Kura: I'm am so sorry for the late update! DX
Berry: Why?
Kura: Well, I have been so busy lately and my friend really wants me to go to prom so we were looking a dresses a lot and I've been having a lot of projects and tests and GAHHHH!
Berry: ...
Kura: Anyway, thank you to everybody who has been putting up with my selfishness! T-T I hope that this chapter is fine. T-T
Berry: ...review replies...
Kura: Okay...and now...THE CHAPTER! XD
12star98na: (Chapter 5) Yups! I did stay at the luxor! :D I liked it and all but seriously, the painting in the bathroom was just creepy :P Anyway, cool! YOU LIVE IN LAS VEGAS! XD Oh, thanks for reviewing too! XD
xSnowflakesx: Thank you for thinking my stories were good. :D I honestly thought that some weren't since not many people would update. T-T By the way, when you say, "Kill that pipsqueak", who did you mean? And you'll find out a bit more of Kaoru's appearance here! :D One last thing...PLEASE ENJOY! XD And sorry again for the late update T-T
Xxkirbylover11xX: I'm terribly sorry for updating late! I had so little time and actually, writing this chapter was a bit hard. T-T I do hope that you'll forgive me and that this chapter makes up for making you wait for so long! T-T So anyway, please do enjoy! :D
AnimeYelloGirl: Hi :D Please enjoy! XD
Kura: I liked that last review. :D All it said w as hi but that made me smile. :D
Berry: ...-_- Start.
Chapter 22 - Red and Green
A pause in her tracks, her head turning to the direction they had left and her eyes were filled with a sense of confusion but also...knowing...
Youichi, who was holding her hand at the time, looked up at her and pulled on her arm. "Polka-neechan; what's wrong?" He asked, looking at Mikan who then cringed at the name Youichi said. Apparently, he decided on using that name for her but she didn't have the heart to yell or say no at him. He was just too cute.
"It's nothing, You-chan." Mikan said, smiling.
The she continued to walk with Youichi's hand in hers still. The other three looked back, their eyes lingering on Mikan for a moment before their vision went past and they all frowned.
Ruka walked closer to Natsume before whispering, "Somebody's following us...correct?" He asked.
"Yeah..." Natsume muttered back, verifying the answer. "If it was that weird Angel freak, then I would be able to recognize her aura but this one seems different...it's an Angel's...but it feels way different..." He concluded.
Hotaru walked up to them and nodded. "You're right about that. Also, I've noticed something else as well. For a strange reason, I sensed a presence of a dead spirit..."
The two Demon boys blinked, confused. "What do you mean?" Ruka asked, feeling very curious.
"Oh...I forgot...you two never went to school." The two boys sweat dropped while Natsume glared at the girl as well. "I might as well explain; in the human's realm, it is possible for a dead spirit to come here and either assist help or give out trickery. Of course, it's only if they believe that there is something wrong happening in the world and if they have suffered a death from a Demon or Angel. Of course, that spirit can be an Angel or Demon as well." She explained. "But there's something else about the Angel and Demon spirits..."
"What's that?" Natsume asked.
Hotaru looked down, her eyes narrowing. "Although human spirits can help people...they cannot take a form. They are what they are: spirits. But for Angels and Demons...they can take the form of their once living bodies and walk on this earth. So actually, though they are dead, they can pose to be alive and no one would really know."
"Isn't that great then?" Ruka asked. "The people from our worlds would be so happy and-"
"That's the problem! The fact that they would become happy is the very problem! If your mother died but then somehow, she came back, wouldn't you just get your heart broken all over again if you found out that she actually never really came back but was dead all along?"
The two boys were instantly silent. All three could hear the cheerful Mikan behind them, happily singing a certain song while Youichi hummed along with her.
Natsume looked straight ahead. "...Would they be able to use their powers...?"
"Unfortunately yes..."
Ruka looked at Hotaru. "Why would it be unfortunate?" He asked.
"Because...it just makes it even more believable that they're actually alive...also...their power would be much stronger than before. Of course, it comes with a price." Hotaru said, looking straight ahead like Natsume.
Natsume said nothing while Ruka turned away, pondering before he asked, "What's the price?"
"...To receive the Divine Punishment..."
Natsume and Ruka paused and stared at Hotaru with disbelieving eyes, the very eyes narrowing and looking blank as well while their right hand was lifted, slapping the air and asking, "Are you an idiot?"
"...What was that?" Hotaru asked, looking dangerously angry while Ruka eeped and distanced himself.
