Disclaimer: Again, I don't own any other these characters, except an original that is introduced in this chapter, so don't sue me. You wouldn't get any money.  ^v^;; Just so that you know, sentences with (*) following them mean that the is a note at the end of the chapter. Obviously, the number of (*) in the sentence should correspond with the (*) at the end. And without further ado:

Dedicated to: JamieGirl and St*r, who were good enough to review. Thanks, I really appreciate it!

A WISH Fanfiction

Heaven and Hell

(Chapter Two: A Perchance Meeting)

          The wind was fair that morning in Hell. It wasn't fierce or harsh but a tranquil breeze that flowed over his wings gently as he made his way to the Bridge. This was his favorite condition to fly under. On days such as these it's easy to just take off and drift away, letting the wind carry you as it desires. It was easy to loose oneself in winds like these, without a care in the world. For this reason and others are why flying is another activity that Kouryuu found enjoyable. There's nothing in the world like feeling the wind beneath your wings. The ground falling away, as you begin climb soaring higher and higher into the fluffy, transparent clouds.  There's absolutely nothing in your way, just you and the sky.  It's the complete and utter feeling of freedom.

Some days he would fly around for hours, having no particular destination just merely enjoying flight.  Often, he would find himself at the highest most point of the castle, where he would watch the demons below go about their daily business, which seemed tedious and pity from his advantage point. None ever seemed to notice him at his perch and if they did, none seemed to care which was fine by him. Even the cat twins, Hari and Ryuuri, couldn't find him when he would disappear these heights. He was grateful for that, sometimes it was best to be left by one's self.

          It amazing how much his mind had wandered considering that the Bridge is only a short distance from the Castle, for at the very second that he detached himself from his deep thoughts; he was already at its edge. He paused for a moment, dazed. It was beautiful as ever. The sight of it took his breathe away, as it did every time he approached it.  It's not as if it changed from day to day, the sight of it was just in a word, breathtakingly beautiful. Nothing like it existed in Hell; it contrasts heavily with the dark and gloomy atmosphere only to be replaced with one containing rolling, lush, green meadows, trees and flowers. The difference between these two places was distinctively startling.

          He dove for a clearing at a small distance from the border of Heaven effectively putting him as far as he could from Hell.  He was surrounded by tress the tops of which created a canopy of leaves, shielding him from the bright sun.  Not too far in the distance he could hear the splash of the waterfall as it collides with the river under it.  It was into this area that Kouryuu settled himself into. On one bank of a stream, there was a large oak tree. It was one of the largest trees that he had ever seen at the Bridge and so must also be one of the oldest, if such a thing existed here. It stretched above and beyond all the others. With this back facing away from the river, Kouryuu sat.

          He stretched his legs along the length of the branch and made himself comfortable, leaning against the trunk. He steadied himself as he adjusted his arms behind his head and closed his eyes.   Kouryuu relaxed immediately. How could he not? The birds chirped merrily around him, the river babbled incoherently in the distance, the shifting of the breeze and the sun dancing down through the lush blanket of the trees, casting a company of shadow puppets on the grass. The atmosphere, everything was perfect. There was nothing for him to worry about there. No one to summon him back to Hell, or well at the very least they would have to find him first. There was nothing but him and nature in all its splendid glory.

"It's funny how I never cared for these things before... It used sickened me to watch Kohaku care for Seichirou's yard. The birds fluttering around him and all, it was just too happy...Now look at me," he jokingly mocked to himself. "I've become soft, just like him, like Kokyou." He sat completely still for some time willing himself into thoughtlessness, and slowly but surely he fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.

He could have remained that away forever, if he was not awakened by a strange sound. It was something that he hadn't heard in a long time. It sounded like laughter....Laughter, well pure laughter, is something that is rare in Hell. That is not to say that demons don't laugh, because they do. It is that their type of laughter was different. It usually had some type of maliciously evil undertone within it. However, this laughter was genuinely full of happiness. It rang as clear as silver bells in the relatively silent forest.  The sound completely and utterly mesmerized him. He needed to know what creature made this foreign sound and so he poised himself to do just that.

Without making the slightest of sounds, he slip gracefully from his resting place and, while still camouflaged behind the trunk of the oak, he eased his head around to see. "...AH!", he gasped as he whipped his body ridged behind the trunk again. His clutched his heart pleading with it to stop its rampant beating. As it calmed, he eased around a second time. He could only stare, unwilling to let his heart believe what his eyes saw so clearly before him.

The splashing there in the lake was an angel, the most beautiful angel he'd ever seen. Of course all the angels are visually pleasing, but this one was by far the more beautiful than any that he'd ever seen in his entire life, beautiful because she was different. Indeed, she was unlike any angel that he'd ever seen and he'd seen many at the seasonal meetings. First and foremost, this angel looked like a woman. He was surprised by this. All the angels he'd seen at this point were as best as he could tell had the appearances of males although there are supposed to be sexless (*) but this one has the characteristics of human women as observed by her round breasts.

