Chapter VI: A Friend In Trouble
Several hours later, back in Europe, Tsubasa arrived home after class and the soccer training, exhausted, but still remembering the news Sanae gave him. On his way home he had bought a gift for her.
-Coming! -he heard his wife say, while he was out the door. –Hi, honey…
-Hi, Sanae –he said, giving his wife a pretty flower bouquet with a tiny card. –For you, sweetheart.
-But it's not yet our anniversary…
-Does it have to be our anniversary so I can give you flowers? I brought you these flowers for two reasons. One: For the baby, and two: It doesn't matter what day it is, you're the most precious woman for me.
When did good old Tsubasa become so tawdry? Oo
-Tsubasa… Thanks. They're beautiful –said the young woman, moved. She couldn't believe it… It was something beautiful coming from him, although she felt he did it to pay off what was going to happen.
-You're welcome, honey–and at last he went into the house. They had dinner quietly, but Sanae broke the ice.
-I called your mom today, Tsubasa.
-Oh, really? What did she tell?
-Well, I talked with Daichi first, and it seems he's better from his cold now, but there's something that worries me.
-What?
-He told me he had dreamt with us and the others and we were fighting against a "Black Shiro," just to quote him.
-What? A Black Shiro? –Tsubasa stood up unconsciously.
-That's all what he said, and I promised I wouldn't tell anyone.
-Sanae, we're talking of my little brother. If he has something to do with all this, I'd never forgive myself.
-Well, OK, but don't say I told you, and you know I hate to be a gossiper, but it figures that Shiro is his imaginary friend. That's why he compared what he saw with a "Black Shiro."
Tsubasa sat down again, placing a hand on his forehead. Things were getting more and more complicated… And up to where he know, only three people outside the White Archangels, Black Archangels, and now the Antiarchangels, along with the Guides and Messengers knew something: Hayakawa Azumi, Misaki and Wataru's friend; Herman Kaltz, Genzo's best friend and Ozora Natsuko, his own mother. But now… His little brother was involved in all this, and unconsciously.
-Lord, no… I don't want any more people in this… -and Tsubasa was dead serious.
-But, what can we do to avoid more people getting involved in this?
-That's what I want to know, but there's no way on knowing it… Or maybe there is. Maybe Daichi is involved in all this for a reason.
-Don't you dare call him right now, Tsubasa. He must be fast asleep at this hour.
-I know. Besides, if someone wakes him up, he'll have a horrid mood. But I'll call him tomorrow; I'm sure he knows something.
Sanae shrugged, confused.
Meanwhile, in France, Wataru was in his apartment, studying alone, although he lived with a pet cat. He was so buried in his readings that he didn't hear Azumi opening the door with the key he had given her.
-Wataru-kun… -said Azumi quietly so as not to scare her friend, but she scared him anyway. The young man took his crutches and stood up quickly, thinking that Kuro was there.
-Azumi-chan… It's been two times that you scare me now –answered Wataru, sighing in relief.
-Stop being so paranoid, would you?
-You can't help it if you've had a lethal threatening in your dreams.
-I get it. Have you known something about Misaki-kun?
-To be honest, no. However, I think he got my message, Azumi-chan.
-I hope so; I wouldn't forgive myself if something happens to him.
-I should be the one saying that, pal; you're not the one who was a Black Archangel. Besides, it's my responsibility as an ex-Archangel to give info, I think…
-Well, let's wait and see if he sends a reply. On the other hand… You want to dine out?
-Er… -Wataru got nervous without wanting to. The last payment he got thanks to his translation works had vanished quickly because of the huge load of photocopies he had to get. –I'm running short on euros, Azumi-chan…
-Don't be dumb; it's on me. And don't you give me any excuses, dude, 'cause you know I won't listen to them.
-All right, then… -Wataru took his crutches and went to the kitchen, where he left some food for Hester, his cat. –Hester, dinner's served.
Azumi thought it was kind of dumb that her friend was talking to a cat, but the Persian tom went to the kitchen immediately and mewed quietly. After that, both Japanese students went out of the apartment and went to dine.
