Chapter IV: Sanae's Secret
Once the voice that had tried to stop Kuro quieted down, Sanae woke up, scared.
-Who's there? –she exclaimed, breathing rapidly.
-What happened, honey?
-Nothing… I guess it was just a nightmare… -and silence came back to the Ozora residence. But everything had seemed so real… And the voice she had heard in the end, the one that had said "Mom," where did it come from? Sanae didn't understand it in the beginning.
And he understood everything as if someone had slapped her face.
That voice came from within her.
That delicate, mysterious voice…
It was the voice of her first child.
"Oh, God, I'm… I'm pregnant" –Sanae told herself, sleepless. She got up carefully and went to the bathroom, where there was a full-length mirror. But Sanae couldn't imagine herself with a 'belly' while she looked at herself.
"How will I do to tell Tsubasa? Knowing him… He'll begin with a loud WHAT; I'm sure of it ¬¬. He'll deny it at first, but then he'll be really joyful. No; he'll go bonkers ¬¬U. Things will be a little crazier than the usual from now on, and mind you, this world's already upside down, inside out."
She went back to the bedroom, and looked at her sleeping husband. How did she fall in love with him?
Unlike Tsubasa, Sanae knew it very well.
Everything had happened when she was twelve. She was Nankatsu Shou's cheerleader captain. She, the rough and tough Nakasawa Sanae, wasn't ashamed of insulting somebody like snooty Wakabayashi Genzo, or even cheering the pathetic (sadly that's the perfect word) Nankatsu soccer team.
Or at least she was rough and tough until the day when a boy of her same age came to the city, with a soccer ball at his feet.
It was Ozora Tsubasa, a boy who had just arrived to Shizuoka.
At first she wasn't very kind with him, but after he showed them his innate ability for soccer, her opinion about the newcomer changed completely.
That… An honest open smile and a pair of black eyes which always had a spark of energy.
They grew up, and the feeling she had in her heart grew with her, and she also changed her way of being. She had turned into a sweet, calm and efficient young lady, an excellent team manager…
…And in the beginning an ally, then an Archangel… and the last one. To finish it all, she had been very lucky, TREMENDOUSLY lucky, since the guy she had a crush on, Ozora Tsubasa, a.k.a the Kami no Tsukai, had asked her to be his girlfriend if they survived amidst the hardest battle of their lives. They did survive and win…
… And here's the present day: Now she was expecting a boy, or a girl thanks to him… A chiisai Ozora.
"God, how much do I love him…" –and kissing softly Tsubasa's forehead, the young woman fell asleep again.
Meanwhile, in France, Wataru was sound asleep. At first he was dreaming unimportant things, but later a miserably familiar face appeared in his dreams.
"Long time no see, Archangel of Hatred. ¿Or should I say ex-Archangel? Things do change, certainly. You and the others have changed, although I haven't… Fortunately for me. I came to finish what you began and left incomplete because of your foolish feelings, and yes, because of your friends. Didn't I tell you clearly that EVERYONE, except all of you would die, beginning with the White Archangels? ¿Perhaps those hateful beings softened your hearts and made you go back to the normality you hated? Well, I maybe will do something out of finishing what you began. I can assure you: you're going to pay the debt you have with me since I taught you everything…with blood."
-¡NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! –Wataru woke up drenched in sweat. He couldn't believe it; Kuro had returned for him and the others.
"That's why I had that attack! Of course… If when we were Black Archangels, already controlled our powers and had a pain attack, it was a signal of things to come, although we never knew exactly what would happen. We could only suppose the worst. They were feelings, nothing more."
But a real feeling rarely fails and besides, ¿why had Kuro appeared like that in his dreams?
The young journalist's head was about to burst with all the doubts he had. But it wasn't time to philosophize; he had to wake up early and tell Azumi about it, since she was the only person he could count on in that instant.
The sun went up in Europe y and night came to Japan. On one hand, the ones who were in Shizuoka and Tokyo had had a long and hard day, while the ones who were just getting up were looking forward to the day.
