Disclaimer: Don't own YYH or Osa.

Japanese to Know:

Chapter 28

The Eyes of a Brother

"So, that's the plan," Sugisaki concluded. "What do you think?"

Ten other demons sat awestruck around the table. The plan just laid out was completely different from the discussed plan two weeks ago. So, naturally, they didn't exactly know what to think.

While they let it sink in, Hokage gazed about the small room with tired eyes. There wasn't a whole lot to look at. A few priceless vases, some stolen works of art, and other ancient trinkets, none of which interested her. And then she stopped on a painting in a glass case. A large tree, donned in green leaves and ripe fruit, stood a little off-center. Beneath it, a naked woman with long brown hair was holding a fruit, staring at something. With a new interest, Hokage stood and walked up to the painting. The thing the woman was looking at was a white snake with a black belly.

"Anthony," she whispered.

"Do you like this picture?" Sugisaki purred in her ear. "My sister painted it. She was always fascinated with the story of Eve and the Snake."

"She's very good," answered Hokage, still staring at the snake.

"Yes, she was. But ever since her husband died, she's been doing so poorly." He began to massage her neck tenderly. "I hope, when I show her the body of the human responsible for his death, that she'll be able to get back in the mood."

Hiei watched the demonic angel and the fire demon carefully, a combination of anger and jealousy burning inside him. He had the mind to intervene; yet he was curious to see what the girl would do. Could she be the demon she said she was?

"One can only hope," Hokage smirked, turning from his touch.

"Perhaps she will paint a picture with the human's blood," Sugisaki smiled, gray eyes shimmering.

"And I bet it would be beautiful," she said, smiling softly, naturally.

The master of the house smiled back, a sad look in his hard eyes. A look of longing and hope. The look given by those who possess kindness. The eyes of a brother.

"There is but one question I have of you, Sugisaki," one of the demons, coming from his thoughts, said.

"Oh?" the fire demon huffed innocently, turning to the speaker.

"How are we to overtake the Spirit World? Their armies outnumber ours a hundred to one."

"On a moonless night," Hokage answered, backto the group.

"Sugisaki, who is this?" the demon growled in disgust.

"She is the creator of this ideal," Sugisaki replied with admiration.

"Well, 'creator,' can you explain?"

The winged creature turned to them silently. "My husband and I know the layout of Enma's palace. And if they're taken by surprise on a moonless night—against demons accustomed to the darkness of the Demon World—then numbers will be of little use."

"A foolish hope."

"Yes," another demon snarled, standing. "And how would we know when the moon is new in Spirit World?"

"Three weeks from today," Hiei said, folding his arms across his chest and closing his eyes. "That's when the moon will disappear."

"And you are certain?"

A malevolent smirk spread across his thin lips. "Quite."

"Kurama," Osadyro began, sitting at a small, round table.

"Yes?"

She thought for a moment on how she should word it. "Is there anything you regret?"

The fox stared quizzically at the girl. "I'm afraid I don't understand," he said, sitting as well.

"Have you ever done something and later wished you hadn't?"

He thought for a moment. "No," he answered, "I can't say I have."

Osadyro turned her head to the band. "You're lucky then."

"You have many regrets?"

She chuckled. "That's one way to put it." A sad smile formed beneath the protection of her mask. Tears burned her eyes, longing to fall; longing to be seen. But she couldn't cry; she had to be strong. Both halves of her had to be strong for both halves of Hokage. She had to be strong for God.

Osadyro raced through the Halls, answering her master's call. She knew trouble was lingering, but she had to obey. It was programmed into her. The result of an experiment. God's experiment.

"Ah, good, you're here," God smiled as the angel came into view. His most beloved angel.

"I came as quickly as I could," she said.

"Another soul is dying on Earth. Tell me what you think." He pointed through a foggy mirror to a large fire. Within was a woman, writhing in pain as she was burned alive. But she did not cry out.

"Being burned like that…she would be more suited for Hell, my Lord."

"Yes, but I can fix her. Just like I fixed you."

Osadyro cringed deep inside. As old as He looked, He was like a small boy: always wanting to create new things. He loved experimenting on souls meant for Hell. Just as He had done with her, attaching the soul of a white tiger and twisting her will to obey any and all orders.

"I think I have just the soul for her," God concluded, smiling as the burning woman ceased movement. He turned to Osadyro. "She was the general of a large force, you know. A warlord betrayed by her lover. He stabbed her in the back and threw her in the fire while she professed her love for him. She could have killed him first, but she didn't want to believe." He laughed. "Yes, I have the perfect soul for her!"

"My Lord," Gabriel bowed, holding a burning, screaming soul.

"Raphael," God called.

The Archangel appeared and took the soul.

"The wolf, Raphael. I think it'll suit her nicely," the Lord smiled, and then disappeared. Gabriel, too, left. Only Osadyro, the burning soul, and Raphael remained.

"You don't have to, Raphael. You can cast that poor soul into Hell," Osadryo pleaded, staring sadly at the screaming soul.

"If only that were true," he said. With a blinding light, Raphael created a body for the soul. "If only."

The woman ceased screaming and looked at Heaven through her new eyes. She marveled at Osadyro's Heavenly beauty. But Raphael's stopped her heart. "Where am I?"

"Heaven."

"Heaven? Such a pretty place exists?" Something soft brushed her shoulder. Looking behind her, she saw her pure, beautiful white wings. "Do I get to be pretty too?"

Osadyro's eyes turned sad. She turned to Raphael. "Don't do this, Raphael. Don't make her hate Heaven. Please, Raphael."

"I don't have a choice. Neither of us do." In his hand, a black spirit appeared. "And neither will this girl. She will be doomed to forever be against the Laws of Heaven and Man. Unless she is able to do what we cannot."

"I'm sorry, dear soul. I'm so very sorry."

"So that's why Darkfire has such a strong hatred towards Heaven," Kurama nodded. "And why Hokage's so fond of battle. Darkfire was a warlord. Rare for a female."

"It's because of God that she hates God. Because of a vengeful spirit within her, she has the desire to destroy those that oppress her. That black wolf turned her wings gray," Osadyro explained, calling upon the thoughts of her inner self.

"So, then, she hates Raphael, too?"

"No, she loves him. He's the only one she ever regretted hurting. The only angel in Heaven she truly trusted."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I suppose though, it's because he apologized for doing what he did. He loved her when it was against the Law."

"Tenshi-kun, what do you think of 'Nanashi'?" Shizuru questioned, leading the boy to a table.

"What do you want to know for?"

"I just want to know."

Angel sighed. "She's clingy and I despise her for it."

"Despise?" Shizuru questioned, lighting up a cigarette. "Such a strong word to use on someone you've known so long."

"That's how annoying she is." He tried not to think on his words too hard, not wanting to regret it later.

The woman leaned back and crossed her legs. She stared at her date with analyzing eyes, searching for a shred of lie in what he said. But he hid it so well it seemed like everything was the truth. Did he really have no remorse?

"She thought she loved me…but she was just lonely," he murmured, clenching his teeth and glaring at the floor to keep from crying. "She's just a stupid girl."

Ok, I finished this last night, that's why I updated even though I said I wouldn't. But don't expect 29 tomorrow because I'm not even close to being done.