Both of them tried not to talk about the Archangels, since they didn't want to ruin the moment. However, Azumi couldn't stop observing her friend and ex-boyfriend. In spite of his palsy, he was somewhat tall, and… why deny it? Gorgeous with his hair combed back and the tiny beard he was growing, out of taking the wise decision of covering his blue eye with a brown-colored contact lens.
But someone else was observing the couple. Hidden in a corner, undercover, someone with cold azure eyes and long blond hair under a cap was haunting them, suspecting about them… Or at least he suspected the guy with the crutches.
"Have to keep an eye on everything…" –said the young spy to himself, but it was time to go, and knowing that the next time he wouldn't be that far, he left, leaving a generous tip on the bill.
But the guy passed near Wataru and Azumi's table, and both the one passing by and the one waiting his vegetable soup had a chill running down their spines. Azumi didn't feel anything, but she noticed her friend's uneasiness.
-Excuse me, do I know you? –asked Wataru, serious.
-I'm afraid not… -and the young man left.
-Wataru-kun… What happened with you?
-Call me crazy if you want, but I got a chill when that dude passed next to me.
-A hunch?
-No; just got the chill. That's why I was so uneasy, Azumi-chan.
-As long as you don't ham it up…
-For God's sakes, I'm not a little kid. I think I know how to be careful.
-OK, OK… Let's change the topic; I don't want to fight.
-OK by me –and they began to talk about college… And in this upside-down, inside-out world, there's always something to talk about.
Later, Wataru went back to his apartment on foot (I mean, on crutches). He couldn't stop thinking about that chill.
-Azumi must be right. I'm going paranoid.
-You really think so? –he heard behind him. It was the guy with the cap.
-Who are you?
-Shouldn't you know it? –and the other man took off his woolen cap. It was the captain of the French Soccer Team, El Cid Pierre LeBlanc!
-Oh, God… Pierre LeBlanc…
-Oh, just call me Pierre. After all, we're closer than what you think…
And as if it was magic, over the Frenchman's shoulders appeared a cloak like the ones vampires use in movies.
-No… This can't be real. Are you, are you a vampire?
-Could've been one, but I'm more than that… You know very well who I am…
-I don't know what you're talking about.
-Liar. You know I'm one of the Antiarchangels.
-You let Kuro manipulate you… -Wataru's face was pale.
-I see I wasn't wrong. Of course… Those crutches, the mismatched eyes behind the contact lenses… It's obvious that you're the most perceptive one of the people who didn't finish their job, Archangel of Hatred.
-I'm not an Archangel! If Kuro tricked you, then you ought to know I don't have powers!
-But you have information, and I can't let you hand it down, or the Black Guide won't make its dream come true, the New Genesis.
"Oh, Lord… If someone could help me… Misaki-kun or anyone… I need your help!" –Wataru was scared stiff. Pierre attacked him, but the guy with crutches stopped the cloak's attack with one of his crutches, which was quite battered now and Wataru fell to the floor
-You haven't lost your mental agility… Now I see why Kuro had a high concept of you until you betrayed it.
-You're kidding, right? Kuro never thinks well of anyone! It only manipulates people, including you!
-Say what you want… -and Pierre was about to attack Wataru, when a blast of water sent him against a wall.
-Wataru-kun! –exclaimed someone, and the man on the floor turned to see. It was Taro… Flying. –Take my crutches and leave.
-Mi, Misaki-kun…
-There's no time. Run away, now!
"May everyone be safe and sound... May Wataru get out of here safe and sound… May no one remember this…" –as quick as he could, the Archangel of Water formed the barrier, and seizing his Trident, he flew towards the Antiarchangel, while the ex-Archangel dragged himself to where the other crutches were.
-You! –exclaimed Pierre when he realized who had attacked him. –If it isn't my eternal rival, Misaki Taro.
-Pierre… How is it that you attack a friend of mine and to finish it off you know what he was?
-Kuro brainwashed him! He calls himself an Antiarchangel, Misaki-kun!
-Antiarchangel?
