Disclaimer: I don't own the majority of these characters. They are the intellectual and artist property of CLAMP and other respective associates. The characters such as Ameijusto and all others not mentioned in the WISH manga are mine, so don't use their likeliness without my expressed permission. Thank you!
A WISH Fanfiction
HEAVEN AND HELL
(Chapter Seven: Unanswered Questions)
The sun shone beautifully in the early morning sky. It was peaceful and still. The kind of peace that can only occurs before the bustle of daily life can disturb the morning's tranquility. Birds chirped merrily above, while the ever so attentive cat twins slept on a neighboring roof. As was they plan, since Ruri and Hari are incapable of locating Kouryuu in Hell they would await his next visit to his cousin, Kokuyo. They waited patiently throughout the night, but the tedium was beginning to bore them, whisking them straight into the Sandman's open arms.
And so, on the titled roof of a house several doors down from Kouryuu and Hisui own home Hari and Ruri slept, unaware that their plan was headed for success. While they were visited the deepest realms of sleep, Kouryuu descended to Earth-right under their noses. Early morning turned to dusk before he emerged from the house, flinging the sliding screens open with a bang. Hisui and Kokuyo followed him as far as the genkan (*).
Initially, the loud sound in the silence is what caused the Cat Twins to stir from their slumber. Eyes barely open, Ruri shook Hari awake. As if she knew what her sister wanted, they both looked around, checking for Kouryuu. When they were done, both began to stretch before beginning to settle back into their rest. Or at least they would have, if they had not heard a voice in the distance that sounded familiar.
"What would you know about this anyway!?", Kouryuu shouted back angrily, as he abruptly turned back to the house on the heel of his toe.
They sat perfectly still atop the roof grinning at one another. Their hopes were on the rise, along with their excitement.
"I know what you have told me. If you wish to tell me more then please do so." Kokuyo was obviously annoyed. He looked at his cousin unemotionally but the lines forming on his brow spoke louder. "Look! You came to me for advice. If you didn't want my opinion then that is your own fault." He was now standing outside the house as well. Although his posture was lax, it was still clear that he was becoming more and more angry. "Besides you have other problems to worry about. Hari and Ruri were here looking for you the other night…"
"What?"
"--Those two are up to something, and it of course involves you. Whatever you're doing these days is pissing a shitload of people off- Father, Hari and Ruri….You'd better start to think about your decisions, before it's too late." Kokuyo shrugged. "Unless you really want to end up dead. And I don't think that's what you want!" His fist slammed to the neighboring tree, shaking its trunk dislodging a few leaves.
Ruri and Hari were sure now who the voices belonged to. Success was within their grasp. One was that of their beloved master, Kouryuu and the other Kokuyo. They cautiously leapt from roof to roof, for better hearing. They were mindful not to get too close though. Kokuyo and Kouryuu could normally sense their presence by now. It was only because they were distracted that they dared venture so close. As they inched closer, it became all too clear that they were arguing about them. Petrified, that they had been sensed, they remained in their present surroundings, the house right next to Kokuyo's. Hari and Ruri drifted into the shadows and listened carefully to the dialogue between them. It was important that they know all that Kokuyo told Kouryuu of their comings and goings over the last couple of days.
Kouryuu looked unfazed as Kokuyo talked so casually of death. A faint gasp could be heard from Hisui as the subject was mentioned. "Uncle's request are manageable and if not, avoidable. He is too busy to worry about me. And as far as the cat twins are concerned they are nothing to be worried about." He smiled reassuringly, mostly to himself. "They are incapable of a single thought that I haven't given them. They are under my control."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that. They may be your servants but that doesn't mean they don't have lives separate from your own! They are not as stupid as you may think, Kouryuu."
"You know, that exactly what it means. They live for me."
"You arrogant bastard, would you think for once in your life? If that's true, then they are more of a threat than ever!" By now Kokuyo was boiling. He balled his hands in fists, only releasing them to fling his arm passionately as he talked.