"That's a change for God..." He commented under his breath as he licked his dry lips.  It was not one that he minded, however as he watched her swirl and prance near the water's edge. For God to have created such an angel, meant that he was dealing with the lost of his two angels in a way. He must have acknowledged that they too crave more than servitude, despite their origins.

He lightly shook his head and again turned his attention to what was in front of him again. She possessed tremendously long black hair that swished back and forth gracefully, as she chased and splashed the birds that, Kouryuu assumed, were her playmates (**). Her black hair complimented nicely, with her golden-brown skin and flowing robes which were drenched at the seams.  He continued to watch from behind the tree, totally engrossed in the actions of the angel until he could watch no longer. He wanted to know more about her. She was so unusual, so different than all the others that he'd seen.  

He boldly stepped from behind the oak, but stops before clearing its shade completely, thus he was still hidden from her point of view.

"That looks like fun....May I join you, Angel-sama?

She immediately dropped her skirts which she had gathered in her hands in a failed attempt to keep them dry. Her face wasn't afraid in the slightest just startled. She tried to locate the speaker of the voice but couldn't, turning every which way, scanning the forest line.

Kouryuu was pleased with himself.  The look of puzzlement that sparkled in her eyes was priceless. This little angel could maybe just be the end of this boredom. The mere thought of it excited him, an eager smile spreading from ear to ear.

"Oh! Is someone there? Where are you? I can't seem to find you...Why you hiding? Are you playing some sort of game?"  I was surprised to suddenly hear someone speak. I had been so involved in playing that I hadn't noticed anyone approach.

The look in her eye gleamed happily as she said those words; Kouryuu could not help but laugh softly to himself. Indeed it is a game, a game that has just begun, the angel being the prize. He said none of this out loud of course he merely asked again, "May I join you Angel-sama?"

"If that is your wish, then you are welcome to. Although I must warn you I'm no supposed to be here. If Rasho-sama and the other Archangels catch us we're in trouble." She winked as she said this. "Especially if I get caught again..."

You're already in trouble, little one. He slowly inched his way near her as the angel continued to talk to him. She obviously thought he was another angel. She had invited him so openly and sincerely that there could be no other excuse. It made sense though because they were very close to Heaven's border. He smiled.

"My name is Amejisuto. (***) It is a pleasure to meet you. What are you doing here? I come here often and there are hardly ever any other angels around....What do you do in Heaven?

So your name Amejisuto, suits you well. He watched her as he continued his way toward her. Her eyes are an unusual color of amethyst truly a color that a demon, such as him, would have. Truly befitting the jewel her name spawned from. He liked her more and more...

Finally, he stood yard before her. It was perfect timing too. Amejisuto's back was turned toward him, she had been trying to locate the voice of the speaker the entire time....It was so cute!

"It's nice to meet you, Amejisuto-angel-sama. I am—"

"Why do you keep saying that? Angel-sama, I mean. It sounds....strange. After all you are an angel as well." She turned around to finally face him directly, the owner of the mysteriously voice that had called out to her from the forest.

"...You are mistaken. I am not an angel" He flashed her his most radiant smile that he could manage under the circumstances. By this time, laughter threatened to escape his mouth at any possible moment.

He saw her face change instantly. Her eyes became large and her face drained of all color. Only second before it had once been full, happy but it was now replaced with sheer and utter terror. She scrambled to get to the shore quickly, while still keeping eye contact with her guest.

He chuckled. "As I was saying, I am Kouryuu, nephew to Satan....In other words, a demon." He couldn't help but smile as he introduced himself to her, making a grand, sweeping bow as he did so. She was horrified, with good reason though. She was alone, on the neutral ground of the Bridge, with powerful demon, not only that but one from Satan's lineage. Royalty.  Nonetheless, Kouryuu ignored her uneasiness and stepped closer, hands up in a sign of surrender, a gesture to ease her discomfort.

"I mean you no harm."

"Please." By this time she had made her way to the bank and continued to back away from him as her neared her.

"Leave me alone."

He simply shrugged, and caught her eyes as he said, "No. If you would but listen, I have no attention of hurting you Little Angel. I could have done that a very long time ago, while you played in the stream, but I did not. I just want to talk. Nothing more so please, don't be alarmed. I promise I won't hurt you."

 While he spoke all this, his eyes never left her own, and his advancement had not stopped until he stood only about a few feet away. She seemed less nervous than before but she had continued to slide away from him, until she hit up against a tree trunk.

Amejisuto felt trapped. Granted if he had wanted to harm her he could have done so long ago but still his presence made her uneasy. Maybe all demons are no as the bad as they seem...Get a hold of yourself, Amejisuto! This is nothing to become worried about.  Archangel Toki is scarier than he is! She pushed herself off the tree, gathering all her courage and strength and faced him directly and bowed determined to overcome her initial fear of him.