-Yes; I realized that you're not only my rival in soccer, Misaki, but we're fated to fight each other from eternities ago. So it was in the past, so it happens right now, and so will happen in the unmovable future–and Pierre attacked Taro with his cloak, whose edge seemed to be made of steel… And it also took the shape of vampire wings. As you may now, Misaki still hadn't recovered completely his ability to fly and he fell to the floor with a thud.
-The future… Or rather said fate may be foretold… But only you can make it happen, Pierre.
-Yeah, right… Now you're telling me you decided to die instead of your friend? You'll die in my hands, just as how it should've been in the past. Now, have a taste of my Nemesis! –and forming a triangle with his hands, the Frenchman sent a black blast against Taro.
But Taro evaded the attack in the right moment. He tried to stand up, but his injured leg made him fall to his knees.
"If I could just walk and run as before…" –thought the Archangel of Water, anxious.
-Misaki-kun! Fly! –Wataru shouted, thrusting himself with all his might against Pierre and delivering him a kick with his paralyzed legs, falling to the floor.
-Wataru-kun… I'm now going to waste this chance.
Taro went upwards with his wings, recovering step by step his ability to fly, while Pierre got up and made his own pair of wings appear.
-Don't think you have the advantage because you can fly… Nemesis! –once again Pierre attacked, but Taro neutralized it with his Marine Undertow. Both attacks exploded in midair, and so as to protect Wataru, the Archangel used the Water Wall.
"Now I can fight more easily… It's sad that I lost the fragment of pure water; I could attack Pierre with all my strength, although I don't want to hurt him."
-Don't distract yourself! –and Pierre hit Misaki's flat stomach with his cloak. But the Japanese guy reacted immediately and attacked the Antiarchangel with his Trident.
-You're not as tough as you seem… But now I know what to expect. Next time won't be so easy –and the Antiarchangel disappeared, laughing insanely. Just how had happened with the Kami no Tsukai, Misaki fell to the floor, out cold.
-Misaki-kun… Misaki-kun, wake up… -Wataru sat down at his buddy's side, although the barrier was still active.
-Wataru-kun… Are you all right?
-Yeah, thanks to you, pal. But, how did you know I needed help?
-I was asleep, when I saw what happened in my dreams.
-And you're not really skeptic, are you?
-It'd be very hard for me to be so.
-But tell me something… What time is it in Japan?
-About five in the morning. By the way, now we've proved that our suspicions, including yours are right. Now that we know how strong the Antiarchangels can be, and how low can Kuro fall, we'll have to be on the watch. Oh, by the way, here –and Misaki gave his friend a card.
-What's that?
-Since there's lots of trouble right now, I bought a cellphone. I have to go, and give Azumi a hug on my behalf –and with no further ado, the Archangel of Water disappeared, leaving his crutches to Wataru.
-I'll do it, pal –and who had been the Archangel of Hatred went home, where Hester and a message on the answering machine were waiting for him.
-Meow? –said the cat, asking him what had happened.
-Hi, Hester…
-Meoow?
-Had a problem, but it's OK now –and Wataru noticed that the answering machine's light was blinking. He pressed play and heard Azumi's message:
-Wataru-kun: Be very careful. Although at first I didn't identify him because of the cap, the guy that passed near us in the restaurant was Pierre LeBlanc, captain of the French Soccer Team. I hope this helps you. Azumi.
-Thanks, buddy… although I already knew it personally. Nonetheless, thanks for your help.
Meanwhile, in Hamburg, Tooru was in his apartment, about to fall asleep in front of his TV. He had received a troubled call from Genzo, who talked to him about Kuro's 'possible' return.
-Mmm… I think I'll go to sleep… But, will I be able to sleep with what Wakabayashi-kun told me?
He still remembered the call… And in spite of how tired he was, Tooru couldn't clear his mind. But then he remembered the one ting that cleared his mind completely. He went to his bedroom and took his GameBoy Advance (A's N: This looks like an ad …). He played a while, until he felt his head was clear enough and he immediately fell asleep. Bless the videogames, he thought; they cleared his mind, and although when he was a kid, then a teen and still now his parents censored him playing all the time (not true, you know), it was his way of letting off some steam, of clearing his mind and his hobby.