Tsubasa and Sanae woke up tired, since the night had seemed eternal, with nightmares, attacks and such.
-Good morning, honey –said the young woman while she cooked breakfast.
-Morning… -he answered before muffling a yawn. –Bad night, wasn't it?
-Heh, I agree. It was endless. By the way, honey… -Sanae was about to tell the news to Tsubasa, but Tsubasa's watch began to beep.
-Man! I have to go, sweetheart. See you in the night; remember I have to go to college today –and Tsubasa ran as quick as he could with the backpacks, leaving Sanae with the news.
-See you then… Oo
Tsubasa went out running, worried. Although he was usually punctual, fatigue had got the best of him, making him get up late, and it seemed that Sanae hadn't passed a good night either.
"By the way, honey… When she says that, it means something important. I wonder what was she about to tell me." –the guy was already curious. What had his sweet wife begun to tell him?
But he heard a church bell signaling the hour and the soccer player hurried even more.
Meanwhile, in France, Wataru was in the computer area in his college, telling Misaki what had happened in an e-mail; it was his duty as a friend and as a former Black Archangel.
-Misaki-kun: How has your rehab been? I hope it's better; you don't look well with crutches… at all, although no one looks OK with them anyway.
I'm writing to tell you something important: There's going to be lots of trouble for you and the other Archangels. If you remember the White Guide, then imagine it, but dressed in black and always doing evil, obsessed with the New Genesis. I don't have a clue of what's it going to do, but BE VERY CAREFUL.
Tell Jinko, Shinobu and the others if you can. I'd be eternally grateful to you if you do so.
Greetings and take care,
Wataru
PS: Call Azumi once in a while, would you? She's worried for you –so read the sent message.
"I hope this message doesn't arrive too late" –thought the mismatch-eyed guy, and in that moment someone covered his eyes.
-Who's there? –he asked in French.
-Guess –answered someone in Japanese.
-Kuro…
-No. Who's Kuro anyway? –and at last Wataru recognized the voice and the hands.
-Azumi-chan… You almost gave me a heart attack uuU .
-Ah, I didn't want to scare you. Why do you have that look on your face?
-Duh, I was born with it–answered Wataru, sarcastic. ¬¬
-Don't be dumb! I mean that worried look.
In whispers, the ex-Archangel told the young woman what he had dreamed, and she looked afraid.
-Will you tell Misaki-kun?
-Already did. I've just sent him an e-mail –but Azumi's face went pale.
-What happened?
-And if it's too late? And if the one you told me already attacked him?
Wataru understood immediately Azumi's worries, but tried to be positive.
-If something attacked Misaki-kun, I'm sure he beat it, or he will; after all, he's very strong, although he doesn't seem so.
-You say it as if you knew… Oh, right. You do.
-Of course I do… And let's not get into the details; we can't talk this so freely.
-Yeah… -however, Azumi still looked worried. –I only hope that message arrives on time, and we maybe can save more lives than we can even imagine.
-Although that doesn't depend on us. We're just mere witnesses.
-If there was a way of helping Misaki-kun and the others…
-The best way of helping him, Azumi-chan –said Wataru, placing his hands on Azumi's shoulders and looking square in her eyes. –Is having faith in them y cheering them on no matter what…
-Because they're Archangels after all.
Meanwhile, Genzo was already in Shizuoka, exhausted. Luckily his family's mansion was still there, and he was sleeping in that moment, since he'd meet later with two of his friends and battle partners… And someone else.
The poor guy slept badly in the jet, and once he arrived at Narita he made the connection to Shizuoka. But tired as he was, he didn't even notice the horde of cameras taking pictures at him.
He was completely worn out. He didn't even hear the alarm clock he had placed to wake up an hour earlier, and that alarm clock was really loud.
However, he didn't wake up until the maid that was working there in that moment went in and woke him up as he requested.
-Thanks, Shizuko… -and Genzo hurried to take a shower and change his clothes. After that he went out to meet with the people that had called him out.
