Tenshi no Kokoro
Disclaimer: refer to first chapter
Summary: Chimera has been defeated and the Angel has emerged. But now the Angel seeks only to destroy evil. Seto and Ryuuji, aided by a reborn Marik, must overcome it to find their lover. S/R/R, YY/YB, YM/R
Warnings: OOC-ness
Responses to Reviews and Author's Notes:
Chapter ten already? Wow, the chapters just seem to come and go. Not as quickly as Judgement did, but still quickly nevertheless. Ne, minna, have you noticed that I'm getting less and less reviews? ; Maybe people are losing interest, I dunno. I just wish I got more than four reviews . . .
Chibi Nao-chan: Hello, Nao-chan! Glad you finally decided to read this fic! It's about time too! Yeah, three-way relationships are hard to manage, really . . . so Angel comes to save the day!
Andromeda90: It's okay ; I was just looking for something to gripe about. Glad you liked the chapter though
Ril: yes, I love Ryuuji and Angel as well!
Elle-Fate2x1-2: Well . . . I've just updated, so you can find out what's happening! It sounds a bit rushed, but I was running dry . . .
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Chapter Ten: Diverging Paths
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The sunlight was very warm. He could feel it on his back as he lay on the grass, resting his head on his arms. He was clad in jeans, with no shirt, and was thankful that the part of the garden he had decided to visit today was free from hindrances such as gardeners or wandering servants with nothing else to do.
He had never taken the time to enjoy the simple pleasures, like feeling the warmth of the sun on his back. It was always either doing what he was told, or doing what he was told, never about resting or relaxing. When he did rest, it was because he had performed his duties and his service was not needed. Even then, he was constantly watching out from the depths of his host's mind.
Now he felt almost – content. He stretched his wings slightly, loosening the muscles in them. He hadn't been flying for a while now.
"I told you you'd enjoy this."
It's you.
"Of course it's me. Who'd you expect?"
The grass rustled as Ryuuji sat down on the grass next to him. The game creator was dressed in a red vest and tight, black jeans. He leaned back, balancing his weight on his arms behind him and tilted his face to the sunlight, sighing. Beside him, the Angel lifted his upper torso up so that his arms were folded in front of him and he was balancing on them.
Don't you have work to do?
"I finished it." Ryuuji looked at him, grinning. "It's a good thing for summer."
The Angel didn't return the grin, staring down at the grass below him.
I never really paid attention to nature, he admitted. It's – nice, though.
"Yeah, it is." Ryuuji plucked a nearby flower. He held it out in front of the Angel's face. "Here, for you."
Blinking, the Angel took it from him. The petals were white, soft but they also felt durable and not easy to break. A sturdy, reliable and strong kind of flower. He looked at it for a moment longer, before setting it upright on the grass and running his power through it.
"What are you doing?" Ryuuji asked curiously.
A flower belongs in the ground, where it can live, he replied simply. Letting go of the stem, the flower stood upright again, roots embedded into the ground. It is more beautiful that way.
"You're different now, compared to when we first saw you."
Really? I've never noticed.
"You were really cold and ruthless . . . now you're just lying down here, teaching me how to appreciate beauty."
So now I'm just soft?
"No, actually." Ryuuji sat back, thinking. "You're still a bit stand-offish, to be blunt, but compared to before, you're much more open. I don't think you've ever really just sat back and watch things pass by, have you?"
No, I haven't. The Angel sighed. There was never really time.
They sat in silence for a few moments.
I want to save Ryou.
Ryuuji blinked in confusion, looking beside him. The Angel was sitting cross-legged now, wings folded behind him. His icy eyes were staring at the flower.
"What do you mean?" the game creator asked. "Is Ryou in danger?"
You could say that. The delicate brow furrowed in concentration. Remember, in the Otherworld, how Ryou's aura started showing black? Ryuuji nodded hesitantly. Well, that was because of me. Each time I take over his body, I am depleting his aura, tainting it.
"So – how are you going to stop that? You can't stop the depletion. Seto, Ryou and I know that and we can't really blame you, can we? We've accepted it."
But we will eventually die.
"Everyone dies," Ryuuji retorted. "We accepted that when we first became Chosen. It's fact. There's nothing to be afraid of."
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Midnight came. There was nothing particular about midnight, except that it perhaps suited the mood better. The Angel claimed that the night of the full moon enhanced what powers he had been given.
/ Are you sure about this? / Ryou asked. He hovered between Ryuuji and Seto, looking worried. / It's dangerous and requires a lot of power /
I made up my mind. A moment's worth of suffering is better than dragging the two of us to our deaths together. The Angel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I invoke the powers of the Gods . . .
It was like one of those fantasy films. The Angel was one of those termed 'magical beings' and he was standing in a ring of moonlight, reciting words that seemed to burn and echo in their minds. He named each and every God that stood in the Chamber of Judgement, called on their powers.
Ryou felt his head grow heavy and he fell forward, into blackness, as his Angel counterpart continued to recite the names of their Gods. Seto and Ryuuji watched, clenching their teeth worriedly, not daring to speak in case they interrupted something vital to the process.
