Riding on Black Wings

Chapter III: Old Friends and Alliance

Disclaimer: The usual. Though I own Raimondo.

A/N: Omg a super great thank you to GreyHound. Without you, I could never have achieved this fic properly XD. And yes, so like, the info that Orihime thought and all is obviously all wrong. But you guys shall see later OOONN! Yay. And like, I've never seen Orihime's room, so if it's wrong, don't kill me.

Beware foul language, it's not rated for nothing, teehee.

Greyhound Master: Omg thank you so much for fixing all my info-wrong-ness oo……. I owe you a big deal ) you took time to explain everything to me :gives you a cookie: More Reni, yup, yup.

Silverblue Dragon: Thank you for being a loyal reviewer and reader. XD ahaha, yes I appreciated the Ohgami thing. Yay :huggles:

.

Reni awoke with a start, noticing that her whereabouts was a really decorated room compared to hers. The patterns that decorated most of the room were either real crimson roses, or paintings of them. The large mirror connected with the shelf held various different kinds of make-up.

Groggily stretching her sore back after leaning all night, she gazed at the peacefully, yet, probably in pain, Italian. Her limp body looked as if she was only in a profond sleep, to awake any minute by the disturbing sunlight piercing through the thin curtains. The German teenager made her way to the door, noticing the hidden picture behind a vase of roses. It was her and Ohgami, taken last summer, on the bridge. No one could tell from the color-less picture, but when Orihime was hugging him tightly, in excuse for the picture, they both had a blush reserved for lovers. Only Reni knew, since the two didn't really want to admit it, it was because she was the one who took the picture. It was the following summer after the incident with Orihime's father, and about her rants abour japanese men. After that incident, Ohgami was treated by the half italien much better than those previous years. Maybe even getting a little closer to him.

"Oh Reni!"

Reni froze as she almost dropped the picture frame. Swiftly putting it back behind the vase she looked up to see Ohgami curiously peeking from the door. She didn't notice when the door had creaked open.

"Ohgami-san……"

Ohgami seemed intrigued by what the young girl was holding, but his facial expression soon changed to a happy grin, "Hey we have visitors. Maybe permanent ones too! Come down and greet them."

The captain, wearing his white commander suit, in which Reni thought suit him very well left, leaving the door slightly open. Without another word, Reni followed him out, closing the door behind her.

.

"Ah, finalement. Çela a prit une éternité! Actuellement, je trouve que cette place n'est pas aussi mal," Glycine's voice rang through the entrance. Talking in French quite normally to Hanabi who stayed silent through the whole trip. (translation: Finally, it took an eternity to get here. Actually, this place isn't too shabby.) After they were greeted by the happy Hanagumi troop, Lobelia, Coquelicot, and Erica followed them in. Each of them were carrying their own luggages, to Reni, it seemed that they were settling in Japan. She wasn't surprised, they did want to stay here last time they visited. Soon after, a trolly had come to pick the suit cases up, leaving everyone happily starting conversations amonst themselves.

"Glycine, Lobelia, Erica and of course, Coquelicot! Welcome to the Flower Division!" Coquelicot beamed at the mention of her name by Yoneda.

"Well, shall we start the party for our new crew's arrival?"

Everyone cheered and made their way outside. Another party, more hours of life wasted to pointless goals. Well, that went for Reni. Even if most of the time, she was enjoying herself, the German girl always found them a waste of time. She sighed but followed the jeering crowd. Once outside, the sun seemed hidden by slowly passing clouds. Everything seemed peaceful...

A giant dark shadow soared through the clouds. No one seemed to notice since their conversations haven't been interrupted. Reni gasped as she ran up a small elevated land to get a better view. Some people, including Glycine stared weirdly at her before giving a small remark, "Hey, doesn't someone ever look down. This IS a welcoming party for a new crew you know? Besides, we've met before Reni! C'mon, cut us some slack and come over here to say hello." The blonde girl spoke in her arrogant voice, casting a small glance at the German female.

"She's a bit disturbed by Orihime's illness….." Whispered Maria as she observed Reni frantically look around in the sky, shielding the sun rays with her hand.

"She looks more distressed than disturbed……" concluded Glycine, who sighed and turned to look away. Not to mention, ignoring any facts about Orihime. Maria looked at Reni, concerned, then approached her.

"Reni-san…… Is something wrong? Orihime is recovering, she shall be fine."