Later, once he arrived at the café…
-Hi, Wakabayashi-kun –said Taro once the goalkeeper arrived. –Long time no see.
-Yeah, I guess.
-I should be the one saying that, Misaki-kun –replied Ishizaki, trying very hard not to laugh. –What's up, Wakabayashi-kun?
-Y'know… I hate those long jet trips… -and Genzo muffled a yawn.
-As if we didn't know. Every time you have to travel to some other country, you fell you're gonna turn into stone.
-You talk as an expert, and you're not a frequent traveler, Ishizaki-kun –said Misaki.
But in that moment Jinko arrived, troubled, followed by Shinobu
-Did we get here late? –asked the owner of Vitalis. –We need to tell you something.
-Jinko-san, Kurobane-san… -Ryou greeted them casually. –What brings you here?
-I'm afraid we have to tell you there's a disaster coming –Jinko said, pushing her glasses up with a finger.
-What do you mean, Doctor?
-We need you t come with us immediately –replied Shinobu. –It's about what happened when you were mere junior high school students.
Misaki, Wakabayashi and Ishizaki looked at each other.
-You mean the Archangels, right? –asked Misaki.
-You hit the spot.
-C'mon, guys. There's no time to lose –and the three soccer players followed the doctor and the manager, although Genzo carried Misaki on his back and Ryou carried the crutches.
They arrived at Vitalis, which was closed that day, along with Kai, whom they had met on their way. However, Shinobu opened the disco and made the others go into his office.
-Shinobu-san, it's weird that Vitalis is closed today… -admitted Kai. –But, what's the trouble?
-All of you know we were in opposite sides some years ago, for a reason I don't need to explain. But now the White Archangels and the ones who were Black Archangels have to join forces.
-And why's that? –asked Ryou, curious.
-You had a White Guide, who taught you what you know about your powers, and well, you know… -said Jinko, who didn't know if she could or couldn't finish the sentence.
-Yes, we know it died.
-Well, all of us except Kai, we also had a Guide, or rather, a soul manipulator.
-Some kind of Dark Shiro?
-It's name's Kuro. We say it's the guide who discovered us and taught us everything, but to be honest, it wanted to make its ambition true thru us: The New Genesis. Besides, I'm sure it didn't teach us everything we needed to learn –said Jinko.
-I'm surprised that in spite of losing your powers you still know that –said Genzo. –I must confess that although I'm still and Archangel, I had forgotten who I was, and I had forgotten my powers.
-Me too –admitted Misaki. –I guess that after years of not having a single fight my powers must be full of rust.
-Me three –confessed Ryou.
-I don't blame you –said Kai.
-What?
-I don't blame you. I mean, you had more time to know what you were capable of doing, and maybe that's why you forgot them. I didn't get to control my powers, and I wasn't conscious of what I was doing, nor did I last more than a night with them.
-And yet you remember everything.
-Maybe we blocked those memories because we didn't want to remember it –said Taro, worried.
-It's normal. No one likes to remember the bad things that has lived or done –Jinko admitted.
-Back into what I brought you here for, I'm afraid Kuro's planning on using other people to achieve its goal –interrupted Shinobu, serious.
-What? –said the people there.
-I fear that since we lost the battle, and therefore our powers coming from darkness, hatred and you know the rest, and then it must have looked for someone to replace the Black Archangels.
-And how will we know if it's true? Remember that we're starting up from zero again; we forgot everything –Genzo replied.
-That's where time is against you. I'd like to say that we'll all fight together, but you know that we're just mere mortals now.
-The only thing we can help you with is with what we know –Jinko added. –Maybe it's not much, but it's the only way we can do something for the world we almost destroyed once.
And Taro had an idea.
-Shinobu-san, do you have an Internet connection here?
-Of course.
-May I check my e-mail?
-Of course, although I don't get your idea.
-I have the hunch that an old friend of ours has something to tell us.
Misaki sat at Shinobu's PC, connected himself to the Internet and immediately checked his mail. Indeed, Wataru's message had arrived.
-Bingo.
