Chapter V: The Attack and The Message

In the meantime, Tsubasa was in class, wishing to leave. The teacher was explaining something about English grammar, and well, it's no news that Tsubasa isn't a really good student. However, the pain attack got him again, and he fell to the floor, holding himself and biting his tongue trying not to shout.

-Ozora, what happened? -the teacher asked, without moving.

-Sir, it seems Tsubasa has epilepsy or something like that -said Aaron, a classmate, who felt he was very lucky for having a famous soccer star as a classmate.

-Take him to the infirmary or to the hospital. Right now -and the young man that had talked for Tsubasa took him out of the place, alarmed. Her was about to take him to the parking lot and then to the hospital in his car, but he stopped him.

-Thanks, but don't take me to the hospital.

-Why? Didn't you have an epilepsy attack?

-Not really, Aaron. These attacks hit me from time to time, but I'm already used to it. Thanks anyway -and Tsubasa sat down on the steps of the main entrance.

-Then, what do I tell the teacher?

-Tell him that I'm OK already, and I'll go back to class soon.

Aaron left. Once the young man was out of eyeshot, Tsubasa thought quickly of what he saw while he was writhing in pain.

"Why did I see Santana near my home? He should be in Brazil! However, I don't like this at all."

And Tsubasa teleported to the place where Carlos had to be.

He arrived to the place, and indeed he saw Carlos. But there was something strange, something evil in him.

"What's happening with him? Santana's oozing something weird."

And however, Tsubasa wished for his feeling to fail, since Carlos went to Tsubasa's apartment and knocked on the door. Knowingly that Carlos shouldn't see him, Tsubasa used his old powers again and turned into a cat. He climbed to the roof of a nearby house and ran towards the building he lived in. What he saw wasn't nice.

-S-Santana… -Sanae said when she opened the door. -When did you arrive to B-Bar-Barcelona?

-Not long ago -he replied dryly. -And Tsubasa?

-He's not at home… He must be in college right now, I think.

"That's what you think, sweetheart" -Tsubasa thought.

-I understand… -and in an instant a pair of gargoyle-like wings sprouted from Carlos' scapulas. -Then at least I'll take charge of you.

Sanae was terrified, but she reacted forming the barrier on time.

-Santana, what's happening with you? What are you doing here?

-I'm not the Carlos Santana you know… Now I am an Antiarchangel… Whose destination is to defeat his greatest rival.

-If you're looking for your rival, here I am! -Tsubasa shouted, jumping and transforming back into a human. Although his expression didn't change, Tsubasa was afraid when seeing that Santana's cold eyes were icier than before and some strange black marks crossed his face.

-This was exactly what I wanted. Now I'll take revenge on what you did, Kami no Tsukai.

"Masaka! How is it that Santana knows who I really am?" –Tsubasa thought, upset. However, he didn't have time to react; Santana had kicked him on his stomach. Sanae screamed, and she ran towards Tsubasa, acting as a human shield.

-Sanae, go away. Santana only wants to kill me.

-But… How will you defend yourself if you forgot your powers?

-I already remembered them -and the Messenger of the God's faithful sword appeared in his owner's hands, along with the white magatama and the bracelet. -And once I remember them, I don't forget them! Shot of the Gods!

The attack seemed accurate… But Santana deflected it with his hands!

-You'll need something more powerful than that, Tsubasa. I'm not a weak Black Archangel.

-Don't underestimate me, Santana -and Tsubasa jump attacked Santana with his sword. He hurt him, but it wasn't serious.

-How weak you are… Now try my… Apocalypsis! -Santana formed a circle with his hands, and a blast of darkness attacked the couple. Tsubasa avoided it by the skin of his teeth, but it hit Sanae squarely, and she instinctively protected her stomach.

-Sanae!

-No… I won't let you… I won't let you hurt us or my husband! Heart's Call! -Sanae attacked Santana, and finally the Brazilian soccer player was seriously hurt.

"I won't let you hurt us or my husband? What did she mean with that?"