"I'm sorry. This is the first time I've been this close to a demon before....I was just a little surprised. I-I didn't know what to expect." She forced herself to continue holding eye contact with him. His eyes...His eyes are the color of blood. It disturbed her but deep down she found them to be beautiful, hauntingly, dangerously beautiful.

Now that he was so close she noticed how incredibly handsome the demon really is. In the distance he looked thin and frail body but now she could see that his frame was muscular, but not overly so. His lithe frame stood about six inched taller than she. His face was well rounded, with large almond shaped eyes, a pointed ears and a mop of black hair much like her own. Indeed, he is as beautiful as any of the angels in heaven; perhaps even more so...

He followed her eyes as they roamed across his body. He had always taken great pride in his physical appearance so naturally Kouryuu was delighted with the attention that the angel seemed to address to it. 

Kouryuu caught her gaze as her eyes roamed back to his own and smirked, which grew wider as Amejisuto blushed in reaction. She lightly berated herself for observing him so openly. A mistake she would be careful not to repeat again. However, to hide this embarrassment she dropped her gaze to the down and began to stumble through an introduction despite the fact that her face was still ablaze.

"I'm sorry. I've missed your name before. My name is Ameji—".She smiled, although it did not reach her eyes as it once had, as she introduced herself a second time.  She moved a hand to place it over her heart, a gesture of respect, and began to drop into a low, formal curtsey. However, Kouryuu seized the right hand before it reached her chest and brought it to his lips as he bowed slightly, effectively brushing he lips against the captive hand.

"Yes. You are Amejisuto, I recall. My name is Kouryuu. It's a pleasure to meet you." Even as he straightened from his bow, he continued to hold on to her hand.

Amejisuto could feel her face become hot. She was taken aback when he had suddenly grabbed her hand but even more so as he continued to hold it, caressing the back with his thumb. Contact with him was unwanted but it was not unpleasant, simply uncomfortable. She began to feel dizzy and unbalanced; losing herself into depths of his red pools.

"Ummm." She gently pulled her hand out of his grasp. "It is nice to meet you as well, Kouryuu-sama, but I really must be going back now....My instructors will begin to worry if I don't return soon." She took a few stops backwards and turned in an effort to leave, her wings fully extended.

"Wait."

His shot out and grabbed her wrist, just before she could fly away. She turned to look at him.

"Yes?"

"I would very much like to see you again. Please promise me that you'll come tomorrow".

"I-I..." His request made her nervous all over again. Why would he ask such a thing of her? Why? It made no sense, but as she looked into his eyes she couldn't say no, feeling the warmth that seemed to emanate from them and his reassuring smile. There was something deep in those pools of red that pieced the very depths of her very soul. She couldn't ignore the help that seemed to cry out to her. It's the basic duty of any angel to provide comfort to those in need....

          She nodded and reluctantly added, "I will try."

 "Good. I will be waiting for you here, Amejisuto angel-sama. And thank you." Before releasing her, he lightly squeezed her hand for emphasize.

He watched her leap into the air and fly beyond the treetops as her wings caught the wind, carrying her back to the sanctuary of Heaven. Once she was merely a speck against the sky he turned his back and stretched cat-like, casually looking for another place to enjoy the quiet of the Bridge. He had something to look forward to tomorrow, and maybe everyday.

That is the end of the other Chapter Two: A Perchance Meeting

Thank you for sticking with my fanfiction so far!

Akuma

What do you think so far? Please READ AND REVIEW! Please remember when you do REVIEW to only leave constructive criticism only. That means don't tell me it sucks and not say why, give a reason and perhaps a suggestion on how to make it better, Writing, after all is a progress. I can't improve the story if I don't any direction from you, the reader! Thanks again!! J

NOTES:

(*)"". First and foremost, this angel looked like a woman. He was surprised by this. All the angels he'd seen at this point were as best as he could tell had the appearances of males although there are supposed to be sexless but this one has characteristics of women observed by her full, round breasts."" I broke a cardinal rule with these two sentences. Yes, the Angels in WISH are supposed to be sexless but I figured that after the recent events involving Kohaku and Hisui that God would rethink this principle. I think that He would model the Angels more like humans, meaning that there would be both sexes although I'm not sure that that would include genitalia. I'll have to think about this later in the story. ^v^;;

(**) ""She possessed tremendously long black hair that swished back and forth gracefully, as she chased and splashed the birds that Kouryu assumed she was playing with."" This is a characteristic remnant of Kohaku. He always seems to be surrounded with birds. I can't remember if he talks to them or not, however the fact remains that they are a constant presence with Kohaku. I just thought that I'd use that idea here.

(***)""My name is Amejisuto."" In keeping this the theme that CLAMP has set for most of the lead angels and demons, her name is that of a gem, Amethyst.(examples: Kouryuu = Red Garnet; Hisui = Jade; Kokyou = Black Obsidian and Kohaku = Amber) I have chosen the Japanese spelling of Amethyst, mainly because all the others are in Japanese. I'm trying to keep everything consistent for the most part.