Riding on Black Wings
Chapter II: Coma Dreams
Disclaimer: I pledge to not try to assassinate the author-people so I could take over. Sakura will probably have a major downfall since I don't draw as good.
A/N: Thank you for the reviewers:huggles you all: And now…… Well, I'm trying my best to make the chapters long. Moreover, if this is somewhat confusing, well stick with the fic it'll get easier to understand. Ah, yes……. I have like, seriously bad history marks in class, so like…… we haven't done this time period for long. I know James Watt was the inventor of all the steam engines and all.
Where Orihime will be, all the Hoshigumi and Flower Division…… agh it's……. Well I don't know the game, but it's not the real truth. Behold later on.
Greyhound Master: XD ahaha, nope, not abandoning. Thank you :huggles: for saying this is a great fanfic. And Reni's awesome! Awesome ish gewd, and she shall be always involved. FLASHBACK TIME with RENI!
SilverBlue Dragon: Yaaay thank you! And I'm continuing as you can see. XD Then Ohgami it is then, probably, thank god. I know she doesn't like him, best reason, Japanese men. But remember (well I haven't seen it, but heard) that Orihime started treating, and liking Ohgami better after saving her and reuniting the family back together? Yes, yes. Therefore, I shall develop from there on.
Silently waiting in the Imperial Theatre's dining room, Ohgami interrogated Reni furthermore about Orihime's mysterious encounter with the Black Phoenix.
"So, you're basically telling me that the huge crow we just fought, is Orihime's inner wha?" a man, clothed in a general's white coat, and neatly pleated pants from the knee. The golden buttons gleamed confidently, reflecting the dim sunlight passing through the thin-glassed window.
"Soul," the young white-haired girl corrected. Her eyes averted outside to the fluffy cotton-like clouds, lazily passing by. They seemed to be at ease, not a care in the world. Slightly shifting weight from feet to feet, she continued, "Like Sakura, she has inherited the blood of the 'Angel of Death'…… I'm not supposed to reveal this to anyone…… though this means that every single person in the world has a demon inside them. Either for the good and bad. The demon we inherit the blood within is the significance of our demonic, yet angelic form and spirit."
Ohgami gaped in disbelief, "What? So I have a demon inside of me? You? Iris, Maria, Kanna, Sumire, Kouhran, and the rest?"
Reni nodded, confirming what she had just explained. Slowly getting up, ignoring the numbness her leg endured after sitting for such a long time. She couldn't say anything more, not after promising the Italian girl to keep her secrets safe.
"Amazing…… the legends has been confirmed that this demon had been exterminated! Yet, lying undisturbed within the depths of hell……" A girl, barely in her 15's exclaimed, as the sight of a huge portrait visualizing a huge black bird, baring a confident, and brave stance.
"Nah, all they did was stare after the Phoenix. Then, to calm everyone down from Italy, they just lied that the demon bird had been killed within military defenses…… They really think that bird has a walnut shell as a brain. Insulting our family guardian like that, how dare they!" Orihime stomped out of frustration, causing Reni to smile, "well anyway…… Seeing no one's here today…… and that I guess I appreciate you coming here with me to Italy for vacation after our long mission… Maybe it's time to share a bit more about myself."
Shaking her head softly, tousling her short, pristinely, white bangs she disagreed to Orihime's little appreciation, "This is a family secret isn't it?" Reni received a small nod, "please…… I'm not worthy-"
"Nonsense! Look, I'm not really great at keeping secrets, so please do me a favor and hear me out!" she sighed, "This bird, is the Angel of Death. An ancient guardian that had always guarded the Soletta household. We say it was a gift, given to my ancestors for doing some great deed. The gift consisted of having the children of each generation, bare the powers of the Angel. Powers as well as protection, blessed with increasing energy within each year."
"So that means you get even more powerful each year?"
"Well, not precisely. It really means that after each demon, human, or beast I have slain, my powers increase. No wonder they call it the Angel of Death."
Reni beamed at her, "that's amazing! Guess you can call yourself safe for the rest of your life……"
"Not quite……" Orihime lowered her gaze, and nervously tapped her foot, "Well, you see, I can't quite fully control the Phoenix…… they say I have the ability to call it whenever I'm in need of help. I tried, whatever was written in the old book, I carefully followed each step. The day my country had seen the bird, was when it was called upon. But it wasn't me, I was out on my balcony when that happened. Though I saw my grand father with the ancient book in the garden behind some bushes. I can't help but-"
"So in other words. Only your grandfather could call upon the bird. Not you."