All too theatrically, everything went still. Nothing happened. Then, there was a tearing sound, like something was being ripped away from its original position. The sound was like a piece of paper being torn in half. The pale body before them grew a new shadow, before Ryou's features seemed to double and then separate, taking on two different, solid forms. One of them had wings.
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"Is it . . . over?" Ryuuji whispered.
"I think so." Seto blinked as Ryou's eyes opened. "That was very quick."
"I-I don't feel any different," the albino said, looking down at his hands. His eyes had returned to their former, dark brown. "Except a bit empty and . . . cold."
Indeed, the Angel agreed, opening his ice-blue eyes. It is cold. I had assumed that the separation would be painful. I guess it was a misjudgment.
Ryou shivered, rubbing his bare arms. He was wearing a thin, short-sleeved shirt and faded jeans. Seto removed his own coat and wrapped it around his thin shoulders, embracing him tightly. The albino buried his face into the CEO's shoulder, returning the hug. Meanwhile, Ryuuji was watching the Angel.
A happy ending for the three of you then, the Angel sighed. I must return to my duties. The Gods beckon.
"Can't you stay just a while longer?" Ryuuji blurted out. "I mean – what happens if there are side effects that show up later? We can't risk it."
I can take care of myself.
"I worry about you."
A soft, ghost of a smile flitted over pale lips. The Angel showed his first sign of mortal mirth tentatively, as if he were afraid to do so. The game creator brushed his fingers through a lock of the silvery hair gently, like he used to with Ryou. When he did so, there was a feeling of completeness.
You worry too much about little things, Chosen.
Ryuuji took his hand softly and turned to Ryou. The other albino, still wrapped in Seto's coat and arms, returned his gaze with a soft, understanding one. The time had come. He pulled away from Seto and walked over to Ryuuji.
"I want to go with him."
"Wakatta," Ryou said quietly. He was smiling. "I knew it."
"H-How?" the game creator blinked for a moment, before flushing. "Sou ka . . . your empathetic powers. Gomen, I'd almost forgotten."
"Take care, the both of you," Ryou whispered, meeting both pairs of eyes.
"I'll come back, I promise," Ryuuji said firmly. He let go of the Angel's hand to bring Ryou into a tight hug. "I'm coming back so we can fight together. I've still got my stuff here."
Our bond is still intact, Ryou, the Angel added. We will contact. For now, if this Chosen decides to follow me to the Chamber of Judgement, you will not be able to reach me. He hugged Ryou awkwardly, hesitantly. You will always be my other half, omote. Next we meet, it will be to defeat all evil.
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Do you regret choosing to come with me?
Ryuuji chuckled, grasping the other's cool, slender hand in his. They were standing at the gates to what was known as Heaven. This was where the Angel had come from. He took in the simple elegance and humble beauty of the place, noting that the overwhelming presence was not because the place was lavish, but due to an unseen element that seemed to create that atmosphere.
"Iya," he said.
Are you certain? It is not too late to turn back now.
"I just feel like I'm meeting someone's parents," Ryuuji admitted sheepishly. "Nervous, a bit worried . . . the usual thing."
You jest, Ryuuji, the Angel chided, using his first name. I am being serious.
"When are you not?" Ryuuji smiled again. "But no, I have no intention of backing out now. I have so many questions to ask. Like why I became a Chosen and why I'm able to stand here today."
Is that all?
Ryuuji detected a hint of curiosity in the Angel's normally placid tone. He grinned.
"Well . . . no, not really." He squeezed the hand in his slightly. "I'm curious as to where you come from. Mortals like me are always curious and you're just so fascinating. I'm not sure where my feelings stand at the moment, but I know I am drawn to you."
As am I, the Angel replied.
The gates opened to admit them. Ryuuji swallowed nervously, clutching at the hand in his. The Angel remained calm, his eyes fixed ahead and his back straight. Purity enveloped them in silvery brilliance and Ryuuji had to shield his eyes. A warm, safe feeling settled in his heart, placing a blanket of security around his form.
Home . . .
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"They've gone through the gates."
Seto looked up from a file he was reading, seeing his lover standing at the window. The glass was more than five times his height, from the floor of the room to the high ceiling, and Ryou was dwarfed by it. The heavy curtains had been pulled aside to let the moonlight flow inside. Ryou stood within the moonlight, his once-more dark eyes staring into nothing. The light cast his shadow across the great expanse of the room, illuminating his pale features.
"Here, koi," the CEO said, putting his file aside. Ryou went to him. "They'll be fine and you know it."
"Un," Ryou whispered, burying his face in Seto's chest.
"You want to cry and you should," Seto murmured back, holding him tightly against his chest. "No one can be strong forever. You helped me see that."
The half-albino (A/N: yes, will refer to him as half-albino, cos he isn't really an albino) looked up. He smiled and shook his head.
"Iie," he said. "I don't need to cry because, essentially, the one Ryuuji chose is still me. Just another form, in another place. In the beginning, the Gods made things so that a single, whole soul was divided into two parts. These two parts are known as each other's soul mates. Until now, I was not sure who was my soul mate – you or Ryuuji – because you both mean the world to me. But now . . . I know. Mou hitori no boku is Ryuuji's soul mate and I am yours."