Natsume only sighed and looked at the girl. "Divine Punishment? Of course, that's not something that can happen to Demons. Angels, perhaps, but you have to think; Demons who died do not go to Heaven. They leave for a certain area in Hell, a different area that's supposedly similar to Heaven's dead resting area or whatever. That's the reason why we both asking if you were stupid."
Hotaru glared at him. "I get that! But all of us, Angels and Demons, came from one single source. The Heavenly God. He originally created us but even though Demons were created to be different, they still served God. In the end, something happened and the Demons rebelled and so, there are two different worlds for all of us. At least, that's what that school taught me." She said as Natsume and Ruka stared in disbelief.
"That's just too much to hear right now..." Ruka said as he turned his face away, a lost and tired look on his face. Meanwhile, Natsume was silent as he said nothing.
The Angel girl turned to him. "What are you thinking of, Hyuuga?"
"..." Natsume was still silent as he continued on before he muttered, "Nothing..." in a soft and conflicted voice. Hotaru and Ruka stared at him before they turned away, one with a worried expression and the other, confused. Natsume merely continued his thoughts.
~.~.~
"You're Natsume mother, Hyuuga Kaoru-san...are you not?"
Misaki looked at Tsubasa with wide eyes. She knew of the woman he spoke of...Hyuuga Kaoru...or rather, she knew of her first and her maiden name: Igarashi Kaoru, the daughter of the Queen of the Demons realm. But why does he call her Hyuuga? I never even heard of her being married...
The woman, now known as Kaoru smiled softly. "You are Andou Tsubasa...correct?" Tsubasa nodded. "If I may ask...do you like your parents...do you like this war...do you like how the world is only revolving in such hate?"
"OF COURSE I HATE IT! Why would I be with an Angel in the first place?" He cried. "Oh, and I hate my bastard parents." Tsubasa said with a look of pure dislike.
"Good. I hated those two as well. They were a real pain in the ass when we were kids." Kaoru said as Tsubasa nodded.
"I know what you mean!"
Misaki sweat dropped. Earlier, Tsubasa was glaring at her, not trusting that woman…and now…they were talking as if they were old friends…She looked to the side, a blank look on her face. Andou…right now…I think you're an idiot… She thought.
"Wait! I can't get distracted like this!" Tsubasa cried and Misaki nearly fell to the ground while Kaoru simply giggled. He turned to the woman and cried, "Why are you alive? You were supposed to be dead!" He cried.
Kaoru smiled. "No need to worry. This woman truly is dead. I am only here to help you if you would like to receive it. I wish for this war to stop."
"Wait…the only daughter of the Royal family of the Demons realm wants the war to end? Why do you want that? Aren't you like…high up?" Misaki asked with her eyes showing confusion and shock.
Kaoru sighed and looked up. "Yes…it would seem as if I should be like so…and yet I am not. For me, I believe that this war should never have happened. Kuro was just an idiotic Demon." She said.
"You agree with me?" Tsubasa asked, blinking. "But you shouldn't know Kuro."
Kaoru blinked. "What on earth are you talking about? The Demon I speak of is from many years ago. His so-call murder against the human child was what caused the war." She said.
"…Huh…?" Tsubasa looked simply confused.
"Okay, to make this confusion stop, it's like this! You both are talking about a different person. The one Igarashi-san is talking about is the Demon from how many years ago and the Demon that Andou is talking about is from this time!" Misaki said, her eyes showing irritation.
"Oh." The two Demons said. Misaki slapped her forehead.
Tsubasa turned back to Kaoru. "Anyway, what do you mean by you actually being dead? Aren't you right here in front of us?" He asked, his eyes narrowing with confusion and suspicion.
The woman then sighed. "I am nothing but a spirit wandering this world. Perhaps I will stay like so until this war ends and I can truly pass on and even accompany a friend of mines in the Heavens…" She whispered.
Misaki turned to Tsubasa. "…Andou…"
"Yeah…I know…" Tsubasa sighed and looked at the spirit Demon. "Why do you not help your son?"
At that, Kaoru frowned. "If I do, he will believe me to truly be alive and once I do disappear, how disappointed and broken hearted he will be when he realizes I never was alive…" She said in a whisper so soft.
Tsubasa and Misaki were silent and looked at each other. Then Tsubasa turned to her. "If I may ask…why do you want to help us of all people…? I'm sure that even Nadeshiko-san would like the help…she needs it more than I do at the moment…"
Kaoru smiled. "Truly a kind heart you have. And you may be correct. But to truly help my good and dear friend, wouldn't that mean I should also find Yuka and have her heal Kazuto?" She asked.