Kouryuu sighed. This is not what he had intended when he came to visit today. It had just escalated out of control and he was now bored with it all. He could appreciate that Kokuyo was worried but everything was well within his handling. "Enough!," He raised his hands in retreat. "I'm tired of this." He began to chant the charm that would bring him back to the other realm. It lay open for him as he looked over his shoulder and wished them farewell. Kokuyo was still angry his hands clenched tightly in fist and eyes narrowed. He had not noticed that Hisui had left the safety of the house and stood close to Kokuyo, a calming hand placed on Kokuyo's shoulder.
Without another glance back Kouryuu passed through the portal, and as he did so the Cat Twins jumped into action. Leaping down the roof they caught a branch and swung themselves into the courtyard, a few feet from where Kokuyo and Hisui stood. The portal began to collapse on itself, so quick action was necessary if they were to catch him. They leapt through the portal just before it closed. No sooner than Kokuyo and Hisui sensed their presence it was too late. There was nothing that could be done as the two disappeared into the swirling dark hole.
Hisui was the first to break the silence that came over them. "Oh dear. Kokuyo, what do you think that was?" His face was worried as he continued to stare at the place the portal had been.
"Trouble."
This day is full of surprises, Kouryuu thought to himself as he gently pushed a branch aside before it slapped him in the face. For the second time today, Kouryuu found himself in a precarious, unexpected situation. He was almost certain that he had opened a portal to Hell but instead he stood in the plush vegetation of the Bridge. Perhaps subconsciously he needed to enjoy its serenity before returning to the chaos in Hell. Kouryuu smiled, resigned to wondering about for a while but before heading for home.
"Shit. Where is Kouryuu?" Hari slumped over the side of a branch on a large tree rubbing her head vigorously. Ruri was a few feet away and in no better condition. She was held aloft by several branches of various trees. Ruri tried to shift herself into a sitting position but couldn't for fear of breaking the branch supports. Instead she surveyed their surroundings. "Hari, the better question is where in the nine hells are we?"
"No, Ruri that's not important at all. Kouryuu. Kouryuu is the only thing that matters. Remember this is what we've been planning!"
"As if I could forget Hari; first let's get out of these trees and begin searching."
Hari hauled herself up to and upright and balanced herself carefully against a tree trunk. Next with great agility walked over the help Ruri do the same. It is in this way that they made their way down from the treetops and to the security of the ground.
"Now what do we do. We've lost him again."
"What opinion do we truly have? We caught the tail end of the portal so we've been transported slightly away from him. Look, he's still somewhere in the area. He can't be too far. I think that if we are patient for just a little longer we'll find him."
"Alright" Ruri still is unconvinced, but without another plan available to them the one that Hari proposes will have to do.
"Let's go" While Ruri stood trying to make up her mind, Hari had already decided on a direction and began picking her way through the foliage.
Kouryuu wondered aimlessly from place to place. He had no particular destination in mind. There were times when places seemed familiar and he would linger. However if he lounged long enough memories of her would come flooding back to him, releasing a flood wall of emotions with which he was still unable to cope with. When this happened, he wondered again but mindful not to linger for too long in one place. He weaved his way through the Bridge, until he came across a very familiar place. This place he found he couldn't abandon as quickly as the others.
He now found himself standing in the very center of the Bridge. It was more impressive now than it had ever appeared during the meetings. Perhaps it was little dull and lifeless without the normal fanfare that accompanied the formality of the meetings, but beautiful all the same. The place where the meetings would have normally taken place was replaced with a brilliantly white marble pavilion (**). The structure stood massively tall, the perimeter lined with tall chiseled columns and a rail along the edge at waist height. In the front, flights of stairs lead to the entrance. The whole of it was laced with white roses and ivy that winded the length of the columns and any other place they could cling to. It was indeed a beautiful sight.
It's odd. I've come to the place where I knew that our relationship was doomed. I knew that from this moment on that nothing would be the same, no matter how much I wanted it to be. It all seemed to be like a dream, he neared the pavilion almost as if some outside force was floating him there. He felt as if he had no free will of his own anymore, nothing else in the world mattered except reaching his destination. Then just as suddenly as the dream had come over him he stopped and he turned.