The young German girl finally broke off her gaze from the sky and looked into Maria's eyes. She sighed and looked away once again, "No, it's not that….. I'm fine, thanks"

.

"That's right…… You heard me, Ohgami it was. He's a japanese men. In fact, Hanagumi originated from Japan. So is the Hoshigumi, but they're better. I've heard that the Hanagumi wanted to cancel out the Hoshigumi, and so that's why they have attacked. I've heard that they've had a grudge against us. They blame us, telling everyone we're the ones who bring the demons to Japan because we exterminate them with bigger and better machinery. Nasty rumours about the Hanagumi are spreading, claiming that THEY are the ones who bring the demons to Japan."

Orihime narrowed her eyes and muttered, "damn japanese men……. Leaving my mother like this…… how dare he!" She widened her eyes and groaned, "ugh, Déjà vu……… And so is the name Ohgami. I felt like I've hated japanese men before……. Then liked them…… then hated them again."

Raimondo chuckled, "You've always hated them…… And you should too. C'mon let's go back inside," ignoring the usual stubborn faced italian woman he made his way back inside. Orihime watched him as she felt a relaxed, yet disturbed emotion inside of her. Soemthing was wrong…… Hanagumi, Hoshigumi…… Ohgami…… This all seemed so firmiliar to her, yet when she searched in her memory for something slight, it just seemed to slip away even further.

Then it hit her like a rock. Her dream……… Those vague words prenounced with a soft, almost angelic voice. All she remembered of the dream was the word, 'trap.' Trap to what?

But before Orihime thought more upon that idea, a killing-pain headache struck her. She fell to her knees almost instant and clutched her head trying to calm it down.

The pain overwhelmed the agonized girl as she couldn't even hear herself scream. Blank darkness took over her eyesight as a firmiliar voice whispered to her. Whoever was at the end of the line seemed stressed, yet calm. He or she had seemed quite anxious, "Don't…… Trap…… Get him…… Wake up…… Not real……" A blinding light had flashed within the darkness. Everything became white as Orihime found herself shrouded in a totally white endless room. She couldn't even tell if she was still standing or not. Everything was so bright…… And there stood a dark figure, too far away to make out from who it was. It approached and reached out a hand, trying to reach the half-oriental girl. The form seemed petite, almost like…… herself? The form changed into a more masculine-built body. As soon as 'he' was now visible, Orihime backed away in fear. Not that is seemed that she actually moved.

His spiked hair, japanese eyes looked mad with fury. The man appeared before her and caught Orihime by the neck. She gagged and tried to free herself from his tight grip barely listening to what he was saying.

"You're in the way…… I'll kill you…… Die!" His fierce eyes blazed with anger and fury. Even if his face seemed firmiliar, yet forgotten, the Italian knew this wasn't the way her usually acted.

Choking, Orihime's eyes were wide with horror, face turning paler than usual, she managed to gasp out a simple name, "Oh-gami……."

.

Panicked screams errupted from the town. The Hanagumi troop, as well as the newcomers turned around to see what on earth was happening. Erica was so distracted that she bumped into the side of the refreshment table, dropping her glass of juice who crashed to the ground severing the delicate glass it was made of.

Sakura swiveled around, instinctively taking her her sword out, slashing a black blur that had appeared a slip-second ago. A raven-black head flew a couple meters away from it's bloodied, detached body, cawing furiously. Everyone gaped at it's appearance.

"Eww, what on earth is that?" Glycine backed away from it in disgust

"Sakura-chan killed a crow?" Coquelicot pipped up as she rushed over to inspect it. Taking a nearby brach, she poked the bird's head as it tried to bite back, taking a huge chunk of the brach with it. She gasped as Maria took her gun out and shot it right in the forehead. To every person's surprise, it was still alive, cawing furiously.

"Taichou…… isn't this the same demon we've-…… or Orhime-chan killed yesterday?" Sakura peered at it nervously, "They didn't seem to be this resistant."

Ohgami and Reni both gave each other a nervous glance, 'No wonder they called her Angel of Death. Angel would probably signify immortality……' The lieutenant thought.

"LOOK! UP THERE!" Yuri yelled, pointing at the Hanagumi's Imperial Theatre roof. There stood Orihime, in her magneta uniform used only when in battle. She seemed to be in deep concentration seeing that her eyes were closed. The Japanese/Italien stood there, immobile, yet seemingly a bit slouch, as if she were controlled. Her usual ponytail was released in long, elegant, loose hair. A large demonic, black bird soared through the air and rose to perch on the roof, alonside its soul-twin.

