Chapter XII: Shiro's Warning
As he walked to Nankatsu Junior High, Tsubasa went by the alley where he met Shiro for the very first time. As his headache was still throbbing on his temples, he tried not to think of the constant scoldings that that mysterious character gave him. But unfortunately, there it was. Tsubasa tried to ignore Shiro, fruitlessly, since the being of the white cloak jumped spectacularly and landed in front of him.
-Don't ignore me, Tsukai.
-I don't do it on purpose, Shiro. I have to get to school right away and besides, I have a monster-sized headache.
-Nonetheless, didn't you know that a battle was held in Paris yesterday?
-No; this time I didn't feel anything.
-Well, the Archangel of Water fought again, and believe me; he has developed his powers in less time than all of you.
-Great. Hooray for Misaki-kun. Now, would you get out of my way, please? I don't want to arrive late -and when Tsubasa tried to pass by Shiro, he accidentally took the black feather out of his trousers' pocket.
-Hey, wait, wait, I tell you! What is that, Tsukai?
-A feather I found this morning on the floor of my room. I think it's a night bird's feather, or something.
-It looks like a Black Archangel's feather to me.
-Well, what should I know? Right now I don't distinguish anything. It's not you the one who's going bonkers with that headache.
-Come with the Archangel of Earth and Sanae to the temple today in the afternoon. Tell the Archangel of the Fire and of Water to come too. If not, there will be big trouble. And... Be careful.
-I always am. Now, with permission -and finally Tsubasa could leave, after keeping the feather in its pocket.
-Tsukai, I sometimes don't know what you're up to... -and Shiro disappeared.
Tsubasa arrived early, in spite of the time Shiro used to talk with him. He met with one or two of his classmates and simply sat down in his place, his headache giving him a terrible time. A little later, Kumi and Yukari arrived. The first girl was as always: quite glad, while the second girl gave a reproachful look to Tsubasa.
-Good morning -both girls said, with very different tones.
-Days –replied the boy curtly.
-What's the matter, Tsubasa-senpai? -Kumi asked, concerned.
-I have an atrocious headache, Kumi.
-If it's so, then don't talk to him. His head will probably burst if you talk to him, Kumi -Yukari said, angry with Tsubasa for no apparent reason.
-Yukari, what's happening with you?
-Oh, I'm A-OK. Sanae-chan's the one with trouble because of you. What did you do to her?
-Nothing... she was the one doing something –Tsubasa answered, resentful.
-Yeah, right -and Yukari left the classroom. Kumi followed her, in search of answers, while Tsubasa leaned on his desk, feeling more miserable than ever. Later Ishizaki arrived, and asked him what was happened.
-Headache –was the only answer he received. However, Tsubasa decided to write in a paper "Don't speak to me; I have a headache" and stuck it on his back so as to be left alone. Of course, Sanae arrived, saw the warning, and took it very seriously.
In recess Tsubasa went to the infirmary. The nurse gave him another pill, and told him that he'd get better if he calmed down.
-I'll keep it in mind -and Tsubasa left the infirmary. And in the hall he met with who the one he needed to talk to.
-Sanae-chan, hey, Sanae! I need to talk with you. It's important.
-Oh, really? About what? -the girl answered, upset.
-Look what I found this morning in my room -and Tsubasa gave the feather to the girl. Sanae began to examine it carefully, and gasped.
-I believe it must be from a night bird, but then again I have the feeling...
-I don't know... -Sanae continued checking the feather carefully. –I think it's a Black Archangel's feather.
-Shiro thought the same.
-Maybe one of them was in your room and wanted to kill you but your mother opened the door and he or she didn't have more choice than to escape.
-Who knows, Sanae-chan. Who knows.
After that, it seemed like both of them decided to leave their argument behind -there was no resentment in Sanae or Tsubasa's voice.
-By the way, Shiro told me we have to go to the temple today with Ishizaki.
-And why's that?
-I don't know. It said that if we didn't go, there would be big trouble.