Santana got up as if nothing had happened and observed Sanae. Unexpectedly, some kathars appeared in his hands and he hurried to attack the Archangel of Love, unsuccessfully. Tsubasa had stopped the attack with his sword.

-Don't you dare touch my wife! -he exclaimed, furious.

-Don't get in my way, Tsubasa.

-And don't you meddle with us! -Sanae had made Bastet's Staff appear, and using her wings, she attacked Carlos from above.

-Heh, you're still so weak… Luckily this was only a recon. However… -Santana attacked again with his weapons and hurt Tsubasa. -I won't leave without my reward… To see your blood run.

Santana had attacked Tsubasa, and a thread of blood fell from the arm of the Messenger of the Gods.

"May this wound disappear…" -and while the wound closed, Tsubasa attacked Carlos. Blow after blow Tsubasa recovered his old strength.

"Shiro… Your advice would fall from heaven right now…" -but Shiro had died. Now Tsubasa was the one in charge of guiding the Archangels, but he didn't know it.

And for luck Tsubasa was able to deliver a good blow to Santana with the flat side of his sword; he wasn't able to use the edge on him. Santana, smiling a cruel smile disappeared, while Tsubasa stayed there, standing up. However…

-Tsubasa! -Sanae ran to her husband that had collapsed on the spot.

-Tsubasa, Tsubasa, honey… -Sanae knelt down at her husband's side, with the barrier still working.

-Don't worry. I'm just tired, honey… -he said weakly, smiling.

-Fool…

-By the way, would you explain me why did you say "I won't let you hurt us or my husband?"

-Ah, that… -Sanae breathed deeply. -Well… I'm expecting our first son, or daughter.

-Ah, that… WHAT! –wasn't Tsubasa's reaction obvious? -No, I can't believe it… But, how…?

-Heh, just as I thought… -Sanae murmured, amused.

-But… this is wonderful… I'm going to be a dad… -and of course, Tsubasa got up with a jump and hugged Sanae.

-Dear, let me go… You're smothering me… U

-Ah, sorry… It's just that we'll soon make a family improved my mood… -but of course, Tsubasa remember he had to be in class, and teleported back to his class.

-I think that when he said that when he remembered his powers he didn't forget them, I think he was serious. Well, I'll finish cleaning up the house and later I'll go to class.

But Sanae felt a strange tingling sensation in her legs, and she sat down. She checked her legs for anything strange, but it seemed nothing was causing that unpleasant tickling.

Without further ado, the young woman went back into her home and finished the cleanup, still thinking about that weird feeling.

Tsubasa had returned to the classroom, and the teacher was somewhat confused.

-I thought you had gone to the hospital, Ozora.

-No, sir… You see, I sometimes have pain attacks, but they go away alone. No one knows why do I have them, but they don't affect neither my life nor my career.

-All right then -and Tsubasa sat down, listening what remained of the class.

When he and the others were leaving the room…

-Excuse me, Aaron-san… I mean, Aaron, could you lend me your notes so I can update myself?

-It would be an honor! I mean… of course, Mister Ozora.

-Mr.? Hey, I may be married, but I'm not way older than you. Just call me Tsubasa.

-Well… OK, but mind you, I don't know how to use the suffixes you use, Tsubasa.

-Bah, don't worry -and both guys laughed, but Tsubasa remembered his best friend… Misaki-kun.

-Here are my notes, Tsubasa. Take care of them.

-Sure, and thanks, Aaron -and Tsubasa went to the cafeteria to update his notebook and have a drink.

-I can't believe it… I'm actually talking with Tsubasa Ozora, Barcelona's Japanese idol… -Aaron said, since he couldn't believe his luck, but he reacted and left to his house. Meanwhile, the Japanese soccer player translated the lesson from Spanish to Portuguese and from Portuguese to Japanese.

-I hope I can learn Spanish a little better… I mean, it's not that hard for me thanks to Portuguese, but anyway, it's completely different to my native language.

Back in Japan, Genzo was in his house, still writing. Since now he knew almost everything that had happened thanks to Ryou, who had been the first witness, he had been trying write the beginning, but he could only collect information in that moment. However, he needed to know everything from the beginning.

