SWEET SUGAR ANGEL

AKIRA: My pet bunny will do the sad thing for me...

WIND: Piuu! Akira-hime owns nothing except for the boys of Salvation (I'm proud of my Darlings.) It's the disclaimer! Piuu! Puu!

CHAPTER 7 : New Friends

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"So you're going out today, Pierre?" Cinnamon spoke as if it was quite ordinary for him to do so. (remember, he's been sulking since THAT day)

"I'm just going to take a walk. Maybe find somethings. From what I've gathered, Salvation is a famous band originally from Europe. But no one is actually sure of the real identities of his members. So, I'll grab anything I could find about them." He replied as he drank the last of his tea.

"You're really interested, aren't you?"

"Could be. I favor their music. That's true. But I also have a goal to accomplish." He said as he walked out. I have to retrieve my Princess.

"Thank you, Madame Cinnamon." She looked up and found Gatou behind her. (hey! She's still in her cat form, kawaii!)

"For what?"

"For bringing back the Young Master to his old self."

"Your gratitude is not for me. I don't care who I'll use to get my daughter back. Nothing less... Hmm.. But maybe there's so much more." She don't look like it but the smile is in her voice.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"He's cute, isn't he?"

"Looks like a model...Is he a celebrity?"

"Yeah. Have you seen his eyes?"

"Ooh... Seems like he's a fan of Salvation too."

"Who isn't? They're great. And all of them are such handsome BACHELORS."

"And Pretty Princess Sophia... I wanna be like her."

"You can never be a girl enough."

All of the morning, Pierre went from shop to shop. It seems like Salvation's everywhere. Magazines, Cd's, videos, posters and they were what the talk is about most of the time. But he isn't satisfied with what he's been finding. There's nothing about the group's personal profile, except for a certain article declaring that "Princess Sophie favors Azure from her other knights." That had him almost jealous at the thought.

He is sitting on a table alone in a cafe with coffee getting cold at his hands while staring blankly out the window. Somebody had the guts enough to sit down in front of him. He was about to reprimand whoever it was when he stopped himself after he recognized the intruder.

Wearing a white fedora with a light blue ribbon and a flowery sun dress, Sophia looked splendid if not for the over-sized eye shades that she had.

"What are you doing?"

"Ssshhh... I'm in a disguise. How did you know it's me?"

You don't have an idea. "I can tell from anywhere, Sophie."

"Oh, my. I'm just no good at hiding, am I?" She said as she removed her glasses and stuffed it in her handbag. She then took her fedora off, revealing her bright ginger hair.

"Sorry, you have to forgive me. I mean, most of the time, they tell me that I'm too childish for my own good. I do things elegant ladies weren't supposed to do. I just can't stand how they try to change how I like things all the time. It's getting nasty, you know. I really think it's mean if you force people to be someone they are not. I'm a terrible talker, right?"

"No. You're fine." Smiling seemed not enough right now.

"Thanks, Pierre-san."

"You remembered my name."

"Of course. I'm not usually good at remembering those kind of things. But you're not usual, are you? You're not the kind of person I'll easily forget." She said plainly.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Pierre muttered, almost smirking.

"Eh? Pierre is the French deviation of Peter, right? You remind me of Peter Pan from those children's story books."

"Is that all?"

"No! I mean... You know... In a way, I do quite like you." She said with a blush decorating her cheeks. What the heck am I talking about?

He smiled sweetly at her. "That's good. I like you too." And I love you very much.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"First at the concert. Then at the gallery. Now, having coffee together. What do we have here?" Robin and Vanilla sat down with them after spotting them from afar. (Actually, they were flying up high.) "I accompanied Vanilla to Piano practice. 'bout you?"

"Nothing."

"Um. Sir Robin, correction. He's having Blue Dutch Blend Coffee and I'm having Darjeeling Tea. So technically, we're not having COFFEE together."

"Okay. Thanks for the detailed elaboration."

"Hi, Sophie." "Hi, Miss Vanilla." "Hello."

"So? What are you two dating for?" Robin nudged Pierre.

The guy actually blushed.

"We're NOT."

Sophie was about to explain when her phone sang. (Yes. Sang. Her tone's Ludicris.)

"Excuse me."

They were silent for a while as she talked quietly in the phone.

"Sorry. But I already have to go. Thank you for the nice conversation, Pierre. I had a great time. See you soon. I'll be expecting you at the party. Okay, bye!" She bowed to them and walked away.

"So?"

"So."

"So, would you mind telling us what was that all about?"

"Nothing much really?" Pierre watched the girl walk off.

"That, I could not believe. First name basis, now, aren't we?"

"She invited me to a party at her place."

"Only you? How about me? How about us?" (over-reacting)

"Of course it's understood that you two and the twin are also invited."

"So, what's the party for?"
The two ordered drinks as Pierre requested for a refill.

"There's going to be an announcement. Of Sophie being the new heir of the De La Lune since her brother ran away."

