Black and White Wings
Fuji was being distant lately, that much Ryoma can tell. And every time Ryoma was near Fuji, Fuji would always be staring at him with a thoughtful expression. It was unnerving to feel the penetrating gaze on him all the time, and Ryoma was almost sorry for pestering him about Tezuka, Atobe, Kikumaru and the others. Almost. Whenever Ryoma caught himself pitying the fallen Angel, he would remind himself, brutally, that Fuji was in league with the High Lord of Hell, and that such emotions would be the cause of his death.
He buried himself in the books Fuji gave to him, trying to forget his one companion and his strange ways. Months passed this way and slowly, Ryoma found something happening. Fuji was subtle, that much Ryoma was sure, because it had taken him a week to realize what Fuji was doing differently. Every night before they retired to the one bed in the room, Fuji would now bid him goodnight. The first few times Ryoma had brushed it off, but at one week, it was strange. And slowly, slowly, Fuji would add on to what he said last night.
"What did you learn today, Ryoma-kun," Fuji said sincerely as he sat on the bed. That was another thing too, the use of his first name. Ryoma did not remember ever giving Fuji permission to use his given name, so he frowned but refrained from commenting. Instead it was just a mental note.
"Nothing much," came Ryoma's emotionless reply.
"Oh really? I remember giving you a book on the history of Hell," Fuji said as he randomly plucked a subject from the air. Well, small talk is a start.
"Not interesting."
"I find the creation of habitable earth from raging fire very remarkable, especially if its just one person."
"What is this? High-Lord-ism." Ryoma snorted under his breath. He turned his head away to show that he wasn't participating in the conversation any longer and promptly pulled the covers up.
They lay there like that, Ryoma on his side, staring into the fire that was glowing dimly in the fireplace and Fuji staring at the shadows that danced across the canopy. It was a while before anyone talked and Ryoma was drowsy with sleep.
"Tomorrow I'll show you the grounds so that I don't have to always guide you," Fuji said quietly. "I'll be going on a mission soon. The Moe's can't function without a hand."
Ryoma grunted and fell asleep.
.x.X.x.
Dammit!
Ryoma ran a hand through his hair. He was lost. Of all things! He forgot to bring the map with him and Fuji was currently away. If it wasn't for the rooms, which looked identical to one another, he may be able to find his way back. Frustrated, Ryoma took the only option that presented itself: to keep on walking until he found Fuji's room. He turned corners over corners, marched up and down stairways, strode into rooms, but not once was it Fuji's bedroom. He didn't even know which floor he was on!
Do this in an orderly fashion, Ryoma scolded himself and climbed up the stairs to the top. He stopped at a landing and pushed the door open. It led into a corridor, at the end of which were two… things guarding a door. They were hideous. One had an oversized beak with small, golden, beady eyes on a bloated, pig head with large wrinkles. The head was set on board shoulders, padded with armour that covered the whole body. Its hands were paws, most likely with retractable claws. Ryoma glanced to the other one. It had the head of a lion, a snake's tail and the watery eyes of a rat. Both creatures were holding spears and looked so fierce that, without his magic, Ryoma was afraid to face them.
Their eyes turned towards the direction were Ryoma was, but the boy Angel was no longer there. He was down the stairs, telling himself that the best way to find Fuji's room was to trace his route from the dungeon. In minutes he was at the very bottom of the castle and breathing heavily, but not so much. Tennis was helpful sometimes.
It was dark here. The hall had so many doors leading off it and it stank, a mixture of the metallic tang of blood, acidic urine and sweat. It was so damp that moss grew, even without the light and the warmth only encouraged this further. Somehow the dungeons were stifling, not only from the heat that seem to radiate from the walls, but the humid air so full of memories of Ryoma's time and other Angel's. He thought back to the monsters guarding the top floor. It must be something, or someone, very important for the place to be guarded so well. It was a curious place; perhaps he would ask Fuji later.