It glared at everyone, including the town hatefully. It's gaze was particular fixed on one person……

"Ohgami watch out!" Kanna tackled him, avoiding the giant bird's claws. Kohran pulled out a device and pointed the antena right at the bird. She received a couple of confused glares but all their questions were soon answered as the device started to beep. The chinese genius pressed the bulging, red button as a huge fishing net shot out towards the demon. As everyone guessed correctly, it was a heat-sensing, homing net. It was highly known to succeed but before it had even reached its destination, the net was blown to pieces by a bright magneta energy beam.

Kohran gasped as Orihime had suddenly, not to mention mysteriously, appeared before her, giving her a blow squarely in the face. The now-injured chinese girl fell backwards with a crie. She flinched as her hand touched made contact with a warm, crimson liquid slowly flowing down her face. Noticing her broken glasses on the ground with droplets of blood in their sharp metalic ends, Kohran assumed that they cut her.

Blurrily looking up, Orihime's dark figure loomed over her, ready to blow her victim to bits with spiritual power. Closing her eyes, Kohran waited for the impact, but nothing happened.

Once she opened her eyes, Kanna was holding the rampaging Italian/Japanese girl tightly, pinning her so she couldn't move her arms nor legs anymore.

Kaede had rushed to Kohrans's side, helping her up so they could get out of the way.

"G-guys! I c-can't keep her…… pinned for long!" Kanna struggled against Orihime who tried to kick her even if her legs were restrained. Iris teleported inside the Imperial Theatre and took rope from the backstage area. She then teleported outside, as fast as she came in.

"Iris got rope!"

"G-good job Iris!"

"Hang in there!" Ohgami took the rope and ran towards the struggling pair.

"Hurr-.. Agh!" Kanna clutched her nose as the controlled-like Orihime had back-headbutted her. Without any emotions, nor thinking, Orihime dropped to her knees and sweeped the floor with her leg, making Kanna lose balance and fall violently on the ground.

Lobelia was trying to fend off the Demonic Bird with Erica and Sakura, but all the wounds inflicted didn't even seem to bother the demon at all.

"I'm already tired of you! Can't believe they accepted a person like you…… attacking on her own friends," Glycine mocked as her battle ax swung in the air. She had always kept it near her in case.

"I wouldn't talk……" to everyone's surprise, Orihime had responded, though in a dull and monotone voice, and surprisingly without any accent at all.

Reni couldn't move. How could Orihime have woken up just like this, and attack the Hanagumi…… her friends? She snapped herself out of confusion and knew that would come in later. Ohgami appeared next to her side, quizzically asking her for an answer by raising an eyebrow.

"I thought she was in a coma, only to awake later!" He included, "MUCH later!"

"I-I don't know! She had never told me anything about what seems like mind control!"

"Mind control huh? Time to pay a visit to whoever this might be…… I already have my suspicions on-"

"No, it can't be Orihime's grandfather. If he had the power of mind control, Orihime would've already told me…… I know this," the young german girl lowered the tone of her voice, hesitating whether to help Glycine and Sumire, who were attempting to pin the rampaging girl once again.

"Stay still! How do you expect the TOP STAR to chase you like this!" Sumire swung her staff, trying to knock the Italian off her feet, but to no success.

"Hmph, I should've known better than to think highly of you, half-breed!" Glycine smirked, bringing her ax to a halt, digging the end into the groud. Reni gasped. The last time someone had called Orihime a half-breed had been sent to the hospital with a broken neck and leg. Not to mention that they had many bald spots and was now blind.

"How dare you call me a half-breed! The Solettas were always known much higher than you family. Even ones with tainted blood!"

Ohgami heard a rustle behind the bushes, and what seemed like another voice. It was repeating what Orihime had said at the same time in a masculine voice. The captain soon had an idea, "Glycine! Keep insulting her!"

Reni looked at him quizzically, but remained silent. On the other hand, Glycine smiled, happy to be approved to insult someone she already detested, "Aww c'mon, I've seen someone that could actually hit me!"

Sumire didn't want to miss out on the fun and gave Ohgami a glare, "Well, if it weren't for your good eavesdropping skills, you'd be proved useless! I, on the contrary, am the TOP STAR! Hohohohohoho!"

"WHY YOU!"

Just as Ohgami had predicted, a figure had jumped out from his hiding place and tried to tackle Sumire. Orihime had done the same action as him, but was stopped by Kanna, who pinned her once again.

