy, which then turned explosive. Acidic green fire erupted upon the bug man's face, sweltering and scaring with burns so bad to the eyes; it would leave any mortal crippled. It attacked as a perfect diversion for Yato to regain his advantage. He struck down the specter in one fatal cosms powered blow. The metal headed bug wouldn't be getting up any time soon, Yato would be sure of that.

"Unicorn…" She then suddenly beckoned, though having remained unmoved from her spot, overshadowing his position below.

Dumbly the bronze saint pointed to him-self, half-heartedly smiling in uncertain embarrassment. "Uh, me?"

"I don't see any other horn headed saints running around the underworld…" she meekly remarked, arms once more founded across with chest. The spear, unused, nestled within her grasp.

Geez, she's almost as bad as Yuzuriha, Yato momentarily thought, pulling a sour expression.

"Go" she urged, pointing to the blessed sword given unto him by Athena her-self. With little else said, she turned her back to him as it appeared she was ready to leave her-self. "Your friends will need you…"

Yato blinked in confusion, slipping the sword free from it's holster as a growing copper colour glow began to shine. "Wait, hold on!" he shouted, reaching his hand out to stop her, though already she was gone from sight. "Who are -"

The glow of Athena's sword engulfed him. Within moments, Yato was once more reunited with his friends of the living, unharmed in the isolated cloth maker's town of Jamir.

Underworld, Hades' Citadel –

"Pandora…"Hades called out softly to his subordinate, whom bordered the threshold of his chambers at the doorway.

Her head briefly came into view through the door way crack. "Yes, Lord Hades?"

"Report…" he gestured with a mere wave of his hand.

Gracefully, with the elegance of night, Pandora entered the chamber. Taking a moment to yet again admire her Master's artistic craft, Pandora spoke in neutrality. "Specter Beetle regretfully reports that intruders have escaped" She mentally reminded her-self to scold that overgrown bug for his failure, later.

With what seemed like a disgruntled sigh Hades nodded. "I see…so Tenma once more eludes me…how unfortunate…continue". He then discarded his used paints, wiping his hands on provided silk scraps before once more beginning a new, selection new colours for the next fresh coat.

Pandora pondered for a moment, as if composing her-self to speak the next few words. It was only when Hades briefly glance at did she finally speak. Carefully at first, she continued. "He was about to apprehend Unicorn Yato…when an 'angel' attacked". She had to bite out the mere word. Personally, Pandora had a distain for angels. Embodiments of light and purity. Complete opposite to her.

"An angel? in my realm?" The image of one of his angelic paintings came to mind. Surely no such creature would fall so far. "How obscene….he must be mistaken" he mumbled in a light hearted tone, returning to the soothing brush strokes of his art.

Pandora sauntered across the room, pale hands skimming the stone walls in brief mental reflection. "I thought the same, My Lord…but his description douse rouse some curiosity…" She visually tried to picture the strange sight in her mind. "Distinctively, a woman, baring iron armour, with wings, a spear…and three faces"

"Three faces?" Briefly Hades paused, tapping the end of his brush against his chin. "How curious indeed…I have never heard of such a saint…".

"I don't believe this 'angel' is one of Athena's saints, my lord…no such constellations exists"

"I will have to see this angel for my-self next time"

"Next time, my lord?" The darkish depths of Pandora's eyes flickered briefly, her head tilting curiously, urging for more details as to what he seemed to be regarding.

"I intend to meet with Tenma again…we have a reunion to attend….we shall see if this so called 'angel' appears" Hades spoke with such calm refinement; it was as if he were discussing the weather. Though Pandora seemed shaken by his words.

Taking a brave step forward, she gingerly protested. "Are you sure that is wise, My Lord? You have yet to regain your true self. Entering Athena's sanctuary would be…unwise…" nipping her pale lips Pandora couldn't help but worry for Hades' sake. He was not awakening as quickly as she would have hopped. It was still she who governed the armies of the underworld, and it was still she who had to face the twin gods. Hypnos and Thanatos. Her control over Hades was weakened, it was only a matter of time until the two took matters into their own hands. Typical. They were becoming a growing thorn in her side. Much like this Pegasus Tenma. "My lord…please reconsider" she asked once more.

Hades, in his growingly familiar cold tone, ordered her, "Dismissed".

"Yes, My lord" submissively, bowing her head, as always, Pandora retreated, out of his private chambers, softly closing the large door behind her.

Temna…The blossoming god could not grasp at understanding. Why was this mortal so compelling to him? Perhaps the remnants of Alone still exist, somewhere, within his blackening heart. The thoughts were curiously persistent. It was almost interesting. Though not as much as what would soon catch his attention. A presence briefly flared within the room, faintly even recognisable, though physically no one could be seen.

Pandora?...No…nor is it one of my Specters…

Briefly lowering the paint pallet and brush ever so slightly, the Dark Lord cast a more focusing eye cross the room. A flicker of glinting metal caught his eye, but no sooner than had he spotted the anomaly, did it vanish completely from his senses.

How…strange. His deadening blue eyes narrowed for a moment, before once more turning back to his painting in progress.