Orihime gave a small nod, "Grand pa never exactly loved me…… He even admitted to my mom once, while I was eavesdropping, that I am tainted with a Japanese man's blood. A miserable half-breed, not worthy of the Soletta's……"
Reni rested her hand on the Italian's shoulder reassuringly, "He's still a grand father. He loves you deep within, I know it. But what bad can happen if you do kill the Black Phoenix?"
Slowly turning around, rippling her magneta dress, fully facing the German teenage girl, she softly whispered, "Once it dies, I die with it. When it goes to hell for its eternal slumber, it takes my soul with it, never to return."
The redheaded woman slowly walked-by the dining room, curious to know what Reni's 'secret' story was all about. Slowly leaning towards the door, resting an ear on the delicate-carved wood.
Judging by the farewells and the footsteps becoming louder within each minute, Kanna backed away before she was caught, but it was too late. The doorknob creaked as the door flung open, hitting the poor redhead right in the nose. She let a small, "agah!" and dropped her drink on the floor whom was still hidden by the open door, but quickly shut her mouth, and edged away from the opening pushing in the liquid slowly flowing towards Reni.
Luckily, the German girl hadn't noticed a thing and already headed towards Orihime's room, where a doctor was tending to her 'ill-ness'.
Sighing in relief, Kanna mumbled to herself while rubbing the sore nose, that just got bashed by a delicate, yet, hard wooden door. Slowly pushing back the door back to its enclosure, Kanna peeked from behind the door. After making sure the coast was clear, she sighed and walked out only to slip in the drink she had dropped earlier, now wishing she hadn't forgotten about it too.
Slip……
Bong!
Bong!
Ow………
"Ahahahahahaha!" Sumire's arrogant laugh rang through the hallway, "Now that is interesting to watch! A second too late now were you? Can't blame you, Orihime was our best eavesdropper here. But now that she's in an unfortunate coma, don't try any stupid attempts," she swept passed the redhead whom tried to get up, only to slip once more on the liquid.
Scolding at the aristocrat, she shot an insult to defend herself, "Well, cactus woman. I don't see you ever try. All I see you do is walk, dis, and laugh like a hyena. Not to mention how you insult the whole Flower Division! One by one!"
Sumire waved a finger in front of Kanna whom found tempting to bite off, "Now, now. You mean I basically insult YOU," her vibrating laugh echoed through the hall as she disappeared through the corner.
After muttering, "arrogant cactus woman…..." Kanna lifted herself up from the floor in somewhat, a bit of struggle.
"Kanna?" Ohgami appeared behind the door, looking skeptically at the struggling redhead. Kanna froze.
"Eh, captain…… Nah, I dropped some uhh…… drink, then uhh…… slipped on it and…… somehow landed here…… heh, wow, they sure make drinks slippery huh?" rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, Ohgami raised an eyebrow but then nodded.
From a distance, we could hear another ringing laugh erupt. No doubt it was Sumire that just caught Kanna once again, making lame excuses.
"Gotta go!" slowly edging away, then finally dashing towards the opposite direction, Ohgami was left alone to ponder confusingly. He hadn't had the slightest idea in why Orihime had decided to try and exterminate her own spiritualy-demonic-self. Though he had a suspicion about being it more than in order to save the Flower Division. Plus, how did it get there? Why had her own grandfather decided to create havoc amongst his own grand daughter? What did he want with Orihime anyway? Well all these questions were far from being answered.
"Will she be alright doctor?"
An anxious glance passed through everyone as they gathered outside of Orihime's room. He gazed sadly from one to another and announced in a depressing, yet firm tone, "She is alive," he smiled but lowered his gaze, "I don't know how it was possible, but there seemed to be a large bruise on her temples. Usually, after a temple bursts, there isn't supposed to be any survival because it is a large vessel. The young actress was blessed, but the consequences aret hat she is now in a deep coma. We cannot really predict when she shall awaken for sure. All we can estimate is around three months."
The Flower Division gaped at the estimation, as Yoneda was the first to break the silence, "Three months? Then it shall be…… As long as Orihime gets a full recovery, we shall do everything to maintain her health position. Besides... It is said that it was a miracle she lived on. Let's all be happy for that."
Ohgami nodded and turned to walk away, seemingly very relieved that somehow, the fate of the Black Phoenix hadn't been achieved. He yet, seemed still depressed. Sakura caught a glimpse of his gloomy look and silently followed him as the Flower Division slip their own different ways. Reni was the only one to stay as she entered her former partner's room. Sitting on a chair beside the Italian's bed, she muttered something only she and Orihime would've heard, "You told me everything…… and I felt I was responsible for your safe-being. I failed, I'm sorry……" Reni rested her head by the bedside, probably wondering what was Orihime dreaming about.