Luckily he didn't dream of Kuro, nor with the disaster that were about to come, which really was the wish of the twelve people involved in all this matter.
In the meantime, the sun was rising in Japan, and more specifically in Tokyo, Rairyuu was waking up at sunrise. Sin embargo, he didn't wake up with his usual energy, but somewhat down in the dumps because of what Jinko had told him on the phone.
-If Kuro's really back, then I'll have to practice my old fighting style… Although it doesn't really help when ya're fighting someone with weapons and powers.
He also remembered that the woman he had a crush on had asked him to tell Hyuga about this, since it seemed that the Archangel of Fire had only hunches, and in fact there was much more information. Even so, the young man who studied to be a P.E teacher looked in his things for something he hadn't sued ever since he was fifteen, almost sixteen years old.
-Where in this mess can they be? –he said to himself, until he found what he had thought he had lost: a pair of old gloves with the fingers cut off, but with some round metal plaques. –My ole fightin' gloves… I reckon it'll be better to practice now.
If you've played Final Fantasy VIII or Final Fantasy Tactics, you'll know there's a fighting technique called the Kiai Technique (also knows as Monk Technique, at least in FFT). Your only weapons are your fists, and you don't only punch your enemy. Well Rairyuu used the Kiai technique ever since he was a kid, and that had been the way he had beaten most of his rivals in school.
-One, two, three, hook! –he repeated quietly, practicing again the strikes he knew, since he suspected he had to fight once again, although he didn't know how soon would that be.
Some time later, in college, Rairyuu's classmates admired the fighting gloves the ex-Archangel of Thunder had on.
-Aren't they uncomfortable for writing or anything?
-Not at all. They're very comfy for me.
-You box or practice Muay Thai? –asked one of Rairyuu's best friends.
-Close but no cigar. Well, let's leave it like this, guys. Let's go and finish that muscle conditionin' paper, all right?
They kept on studying. Rairyuu got the urge to know what was happening in Shizuoka, so he went to call his old friend, Jinko. Crossing his fingers, he dialed the number of the doctor's office where she worked, and indeed, she answered.
-Good mornin'. Jinko? It's Rairyuu,
-Ah ,it's you, Ikazuchi-san.
-Hey, call me Rairyuu, would ya? I mean, we've been friends for a long time, right?
-Just forget it. What's new? Did you call Hyuga-san?
-I'll call him later, when I know he's at home.
-Well, don't forget it. By the way, all of our suspicions have been confirmed.
-How'?
-Today in the early morning one of us had to fight against an Antiarchangel.
-Whazzat?
-Imagine one of us, but with eviler powers and whose advantage is that it knows well his enemy.
Rairyuu gulped spit.
-Who fought today?
-Misaki-san, the Archangel of Water.
-He's not one of us. He's rather one of the others
-I don't agree, Ikazuchi-san. You see, the Archangels, both Black and White are Kuro's target, and the best we can do is join forces against the same enemy, although we don't have powers.
-But we have data, don't we?
-Right. I have to go, Ikazuchi-san. Goodbye –and the doctor hung up.
-Bye, Jinko… -and although he stopped a very slight sigh that was about to escape from him, the guy with the blond streaks in his hair was very grateful with what his friend the ex-Archangel of Darkness had told him.
Meanwhile, en Shizuoka, after hanging up the call, Jinko shook her head, resigned.
-Something the matter, Doctor? –asked the patient, and I guess you know who I mean, jellybean.
-Not really, Misaki-san. It was Ikazuchi, asking me what had happened, and it seems he hasn't left his stupidity back.
-What do you mean with that?
-It's personal… I don't want to talk about that. I'd rather like to hear why you don't have your crutches –said the young doctor, scolding her patient.
-I gave them to someone who really needs them.
-How's that?
-Remember what I told you about the battle I had? Well, Wataru was there, and he sacrifices his crutches just to defend himself. I barely have a limp, and he needs those crutches more than what I do. That why I left them to him.
Jinko raised an eyebrow.
-Well, that doesn't mean you can sacrifice everything for your friends.
-And who tells me I can't?