There standing partially hidden by the tall brush stood something; something he dared not hope for. But he couldn't deny what all his senses told him to be true. How could it be after everything that had happened?
"Ameijusto."
"Yes. I'm here." She stepped out from the shadows and revealed herself to him. She looked as beautiful as ever. Her raven hair flowing her unbound, a first since he met her. She was dressed plainly considering her new rank. She wore a simple tunic, which bellowed to the ground and dragged as it split at the waist. A large sash wrapped around her mid section and tied neatly in the back and she wore leggings cropped to mid-calf. There were no ornate decorations or lavish jewelry. Indeed she was simply clad considering outfits he's seen in the past and it suited her very well.
Kouryuu watched her approach. Her demeanor was casual as if nothing had ever happened between them. She stopped feet away from him and avoided eye contact.
"Kouryuu." His name was the faintest of whispers as if she was unsure of her voice. She paused for a moment before continuing, "Despite what I said, I couldn't leave things are they were between you and I. It's unfair. I've hurt you more than I have the time to repair, but at least I can explain why I have done what I did. I believe I owe you that much."
Hari suddenly came to a complete stop and looked east, ears twitching. Ruri was a short distance ahead continuing the search in vain for Kouryuu. As if she knew that her sister was no longer exploring like herself she glanced over her shoulder.
"Hari, what's the matter?" She retraced her steps to stand beside her. "Have you got something?" Deeply interested in what has caused her sister to pause so suddenly.
"I don't know really. I think I hear something of that way. No more than that, I felt something," she pointed. Hari and Ruri exchanged looks for only a second before speeding of towards their easterly destination. Thrilled, the dense restricting forest became easy to negotiate or perhaps with their excitement building not an issue.
Kouryuu nodded in agreement. He led the way to the pavilion with Ameijusto not far behind, although the way was short it seemed as if it took an eternity. They walked together in silence. It was the silence that unnerved Kouryuu the most. She had confronted him just as she ever would but its different now. Things could never be as they were but somehow it wasn't of any importance. Change is inevitable but if they would lucky they could mend their present broken relationship. Now at the top of the stairs they made their way to sit on one of the many benches. Ameijusto seemed reluctant to begin. Her hands were restless in her lap and she continued to stare off into the distance. Kouryuu was unable to comprehend the source of her stress.
"Do you know about this place?"
Her question was startling. All the possible subjects to bring up, this one was unexpected. In his slight confusion, he said nothing.
"Not even a clue?" She looked at him briefly and smiled, relaxing a bit. "This is the place which would normally house the void. This is the very place where the meetings take place. Don't you think that its befitting that we should met here again? Here where my dishonestly came to be known." She began innocently enough, but in the end Ameijusto's mood became brooding.
Through the top of the trees Hari and Ruri could make out a dazzling light. It was not the gates of Heaven which face the opposite direction northern direction, so this must be something completely different. They raced as fast as they could until they reached the outskirts of a clearing, and white building. They were about to enter then they heard voices. Curious, whether it was related to Kouryuu or not, they silently creep along the clearing's edge seeking the people the voices belonged to. Hari rounded a larger tree and was shocked at what she could see. An angel. Ruri, inches way, was even more surprised when the one sitting next to the angel was their master, Kouryuu.
"Who the fuck is that?! And what in the name of Hell is an angel doing with Kouryuu?"
"How am I supposed to know!?! I promise you, if she so much as touches him I'll kill her. And there will be someone to stop me!"
"I agree."
There were no words that could truly describe how furious the Cat Twins are. They were so irate that their bodies shook with it, threatening to explode at any moment. Judgment was the only thing that stopped what could have had reckless results. If they intruded in such a way nothing would be learned, and therefore all their efforts would be wasted. With great reluctance their angry subsided long to sit in the shadows and eavesdrop. They were still mad make no mistake about that, but for the sake of discovering who the mystery woman is a necessary compromise.