Ryoma trailed a finger along the walls. He walked close to it, avoiding the flickering, weak light the scant torches threw, and a few turns until he was outside his former prison. He placed a hand against the door. Memories burrowed into his mind, about the bloody tortures, the insatiable hunger that gnawed at his dry throat and the hell that he lived in (literally and figuratively speaking). Fuji's sadistic smile shone down at him, like the weeping moon in Hell's night sky and Ryoma withdrew his hand sharply, as if the door had just burnt him. The present was the present, he furiously scolded himself, and nothing else matters, like in a tennis match, only watch the ball and where it is going.
But he forgot to watch his opponent.
Ryoma quickly checked to see if anyone was around then looked at the simple lock on the door. Even with the magic restriction imposed onto him by Fuji, he was pretty sure that such a lock could open. He concentrated hard on the lock, locking his mind on the magic force, gathering his Will and Control. He didn't release his magic yet, but kept on building it up slowly within his mind, an endless sea of darkness and if he closed his eyes, he could float on that darkness within him. Ryoma let a small trickle of magic, so minuscule that the spell that Fuji put on him wouldn't be triggered, and placed his hand on the lock. When his magic had washed the insides of the lock, wiping it clean, he nudged the darkness inside him down to his fingertips then, like a dam breaking down, forcibly pushed the magic into the lock, hopefully destroying whatever mechanisms was inside it. Ryoma didn't have enough time to delicately pick the lock because soo his head was spinning crazily and a throbbing started in his temples. He pushed at the door weakly and it gave way for Ryoma to stumble in, clutching his head. He hurriedly slammed the door with care and slid down to the floor. His breath came in short bursts and his arms were trembling. He stayed like that for a few minutes until he felt relatively normal again.
"Ano… Who're you?" A tentative voice floated from the darkness. From the little light the White Moon, Asuwarite, spilled through the barred window, Ryoma could just make out the shivering silhouette of a person suffering from severe malnutrition. Her bonny limbs were wrapped around skinny legs. She was so thin that it seemed she was out of proportion. Her two, mahogany plaits laid around her legs. Tufts of hair were coming loose from their braids. "You don't look like a Demon." She gasped softly. "Don't hurt me please! I beg of you, fallen Angel! I'll tell you everything if you just don't hurt my grandmother!"
Ryoma realised that he was in the shadows. He stood up shakily on his legs and took some stumbling steps towards the captive Angel. As he did, he spread out his wings, which he usually hid in an alternate, physical dimension. His wings were duller than ever, most were silver, some were tinged a lead grey, but still his wings held what white that was the Angels and the girl stopped muttering her pleas. He bent down to her form and tried to comfort her. His words were halted as he tried to search for the appropriate terms. He was known as the Ice Prince of Seigaku (after the ever cold Tezuka).
"Are you Echizen Ryoma?" The girl stuttered. "The tennis sensation, the genius boy who was recruited in the top army section, Seigaku—"
Ryoma grunted.
"Ah? I'm s-sorry! Was that a yes or a no?" Ryoma could tell that the girl would've bowed if she had the strength.
"Yes."
"Uwah!" The girl's eyes widened. "Oh! Everyone's looking for you! They've been searching the whole Earth for the Gate of Hell just so they could get you. I'm sure they're up there right now!"
"Now?" Ryoma's eyes darted to the Moon outside.
"Yes. Is there something wrong?"
There was silence as Ryoma forced his brain to function. "He's up there right now."
"Who?"
Ryoma stood up suddenly even though his legs were shaking still. "It's been nice talking to you… er…"
"Ryuuzaki, Ryuuzaki Sakuno."
