His eyes are the same, cerulean blue, bright as the noon sky.
"Omi."
I ignore the clatter of metal on concrete as the boy drops his weapon. I didn't want him to die like this, even when he became Persia I saw him as the most innocent of us. Wasn't it enough that Aya and I died this way? I sprint across the room and catch him before he can fall.
"Omi." His name is all I can say. I feel the life drain from his body, his blood flows through me even as I hold him. He smiles and I'm confused, it is a content, peaceful smile one that I don't understand. His last breath is a soft sigh belaying a life of death lived in darkness. I close my eyes and weep.
"Ken." I start as I feel a hand touch my shoulder, a hand that is no longer mortal. I look up into a face transformed from the one now still in death. It is Omi, as I last knew him. "Ken, it's alright." I look away unable to meet his gaze. I want to yell at him that no it's not alright, that this shouldn't have been allowed to happen. Gently he pulls me away from his body and makes me stand. He lifts my face so I have to look at him and for a moment I am startled that he is taller then me. Then I remember that he's been that way since he turned twenty.
"I'm fine Ken, I never expected to die of old age." He cocks his head to the side and grins. "Though I did come close."
"Omi, I don't understand." And I don't. I don't understand how Omi can accept this end to his life. I don't understand why he couldn't have lived the last of his mortal life in peace, when even his childhood had been stolen from him. "You shouldn't have died this way." I search his eyes for an answer something that comes naturally to me. After Aya died and Yohji disappeared I spent six years under Omi's leadership. Often it seemed he knew more then Schwarz's Oracle. I needed that now.
"How could he let this happen?" My voice is harsh with anger and I regret my outburst instantly as Omi's smile fades and he looks at me with an opaque sadness.
"You don't remember." He searches my face and I have the pronounced feeling that he's seeing something more. "Ken, don't blame the choices of man on God. I remember now, this was my choice. I knew Ken, I knew when I chose to come here that this was the likeliest course my life and death would take."
For a moment I am unable to think. Then the implications catch up with me and I'm left more confused then before. I can't remember what happened when I died, I try to look back and all I find is feelings. Comfort, acceptance, and that I am loved.
"Omi." I reach out to him and he clasps my hand as I silently plead for help. He smiles again a complete expression of joy without the hint of pain that always shadowed it in life.
"I have to go now." He lets go of my hand and starts to step back.
"No. Omi wait." I plead lunging forward and latching onto his hand. I don't want him to leave, he something stable in a world that suddenly doesn't make sense. He gently brushes the back of his free hand against my cheek.
"You will understand Ken, just not right now." He is starting to fade and I can't hold him. "You've been given a great gift, remember that." I stare at the empty place in front of me where Omi was. I don't know what to do.
A/N: Well there it is. This chapter took a bit longer to get out because I wasn't sure what people's reactions would be. Just for the record this isn't meant to be tied to any Religion so don't get mad at me. I'm writing this the way I write poetry, so while I do have a vague idea where the story is going, when I sit down to type a chapter I just put down what feels right.
Thanks very much to the ones who reviewed the last chapter: Misura, Mondtanz (lol my spell check wants you to be Monday), MOTDOTW, inari-kit, Ver, and Casus Fere.
Yes the angel is Ken, I hope that makes at least one of you happy.
Inari-kit – I doubt very much that Omi would ever lose his chibi look.