Tsubaki and Yuri had jumped on the male figure, holding him to the ground making him unable to move. He groaned and tried to pry himself away from the girls, but Iris had thrown herself to help Tsubaki and Yuri causing the extra weight to make him collaspe.

The man with tanned skin, and raven-black hair narrowed his eyes, and to Reni's suspiscion, had a strange glow. Somehow he seemed quite firmiliar too. The Pheonix demon in whom Sakura, Lobelia and Erica fought had suddenly brushed all of them off their feet. It cawed madly, letting Orihime jump up on its back. Suddenly lunging for Iris, Tsubaki and Yuri, they got out of the way, letting the man loose. He smirked, rising to his feet. In a swift movement, the demon had caught the man by the collar of his t-shirt while he tried to jump on the demon's neck.

His eyes widened, "What are you doing you dumb bird! I'm your master from now on! And right now, I demand you to let me on your back!"

"Get…… OUT… of-my-MIND!" Orihime screamed out. Her voice trembled as she seemed to be fighting something inside her head.

Reni suddenly remembered who this man was. The young German girl one of Ohgami's swords, leaving him a bit stunned. She threw the sword with precise aim, ripping the collar of the man that was harming Orihime, "RAIMONDO! How could you!"

He chuckled at Reni's apparation and held his hand up high, stopping the young girl's intention of killing him, "Well, well. I presume you to be the famous Reni. Ahaha, don't even think about it," Reni lowered Sumire's staff she had just stolen from the protesting Top Star as Raimondo pointed a finger to his temple, "I can make her do anything. From killing all of you in an easy touch, to her own suicide."

She clenched her fist, gripping the staff a bit too tightly, causing the baton to shake, "I thought you were fond of her."

Ohgami's emotions seemed to unsettle at the word "fond."

"Well, after figuring out my new powers. Might as well collect a lot of money, AND gain Orihime's trust and love by forcing her through her brain hmm?"

"YOU BASTARD!" The Hanagumi's captain unleashed his remaining sword and released his spiritual energy. Hanabi tugged at his sleeve and tried to restrain him from getting to the torturer's flesh.

"Ohgami-kun! Don't! Hanabi, don't let him go!" Ohgami glared at Reni, trying to tell her it wasn't the moment, but the stubborn girl went on, "He can make Orihime kill you! Or even suicide……"

"That's right, little worthless Japanese man. Don't risk my Orihime's life now……" Raimondo narrowed his eyes once more giving them a glow that could send chills down anyone's back, at the same time, the Italian-Japanese girl dropped unconscius, once more on the demon's back.

His gaze fell upon the beast, who seemed subdued and obeyed his command. Within a few minutes, the bird and Raimondo, who held the defenseless Orihime tightly against his body flew off, too far to reach. Every had tried reaching them before they had actually taken off, but the gusts of wind formed by the huge Pheonix prevented that.

"Orihime……"

.

Sunlight pierced her eyelids once more, feeling the warm carress it gave each time. Her last dream was still piercing through her mind…… Ohgami had almost choked her to death, then everything blacked out and a large evil spirit loomed inside of her own. It didn't feel right, and that's how she knew "someone" was corrupting her.

Silk bedsheets were enhancing her comfort, turning to meet the soft pillow, trying to avoid the sun rays. King sized bed she guessed, everything felt real spaced out. And this, Orihime found, was a bad habit of hers.

Always feel where you are, too lazy to open your eyes and actually find out.

Besides, how many times has she woken up to find something rather unpleasent staring at her? Many times, yes, many times...

"You always take a long time to wake up……" sighed a masculine, low, purring voice.

"Toohk youh awhile……" her own voice was muffled by the pillow. He sighed and chuckled. The young Italian-Japanese girl could feel his heat radiation coming nearer. Climbing up on the bed, Raimondo positioned himself on top (no, no lemon, ugh, no way in life) of her fragile body in nibbled softly on her ear, "Ghet off……"

"Now, now, wouldn't you ever want to know the news about the Hanagumi and Hoshigumi?" The fully-blooded Italian purred in her ear. As you could tell, he was still planning on carrying out his plan. Lying was one of his best qualities and he knew she would fall for it, "Reni Milchstrasse……"

Orihime turned around, feeling his body pressure upon hers, she pushed him off disgusted, and lazily opened her eyes, "Reni? What's up?"