After reading it two or three times, Taro turned the PC off again and took his crutches again.
-And well? –asked Ishizaki.
-It seems Wataru has the same gut feeling. He doesn't have an idea of what will happen, but he's sure Kuro is behind this.
Silence overtook the office, until Ishizaki opened his mouth.
-You know what this means? –he asked.
The others shrugged. What was he talking about?
-It means it's time to tell the only person in the world that can help us with this.
-¿You mean…? –Jinko said, looking at the Monkey Boy.
-Yeah; it's time to warn Tsubasa about this. I believe he's the only one who can do something about this.
And well, Ishizaki-kun's right.
-But, do any of you have an idea of how to tell him right now? –asked Kai, who in fact admired Tsubasa a lot.
-To be honest, I don't know –Taro said. Neither Ryou, nor Shinobu, or even Jinko had an idea of how the could contact Tsubasa, but Genzo had an ace up his sleeve.
-I have two ideas: One, call at his house in Barcelona and talk with Sanae, or two, call him at his cellphone.
-Tsubasa-kun has a cellphone? –asked Misaki, raising an eyebrow.
-He bought one not long ago–and Genzo looked for his friend's cellphone number, but no one answered. He later dialed at the Ozora residence, and luckily someone answered.
-¿Hola? Casa de la familia Ozora. (Hello? Ozora Residence)
-Anego? It's Wakabayashi.
-Ah, hi, Wakabayashi-kun. What happened?
-I'm afraid I need to talk with him immediately.
-I'm sorry… But he's in college right now, and after that he has soccer training since he'll travel to La Coruña next Saturday.
-And the cellphone? Why doesn't he answer it?
-He ran out of batteries and left it here to recharge.
-Then do me a favor, and it's a matter of life and death: tell him that serious trouble is on the way… And tell him to get ready for battle, since it seems that a being even more evil than the Black Archangels, with the pardon of the ones here, is going to attack us.
-You mean Shiro's antithesis, don't you?
-How do you know it?
-Tsubasa had premonitions again… And besides, Hyuga also felt it. He called us last night, telling us about the bad feeling he had.
-Really? It means that we're only missing… -but Wakabayashi's mind went blank. He was in charge of telling Tooru, but, was there someone missing?
-Tooru y Rairyuu would be missing –said Shinobu behind the Archangel of the Wind.
-Only two of the former Black Archangels would be missing. Anyway, be prepared, OK?
-OK. Bye.
-Bye–and Wakabayashi finished the call. –It seems they already know something.
A sigh of relief sounded in the office.
-But, how do they know? –asked Kai.
-Tsubasa-kun has the ability to have premonitions since he is the Messenger of the Gods, although it's a painful way of knowing it. Every time something happens, he has a pain attack –said Ishizaki.
-Just how happened to us? –asked Shinobu, astonished.
-What?
-We realized what was about to happen since all of us except Kai had a pain attack, but we can't foresee anything; we can only guess what'll happen.
-Well Anego… I mean, Sanae, only told me that Tsubasa had premonitions, but she didn't tell me when he had them, or what he saw.
-And that's strange in her; it's her husband we're talking about –said Jinko.
-Well, it'll be for the best to leave it here, guys. After all we don't have the entire eternity to try and do something about it, and there's till people who don't know what's happening, plus what Wataru and Tsubasa know –said Shinobu. -Who'll tell Tooru?
-I will –said Genzo immediately.
-We have to confirm Wataru's suspicions, so leave it to me; I'll tell Wataru and Azumi, who's our ally in Europe.
-I thought that only Herman know that!
-Well, you see it's not so, Wakabayashi-kun.
-Who will tell Rairyuu and Hyuga?
-I'll warn Ikazuchi –said Jinko. –And I'll tell him to warn Hyuga.
-Fine. The let's leave it here, and I hope that the next time we meet we know for certain what's happening
-OK. Bye–and everyone went to their own houses, with a worried look on his or her faces.
But would prevention be enough against those evil beings, of which four knew almost completely the White Archangels?
Not counting the evil being that was being created…