Temple of the Moon -

Perched beside her moonlit babbling brook, Nemesis frowned through the cover of her mask, staring down into the illuminating crystal waters, as the image of Hades' mortal host faded. Just then…did he… look at me, through the waters?…or was it my imagination?… Gauntlet gloved fingers traced over the sculptured lips of her mask, in thought as she slowly leaned closer over the water. The water was now once more clear and surreal. Perfect and pure. Nemesis however quikly disrupted the still water surface, lashing her hand out in frustration. Peering into the realm of Hades had exerted her. Mortals were far easier to watch…but so boring.

I once knew of a mortal, Narcissus I believe…perhaps you know of him?

"Mistress" Nemesis greeted, standing to attention, though her embodied mistress was no where to be seen. An indifferent habit of hers. Never physically present, but constantly in a state of existence, whenever needed. Or better yet, whenever it suited her. Not that it personally mattered to Nemesis. Whilst other divisions swarmed to protect their god maters' forms, the telepathic connection shared allowed constant awareness between the two. Even on the ends of the moon and Earth, their minds were alined. At least to some degree. Crossing her arms Nemesis impassively inquired to her Mistress's hidden statement. "Are you implying I have a spell of vanity…" She sat by the Lunar Waters to scout on those of interest, not to admire her-self. Encased in almost full body armour, how could anyone admire such as a walking statue.

Well you certainly aren't suffering from a sense of humour… The amusing statement was then followed by a childish giggle.

Nemesis resisted the urge to roll her eyes. It seemed her mistress was in a playful mood this eve. Jerking her chin up, she only replied in a tone as clear cut as stone, "Such things are beneath me…"

But caution is not one of them. Remember child, The Lunar Waters, like the faces of a coin, have two sides…though you may look onto others, they may also look onto you…

Nemesis seemingly scoffed at the remark, merely settling beside the waters once more. "Mortals do not have the state of mind, nor the Cosmos power needed to 'see' through dimensions". Once more Nemesis began to strum her fingers over the water's surface, drawing in circular motion, until the Earth came vaguely into view. From their temple on the moon, the sight was a beauty to behold. A fire opal like gem, the Earth nestled amongst the velvet cosmos of the universe. Patrons of the arts would think them-selves accursed if they knew a feat of beauty existed. So drawn in was Nemesis, to the multi-coloured orb that she almost missed her mistress speak.

But Gods do...And you your-self are not yet refined in your scoping. It's only a matter of time until you are caught in the act…

The image in the lucid waters faltered, as did Nemesis's concentration. "And when that time comes, we'll make our play" she finally muttered, lifting her head up to face the stars as they brightly glittered in the vacuum darkness of space. Patches of constellations, glowing uncharacteristically dim did not escape her green eyed gaze. Already, it seemed Athena's saints had begun perished.

You seem to have already made a few plays. Very…uncharacteristic…spying on our opponents…involving your-self in foreign affairs…

Attentively, Nemesis shrugged her shoulder, despite the stiffness of sensation running up and long her spine. So it seemed she had been found out. "Nothing that will hinder us…I was merely…curious". Perhaps not the best word to use, but close enough to the original context.

Curious? Such a…human emotion. How her mistress teased…

Nemesis grumbled at the mere thought and then grew quiet, as she usually did when dissatisfied. Finally she sighed in mild contempt, removing her stuffy layered mask and helmet. Golden curls bounced free from the metal confinement, and gently danced in the soothing cool breeze of the growing night. At least, by Earth standards, it would be considered night.

Despite playful fun, the disembodied entity spoke with solemn concern. What truly troubles you, my Fury?

"The Holy Wars have begun, haven't they?" It was more of a masked statement.

Hades has begun to awaken…His specters have already started to expand in territories.

"Then why do we wait?" Nemesis sternly frowned, casting aside her helmet in slight irritation. Impatience was one of the few traits she would ever admit to sharing with mortals. "While Athena does nothing, Hades grows stronger! It's only a matter of time until… Are her so called saints so weak?" she changed the subject at the last moment, knowing there was no point going to familiar ground.

You tell me…you observed them, in Tartarus, did you not?…Do they seem weak…

With a wave of her hand, Nemesis dismissed them. "I saw very little of their abilities…but I was not impressed" she snubbed, abruptly turning for the Lunar lagoon.

You are never impressed…not even a god swayed your heart

Nemesis abruptly twitched, a scowl slowly crossed across her features as unwelcomed memories threated to surface in her thoughts. Hellish green flames sparked within her grasp. "You…promised never to mention… 'that' anymore" she grumbled lowly, taking a moment to breathe in the calming air, before the flames submerged and vanished. Sighing once more the Fury laid down amongst a bedding of grass and flowers, closing her eyes, to reach some form of slumbering peace.

Now but a whisper, Hecate spoke. When Hades makes his move on the Sanctuary, so too will we…

"Yes, my mistress…"

a/n - well what do you think 2 chapters in two days...took me hours to type, damn writers block. Stay tuned for chapter 3, when things really start to heat up ! Review !