-Well then, it'd be good to tell Hyuga and Misaki-kun to come then.
-It told me to tell them too. Let's go to the classroom.
They arrived at the living room, where Ryou was with his seat leaning against the desk behind him, reading a manga book. Tsubasa captured the boy's attention and explained to him what Shiro had told him.
-Again? Booooo-ring.
-But there's no other option, dude. Besides, we haven't gone there in a long time. Sanae will contact Hyuga and Misaki-kun so they can see at last who got us involved in this mess.
-OK, OK. Although I insist that it's too boring to go there. Just when I think about that Shiro, I get the creeps.
-And why's that? -Sanae said.
-Since it's always dressed in white and has such a pale face, I sometimes think it looks like a ghost.
-I'd never thought of that. Shiro seems a ghost, now that I think about it.
-Don't say those things... You know that I don't like ghosts, Tsubasa-kun –said Sanae, scared
"I am and I'm not a ghost" –was Shiro's telepathic answer. "If I can't show you how to save this planet, the gods will send me to the void."
-Gee, now that's selfish -Ryou replied.
-I don't think it is. Shiro's showing us the way to save this world, and its only reward is its eternal rest.
-If and only if we avoid the Black Archangels and the Kage no Tsukai destroying this planet -Tsubasa completed without even thinking... The headache had receded, but not enough.
The bell rang and the others entered the classroom. Ishizaki straightened his seat while Tsubasa, Sanae and the others sat down. Class began and ended as usual, but Tsubasa's head didn't stop throbbing. He was desperate with it.
They finished the classes, but a strong shower began and little by little turned into a storm. So hard it was that the training was cancelled and the threesome (Tsu-kun, Anego and Monkey Boy) were walking to the temple. While Tsubasa and Ishizaki talked about soccer, Sanae was concentrated telling the other two Archangels about the meeting.
A thunderbolt crossed the sky, scaring Sanae, who grabbed Tsubasa's arm out of sheer fright. He was surprised very surprised when she caught his arm, but understood what happened immediately when he saw Sanae's frightened face.
-It's only a thunderbolt, Sanae-chan -he said, red as a beet.
-Ah, err, I... I'm sorry! I'm a scaredy-cat -the girl responded, letting go as quick as you can say 'Holy Cow'.
-Don't worry. You're not the only one who's scared of thunderstorms.
-Heh, well, thunderstorms remind me of that idiot, the Archangel of Thunder… -said a voice behind them.
Tsubasa, Sanae and Ishizaki turned, just to see that Hyuga was there, holding a black umbrella.
-Thanks for warning about the rain, Sanae. Definitively you are a real ally in this.
-It's my duty, Hyuga.
-By the way, where is that supposed temple?
-We're going there -Ishizaki answered, annoyed. He wasn't afraid of Hyuga, but he had always hated his arrogant attitude (although Ishizaki is not an ideal of humility)
-Then can I go with you? -said another well-known voice. Tsubasa turned, and although he had seen him some days ago, he was nonetheless very happy of seeing his very best friend.
-In fact we can't arrive without you -the Kami no Tsukai answered, smiling. The five youths, ran toward the temple where it didn't lapse the time under the storm.
-Misaki-kun, shouldn't you be in class? -Sanae asked, curious.
-In fact when you sent me the message, I was about to go to recess. I hope the meeting doesn't take a long time.
-I say the same. I don't want to get scolded.
-Stop worrying ,both of you; time doesn't pass in the temple -Ishizaki said.
-I hope so.
They arrived at the temple, where Shiro waited for them. Hyuga and Misaki were astonished when seeing the gloomy magnificence of the place, besides the chill that ran down their spines.
-This is the place where Shiro is? -Hyuga said, visibly uncomfortable.
-Well yes, here I am –the white-cloaked being answered.
Shiro's sudden appearance made four energy waves fly around, and everyone but Sanae fell to the floor.