"Ryuuzaki-san, but there is something I must do." With that, Ryoma strode over to the door, his cat-like face set in determination. His feet propelled him on its own as Ryoma pondered about what he should do. Fuji Syuusuke, former Angel, now Enemy to those who live Above, is roaming in on Earth while those who are allied to God, Enemies to He who is allied to Satan, are trying to search for him and those Angels trapped in Hell. Ryoma wondered what would happen if they saw Fuji's transformation. Ryoma almost smiled bitterly as he played out a scenario were everyone would be tricked into coming to Hell. He entertained these thoughts as he stepped into Fuji's room. It seemed ordinary, like how any room would seem and feel. One couldn't have recognized this room on presentation as a room of someone as dark as Fuji. Oh, but it was, and Ryoma now felt the heavy atmosphere. It seemed to be the same as the dungeons, a wave of something negative, an emotion that Ryoma couldn't quite catch, but he just put it down as bad 'chi' from the darkness.
He slammed the door closed, though he made sure not to make any unnecessary noise, and quickly marched to the desk. Judging by the height of the Moon, he had but one hour to do something. Taking out a quill, ink and paper, he set out to quickly write down a plan. He listed his necessary items (food, weapons, rope, armour if he could get his hands on one), his dangers (Werewolves, Moes, dead ends…), then he set to carefully copy the map that Fuji gave him unto the paper. He was thoroughly absorbed in his work that he didn't notice the time passing by until the door creaked open. Ryoma sat up alarmed, but knew that he had to act very casual and opened a book as Fuji slipped into the room. His plans are going to have to wait.
.x.X.x.
They were in bed again. Ryoma had long gotten used to the strange biological clock of the Demons. He stared at the depths of the magical fire dimly radiating in its hearth. It was just a tiny reminisce of the fiery Suns of Heaven. The flames licked the hearth hungrily, as if it wanted to burst into a Sun. Ryoma contemplated what the other people would be doing now. He guessed that Tezuka may be orchestrating some operation behind a façade, Oishi most likely would be running around like a headless chicken along with Kikumaru, and Yukimura would be worried. Yukimura probably was scaring everyone like he does when he gets serious. The only one he could rely on to be still his usual self was Niou, the damned Trickster. Maybe the Monkey King too. Ryoma sighed almost inaudibly.
"I saw them today," Fuji spoke quietly, almost in a whisper. "They're faring quite well."
Ryoma stayed silent and stared at the flames. Minutes ticked by and slowly Ryoma felt his eyelids begin to droop.
"Say, what do you like? There are many things that Heaven has that Hell don't," said Fuji softly. His tone was genuinely gentle. Seeing the Angels was nostalgic. "I remember that Heaven had the best scenery around. I often took photos. It was a hobby."
A light snore and a mumbled word that sounded like 'Karupin' broke the silence. Fuji leaned over to look at the little Angel. Ryoma was strong. He remembered that at the number of months that Ryoma had gone through, Fuji's wings were already a dull grey. But Ryoma's was still a slivery hue. Ryoma was strong, physically and emotionally. Fuji smiled down at Ryoma and ran his fingers through the silky, dark green hair. He sincerely hoped that Ryoma may be able to live through this darkness.
A/N: Eep! 131 days since the last chapter! Ack. Sorry!
Well, if you love this story, help me continue it! You can do this by visiting my homepage and vote in the poll! If I just get a rough idea of how many chapters is good, then I can actually plan this story out. No writing on whims. But I still can't guarantee regular updates. Still, help an author-in-arms and vote or review/pm me with an answer!
Now, onto the very awesome people who reveiwed! It's been so long that I can't remember whether or not I've replied to your reviews, so... I won't reply. I don't like it when authors make their stories seemingly long by adding replies to reviews. But i like acknowledgements.
dawn chase, MizzDarknezz, Mizuki-sempai, Tsuki the Ryuujin no Miko, Nemesis Crow, thfourteenth, MysteriousEyez, Leite Destiny, shebajay, afallenheart, Sileny, MARYLOVER, Kat_sakura, edenforest1, truckerhat52, little angel of the sea, tsub4ki.
I thank you all for reviewing, and to those who don't, I still thank you for reading!