"Everything that happened when I was fifteen years old seems so unreal, so fictitious I don't know if it's perfect for a fantastic story. But I can't deny that I love what I'm doing: writing". -he thought, while he revised what he had written. And to be honest, he was writing fairly well, in spite of not being an assiduous reader.

However, he couldn't stop wondering something. What was his friend doing in this instant?

"He must be training or maybe studying… But I hope he's not fighting" –he thought.

He stretched his arms and checked the time. It wasn't late; it was only nine in the night, but he was tired anyway.

-Well, let's leave it to here -and after hiding his booklet (he didn't want anybody looking in his things), he changed clothes and went to sleep. And as you may assume, he slept deeply, although that didn't mean he would visit Tsubasa's mother on the following day, just by mere courtesy.

Meantime, in the house mentioned above, a friend of Daichi had visited the boy, who still had the cold, and in that instant the youngest in the Ozora family was updating his notebooks. Natsuko was stricter about school with Daichi than what she had been with Tsubasa.

-Let's see… Science is too boring, but there's nothing I can do about it. Now, out of chlorophyll, beta carotene is another colorant in leaves, etc., etc.… -Daichi reviewed aloud, while his mother was writing a letter to Koudai. In that moment the telephone rang and Daichi used his great agility, going downstairs as quick as lightning and answering the telephone.

-Hello, Ozora Residence. Daichi speaking.

-Daichi-kun? Hi, it's Sanae.

-Ah, hi, Sanae-san. How are all of you over there? -and Daichi lowered the headphone a little while he coughed.

-We're okay, fortunately. Are you better from your cold?

-Already a little better, but I'm still with that cough… I want to return to the soccer team now.

-It's no surprise; you sure are Tsubasa's brother.

-And the future captain of Japan -Daichi joked. -By the way, I dreamt of you and of my brother's friends.

-What did you dream?

-Something ugly: All of you fighting against other people, and the black Shiro attacked everyone… It was a nightmare.

But Daichi heard that his sister-in-law's phone had fallen.

-What did you say? A black Shiro?

-Yeah… A black Shiro that fought against my brother.

-Where did you get that about Shiro?

-I don't know it, but I know that what I saw was a black Shiro… Well, I'll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell him or my mom, Sanae -san.

-Tell me. Nobody out of you and me will know it.

-I have an imaginary friend called Shiro. I'm not lacking friends, but Shiro always gives me good advice.

-I understand. And is Shiro wrapped in a white cloak?

-How do you know it?

-I guess the name says something. -but Daichi is no fool.

-You know something about Shiro because you asked me where I knew it. Do you know something?

-I know something, yes, but I can't explain it now, Daichi-kun. Is your mother there?

-Yeah, she is. Mom, you have a call! -and Natsuko ran to the telephone.

-Hello, Natsuko speaking.

-Natsuko-san? It's Sanae.

-Ah, Sanae-chan. How are you?

-I have good and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?

-The bad ones… I guess it'll be better to leave the good news for last.

-OK. Bad news: Tsubasa and I are again back in what happened when we were in high school… And I don't mean our shyness.

-What? - Natsuko was shocked. –Archangels again?

-I'm afraid so. In fact, we fought against somebody we know well.

-Against who?

-Santana. But he acted very strange, as if he was possessed… And he was called itself an Antiarchangel.

-No, I can't believe it… And I forgot to tell you that Daichi had a nightmare with a black Shiro.

-Well, it seems Daichi knows something we don't, and it'll be better not to tell him anything so he doesn't worry.

-And the good news?

-Well… something is going to happen in nine months.

-In nine months? Sanae, don't tell me you…

-I'm pregnant, and I know it not because I'm not spotting at all, but because I heard my baby's voice in my mind.

Natsuko couldn't believe it. She was going to be a grandmother?

-Congratulations… And does Tsubasa know it already?

-Just guess how he reacted.

-Knowing him… First he shouted What? Later he denied it, swearing he couldn't believe it and later he almost smothered you, too happy for his health.

-How predictable is Tsubasa, isn't he?