"…That's…pretty true." Misaki said softly. "By the way…who's Kazuto?" She asked as she turned to Tsubasa.
"He's my friend that's been inflicted." Misaki then nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Tsubasa looked back at Kaoru. "…Can you tell us where Yuka-san is?"
Misaki looked at Kaoru in anticipation as did Tsubasa. Kaoru gave a kind smile before she opened her mouth as said… "Nope!"
The effect was immediate. Tsubasa and Misaki fell to the floor in a comical manner, confusing the Demon spirit before them. "What's wrong with you two?" She asked as she peered at them.
The two got up and sighed in almost desperation. "Well…we're back to square one…" Tsubasa said, a sweat drop on his head.
"Yeah…" Misaki said, nodding in agreement.
Kaoru blinked, confused at the turn of events but shrugged. "Well, I'm not gonna stay in the Human world like this. Just call me whenever you feel like asking for help, kay?" She asked before she then disappeared into thin air.
"Ah, wait-" The two cried but groaned when Kaoru was gone. "Well…now what…?" Misaki asked.
Tsubasa shrugged. "No idea…well, I'm going to check out this area a bit more. If Hazuki said that Yuka was here a lot, there must be a reason, right?" He asked with a smile. Misaki nodded.
"That's true…what should I do?"
"You can do whatever; help me or do nothing, it doesn't really matter." He said as he started to search around the area, closing his eyes every now and then, holding his hand to a tree trunk before he scowled and moved to another.
Misaki sighed and looked up to the sky. "…Yuka-san…huh…" She whispered before she too began to search the area. However, she stopped for a moment, looking at Tsubasa who had his eyes closed before he whined almost child-like and the Angel giggled at the scene.
Now…I wonder how Hotaru is doing…
~.~.~
"Say…who's that?" Hotaru, Natsume, and Ruka blinked, looking back to see Mikan and Youichi staring across the lake that they were passing by. Mikan was pointing to something that was across the lake and the three turned, wondering what she was even looking at and confused.
Across the lake was a girl. Just like them, she was staring right at them. But what surprised the three was that she had a sly smile on her lips. Natsume and Hotaru glared at her while Ruka ran to Mikan and Youichi, pulling the two closer to the others.
"What's wrong?" Mikan asked as Youichi nearly tripped. "What's going on?" She asked.
Hotaru turned to her friend. "There's something up with that girl. We should probably get away from her…" She muttered as they started to turn to leave when a voice stopped them.
"Why do you leave?" Mikan turned back and she gasped to see that same girl they were staring at crying. "I'm lonely…won't you stay?" The same voice asked.
Natsume tched and said, "We're not falling for your trick-"
"Okay!" Mikan said happily as she started to walk towards the lake's shoreline with Youichi still holding onto her hand tightly. The other three nearly tripped before they managed to regain their balance.
"Wait, Mikan! You shouldn't!" Ruka cried as he ran after her. Hotaru and Natsume cursed before chasing after her as well.
Mikan and Youichi arrived at the lake's shore before Mikan cried out, "We'll be there in a sec! Just wait, okay?" The girl on the other side seemed to have cheered up after this before nodding eagerly. Mikan grinned as she then ran across the shore. "Come on You-chan! We can play with her!"
Youichi nodded, not eagerly but curiously.
Ruka ran after the two. Meanwhile, Hotaru and Natsume stopped. They both stared at the girl beyond their reach. The girl seemed to have noticed their stares for she smiled at them.
A glare was shot at them. Natsume and Hotaru shivered in shock, something forcing them to freeze as the girl glared at them. The girl smirked as she turned around and slowly walked away. Natsume and Hotaru was frozen there, their eyes wide.
"S-Shit...I-I...I can't move...!" Natsume muttered as he desperately tried to move his arm.
Hotaru growled angrily. "That girl...w-what did...what did she do...!" She said through her teeth.
All of a sudden, pain shot through their bodies and they tried to scream but their mouths wouldn't open before darkness covered their eyes and they blacked out. The last thing they saw...was the smirking face of that girl again when she turned back just slightly as if mocking them.
Several minutes later, a panting Mikan and Ruka stopped right across of the lake from where they stood moments ago. Ruka was holding Youichi on his back for the young Demon boy pleaded to be carried. The three looked around.
"Say...where's that girl...?" Mikan asked out loud, her panting subsiding as she moved her head left and right.
Ruka shrugged, too tired to say anything while Youichi looked around for the other Angel and Demon. "...Not here..." Blinking, Mikan and Ruka looked at him after Ruka set the little boy on the ground.
"What?" They both asked.