"Announcement? Like Coronation?"

"If so, why invite ordinary people?"

"She said she needs people from her own age group. She's going to be bored if she'd had to deal with a lot of old company officials, etcetera."

"Yeah. That sounds really boring."

"Pierre-san, when's that?"

"Next week, Saturday. She said it's a mask party. We'd wear black and white with masks."

"Wow! That's going to be pretty, wouldn't it?"

Then they tended to their drinks for some time.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Stop doing that, Sir Robin!" The group is in a black limousine sent by Sophie as service.

"I'm just nervous for the ladies there. How is it?" he asked Pierre who was quietly watching out the window.

"You look fine Sir Robin. So stop squirming, you're making the twins dizzy."

"Fine. You young people are so rude." Silence.

"There they are." Azure said watching the groupa floor above.

"Why are they here?" Rei said smiling widely. He's used to Azure's coldness and is thrilled by the emotions his friend is harboring right now.

"I hear the Princess invited them when she met that guy while roaming around the Human World." Raven said enjoying Azure's reacton, who tautened considerably.

"This is your fault Crimson. I told you never to sleep when you're on duty." Azure faced his brother.

Crimson in turn, tried to evade his twin's almost tangible rage. "Hey, it's not that easy! She sang me a lullabye and I can't help it. Okay? Even you wouldn't stay awake with such a comfy circumstance."

"Whatever."

Raven chucked Crimson on the back. "you're sucha loser, you know that?" He then disappeared leaving purple feathers floating down.

"That guy is so... grr! He's a lot worse than me. Did you guys know that he tried to kiss the Princess the other day?"

"WHAT?"

"Calm down Azure. I talked to him already. He knew what would happen if he tried that again."

"He doesn't have the right to, does he Rei?"

"I told you. Calm down."

"Sorry Brother. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

"I'm going to hate tonight for sure."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"That was close. I should've known they'd recognize our aura."

"She didn't seem to notice since the beginning and they don't seem to be thrilled by the fact that now she knows."

The group are now running away from the mansion through the forest behind the De La Lune estates. They felt their pursuers gaining on them so they switched to flying across the dim forest."

"Please!"

They were surprised to hear the gentle voice of the princess herself strained to be heard across the green blur as they rushed.

They stopped, hovering mid-air as they waited for her to catch up. A gust of wind swept at them as she arrived, wings a-flutter.

"I'm so very sorry, may I please go with you? Please? I swear, they won't be able to find us, I can make a quite strong barrier if you'd let me. I promise not to be a bother, just...please?"

They all exchanged looks and concluded that yes, she may come with them, and that they should hurry if they are to get away at all.

She smiled happily. "I confide to thine wind our protection." A sweet scent wafted into their senses as her spell was cast. "Shall we go to my manor then?" Pierre offered. Everyone agreed and they teleported to the mansion not really worried about being detected anymore.

When they arrived at the mansion, the ogres proceeded to fuss over preparing things for their returning princess. Though they are given the strictest orders not to mention anything about the past in Sophie's presence. Everyone was informed before of Chocolat's reappearance and her current situation. They are all happy to comply and are very willing to be able to do their part in helping Chocolat to come back to them or rather, Sophie to get used to them.

True to her word, once Sophie knew all of the passages, houses and the other places involved with the witches and ogres, she has cast spells that hid their presence from the angels. For all the good their searching was doing, they could have sworn that the witches never existed at all. This display of very strong of magic on her part became a tool for Sophie to be able to feel comfortable and even a little confident in her place among the witches.

The human world was abuzz with the news of the disappearance of the lead vocalist of the currently most beloved pop band in the industry. That made staying in the human world doubly tricky, so since Sophie did also want to tour the magical world, they all decided that it would be better all around if they all stayed in the other dimension. Even if only for the time necessary to cool the human involvement in the issue.

That set-up suited the group of friends well. After all, they all wanted to deepen their relationship with the runaway princess and hiding from 'rescuers' would only complicate things. They returned to activities that reminded them of the happy times they had with Chocolat before. Only this time, they are the one leading her unto one game after another instead of the other way around. Though she spent a big part of her day just hanging around enjoying the scenery quietly with Pierre. The others decided that they'd leave those times for the two. Slowly everyone was very happy again. Sofia started to laugh again and Pierre can be seen with his lovely warm smile once more.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Pierre-san. Where is this?"

"Are you scared? It's okay. It's safe here. Just don't wander too far."

Hmm. "I heard laughter somewhere. Aren't we the only ones here?"

"It's probably just the fairies. We're in the mischievous forest. It's their home, so they're all around. Don't worry. They won't hurt you, rather they would only be approaching to play with you, so relax."

"It smells like honeysuckle, the scent around here, that is."

"Yes. It comes with the wind. Do you like it?"

"Yes. So very comforting."

"That's nice to know."