The silence lasted for a minute or so more before she finally took a deep breathe and resumed, "I feel bewildered, Kouryuu in more ways than one. The day I met you I knew that I wanted to help in anyway that I could, not only because it was my duty but because you seemed as if you were in pain. I couldn't ignore that, not matter how much I tried. You asked to see me sincerely so how could I resist such a request. Gradually, I could feel our relationship start to become more than casual acquaintances. I was scared, not of anything you would do. I know now that you are an expectation to what I've always thought of demons." For the first time since beginning she pulled herself away from her dreamy state, and looked directly at him. She placed a hand atop his and squeezed for emphasize.
The angry began to rise again and there was little that could stop them. Hari jumped up from their hiding place and walked a step or two in their direction. Ruri was not about to let her ruin this opportunity though. She grabbed her sister roughly, wrestling her back to the ground. Hari tired to mumble though her clamped mouth, but her words where inaudible, not that it mattered. Ruri had a good idea what she could possibly be saying; nevertheless, once Hari's mouth was released she whispered it again.
"What'd you do that for? You saw what happened! Damn it, she touched him! It's unforgivable."
"I know, I know. Look, I'm as mad as you are maybe more, but we have to wait and see happens. Besides, she's withdrawing."
Contact was fleeting. She pulled away and retreated into herself again, "But you don't understand. My position is…tainted because of the actions of the last Archangel of the Wind. That associate haunts my every step. Everywhere I go since the decision of my induction was made gossip follows me wherever I go. It is inescapable. Not only because they fear that I will make the same misjudgments as Hisui, because many believed that I was not suitable for this position. I was youngest of all the prospects and the most inexperienced. I often wonder how I was granted it and not some of the others. If you have only seen the others…They were real angels and I…" Her sentence was never finished.
Ameijusto shook her head, relinquishing her pervious thought in an instant. Her voice was dangerously close to losing the composure she was desperately trying to hang on to. "So you see why I escaped to the Bridge so often. I was so happy to have received a great favor from Him, but the talk… I couldn't handle it anymore. I worked hard over the next few years to dispel any doubts that the others might have, but nothing truly changed. It only became more hushed and whispered. The Bridge became my only solitude. I didn't want you know any this. I wanted to keep these two lives separate, not only for myself but also for yours. You had your own problems to worry about without mine adding on to them."
Ameijusto seemed poised to start again but before she could do so Kouryuu jumped in. He sounded wounded. "If you truly regarded me as your friend you could have told me such things. I would have understood." He placed a hand supportively on her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eyes she smiled weakly. Why, why did she do this? I would have understood her concerns, perhaps as no one else could. Maybe there is more to it than she is willing to tell even now…How long do we have to continue to play these games? He was genuinely hurt that she had intentionally kept this vital information from, but deep down he knew it was for the best. It simply didn't seem right.
Under the protection of the trees and bushes, Hari and Ruri observed everything that transgressed between the two. It wasn't an easy task for them to bear witness to these events either. In their minds Kouryuu was acting out of character. In days of old, no more than two words would be exchanged before an endless array of attacks would be cast down upon any and all unsuspecting angels. But now, now he drastically changed. Until this every moment they understood how much he had changed. It was a change that was unwelcome and in their eyes, unneeded in the mischievous demon they had come to love. And love, that it was it boiled down to in the grand scheme of life. Kouryuu was acting as if he loved this girl. It could be seen in the softness in his face, the concern the filled he ruby eyes and his demeanor.
Ruri, unable to stand the site of the two anymore, turned to her sister. "Hey, Hari. Why is he acting like this? He's acting as if he really cares. You know, this must be the one."
Hari looked away as well. "The one?"
"Yes, the one he has been spending all his time with."
"I agree….He isn't the Kouryuu that I remember…."
"True. He has become someone completely and utterly different. I think I know who to blame…" Her cat-like eyes narrowed and cast a deathly gaze at Ameijusto. "She has cast some sort of spell on him. He may not even now that he is doing."
Ruri flexed her claws. "Yes. So what are we going to do about it?"