Youichi looked up at them, his eyes having that hint of worry. "Natsume-nii...Hotaru-nee...they're not here..." He muttered, sounding a bit sad.
At that, Mikan and Ruka blinked before their eyes widened in shock and they turned around quickly, looking across the lake. Nobody stood there. Nobody at all. Mikan frowned. "Where are those two...?" Then she looked at the direction in which the three came from. "Were they following us and got lost?" She wondered while Ruka sweat dropped.
That is impossible... He thought. Then the boy frowned. And even if it was possible, it's very unlikely anyway. I don't know about Hotaru but I know that Natsume has sensitive hearing and strangely, an amazing sense of smell. He should be able to figure out where we are...the fact that he didn't...
"You came..." The three turned to see the girl earlier walk towards them. Upon seeing her closer, Mikan and Ruka blushed at her appearance.
For a young girl, she was quite beautiful with shoulder-length amber hair and beautiful green eyes that looked much like emeralds. A smile appeared on her face as she walked closer. Her clothes was a long shirt that went past her butt and pants that were tucked into boots. Her shirt was short-sleeved and was a turtle neck.
Mikan grinned as she walked to the girl. "Of course! I said I would, didn't I?" She asked cheerfully, completely forgetting her Yakama that were missing.
The girl smiled, making Ruka tense up as he looked at her smile. "Of course...you didn't look like someone who would lie." The girl said.
Ruka gulped. He saw a smile similar to that many times. He clenched his fist, making Youichi look up at him in confusion. The little Demon reached up and held onto Ruka's hand. Ruka tensed again before looking at his hand to see Youichi clenching it tightly with worried eyes. The Demon smiled. "Don't worry, Youichi." Ruka whispered softly so that Mikan and the new girl wouldn't hear.
Youichi only nodded.
"Come on you guys! Let's go play while we wait for those two!" Ruka and Youichi looked up to see Mikan waving with the other girl right besides her.
Ruka nodded uneasily. "Y-Yeah..." He said as the two went towards them.
Moments later, they were all introducing one another. The girl smiled. "Hello, my name is Ai. It's nice to meet all of you." She said, a shy look on her face.
"I'm Mikan and these two are Ruka and Youichi!" Mikan said, with a kind smile on her face as well.
Ruka nodded, his eyes not meeting with the other girl's. "...Nice to meet you..." He said.
Youichi only gripped Ruka's hand tighter while nodding at the girl.
Ai smiled happily. "I'm glad I got to meet all of you...but...where's your two friends?" She asked as she looked at Mikan who frowned and looked up to the sky, her eyes closed as she hummed in wondering.
"I really don't know..." Mikan said.
Ai looked down sadly. "...Maybe...they didn't want to meet me...I'm known as a freak...it's always been like that...because of my eyes..." She said softly.
Mikan gasped. "That's not true! Your eyes are really pretty! They're like emeralds! It reminds me of how Natsume's eyes are like-!" Mikan stopped there and blushed.
Ruka blinked. "Natsume's eyes?" He repeated. "What do you think they're like?" He asked.
Youichi looked interested too as he watched his nee-san blush heavily. "...They...they're like...fire..." She whispered. "A burning fire that burns...but tries not to..." Mikan whispered. "But..."
The two Demons were very interested by then, completely ignoring Ai who too seemed interested.
"...But...they also...look like pretty...rubies..." Mikan muttered softly, her face becoming a glowing red.
Ruka pbthed before he laughed. "That's so funny!" He said. "Wait till I tell Natsume!"
"N-No! You can't tell that jerk!" Mikan cried, her face not losing that reddish hue.
"But it's too funny!"
"I-It's not! They really do look like that!" Mikan cried.
Ruka only laughed while Youichi began to tease Mikan while still holding that expressionless face.
Ai smiled in true happiness with the other three not paying attention to her before that smile turned into an evil smirk, her emerald-like eyes become fierce and dark as she giggled in her mind, thinking, I've got you...
Kura: Kyaaa! Now I'm scared of Ai-chan!
Berry: ...
Hotaru: I'll kill you.
Kura: W-Why me?
Hotaru: Because you made her beat me in a glaring contest.
Ai: ...Glaring...contest...?
Kura: Anyway, Again, super sorry for the late update! T-T I really hoped that you all enjoyed this chapter! XD Sorry for the grammar too; my computer ain't correcting it and I'm originally horrible at grammar! DX
Berry: See you all next time.
Kura: Oh, and before we go, I've been making so many different stories but I don't which one to start! I made a poll in my profile and I really hope you guys can take the time to look at it. :) BYE! And please do review! XD