A dozen of angels were flying across the sumptuous white clouds... floating before the blue sky... while singing a hymn of joy and mirth.
Simultaneously, they all landed down the terrace of the heaven's castle.
"Finally! Our children can fly by their own." A woman angel exclaimed... very proud of the new generation to spend a lifetime in the heaven's castle... and guarding the sky abound.
The twelve newly-licensed angels aligned vertically and faced their parents... their mentors. All twelve of them were absolutely excited to have a halo... especially the redheaded one, Hanamichi.
As zestful smiles appeared on their heavenly faces... a halo of translucent circular silver line shone above their heads.
Applauses were granted for the fresh graduates... but not until the halos could've formed a beautiful pattern... if not for the one angel without a halo.
"How could it be?"
"Is this possible?"
Murmurs of bewilderment echoed and the twelve angels stared at each other. Through the observation and curiosity... they all learned that the redheaded Hanamichi wasn't blessed by a halo.
"But we saw him fly." Hanamichi's mother was astounded... a worried expression existed on her serene face. The truth is... Hanamichi was one of the talented angels in heaven... and his father's powers is legendary.
"Perhaps he has a sin he hasn't confessed yet." Another woman hypothesized... that earned a pale reaction to the redheaded angel.
Hanamichi gazed at his father who also had a redhead... then looked down.
"Is it true, Hana?" His father asked. "Are you keeping a sin inside your soul?"
The halo-less angel couldn't speak the words he suppose to utter. He had confessed to the almighty lord that once he disobeyed his parents, flee on the clouds and landed on the surface that separates heaven from hell... but he kept within him that his wing was broken and a devil healed it.
That he made a vow with a devil.
Silence dominated the place... all angels... the seniors and juniors had their eyes focused at the young redheaded fellow.
Hanamichi gripped his hands tight... resisting the attention dwelled at him. "Mother... Father..." He stared at the concerned looks of his parents. "Would you allow me to fix something? I'll be gone only for a little while... and when I come back... I already have a halo." He assured.
The seniors exchanged wondering faces. It seemed that Hanamichi was really hiding something... but they refused to urge him to tell... because they believe that a soul seeking for absolution... needs to be free and willing to taste the word of god.
Hanamichi's parents gave him the permission to clear whatever flaws he still had in him... since he already is a licensed angel... capable of flying by himself. Only a divine halo lacks.
With a one last look at his parents, Hanamichi released his wings and flew on the clouds... down to the earth that he longed to see and step into.
Kaede walked along the aisle... surrounded by summer flowers... preparing for the coming of a long lost friend.
He often visited the green grass land since the day he met a cute little redheaded angel... and in every sunrise... he expected to see once more the copper brown eyes that had lightened his life with hope.
Gazing above the blue sky covered by thick clouds... his long dark cloak flared as the wind brushes across his figure. He wished to see a winged angel coming down and smiling at him. It was the smile he dreams of everyday and every night... wishing that it shines on him soon.
Suddenly, the days of hoping ended when a flying figure in white dress flew down on the ground. Kaede wouldn't fail to recognize the beauty he frequently thought of. Hanamichi was wearing a white cloth that was tied on one shoulder... like a venus cut.
The angel landed softly on the vast green land... his wings closed at his back and glanced at the raven-haired young man.
"Hanamichi." Kaede's vanilla white face had never released such bliss and excitement. He wanted to hug him... to feel him.
The newly-arrived angel on earth... gave him a puzzled look. "Kaede?"
It was inevitable for Hanamichi not to recognize his old friend. Even if Kaede was still wearing a black cloak... he hadn't only grown as tall as Hanamichi... but a two-inch pair of dark brown horns grew on each side of his temple.
Kaede concentrated his eyes on the redheaded boy. Why does he seemed to act uncomfortable in front of him? Is it about the horns that had grown on his head? Didn't he recognize him?
"It's me, Hanamichi."
A tear fell on the angel's cheek... then another... and another. He flung himself on the devil and squeezed him tight. "I missed you, Kaede. I missed you SO much."
The devil was warmed by those sweet words. He caressed the boy's head lovingly.
"I missed you too, Hanamichi."
Once they parted, the redheaded angel examined his face... especially the pair of horns on his head. He touched them both.
"You have horns," Hanamichi mumbled... as he stroke his hand gently on one horn.
"And you have bigger wings." Kaede let out a smile.
A tint of scarlet blush crept on Hanamichi's cheekbones. He was very proud of the wings he had possessed throughout the years... and the praise of his old friend gave him another reason to love it.
"Come." Kaede held Hanamichi's hand and tugged him along. "I'll show you the earth."
Hanamichi was thrilled from the invite and he allowed himself to go wherever Kaede ought to bring him.
The earth was very impressive. Before... he only used to look down at it... but now he was able to walk his bare feet on the soil and even more special... he's with Kaede.
Walking around the soft bed of green grasses... with a little jolly jumping movements, they were overhwlemed by the surroundings. Hanamichi would sometimes flap his wings... floats a bit and teased Kaede by pinching his nose and squeezing his horns.
Kaede would blush from the action and would hastily catch the redheaded angel... wearing a smile he seldom has during ordinary moments.
Hanamichi wasn't able to fly better from continuous chuckles... his stomach ached from laughing and the raven-haired devil was able to wrap his robust arm around his waist.
"I got you."
They both snickered and proceeded to a lake with clear running waters.
Their thirst from the activity was quenced by the fresh clean liquid and having their energies renewed... Kaede jokingly pricked a white feather from Hanamichi's wing.
Hanamichi was shocked. He didn't like it when a feather is taken from his wing... he frowned at Kaede, crossed his arms over his chest angrily and ignored him.
"Hana..." the devil attempted for reconciliation as he shoved the angel's shoulder. "Forgive me."