"Somehow we must detach him from her. If that happens he may again his true self."
"How is that to be done?"
"I don't know. If we wait just a bit longer an opportunity may present itself."
If the truth be known, there was another reason why Hari suggested they continue to lurk in the shadows. In her deepest of hearts she simply didn't want to accept the scene the lays before her. It's inconceivable! Why would he chose a women like her over all demons, over them…Yes, deep down inside she hoped that Kouryuu was merely using her, and at any second he would reveal as much. Openly mocking and disgracing her as he has done so many times before. She hoped that he was biding his time for the appreciate words and actions to be said. When the angel was her weakest, he would strike and throw aside the mask he wore now. It was her dearest wish that this would be true.
Her heart ached for him. In all their time he had been so candid and she had kept important details from him. "You're right. Perhaps, I should have. But again, I was afraid. Afraid of your reaction, afraid of what the others might think if they found out…" The conversation although it varied from light to serious, it now took on a whole new tone. She became more dark, and withdrawn. She drew her arms about her body tightly. "Don't you understand? I am afraid of something much more than all those reasons….I fear…I fear that this friendship is beginning to mirror that of Hisui's."
"What?" Kouryuu was genuinely surprised again. His ears must have heard wrong.
She stood abruptly and paced up and down before the bench, clearly agitated. "Nothing. Nothing at all. It doesn't matter anyway."
"No, it does matter." He stood and placed himself in front of her, blocking her repetitive motion. "It matters to me. What did you mean by that?" His eyes held her gaze and he seized her hands, which had been busy smoothing her robes. "I want to know."
"Why?" she croaked.
His voice softened and he shrugged, "I simply want to know." He could tell that she was becoming nervous; everything about her screamed it to him. Her body language, her eyes, and aura, they echoed the same message of distress. He took pleasure a small amount of pleasure in seeing her uncomfortable. Now perhaps she could feel but a glimpse of what she put him through…
He still held her hands within his own. She tried to pull them away, but instead he pulled her to him. One slipped around her waist and he leaned forward and whispered softly in her ear.
"Tell me."
No answer ever came. Her face only registered shock which he took advantage of. He caught her chin and drew her face upwards. He cocked his head and seized her lips in a gentle kiss.
She broke away, eyes round with surprise. She bought a shaky hand to her lips.
"Kouryuu"
Kouryuu was amazed at his own boldness. It couldn't be avoided. The way in which she went on and on about Heaven and him, something just snapped. All he wanted to do was comfort her, but with more than words. Words are false, but actions are reliable. Actions are the only way in which to measure life. The action one takes or does not take reveals more about their character than word ever could. When he tried to reassure her gently before, his confession was rebuffed. But now that he had her full attention he found no words came to him.
Silence filled the air. Neither could speak nor could they look away either. They were compiled
Hari and Ruri need not speak either. A glance was all it took. They leapt from the shadows with a great rustle of leaves, caused the two distant figures to glance their way. They would see nothing though, moving so fast they became nothing but a blur until they were standing on either side of Kouryuu.
"What the—!!" Kouryuu in shock took a step backwards.
Their hands were all over him in an instant. Running them all over his chest, arms and beyond; mauling his flesh.
"There you are Kouryuu." Ruri purred seductively. "We found you. You've been a naughty boy, making us search all over for you."
"What the hell are you talking about?! Get off of me!!" Kouryuu tried his best to shake them off, but it seemed as if the were permanently attached.
Hari threw her arms around his head, forcing him downwards. She effectively coerced him into a long drawn out kiss. Afterwards, she licked the tip of his nose playfully.
"Don't play stupid in front of you little friend. You promised that you'd come play with us."
"We waited for you all day, naked in your bed but you never came. We were disappointed." Ruri pouted, hanging on to his right arm.
"Kouryuu…Is this true?" Ameijusto could hardly believe her ears.
Kouryuu struggled against his bonds but it was futile. They were completely intertwined with his body. Desperately he tried to plead with Ameijusto, "I don't know what they're talking about. They're lying! I swear it!"