-Shiro, don't scare this way us, please -Tsubasa replied, rubbing his head, which not only was still hurting, but now had a bump. Ishizaki and Hyuga also ranted in their own way, while Taro simply stood up and shook off the powder from his clothes.
-Anyway, the result of my appearance was already known -responded the part-ghost curtly.
-Why did you make us come? -Hyuga said.
-I need to tell you something important.
-Tell it to us then, please -Misaki said peacefully.
-As you should know, the Black Archangels are soon to find the two Archangels that we're missing, and if we don't find them quickly, they'll kill them.
-Tell us something we don't know.
-Let me give you an example: the Archangel of Hatred discovered who was the Archangel of Water was and was about to kill him.
-But Tsubasa knew they were attacking Misaki-kun and went to save him -Ishizaki replied.
-However, one more minute and I could've died –said Misaki, who seemed to be the only one that understood Shiro.
-Exactly. Finally there's a levelheaded someone that listens and understands.
If Shiro could demonstrate what it felt in that instant, it would've hugged the sweet Misaki-kun, but the entire time that passed by itself and the fact of having been a man and woman in previous occasions had erased its feelings.
-Well, if it works at least, I have suspicions of who can be one of the Archangels that we got to find -Tsubasa said.
-Who? -asked the others.
-Wakabayashi-kun.
-Wakabayashi? why? –Hyuga asked, his arms crossed.
-Because in a letter he sent to me, he told me he was dreaming once and again of a battle between beings of white wings and black wings.
-Just how I did... -Misaki said, realizing it. -Then we must stop the Black Archangels from attacking him.
-However, if it's o, then we're still missing an Archangel -Sanae said. -Shiro, do you have some idea of how he or she could be discovered?
-Not. I only know that he, or she, is the most powerful Archangel in our side and that he or she will only appear when the other four Archangels have woken up.
-That is to say that until the Archangel of the Wind doesn't wake up there won't be a way to find the last Archangel, or am I wrong? -Ishizaki said in a sudden outburst of good sense.
-So it seems, Ishizaki-kun -Tsubasa answered, worried.
Later the boys and the girl left the temple. Just as Ishizaki had told them, time hadn't passed while they had been in that mysterious place.
-That Shiro is prone to nag too much, right? -Hyuga say concisely.
-Don't mention it. It always nags ME –said Tsubasa, discouraged, but something lit up in his pained head. -Guys, I need you opinion.
-Why, Tsubasa-kun? -Misaki asked.
-You see, this morning I found this feather in my room. The opinions I've received, that are Shiro and Sanae's say it can be a Black Archangel's feather. What do you say?
Tsubasa passed the feather to Misaki that passed it to Hyuga and he to Ishizaki.
-I agree with Sanae; it sure looks like a Black Archangel's feather -Ishizaki said.
-I say the same -Hyuga said.
-Ditto.
-Well, I think this is very weird. How would it have arrived there?
-Up to where I know, for every place where there's an Archangel, there is a Black Archangel, to maintain the balance. I believe it could've been the Archangel of the Darkness -Sanae said.
-And?
-Maybe she went to Tsubasa's room with the intention of destroying him, but for some reason we don't know she didn't.
-Who knows.
But Sanae thought something she wanted to discard immediately but wasn't able to for because of the anger it produced her.
-And if the Archangel of the Darkness fell in love with Tsubasa? -she said, lowering her head. -After all, although she is evil, she's a girl, and I reckon she's about our same age.
-Well, I believe she is a girl although she doesn't seem so completely. However, is it possible that somebody like her is able to feel?
-One of so many mysteries without solution -Misaki said, and when he checked the time, he teleported back to Paris in a wink.
-Jeez, you used to say good-bye in the olden times -Ishizaki said.
However, he wasn't the only one. Hyuga also checked the time and returned to Tokyo.
-Well, at least now we know. I think it's better to go home.
-Yeah; see you later, Tsubasa-kun -and Ishizaki went towards his house.
-OK, I'm going too -Sanae said, taking her own direction, but a black blaze stopped her.