The CEO leaned down to kiss him softly. He returned it gladly, hands clutching the taller teen's shirt. After a while, they pulled apart reluctantly and Ryou sighed. He rested his head on his lover's chest, nuzzling him affectionately.
"It seems selfish to be glad that you're all mine," Seto chuckled quietly. "But I am. And how did you know about Ryuuji and – your other half?"
"I thought it was obvious, Seto," Ryou replied, raising an eyebrow at him.
"For you, maybe, koi," the CEO said, kissing him on the forehead. "You're an empath. You can feel it long before they can. I can only read their minds, so I know only when they do."
Ryou laughed softly and glanced up at him from under his fringe.
"I hope you're not reading my mind now."
/ I never thought you'd be one for such thoughts, koi / Seto told him wickedly.
"Mm . . . I'm not," Ryou replied. He turned around slightly so that he could loop his arms around Seto's neck. "You're just influencing me."
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Yami and Anubis made their way to the kitchen the next morning, yawning and rubbing sleep from their eyes. Seto and Ryou were already there, the former dressed in a T-shirt and jeans while the other was in an oversized top and shorts. The two former demons blinked for a while.
"Uh . . . ohayou," Anubis slurred, still only half awake.
"Where's Otogi?" Yami asked.
The two of them had been – ahem, occupied – while the separation had taken place, so neither of them knew about Ryuuji's decision to leave. Seto kissed his lover on the forehead briefly before explaining to the other two.
"He left with the Angel," he said. "Last night, when you two were screwing like wild rabbits in heat, the Angel performed a separation ceremony. Ryuuji made the decision to leave with him afterwards."
"So . . . he's never coming back?"
"Iya, he'll be back," Ryou corrected. "They just need some time to . . . get to know their significant other. Ryuuji's decision was really spur of the moment and he needs time to get off his impulsive thinking."
"So you guys aren't together anymore?"
"Yes and no."
Anubis blinked.
"Now you've lost me."
"He and the Angel are each other's significant other," Ryou explained. "Since the Angel is essentially part of me, while he is with the Angel, Ryuuji is also with me."
"It's a twisted rectangular sort of relationship we will never understand, Anubis," Yami said, wisely not bothering to make sense of what was going on. He looked at Ryou's attire with a raised eyebrow. "You guys finally got around to getting laid?"
Ryou blushed and dropped the butter knife he was holding. He and Seto both ducked down to pick it up, the CEO hitting his head on the table as they straightened. Anubis and Yami snickered as Ryou fussed over Seto's 'injury', but held it back as the two turned and glared at them.
"That's none of your business, Yami," Seto snarled.
"It's true then," Anubis said, nodding his head sagely. "Ah yes, my little reincarnate is very, very appealing in that shirt . . ."
Yami growled angrily as Ryou blushed deeper. The former pharaoh took the newspaper lying on the table, rolled it up, and proceeded to whack his lover on the head with it. Anubis yelped and grabbed it from him, kissing him quickly. Seto and Ryou rolled their eyes as they kissed long . . .
"All right, knock it off you two," Seto said briskly, grabbing the newspaper and cutting between the two of them. "You have to go to work."
"I'm still sick," Yami said immediately.
"You are not," Ryou shot back.
"No, but nobody else knows that," Yami said, winking.
Alert, alert. Sector A-15 under attack. Repeat, sector A-15 under attack.
Yami and Anubis watched as Ryou ran upstairs and came down, two minutes later, completely dressed, grabbing his backpack by the door and swinging it onto his back. Seto was already there, waiting, his own briefcase in hand. They waved back to the former demons, yelling for them to get to work, before roaring off on their motorcycles. Anubis and Yami blinked at each other.
"Did you just see what happened?"
"They – ran out the door?"
"Maybe we should just go to work. Grab breakfast on the way."
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/ It's a salamander-type / Ryou said, glancing down briefly at his computer screen. / It's attacking children in the area. There haven't been many serious injuries so far and most of the crowd has dispersed /
Is it recruited by Chimera?
/ There's no information on that / Ryou gripped the handlebars tightly. / But they caused mou hitori no boku, Yami and Anubis so much pain. We have to destroy all demons /
Seto nodded. They had all suffered so much at the hands of the Otherworld. It was time for their payback. But still . . . he glanced over at Ryou, pained. The other took things so seriously. He had been damaged the most over these past few months, suffering separation, self-mutilation and infrequent bouts of insecurity.
/ I'm all right / Ryou told him / just a little worked up about revenge /
I hope that's all you're worked up about
/ Of course it is /
Still, revenge was not a good thing to be working for. If the driving force behind Ryou's enthusiasm was the need for revenge, then it would eventually break him. He would have to keep a close eye on the half-albino.
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End Chapter Ten
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Author's Notes:
Uh . . . I'm losing ideas for this. I need more time to think before I update again. Harem will be updated next, since the next chapter is already in progress.
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Relinquished