Ameijusto could do nothing but look on in horror and confusion. She didn't know who or what to believe anymore.
"Don't be a tease, Kouryuu. You said we were the best you've ever had. Remember?" Ruri kissed his neck absentmindedly.
"Ruri I don't think he remembers. Or he doesn't want to remember….His mouth may say so but I know where the truth lies." In the next moment, Hari did the unthinkable. With her free hand she cupped his groin and squeezed.
Kouryuu stood there frozen and horrified. His expression mirrored Ameijusto's.
"You see? It remembers us." Hari laughed followed by Ruri.
Ameijusto shrunk and slide to the floor a short distance away from them; her body shivering uncontrollably.
There was little Kouryuu could do against them. Now he wasn't only fighting them but he was fighting his body. It was almost as if it betrayed him, even still he tried to reach out to Ameijusto, praying that she would see through their deception.
"SHUT UP! Ameijusto, please! They're lying. I've never--- not with them! I promise you! Please you must believe me."
Ameijusto slowly rose to her feet. Her back turned to them but it appeared as if she was crying her shoulder moving up and down. As she turned around through nothing could be further from the truth. She was laughing. It was not the sweet music that it normally was though, it was bitter and cold. Next she bowed, tears streaming down her face with a sad smile playing with her lips. "Kouryuu. I'm glad me met. Without you, I would have never learned the TRUE nature of demons and falsely assumed that I could change their evil nature."
"Ameijusto, please. You must believe me."
"I believe nothing you say anymore. God! I have been such an idiot….I feel cheapened. I can't believe that I ever trusted something like you, told you that which I have not repeated to another living soul. Not even Shusei. How I have wronged him! But no more! Now only have disgraces myself but also the office that I hold. I WILL NOT back the same mistakes as my predecessor!" She turned her back on him then, but paused and glanced back.
"Kouryuu! May that I next time I see you may you have an arrow in your hear! Just like mine…." And with that she fled the pavilion and took to the skies toward Heaven.
"AAAAMMEEEIJJJUUUUUSSSSSSTTTTTOOOOOO!!!" He screamed after her but it was too late. She was gone and this time there would be no hope of seeing her again. It was over.
Seeing that she was gone and over the horizon, Hari and Ruri let go of Kouryuu. They congratulated themselves openly. Kouryuu was not pleased at all.
"Master, what's wrong? Why do you stare at us like that?"
"We only wanted to save you from her."
Kouryuu flinched at the word 'save'.
"Go. I never want to see either of you ever again. I release you from my services from here on now. Be gone from my sight!"
Hari and Ruri dumbfounded looked at each other and then turned again to Kouryuu.
"Didn't you hear me?! I said, GOOO!!!" But either of them moved. Exasperated, Kouryuu opened his black wings and left. He could no longer stand to look at their faces. If he stayed he feared what his next actions would have been. If he stayed they would never again return to Hell or walk any other form of existence…..
TO BE CONTINUED…
* * * * *
Chapter Notes:
* Hours later he emerged from the house, flinging the sliding screens open with a bang and followed as far as the genkan (*) by Hisui and Kokuyo. Genkan is a Japanese word, referring to the entry way into the home. It is here that one would normally take off one's shoes and replace them with slippers (or the like) before stepping up the rest of the house. The genkan is set lower in the ground than the rest of the house.
**He now found himself standing in the very center of the Bridge. It was more impressive now than it had ever appeared during the meetings. Perhaps a little dull and lifeless without the normal hustle and bustle that accompanied the formalness of the meetings, but beautiful all the same. The place where the meetings would have normally taken place was replaced with a brilliantly white marble pavilion (**). The pavilion is not an original CLAMP idea that comes from the manga. It is something that I came up with on my own for this story. There is no real reason for it other than I thought it would be interesting.
Author's Notes:
Well I hoped that everyone liked this chapter. It has been long in the making but…I least I updated right? As always, please read and review. What do you think about the latest plot twist? (I know, I know. Please don't hate me!) Thanks for sticking with me so far. More to come in the future.
Akuma