-You're not going anywhere.
The Archangel of Darkness was there.
Tsubasa immediately formed the traditional barrier, but a calculation mistake, or rather a heart mistake left Sanae inside the barrier, not out.
-You were the one in my bedroom last night, weren't you?
-What are you talking about? If I did so, I'd only go there to kill you! Black Fire!
-Shout of the Gods! -Tsubasa counteracted the attack, trying to avoid that Sanae got hurt. But he couldn't avoid the second blast of Black Fire and fell to the floor, almost unconscious.
-Tsukai! No! -Sanae ran towards the lad who hadn't used his wings.
-How sweet... The girl in danger running towards her knight in shining armor... I fell I'm going to puke -and the Archangel of Darkness used her Black Fire again. The attack seemed to be able to destroy the girl with a single blow, but a ray of light protected Sanae; the talisman had stopped the attack.
-I won't let you destroy the Messenger of the Gods -Sanae said, with the glass sphere in her hand. -If you want to destroy him, you'll have to kill me first.
-Sanae-chan... Sanae, don't do it! -Tsubasa exclaimed, getting up.
-If you want to... Black Fire! -and again the girl possessed by hatred and darkness attacked.
-I won't let you do it again! -and somehow Sanae made the Talisman stop the attack and revert it. The Black Fire hit the Archangel of Darkness, who was injured but still standing up.
-Sanae, leave this to me. Shout of the Gods! -and Tsubasa's last attack made the Archangel of the Darkness to fall to the floor.
In silence the Black Archangel disappeared, while Tsubasa vanished everything and fell to the floor, fatigued. Sanae hurried to help him.
-Tsubasa-kun, are you OK?
-I'm just tired, Sanae -the boy answered, standing up.
-Thank God.
-However, you shouldn't have faced the Archangel of Darkness. She could've killed you.
-I wasn't about to let her kill you like that... -but Sanae could not continue the sentence; Tsubasa hugged her strongly, leaving the girl in shock.
-Don't risk your life again, please. I know you're our ally, but you could've died, and I don't want that to happen. I was really scared when she attacked you.
-Tsubasa... -although Sanae felt like in a dream in that instant, something made her return to reality. -Tsubasa, you're stepping on me.
Embarrassed, Tsubasa let go and backed off. Sanae moved the toes of the foot that had been stepped on by the soccer player.
-Er, I'm sorry, Sanae-chan... I didn't mean to…
-Don't worry. Anyone can make a mistake, Tsubasa-kun -the girl answered smiling.
Tsubasa was speechless as he saw Sanae like that: under the rain (obviously with an umbrella), and smiling. Although the boy was almost blinded by the soccer and he always loved to see a great goal, in that instant seeing the girl he loved like that, under the rain and smiling was one of the most beautiful things he had seen in his life.
Later Tsubasa arrived at his house. Natsuko had been quite concerned for the storm. She asked her son where it had been, under such a strong storm.
-Don't worry. I had to go to where Shiro lives.
-Who's Shiro?
-I thought I had told you, mom. Shiro's the one who put us in all this mess.
-Ah, OK.
-What's for dinner? I'm starving!
-Takoyaki (octopus meatballs)
-What? Really? -Tsubasa loved takoyaki.
-Yup.
The boy ran to his room, made his homework in less than a wink, changed clothes and went downstairs again.
-Definitively I don't know what to do with you, Tsubasa. You eat anything that's not tied down.
-Not that much, mom. I eat, but I don't gobble that much... Like Ishizaki (in another point of the city someone sneezed loudly)
-He's one of a kind -Natsuko answered, laughing. Tsubasa couldn't help snickering thanks to his mother's comment.
-You're right, mom... He is Gobble King...
-And by the way, how's you head?
Tsubasa hadn't realized when his headache disappeared.
-Hey, my head doesn't hurt anymore... finally.
-Glad to hear it, honey. Because not only you headache disappeared, but your bad temper did too.