"No forgiveness for such a devil like you." Hanamichi kept his head away from Kaede.
Silence occupied the two creatures and Kaede felt guilty for hurting the redheaded angel. Now it wouldn't be easy for him to see a sweet smile crept on the docile face again.
"Alright... if you'll ignore me forever... then let it be." Kaede sighed and left the rock where the both of them perched.
Hanamichi was flabbergasted. He loathed to see Kaede leaving him... he didn't want to miss his companion... and warm embrace again. Being with him is everthing to complete his life.
When Kaede was already five meters farther from him... Hanamichi yelled. "KAEDE!"
The devil hauled and hovered until Hanamichi reached his location. Assured of the redheaded angel's presence behind him, Kaede turned to face the most beautiful creature he had ever seen and offered the thing he was holding in one hand.
Hanamichi's eyes grew bigger as he stared at the pure scarlet roses Kaede had picked in seconds.
At last, the devil was rewarded by the healing power of the smile from the cute angel... and they both bursted in loud guffaws. Hanamichi was about to take the pretty flowers when Kaede suddenly withdrew it from his reach.
"Catch me first." The devil sprinted down the inclined ground where grasses were greenier and abundant.
Hanamichi took advantage of his wings and flew to catch Kaede in a little time and effort. When he surrounded the devil's neck with his arm in order to block him, Kaede's balance was neglected and they both stumbled on the ground.
At first... it was the angel on top of the devil. However, gravitation rolled them down... and an alternation of being on top came.
For Hanamichi, whirling down the fresh green grasses with Kaede... was more exhilarating than spreading his wings in the sky. While for the devil, being able to touch most the frequent guest of his thoughts... was more than a dream come true. It was a moment where the world stops revolving and the sun froze its rays over the earth.
It was a priceless moment.
The roses laid forgotten on the grasses... one by one.
Suddenly, the rolling stopped and Kaede was on top of the amorous beauty of the angel.
They inhaled oxygen from each other's breath... and their eyes locked in the amative emotion... putting them in a blissful milieu... the home of their hearts.
Kaede's face went downwards to touch the lush red lips with his.
But Hanamichi's discomfort provoked himself to turn his head sidewards... and avoided the contact. He felt awkward to look at the sapphire blue eyes he always adores.
Sensing the inconvenience he had caused the angel, Kaede paused. "I'm sorry."
The angel glanced back at the handsome devil above him. Kaede's face apparently showed disappointment, longing and wanting.
"Well... it wouldn't hurt... just a single one."
Hanamichi would be willing to say those words over and over... as long as it sends euphoria to the friend he cares so much for.
As their gaps minimized slowly... darkness enveloped Hanamichi's closing eyes. The lips of the devil sunk on his and he was elated... filled with joy... and satisfaction.
It supposed to be a simple acquaintance of luscious lips... but the sensation brought them to oblivion and their gasps of desires deepened the meeting. The angel pulled the devil closer to his pool of passion through the neck.
Kaede swooshed his lower lip to taste more of the redheaded angel. It was a tempting sweetness... an irresistible delight... a scornful ardor.
The Dark Emperor was lying sidewards at his throne bed... with Ichiro's back resting at his stomach. There was a file of demon guards aligned at the sides of the underground castle's lobby... and tongues of fire gave light in the darkness.
"You really are the heir to my throne... my son." The Emperor dropped a seductive kiss on Ichiro's cheek. "You have the longest horns in this kingdom. I'm proud of you."
Ichiro's horns were seven-inch long... longer than his twin brother's... since he had kept an authentic fidelity and loyalty for the Inferno... for the evil clan and his heart does not posseess a feeling of care... of a vow meant to be kept... a friendship with a heaven's creature.
"Your Highness..." A naked lady devil kneeled in front of the elevated ground... where the bed throne was. "We have found your other son."
The indigo eyes of the Emperor intensified... and it signalled the other devils to push the huge boiling pot towards the bed throne.
Ichiro could feel the oozing air from the pot... hitting his face. The Emperor and he looked below and a scene on earth was shown.
Kaede was constantly on top of a certain figure and kissing the latter romantically.
Hisashi's thick brows frowned at the sight of his son... who was drowned by the name of LOVE. He gazed closer and recognized the figure his son was falling hard to.
"An angel." Hisashi's hand was constantly sojourned at the lower side of Ichiro's waist and the latter could feel his father's rage as its sharp fingers dug on his skin... earning him red lines of colliding blood.
If red is the color of fury and outrage... then the entire hell was covered by a scarlet smoke... heating and fusing.. cracking the thousand years old rocks and limestones of the underground cave.
The opulent kissing... the birth of an overwhelming emotion... broke from the quaking of the grounds.
Hanamichi and Kaede separated their lips from the comfort of each other's loving cavern.
The Dark Emperor is bursting in choler. Anger wrapped the hell... and jeopardzing the world above it.
Kaede didn't need to obliterate his certainty... he knew his father well and wrath was a stale word to describe it. The Dark Emperor is more than mad... he's exploding... dominating and empowering.
"What's going on?" The angel queried with agitation.
"I have to go for a while."
"WHAT?"
"I have to settle a very urgent matter." Kaede released the arms surrounding his neck.
"And you're just going to leave me here?" A trace of emotional wound appeared on Hanamichi's face. God knows how much he had dreamt of this moment... how much he wished for this day to come in his life. He couldn't bare to see such beauty to vanish in a snap.
"I'm sorry." The devil gave his beloved an intimate chaste kiss... like it would be the last. "I promise I'll return for you. You'll be waiting for me, Hana."
Hanamichi loathed to utter the words of vows once more. He didn't want to spend another day without his Kaede at his side. But he had no choice.
"I promise."
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