-Don't mention it -and both women laughed. A while later Natsuko hung the phone, with mixed feelings. A new family member would be born, but once again Fate claimed Tsubasa to save the Earth, once again.

And Daichi knew something too, but Sanae was the only one that knew it… Daichi, just as its brother, hid something from Natsuko.

-Daichi, bedtime. Tomorrow you have to go to the school.

-OK, mom -and the kid went to wash his teeth, while Natsuko continued meditating on what Sanae had said. However, a scream coming from the bathroom startled Natsuko. She ran to the second floor bathroom, where Daichi was washing his teeth, and she saw with horror that her son was unconscious.

-Daichi! -Natsuko tried to wake up her son, but he didn't wake up as the playful Ozora kid.

-Ozora-san… -it was Shiro's voice, merged with her son's own voice! -Ozora-san…

-No… it can't be! Get out of my son!

-It's just for an instant… -the white being's voice was very weak. -The… The Archangels will fight again… But they won't be able to win…

-They won't be able to win? Will evil win this time?

-No… they won't be able to win alone… The Black Archangels…

-What happened with them?

-The Black Archangels…Must recover their powers and join forces with the Kami no Tsukai.

-And how will that happen?

-They will only achieve it… In the black moon… If the Tsukai wants… wants it to happen… -and Shiro's voice disappeared. Immediately Daichi closed his eyes hardly and he woke up.

-What, what happened?

-I don't know … I only found you faint on the floor, son.

-You see, Shiro… Shiro wanted to talk with you, mom -Daichi said, somewhat afraid.

-Shiro?

-I didn't want to tell you because I thought you'd make fun of me because I have an imaginary friend called Shiro.

-Daichi, you should've told me from the beginning. There's nothing wrong with having an imaginary friend, son. If you knew that your brother considered his soccer ball his best friend…

-It's no surprise, mom. I think that too, and I have friends in school, anyway. But, why should've I told you about Shiro from the beginning?

Natsuko didn't dare to answer.

"Son, forgive me, but I must tell Daichi what's happening with you. I don't want to let you down, but Daichi already knows about Shiro's existence…"

-You see, Shiro was real.

-Real? With its cloak and everything?

-With its cloak, bad temper and everything.

-And how is it that you know that Shiro was real?

-Shiro looked for Tsubasa for a long time since your brother is a special being.

-A special being? Was he born to be the captain of the Japan Soccer Team?

-No. It's something beyond that… -and Natsuko told Daichi all what happened before he was born, when Tsubasa hid his other identity and his powers, besides his feelings for who now is his wife.

Daichi couldn't believe it. He had sworn that Shiro was only part of his imagination, but it figured that it hadn't only been real; it had made his brother turn into some kind of a superhero.

-And if Shiro existed, why did it become my imaginary friend?

-I don't know. I believe you should know it, son.

But Daichi muffled a yawn, and after using the mouthwash he said good night to his mother.

-Good night, mom.

-Good night, Daichi. Sweet dreams, and don't forget that tomorrow…

-I'll return to school. I know it well, mom -and the boy left to his room. After Daichi went to his room, Natsuko entered her oldest son's room, now deserted. The old posters, the medals, even a mud jar he did when he had just entered Nankatsu Junior High were still there. But now her son wasn't there… Although the memories of when he was twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen years old... until he left to Brazil were there. But the memories she held better were when he hid a terrible secret.

"-Mom, I know that since some days ago you've been suspecting about me. I know I've been acting strange, but I have my reasons.

-Son… How do you know it?

-So you can understand how I know it, I'll have to tell everything from the beginning, mom. It'll sound really strange, even bizarre, but it's all true. But there's a condition.

-Which condition?

-You can't tell this to anyone -and Tsubasa began to tell her all what happened, from the time he entered the alley. As the story continued, Natsuko was more and more shocked. In the end, when Tsubasa told her what happened in Tokyo, Natsuko was almost in tears.

-Why didn't you tell it to me, son? Why didn't you trust me?

-I didn't want to involve more people than the ones that are already in this. "

But unintentionally, there were people that didn't possess powers who were very involved. Natsuko, Azumi, Herman… And now Daichi.