Her dream, in which totally blanked out the second she snapped back to reality vanished. Only vague memories and voices rang through her mind, 'don't... let him... trap... live...' They were as mysterious, confirmed. It was just a simple dream, who knows if it, in fact, meant anything at all.
So much for having a peaceful, quiet beauty sleep. Not that she exactly thought she needed one anyway.
"W-………….. ak………… up……."
Stirring, unwilling to open delicate eyes, facing the strong rays of piercing light from the sun, she buried her head under the covers. The young girl felt sore all over, but ignored the pain, trying to go back to sleep.
"C'mon, wake up!" Strong arms pulled her out of bed. Still half-asleep, she managed to flutter her eyes open.
"Ow…… watch where you lay your hands on……" the figure seemed to ignore her words as he carried her into what seemed the outdoors. The breezes caressed her soft, delicate skin as the warmth of the sun seemed to soak her with relief. Managing to get up on her proper feet, the figure warmly smiled as the sun gave him a radiant glow.
"Finally awake. You were pretty throttled in the head I suppose. That bastard, I'll make him pay for what he has tried to do to you."
Gentle fingers layed on the tensed face as it soothed him to the highest peak.
"D-do…… I know you?" Talking Italian seemed to feel awkward, yet normal at the same time. Maybe it was because she didn't use it for a long time. But it did sound better than her usual accent on a foreign language.
The man seemed quite surprised, yet calmed by her soft delicate hands, "Hey, can't blame you Orihime. It's been pretty much a long time I haven't seen you. Over 6 years let's say, and that wound……" he placed his hand on her face this time and gently pressed her temple. Orihime flinched and let out a little yelp. It felt like pressing a normal bruise on your knee, or arm, but this time it was four times as more painful.
"Ugh you didn't have to demonstrate it!" she sneered as he lightly chuckled playfully rubbing the spot her had just harmed. The young lady looked in his eyes as she remembered, "Raimon…….do? Raimondo!"
Raimondo ran a hand through his raven, handsome demi-spiked hair from the front and grinned, "Gee, you changed a lot too. For the better may I add," he winked.
Feeling herself blush, Orihime quickly turned away, finally noticing the beautiful scenery of the Soletta's garden. There were various types of plants, flowers and a fountain in the middle, jotting out streams of cool, pristine water. What had caught the stressed woman's attention were the deep, shaded crimson-red roses. Their cluster was great, the stems that held them together were twined and braided. Every now and then, a beautiful crimson rose fully bloomed, giving the plant more of an aspect. It's every petal made her relax a bit, not to mention the great weather and cool breezes. The magneta, silk sleeping gown in which she had woken up with was swaying to the wind in a soft rhythme, reminding Orihime of music. Not that they made any melody of course. Her long, semi-wavy, raven hair, also balayed itself with the zephyrs. It did feel a bit more free than having it in her usual ponytail.
"Yah, agreed. I assume the gardener must've taken ages to make the garden. Especially aiming for the roses dedicated to your mother."
Orihime snapped back to reality and took a few steps back from the man.
She scowled and tried to remember what had happened and how she ended up back in Italy, "Look Raimondo…… I'm really happy to see you and all, since what? Childhood? And yes, you changed too. But can you please tell me how I ended up here!" she ended quite lamely, yet her frustrated voice told him how serious she was.
"Woah, woah, calm down there. Gee, they shouldn't send you on missions like this ever again…- I mean, uh, yeah, so uh…… You sure you don't remember?" He had winced after being given the familiar death-glare, "Okay well, all I remember is that you were sent to some place after some maids from the mansion and you grand paps' witnessed something you did……. Or happened…..-"
"After that! How did I get these wounds!"
He winced once again at her matured tone of voice, snapping at him, "Eh, well I guess they sent you on a mission. I heard you became one of the top koubu piloters from that organization. You had to protect the Hoshigumi from the Flower Division thing. I don't know the causes and all, but I heard that they're plain evil. The captain of the Shit Division thing, Ohgami sent you wounded, home."
The name 'Ohgami' seemed to strike her like an arrow.
But why couldn't she……….
Remember who he was?
A/N: Yeah I know. You guys are confused like little……… uhm……… monkeys? O-o…….. :cough: I mean…… Well the Hoshigumi and Flower Division (in which I know nothing of) are probably TOTALLY utterly wrong. Well that's part of the plan
Where she is? What's happening? Well you guys will have to wait, and you guys are smart. RIGHT?