Her soul didn't feel quite complete. She felt as if something large was missing in her memory, though all she could remember was the Hoshigumi, Hanagumi as her opponent and enemy, and Reni. Though that she now had learnt that Ohgami and his army was out to kill her, and the Hoshigumi for unknown reasons.

"Well, I won't tell you until you give me a kiss!" he cockily tilted his head to one side.

"Ugh, go away."

"No kiss, no news on your little dear, favorite, German friend Reni!"

She shot him a death-glare, "How about this? Tell me, or you'll-be-very-sorry-you-had-even-met-me," Orihime poked his chest a few times, digging her nail in on purpose. Though he didn't flinch and still held that annoying smirk on his face.

"You're as stubborn as you mother, you know that? Well, I'll be waiting, so when you decide to give me a big smooch, come out and find me."

Leaving the fuming Orihime behind, Raimondo closed the door and walked down the hallway, sighing in relief. His fear about her remembering, or even seeing when she broke out of his control back at the Imperial Theatre was safe. She didn't get to see what was going on, and luckily for him, the plan was back on schedule. He had failed assasinating Ohgami, for a mission, but it didn't matter. Raimondo had much more in mind……

"Raimondo Gualtiero…… I see you have failed the mission I requested……"

"I'm very sorry Mr. Soletta sir. It won't happen again."

"I expect much more than this from you. I haven't been elected to be the governor of Italy for nothing. We shall form alliance packs with other countries and produce our own demon extermination group. Three new members have been recruited. In all, for now, our troup will be consisted of five members. We have already found a name…… And that is:

Avexernus."

.

"Kohran, stay still," Sakura repeated this atleast fifty times now. The chinese girl wouldn't stop squirming. It was true that the medicine Sakura applied on the chinese genius stung, but it was the best they could do for now, "There, all better……" Finally applying the last bandage on the wound, Sakura rose to her feet.

"For a girl like her, she hits pretty hard ya know?" Putting on her glasses, fixed by none other than herself, she sighed, "Man, even without my glasses, I could feel her emotionless glare burn me to bits."

Sakura forced a smile, "Well, after all this commotion, Phgami has been acting quite moody…… he's basically my best friend, and he ignored me while I was trying to make him feel better!"

Kohran stood up too, resting her hand on the poor Japanese's shoulder, trying to reassure her that everything would be fine, "Orihime's kidnapper was obviously not too bright. Don't worry, we shall find her soon, get her back to her normal self and Ohgami will be fine."

The Japanese sighed, but before she could retort any negative comments, unlike herself, Reni had walked into the room.

"I am sorry Sakura-chan. I must burrow the first aid kit, other people have been injured……" She left without another. Her dull and monotone voice only seemed to be a cheerful, normal voice compared to now.

Making her way through the complexion of halls to the main room, Reni couldn't help but think that everything was her fault. She was Orihime's best friend. Why didn't she stay behind and keep an eye on the half Japanese girl while she was in a coma. Or a "fake" coma anyway.

Sighing, Reni reached her destined place. Greeted by warm faces, she reached into the first aid kit and started helping Iris on her minor injurie.

"Reni! Iris is wondering why you have such a moody face!" The french girl pouted. To Reni, she was always a sunshine to gaze at. Always there to cheer her up.

"Don't worry about it Iris……"

"We are going to get Orihime-chan right!"

"Of course. This is our new mission…… we depart tomorrow," Ohgami leaned on the wall, with a somber gaze casting over his face. Even if tried/forced to be his normal self, there was the most determined expression anyone could ever convey.

.

A/N: Whew, sore hands. Man, XD ahahaha, so where'd I get the name from? Well it's latin and I combined two words. Avernus and Axenus.

Avernus: Gate to Hades

Axenus: From the Black Sea. Well since Egypt is in the Mediterranean, and I'm not even sure of that, and too lazy to check it up on a map, just go with the flow. And the Black Sea's like, near Egypt, so like, it's not too far from Italy right? And the conclusion is, It's ALL IN THE MEDITERRANEAN! Oh yay. See? I'm geeeewwwwd. Teehee, well, as you can see, I'm not strong in geo.

Time to welcome new foes, and friends! And yes, I am bilingual. Fun, fun! French was my first language.

How many times have I emailed you dear Steph aka GreyHound? Many! And I am so grateful to you. Thank you once more! No don't worry, this is probably like an Orihime, Reni, and Ohgami based fanfic.

Italy rawks!

If you guys are confused... Well then don't hesitate to email me. All the stuff that doesn't make sense is part of the plan..

Reeeeeview please!