The two are currently walking along the moss covered path among the emerald shadows in the forest. The air is heavy with the fragrance of the various wild flowers that grows where the light can reach them. Sophie walked on slowly taking in everything carefully. She can hear her muted footsteps on the trail, the rustlings of the wind among the leaves of the multicolored trees around them. She can also hear the fairies who sounded as if they're chasing each other all over, laughing. She can smell the scents all around her. Her nose twitching when she catches something very nice which would turn out to be one of the shrubby flowers abundant on the patches of field between the glades of trees. But mostly her senses are tuned to the only other creature quietly walking with her in that mysteriously familiar forest. He seemed to be very at home walking among the colored shadows of the trees in his light, noble clothes that made his features even more handsome. If that is even possible.

Unbeknownst to her, Pierre was also watching her carefully. Always had. She looked so very young and beautiful. The only worrying things were her permanent pallor (she said all angels were pale), her apparently sickly body (she seemed so frail, so breakable). She's been gone for so long and now she's here standing so close that it wakes emotions that he never knew to be so strong before. But he's patient. He would wait, first he had to know if she could forgive him for that.

"Is anything the matter, with you, that is?" Sophie asked him when he stopped and had this dazed look come over his face.

"No. Sophie, it's nothing. Are you ready to go back?"

"Yes. It's been wonderful. I'd prepare some tea and cake when we arrive, if you would like, that is."

"Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you."

"Shall we go then?"

"Yes." She smiled sweetly at his reply, stunning the breath off him, before he recovered and motioned for her to follow.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"What's wrong?" Pierre asked as they arrived at his mansion in the Magical World. Everyone was waiting for them. They rushed to meet them when the butler announced their arrival. The tension is very evident on their faces.

"What is it, Miss Vanilla? What happened?" Sophie can't help the shiver that ran down her spine at the thought that her barrier was destroyed and that people might be in danger because of her weakness. "Did they find us out?"

"No, I don't think so. But..." she hesitated turning to look at the guests that the two didn't notice among their friends. Cinnamon and Poivre were standing a little distance behind the others. Sophie looked at them curiously, feeling a weird fuzzy feeling in her consciousness that won't go away, like a reminder nagging at the back of her mind. She kept glancing at the beautiful lady and the young looking man with her. Then she noticed the aura that the smiling man and she gasped. She skittered backwards, hiding behind Pierre, "He's an Angel..."

Pierre held her hand and pulled her gently up front. "I know. He's one of us, don't worry. If he tries anything stupid, I'll kill him for you."

"Oi!" Poivre stepped forward angrily perfectly sure that the young prince was serious.

"Don't you recognize me, Sophie?" she heard a cool and elegant voice say. She turned to the sound and came eye to eye with the ginger-haired lady that was so quiet before. The more she looked at the beautiful woman in front of her, the more she became aware of the resemblance. Until she felt warm tears run down her face as she leapt across the remaining distance between them and hugged her mother for the first time in her life (as an angel). "Mother." She breathed, taking in the sweet, comforting scent that was new to her but surely her mother's.

"Took you long enough, silly girl."

"Mother! Mother!" Sophie sobbed into her mother's collar, trying to grasp the reality of the moment.

The others watched quietly smiling widely. Happy that the two finally met again. And that Sophie easily accepted her mother (even though it seems that the two only 'met' for the first time). Cinnamon waited as her little girl (that's not so little anymore) cried out their reunion. When they're fairly sure Sophie's not going to burst out crying again, Cinnamon stood up and faced all of them. Looking straight at Sophie who proceeded to snuggle to Pierre after her mother made her go.

"We didn't intend to meet her so soon, but this arrived at your house yesterday and we're sure this is something that can't wait." She said with the ring of authority very clear in her voice. She pulled out a bundle from her coat ad opened it to reveal an enchanted letter in it. "We cannot open it even with strong destruction spells, so we assumed that this is angel magic and that only you would be able to open it."

The letter has a white envelope with a tattered red ribbon wrapped around it and the seal pressed with the symbol of crossed feathers. It was hovering over Cinnamon's hand, pretty much glowing on its own.

"That's from my brother."

"What?"

"Wait, you have a brother?"

They all looked towards Cinnamon. "Her half-brother obviously." Though she looked surprised as well.

"What's his name then?"

"Marck Frances Alexandre de la Lune. A very lovely name, yes?"

"Isn't he one of those who wants you to come back to the Angel Sanctuary?"

Sophie looked troubled for a moment, then she smiled. "I don't think so. Elder Brother always tells me to do whatever I want to do as long as it isn't dangerous."

"So what's inside?"

"Let me open this first."

Two large black feathers fell down from inside the envelope along with a small note. A single word written in a neat script is on the piece of parchment. "Careful.", it says.

They looked for any reaction from Sophie when she didn't say anything.

She is blushing and looks rather worried. "I need to go back. I have to go to my brother."

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

~Dark Petal Emo Lolita~

=Black Sakura: Dark Princess of the Forgotten Petal=

oOo Akira Kinimoto oOo